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Welcome
Turkiye is a wonderful country with enchanting, beautiful places. It has deep historic destinations where East meets West, with dream like beaches and landscapes. Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and the white thermal pools of Pamukkale have breathe-taking views and wonders.
Istanbul
Istanbul – Instanbul is famous for being the only bridging Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, boasting a 2,500-year history as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. The bridge situated on the Bosphorus, connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
Activities – In Istanbul you can explore diverse neighborhoods, embrace haggling in bazaars(but don’t be aggressive), try authentic food, learn basic Turkish, and respect religious sites by dressing modestly (shoulders/head covered for women) and removing shoes. It also has its enormous bustling markets, traditional Turkish baths(hammams), and a blend of East-West cuisine.
Istanbul has stunning places where you can visit. It has historical and cultural landmarks, modern and scenic spots, and unique journey experience for trips.
Hagia Sophia (Ayasoyfa)
Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage site and iconic monument that has served as a Greek Orthodox cathedral, Ottoman mosque, church, and museum, currently operating as a mosque. This mosque is known for its innovative, 83-meter-high, “floating” dome, the building features a blend of Byzantine mosaics and islamic calligraphic discs. Hagia Sophia is significant because it was the largest cathedral in the world for almost a millennium and is considered a prime example of Byantine art.
To enter Hagia Sophia you have to pay €25 (approx. 850–950 TL) for foreign visitors. Children under 8 are free, and Turkish citizens praying in the designated area are free. The ticket provides access to the upper gallery, which offers views of the interior and mosaics. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (closing hours may vary). In the building it is required to wear modest clothing, including headscarves for women.
It is highly recommended to buy tickets online in advance to avoid long queues.
Grand Bazzaar
The Grand Bazzar is famous for its massive, historic, labyrinthine structure selling everything from jewelry and carpets to spices and leather. It was build around 1455-1461. It is known for its vibrant, chaotic atmosphere, featuring, dazzling, historic, laabyrinthinr lanes and thousands of, authentic, small shops, making it a “shopper’s paradise”. It is renowned for high-quality, traditional goods, including gold, Turkish carpets, ceramics, leather, and spices.
It is free to enter but the shops and the things they sell are a cost apart. It opens Monday to Saturday, 8:30 – 6:30 and is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak, midday crowds is best time to visit.
Galata Tower
The Galata Tower is a historic, 67-meter-tall medieval stone tower located in the Galata district of Istanbul, Turkey, near the intersection of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. Visitors can take an elevator to the upper floors to access the observation deck for panoramic views of Istanbul’s skyline. The tower also houses exhibitions on the city’s history and a museum.
To enter the tower it cost 650 Turkish Liras (approx. $24) and it is open from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. , with tickets often available online via platforms. Children from age zero to six are free and you have access to all levels, museum, and observation deck in the tower. It is better to go in the morning or late evening to avoid the heaviest crowds. Visits are from 45 to 60 minutes
The tower may have limited access to the top floor due to maintenance, but the observation deck remains open.
Bosphorus Cruise
A Bosphorus cruise is a popular boat tour in Istanbul, Turkey, that navigates the Bosphorus strait, separating Europe and Asia while connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.These cruise are famous because it provides a unique, scenic, and romantic perspective of the city, allowing passengers to bridge Europe and Asia while viewing historic palaces, fortresses, and modern skyline landmarks from the water. Passengers can enjoy a leisurely boat ride with panoramic views, often from open-air top decks. They can take photos of unique angles of Istanbul’s skyline. Some cruises have evening dinner, traditional Turkish folk show, or DJs. If you take the long cruise, it often stops at villages like Anadolu Kavagi for a few hours to explore.
The cost of the Bosphorus Cruises are depending if you take a short, long/full, dinner, or private/luxury yachts. The short cruises are for only 1.5 to 2 hours and the long cruise is for 6hours so it cost twice as much as the short cruise. The dinner cruise cost €22–€45 per person, often including entertainment. The luxuries yachts start around €50 per person, up to €300+ for private rentals. It is better to take the short cruise if you are on limited time. It is better to take the cruise late afternoon or sunset trips offer the most dramatic, beautiful views.
Princess Island
The princes’ Island (Adalar) near Istanbul are a peaceful, car-free escape in the sea of Marmara, offering a nostalgic, laid-back atmosphere with Ottoman-era mansions and pine forests. Visitors can explore the islands by bicycle, take electric cart tours, hike to historic sites like Aya Yorgi church, or relax at seaside restaurants. You can visit the beaches, particularly from June to September, which offer a, “holiday resort” atmosphere. You can wander through the quaint streets, visit local shops, local seafood and various Turkish cuisines in restaurants and enjoy the relatively quiet, relaxed pace compared to Istanbul. The weather is nice for exploring in late spring and summer.
Tips:
It’s better to visit Istanbul in the summer and to speak a little bit of basic Turkish, just in case you may need to ask for something.
For those who like historic places or art galleries, here is a link that you can click and find places in turkey that also tells you the cost of each place:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293969-Activities-c49-t28-Turkiye.html