I have to say that Istanbul is one of the most interesting places I’ve traveled to so far. Prior to making plans to visit I didn’t have great knowledge about the culture nor the history so I did some reading up. I knew that Istanbul used to be Constantinople but that was the extent of my knowledge. As I read up about Turkey I became increasingly more excited about traveling there.
We booked a 14-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise on Celebrity Equinox that was departing out of Istanbul as you can see it docked here.
SIDE NOTE :: Let me say right now that this is my most favorite cruise to date (and I’ve taken nearly 15) and I would take this exact cruise again in a heartbeat. Our itinerary was :: Istanbul, Ephesus, Mykonos, Athens (Piraeus), Kotor, Dubrovnik, Corfu, Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence (Livorno), Nice (Villefranche), Marseilles, Barcelona. 12 ports in 14 days left only 2 full days at sea. OMG it was a fabulous cruise! I have already blogged about Kotor, Dubrovnik and Barcelona (click on links to read more on each) but I hope to write about the others as well because each was spectacular on its own.
Ok, I digress :: let me get back to Istanbul. I am really thankful that we decided to arrive in Istanbul 4 days early to explore this interesting city. Due to security issues (a wave of bombings of the parliament and presidential palace with 240 dead, a military coup to overthrow its president a week prior to our arrival) Celebrity decided to leave Istanbul one day earlier than originally scheduled. And apparently all the cruise lines have taken Turkey off of their itineraries, indefinitely.
While in Istanbul we did not experience any safety issues whatsoever. Thank God! On the contrary we had an amazing time. The places we visited were spectacular, the people were kind and hospitable, the weather was fabulous (except for one afternoon when we had a short downpour). We did nearly everything we planned on seeing. However, due to the early departure we missed crossing the Bosphorus to the Asia side. BOO! Looks like I’ll have to come back one day…
For our stay in Istanbul Roydio booked a great little boutique hotel for us that was walking distance to several attractions on our list of must-see places.
Basileus Hotel
The Basileus is a cute little boutique hotel in typical Turkish style and traditional Turkish hospitality located in Sultanahmet district within walking distance to many popular tourist attractions in Istanbul. Our airline (Alitalia) lost our luggage (BOO!) and the desk attendant at Basileus interceded for us to get it back… which we did… the following day. We are convinced had it not been for our amazing hotel manager we may never have seen it again.
Basileus Hotel offers an open buffet breakfast 7am to 10:30am with 24-hr room service. The room was clean and adorable, the staff was wonderful, very helpful and so accommodating. If you have plans to come to Istanbul I highly recommend Basileus Hotel.
Location :: Küçük Ayasofya Mh., Şht. Mehmet Paşa Sk. No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Sultanahmet Square / Hippodrome of Constantinople
The Hippodrome “horse” square now called Sultanahmet Square is the oldest part of Istanbul (previously Constantinople the largest and wealthiest city in Europe during the 4th–13th centuries and a center of culture and education in the Mediterranean), built in about 203AD, as a u-shaped track in an arena for horse and chariot racing in the ancient world at about 1300 ft wide and 2600 ft long with stands that accommodated 100,000 spectators. This was the Byzantine center of the city’s social life.
After Constantinople’s destruction in 1453 Constantine brought works of art from all over the world to adorn it. Fragments of the arena as well as the Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius, Walled Obelisk and the German Fountain are all that remain. Be sure to read more about Constantinople because its history is fascinating.
Location :: Binbirdirek Mh., Sultan Ahmet Parkı No:2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Obelisk of Theodosius
The Obelisk of Theodosius was brought from Egypt to Constantinople in 390AD and is made of red Egyptian granite. Originally 30m tall the lower part was damaged, probably during its transport or re-erection in 1490, and so the obelisk is today only about 19 meters high. Between the four corners of the obelisk and the pedestal are four bronze cubes, used in its transportation and re-erection.
Each of its four faces has a single central column of inscription, celebrating Thutmose III’s victory over the Mitanni which took place on the banks of the Euphrates in about 1450BC. What an amazing site to see.
Located in the Hippodrome.
Walled Obelisk
This 10th century original obelisk was covered with golden bronze plaques that were taken in the Fourth Crusade. The stone core survives as it is today.
Located in the Hippodrome.
Serpentine Column
Cast to celebrate the victory of the Greeks over the Persians during the Persian Wars in the 5th century BC. It was moved from the Temple of Apollo at Dephi to be set in the middle of the Hippodrome. The Serpent heads and top third of the column were destroyed in 1700. All that remains is the base.
Located in the Hippodrome.
German Fountain
German Fountain 
German Fountain ceiling
The German Fountain was the German Empire’s gift to the Ottomans to commemorate the second anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II’s visit in 1898. It was built in Germany and transported piece by piece and assembled in its current site in 1900 and inaugurated in 1901. The Neo-Byzantine style fountain is an octagonal dome with eight marble columns, with stone and gem parts and interior covered with golden mosaics. It is truly beautiful to see.
Located in the Hippodrome.
Blue Mosque
Where in the World is Louise? Istanbul :: Blue Mosque
Also known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque this is one of the grandest and most photogenic of Ottoman mosques in Turkey with the largest courtyard. The acoustics inside are amazing. They used 21,043 blue tiles inside (maybe why they call it the “Blue” Mosque? Duh!). They do require you cover your head when entering.
Location :: in middle of Istanbul opposite the German Fountain at Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Milyon Monument
The Milyon Monument was erected in the early 4th century AD as the zero-mile marker measurement of distances for roads leading to the cities of the Byzantine Empire. It disappeared by the 16th century but during excavations in the 1960’s some parts were discovered under the houses in the area and its remains were re-erected.
Location :: at the northern corner of the square of Hagia Sophia and close to the Basilica Cistern at Alemdar Mh., Divan Yolu Cd. No:2, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Arasta Bazaar
The Arasta Bazaar is a modest market built by Ottoman officials in the 17th century. The rents collected are dedicated to provide the upkeep of the Blue Mosque. It once belonged to a Byzantine Palace complex and the Great Palace Mosaic Museum lies beneath it. I purchased some handmade pottery here – I found it much less crowded than the Grand Bazaar and much more authentic.
Location :: behind the Blue Mosque, on the north side of Torun Street at Sultanahmet Mh, sultanahmet meydanı, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Hours :: Mon – Sat, 9am to 7pm – some shops open Sun
Basilica Cistern
entrance lines 
view from the entrance 
Medusa Head 
Medusa Head #2 
Where in the World is Louise? Istanbul :: Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient subterranean cisterns beneath Istanbul. Located across from Hagia Sophia it was built in the 6th century by 7000 slaves. This was the water filtration system for the Great Palace of Constantinople and Topkapi Palace at 453 ft by 213 ft for a total of 105,000 sq ft holding 2,800,000 cu ft of water.
The ceiling is supported by 336 marble columns each 39 ft high arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns spaced 16 ft apart. The majority of the columns are made of recycled ruins, marble and granite. 52 stone steps decent into its entrance.
The very impressive Basilica Cistern has been open to the public since 1987. This is a definite must-see if you find yourself in Istanbul.
Location :: Alemdar Mh., Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34410 Fatih/İstanbul
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia 
Hagia Sophia gardens
Hagia Sophia was build in 537AD, the world’s largest building and engineering marvel of its time. She was considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have changed the history of architecture. This third church of the “Holy Wisdom” was a former Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral but in 1453 it was converted to an Ottoman imperial mosque at which time they destroyed and/or plastered over the images of Jesus, Mother Mary, angels and saints and they added Islamic features.
In 1931 it was closed for 4 years and in 1935 became a museum. By the Republic of Turkey it was deemed as Turkey’s most visited tourist attraction. This year the current president announced that it might be reverted to a mosque.
Location :: Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Ayasofya Meydanı, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace 
No Entrance Here
Topkapi means Cannon Gate. I didn’t see any cannons but there were armed military personnel standing guard so that no one entered through this side. In the 15th century (construction began in 1459) this was the residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultanas. After the 17th century Topkapi lost its importance due to new sultans preferring their residences to be along the Bosphorus. In 1923 it was turned into a museum.
Location :: Cankurtaran Mh., 34122 Fatih/Istanbul
Gulhane Park
Meaning “house of flowers” Gulhane Park rests on the grounds of Topkapi Palace and is one the oldest and most expansive public parks which opened in 1912. It originally included a zoo, fun fair and picnic grounds but has since changed to a natural landscape with trees dating back to the 1800’s. It was so peaceful to walk in this park and take in the fresh air.
Location :: Cankurtaran Mh., Kennedy Cd., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Mustafa (orig Pasha) Ataturk statue
Mustafa Ataturk was the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey from 1923 to his death in 1938. He introduced the Latin-based Turkish alphabet and was responsible for a rigorous program of political, economic and cultural reforms. Some of those include free compulsory primary education, the opening of thousands of new schools all over the country, equal rights for women (ahead of many Western countries), voting rights for women in 1930 and full universal suffrage, earlier than most other countries in the world. The state gave him the name of Ataturk which means “Father of the Turks” and made it against the law to give anyone else that name. His motto was “Peace at Home, Peace in the World.”
It was a nice ending to our stroll in the park to find this statue and read all about this Turkish president who made so many positive changes in an area of the world that is filled with so much turmoil.
Location :: Gulhane Park at Cankurtaran Mh., Kennedy Cd., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest (30,700 meters) covered markets in the world including 61 covered streets and over 4000 shops. The Grand Bazaar is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls in the world. You can find almost anything here :: I purchased several souvenirs here. It was delightful to wander around this market and we came back several times.
Location :: Beyazıt Mh., Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul
Spice (Egypt) Market
The “Egypt” Market was built between 1660 and 1665 and is the center of the spice trade in Istanbul. It is located in the complex of the New Mosque, the acquired rents of which are designated to pay for the upkeep of the New Mosque.
Location :: Rüstem Paşa Mahallesi, Erzak Ambarı Sok. No:92, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul
New Mosque
Construction on Yen Camii started in 1597, the building of which took more than half a century. After 1603 (and only partially built) the structure fell into ruins. Continued construction occurred between 1660 and 1663 and was finally inaugurated in 1665.
The New Mosque architecture consists of 66 domes and semi domes in a pyramidal arrangements. The main dome is 188 ft hight, the interim on each side are 135 ft. In the center are four large piers that are the main support for the dome, 57 ft in diameter and 188 ft high. The tiles used in the dome are blue, green and white. I wasn’t able to find any significance to the colors.
The original complex consisted of a mosque, hospital, primary school and mausoleum.
Location :: Rüstem Paşa Mahallesi, Yeni Cami Cd. No:3, 34116 Fatih/İstanbu
Ataturk Bridge
Alternatively called Unkapani Bridge the Ataturk Bridge is a highway bridge on the Golden Horn (a natural harbor) named after the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. Originally built in 1836 at 1300 ft long and 33 ft wide to accommodate the passage of large ships. It was replaced by iron in 1875 and then enlarged two more times to meet the need. The 4th and final bridge was enlarged in 1940 at 1565 ft long and 82 ft wide. It has 3 vehicular lanes and a sidewalk in each direction.
Bosphorus/Bosphorus Bridge
Also known as the Strait of Istanbul or Strait of Constantinople, this is the continental boundary between Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Bosphorus is the world’s narrowest strait used for international navigation.
We took in this view from a restaurant on top of a hill that we just happened upon after getting lost looking for something else. What a treasure to find! The view was incredible from up there! It was a bit overcast on this day but that didn’t hinder the visibility.
Upon its completion in 1973, the Bosphorus Bridge had the fourth-longest suspension bridge span in the world, and the longest outside the United States. Since then many more of its kind has been built but today the Bosphorus Bridge remains the 25th-longest suspension bridge span in the world. And in memory of those who were killed resisting the attempted military coup on July 15, 2016 (we were there in August of that year) the bridge was formally renamed the July 15th Martyrs Bridge.
Location :: Kuzguncuk Mahallesi, 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü, Üsküdar/İstanbul
Old Bazaar
You can find high quality olive oil, dates, Turkish Delight, beads, copper ware, olive-oil soaps, Turkish tea sets, lanterns and colorful tiles here and you’re likely to get a better deal than at the newer and larger Grand Bazaar (that’s bizarre! HA!).
Location :: Yeşilköy, 34149 Bakırköy/Istanbul
Old Walls of Constantinople
The Old Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls since its founding as Constantinople to protect against attack from both sea and land. This is the last ancient fortification system and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever build. Dismantling of the walls began in the 19th century. Read more about Constantinople here. Very interesting reading!
Read More ::
Budapest in 2 Days :: My Itinerary
Lisbon :: One of My Very Favorite Cities in Europe
Cinque Terre :: One Stop, Five Lands
Best Travel Tips After 30 Years of Traveling
Istanbul has become my favorite historical city and a place to which I could easily return to again and again, never to run out of some of my favorite things to see. The weather when I was there was on the cool side but the mostly blue skies and the perfect temperature to walk for miles and miles without heat to slow me down.
I recommend a trip to Istanbul if you are interested in history and architecture which just happens to be some of my favorite things. Thank you, Istanbul, for opening my eyes and heart to some of the richest history the world has known.
To get more information on what there is to do in Istanbul, click here!
