Are you thinking about going on a vacation? There are so many beautiful places to visit in Istanbul. The city is an actual mixture of several cultures, where the west meets the east. Istanbul has connected continents, empires, religions and cultures for years. There's everything truly esoteric about the city of Istanbul in Turkey.
This article is the ultimate guide for you when you travel to Istanbul for vacations, along with a list of the top ten free things you can explore on a shoestring.
Visiting the Suleymaniye Mosque
The mosques in Istanbul are among the top tourist attractions. The Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the biggest mosques in Istanbul. It is located near the Grand Bazaar on the hills of Istanbul.
The unique architecture with particular colors and stunning calligraphy makes it distinctive. Furthermore, the interior of the mosque leaves you wonderstruck. It is also surrounded by houses, shops, and a garden with a terrace offering refreshing sceneries of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.
Suleymaniye Mosque is part of the Suleymaniye Complex, which includes a hammam, hospital, kitchen, medreses, and a library. The mosque courtyard also contains the tombs of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan. The mosque is open daily to visitors outside prayer times.
The mosque is open to visitors from 08:30 AM to 04:45 PM from Saturday to Thursday, and on Fridays from 08:30 AM until 01:30 PM, with access restricted during prayer times.
Stroll the Foreshore in Khalkedon (Kadikoy)
The remarkable scenery of beaches is the major Istanbul attraction. So is the foreshore of Kadikoy. On the eastern side of Istanbul, near the suburb of Kadikoy, there is a seashore which is a heavenly place to spend your time and get some fresh air.
At night, tourists come here to relax. As a result, the nearby restaurants and bars are usually full of people.
Zeyrek Mosque
The architectural review of the Zeyrek Mosque depicts that it was designed from Byzantine architecture and shows the legacy of the Ottoman. Therefore, Zeyrek Mosque, also known as the Pantokrator Monastery, can be a convenient resting place for visitors to explore the mosque's beauty.
It's on top of istanbul Hill, which offers spectacular views over the Golden Horn and the Galata Tower. Thus, Istanbul is an amazing place for sightseeing.
Open 24 hours
Taksim Square
Taksim Square is one of the most vibrant and modern centers of Istanbul, located in the lively district of Beyoğlu. It is surrounded by international brand stores, cultural venues, restaurants, and some of the city’s most prestigious hotels, including InterContinental Istanbul and Grand Hyatt Istanbul. Taksim is the starting point of the famous Istiklal Street and serves as a hub for shopping, dining, nightlife, and cultural life. The area is constantly lively, attracting both locals and tourists throughout the day and night.
From Taksim, you can easily reach iconic attractions such as Galata Tower and Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum. These attractions are included free of charge with the Istanbul E-Pass, making the area even more appealing for visitors exploring the city.
Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews
Turkey is a blend of various cultures so is the Zulfaris Synagogue, which is now a museum. This museum depicts true pictures of Jewish culture.
The Synagogue isn't much crowded as it is well hidden from the tourists' eyes. So you can discover the place much more easily.
The museum is closed on Saturdays. It is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday through Thursday, and on Fridays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art
This Museum was founded more than a decade ago for the promotion of contemporary art in the city. This Museum showcases a few classics of famous artists in turkey. It even has an open-air terrace which is open for visitors displaying all the supreme art pieces. It is open from Tuesday to Friday and closed on Sundays.
The venue is open on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed on Sunday and Monday, and operates from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Tuesday through Friday.
Visit Local Markets
Wandering around the local markets and streets can freshen your mind and not cost you a penny. Getting the beautiful sights, listening to good music, scrumptious tastes, and soothing fragrances of the markets feels like free therapy.
Grand Bazaar
Grand Bazaar is one of the amazing tourist attractions in Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar is so-called because of the large area it covers. Daily 250000 to 400000 visitors come to explore this market comprising 65 streets.
Roaming around one of the city's largest, remost nowned, and most conventional markets is so refreshing. One can spend a whole day and still not get enough of exploring the Bazaar. Using a map will be helpful to find your way out of the Grand Bazaar.
Yildiz Park
Yildiz Park is open to the public. Situated in the heart of Istanbul, Yildiz Park is a treat for couples and tourists. Furthermore, after roaming around the city, you can also rest here for hours. The fresh air in Yildiz park indeed touches your soul and gives you a relaxing time.
The Final word
There's no doubt Istanbul is one of the most beautiful and dazzling cities. When you visit it for the first time, you'll realize that there are many lovely places to see in the city which shall provide you with so many memories to cherish later.
We hope that this travel guide will surely be helpful in your upcoming visit to Istanbul. You are going to live it up if you explore the beauty of this city.