Per Pete:
"I had been wanting to visit Istanbul for some time and glad I could get up here for a quick weekend, but ultimately would like to spend a lot more time here. Istanbul is a beautiful city and you get a feel of just how massive it is coming into the city. It's huge, there are mosques everywhere, it straddles Europe and Asia and is one of the largest cities in the world. I stayed at a great hotel with amazing views of over the Blue Mosque and across the water.
I visited in February 2015, but would like to try and come back up in the spring/summer if possible when the weather may be better.
Istanbul is still plenty safe for people to visit. Other than hagglers repeatedly asking if I wanted to buy a carpet (seriously what makes you think a single, male thirty year old would be interested in purchasing a carpet?) there was no reason to be worried or scared walking around the city. Like anywhere else, 99.99% of the population are just trying to live their normal, daily lives...and hopefully sell a carpet.
A lot of the main tourist sites are in Old City making the area a great starting spot for a first trip to Istanbul. The Old City is great to walk around the windy, narrow roads. On a future trip I would try and stay in a different area and visit other places.
"I had been wanting to visit Istanbul for some time and glad I could get up here for a quick weekend, but ultimately would like to spend a lot more time here. Istanbul is a beautiful city and you get a feel of just how massive it is coming into the city. It's huge, there are mosques everywhere, it straddles Europe and Asia and is one of the largest cities in the world. I stayed at a great hotel with amazing views of over the Blue Mosque and across the water.
I visited in February 2015, but would like to try and come back up in the spring/summer if possible when the weather may be better.
Istanbul is still plenty safe for people to visit. Other than hagglers repeatedly asking if I wanted to buy a carpet (seriously what makes you think a single, male thirty year old would be interested in purchasing a carpet?) there was no reason to be worried or scared walking around the city. Like anywhere else, 99.99% of the population are just trying to live their normal, daily lives...and hopefully sell a carpet.
A lot of the main tourist sites are in Old City making the area a great starting spot for a first trip to Istanbul. The Old City is great to walk around the windy, narrow roads. On a future trip I would try and stay in a different area and visit other places.
HAGIA SOPHIA
One of the largest and most impressive religious sites in the world, the Hagia Sophia was originally a Greek Orthodox church. In 1453, when the Turks conquered Constantinople, the church converted to a mosque and a Islamic architecture elements, such as minarets, were added. The mosque closed in 1931 and re-opened a few years later as a museum. It served as the inspiration for the nearby Blue Mosque.
CLICK OR TAP PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
One of the largest and most impressive religious sites in the world, the Hagia Sophia was originally a Greek Orthodox church. In 1453, when the Turks conquered Constantinople, the church converted to a mosque and a Islamic architecture elements, such as minarets, were added. The mosque closed in 1931 and re-opened a few years later as a museum. It served as the inspiration for the nearby Blue Mosque.
CLICK OR TAP PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
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BLUE MOSQUE
The Blue Mosque is beautiful, beautiful structure. They have restricted visiting hours for non-Muslims and when I went to check out the line to go in I turned around. Even if you can't go insides, it's still great to stand outside in awe.
The Blue Mosque is beautiful, beautiful structure. They have restricted visiting hours for non-Muslims and when I went to check out the line to go in I turned around. Even if you can't go insides, it's still great to stand outside in awe.
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TOPKAPI PALACE
Topkapi Palace, behind Hagia Sophia is the most interesting of the three major sites in terms of having historical artifacts and information on history - it should not be missed. The palace contain's many interesting and historical artifacts like Mose's staff, hair from Muhammad's beard, and bunch of other stuff. There is also an awesome collection of diamonds, jade, and other jewels collected throughout the years. It amazes me how good of artists people were hundreds of years ago.
BASILICA CISTERNS
The cisterns are an underground water system that historical served as the city's main water source. If you've read Dan Brown's book, Inferno, you will know of this place. People said this was a must visit... I'd choose Topkapi Palace instead. Luckily there was short line, and it doesn't take long to see it.
Topkapi Palace, behind Hagia Sophia is the most interesting of the three major sites in terms of having historical artifacts and information on history - it should not be missed. The palace contain's many interesting and historical artifacts like Mose's staff, hair from Muhammad's beard, and bunch of other stuff. There is also an awesome collection of diamonds, jade, and other jewels collected throughout the years. It amazes me how good of artists people were hundreds of years ago.
BASILICA CISTERNS
The cisterns are an underground water system that historical served as the city's main water source. If you've read Dan Brown's book, Inferno, you will know of this place. People said this was a must visit... I'd choose Topkapi Palace instead. Luckily there was short line, and it doesn't take long to see it.
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SHOPPING STREETS...
The rugs... the rugs... shopkeepers try and get you to buy these like crazy. I bought some souvenirs from this guy and he seemed nice enough so we were talking and even he wasn't just happy I bought about six things... he still wanted to show me his rug store. Again, I just don't understand, do they think a solo, thirty year old male, traveler is interested in purchasing a bulky Persian style rug???
Bafic Mustafa is a great cafe and famous for everything - baklava, turkish delight, turkish tea, you name it. It's Great little stop.
Istiklal Avenue is a crowded and exciting pedestrian shopping street.
The rugs... the rugs... shopkeepers try and get you to buy these like crazy. I bought some souvenirs from this guy and he seemed nice enough so we were talking and even he wasn't just happy I bought about six things... he still wanted to show me his rug store. Again, I just don't understand, do they think a solo, thirty year old male, traveler is interested in purchasing a bulky Persian style rug???
Bafic Mustafa is a great cafe and famous for everything - baklava, turkish delight, turkish tea, you name it. It's Great little stop.
Istiklal Avenue is a crowded and exciting pedestrian shopping street.
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... AND THE GRAND BAZAAR
It felt pretty organized in here than I would imagine. Less haggling in here than outside. No one really bothered you into buying anything. |
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Visit Istanbul! It's one of the most beautiful, historic cities in the world! Any questions, please let me know!! I spent whole time in Old City and Galata neighborhoods... but there is so much more to see.
For additional photos see FACEBOOK ALBUM.