This Turkish city is a melting pot of many cultures and a destination full of contrasts, having been ruled by a succession of rulers. Istanbul, with its heady mix of remarkable history, nightlife, religion, food, culture, and—despite not being the country’s capital—politics, provides visitors of all types something to marvel at every turn of its streets.
The ancient peninsula, flanked by the Bosphorus strait, is home to a plethora of beautiful historical monuments that are standing proof of this city’s long and glorious history. Putting aside its geographical and historical value, Istanbul is also one of the world’s largest cities, which makes it difficult for travellers to pinpoint which historical sites they should visit. This is why we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 historical tourist attractions to visit when travelling to Istanbul for the first time.
Top 10 Historical Sites to Visit When Traveling to Istanbul
Though it has seen many name changes, from Byzantium to Constantinople to Istanbul, the importance of this city hasn’t changed. The ages, empires and history are all reflected in the majestic structures and monuments that dot this city. Here are the most famous historical sites you shouldn’t miss when visiting Istanbul:
1. Sultan Ahmet Mosque
The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, is named after the blue tiles that decorate its interior. This structure was built in the early 17th century during the reign of Ahmed I, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1603 to 1617. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which is one of the most recognized in the world, has inspired the design of numerous other mosques, notably the Mohammed Al Amin Mosque in Beirut. Beautiful still to this day, this mosque attracts a huge amount of tourists every day.
2. Princes’ Islands
This group of nine islands is located in the Sea of Marmara, about an hour’s boat journey from the city. The islands were used as a site of exile for princes and other members of the royal family during the Byzantine era, and later for family members of Ottoman sultans as well.
Most recently, between 1929 and 1933, the largest of the islands, Büyükada, was home to an exiled Leon Trotsky.
The streets of Büyükada, the largest of the Princes’ Islands, are lined with Ottoman-era homes. The primary mode of transportation in these islands is horse-drawn carts, which combined with the 19th-century Ottoman mansions and cottages that can still be found in Büyükada, give visitors a sense of being transported back in time. Only four of the islands are open to the public, but they are more than enough of a treasure mine for history lovers and fanatics.
3. Hagia Sophia
In terms of architectural brilliance, the Hagia Sophia’s enormous dome is considered to be the paragon of Byzantine architecture. It was built by Emperor Justinian I in 537 CE, served as a Greek Orthodox cathedral and acted as the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople until 1453. It was converted into a mosque for the next 500 years before becoming a museum in 1935 under the authority of Kemal Ataturk, the first President of the Republic. Currently, it is Turkey’s second most visited museum after Topkapi Palace, with over 3 million tourists each year drawn to the stunning interior chambers covered with golden mosaics.
4. The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, is a must-see for anyone who enjoys bargaining. The bazaar was built in the mid-15th century, shortly after the Ottomans conquered the city, and it now has over 4,000 businesses running in 61 covered streets. The bazaar is famous for its traditional rugs and jewellery, but visitors can also find clothing, bags, handicrafts, spices, food, footwear, etc to take back home.
5. Kariye Museum
Located some distance from the lights and attractions of central Istanbul, this former Greek Orthodox church is well worth a visit. The outside is grand, if a little plain, but the interior is decorated with some of the world’s oldest and most exquisite Byzantine mosaics and paintings. It predates Islam and was built in the fourth century, yet it is now surrounded by the city’s most orthodox Muslim neighbourhoods.
6. Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace, built around four main courtyards and numerous smaller buildings, served as the main residence of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign and hosted various imperial ceremonies. Nowhere else in Istanbul draws as many history and architecture fans as this palace to visit its exquisite architecture, collections of calligraphic manuscripts, robes, porcelain, and some of the Muslim world’s most valuable sacred treasures.
7. Underground Basilica Cistern
The majority of James Bond fans are familiar with the cistern from the movie “From Russia with Love.” The massive stone columns that supported the cistern that provided water to Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s old district appeared in the movie and brought awe from people unfamiliar with Istanbul and this site. Aside from the huge carp fish, visitors do not have access to the water. Most tourists instead go to the back of the cistern to observe Medusa’s unusual upside-down heads.
8. Rumelihisarı
Rumelihisarı, commonly known as the Rumeli Castle, is a stronghold of 16 acres of high walls, towers and a lush green landscape. It was built over four months in 1452 by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II on the European side of Istanbul, at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus Strait, in preparation for a final attack on Constantinople and the eventual destruction of the Byzantine Empire. As a series of destructive earthquakes struck the city, much of the interior structures sustained significant damage. Nowadays, the site is open to the public as an open-air museum, and its amphitheatre often holds concerts and events for tourists from all over the world.
9. Chora Church
The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora is a former Byzantine church that can be compared to the Hagia Sophia in more ways than one. It was converted into an Ottoman mosque in the 16th century, similar to the Hagia Sophia, and afterwards shifted to a museum. Despite its small size, it is no less gorgeous or majestic than any other historical site in Istanbul. Located in the Edirnekapi neighbourhood, close to the historic city walls, the interiors of this church have stunning medieval mosaics and frescoes that date back to 1312 and are a treat for history lovers.
10. Galata Tower
The cone-capped, cylindrical Galata Tower—or as it was known at the time, the Christea Turris—towers high above the Karakoy neighbourhood. This tower was built as part of the Genoese colony’s development in 1348. For centuries, it was the highest structure in Istanbul, and it still dominates a significant portion of the city’s skyline. After waiting in long lines and often-crowded elevator rides, visitors are rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view of the historic peninsula, making the trip to this structure worth every minute.
History and Istanbul Go Hand In Hand
Visitors can run out of time on their trips but they can’t run out of places to visit in Istanbul. With a city so diverse in terms of history and modernism and brimming with tourist attractions and sites, it’s important to learn about the most famous destinations and places to visit to make the most out of your trip to this gorgeous city.
