Explore Istanbul

A Guide to Istanbul
Istanbul is known for many things: its fascinating history, its many cultural landmarks, and its unique geographical position as the union point between Asia and Europe. All of this adds up to a diverse city that is both cosmopolitan and entrenched in tradition. In one afternoon you can explore a centuries-old sultan’s palace, take a boat ride on the Bosphorus Strait, and then hit a thoroughly modern shopping complex. Formerly named Byzantium and Constantinople, the city that’s known as Istanbul today holds an illustrious place in history as the capital of an empire and place of cultural developments.

Magnificent Monuments
Istanbul is chock full of monuments of both religious and historical significance. Two of the most famous sites in the city are religious in nature: the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia, which dates to around 500 AD, has a long and often bloody history. At one time, the huge church contained a wealth of Christian artefacts, including fragments from the True Cross, the dagger that pierced Jesus’ side, St. Thomas’s finger, and much more. Participants of the Fourth Crusade in the 13th century stripped it clean, however. It’s currently a museum, a peaceful solution to the struggle for control over the cathedral by Christians and Muslims. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque—called the “Blue Mosque” because of its exquisite blue tiles—is the national mosque of Turkey and quite simply one of the most stunning sights in the country. Another religious-inspired attraction is the Kariye Museum, built as the Church of St. Savior in the 11th century, and containing incredible frescoes and mosaics that illustrate stories from the Bible.

Dolmabahçe Palace is notable for its lovely exterior architecture and the four-and-a-half-ton crystal hanging lamp in the interior that was a gift from Queen Victoria. The Topkapi Palace housed Ottoman sultans for 400 years, and visitors to the resulting museum can see such treasures as swords, royal attire, carpets, jewels, armor, and of course the beautiful architecture and gardens. The Hippodrome, near the Blue Mosque, is a huge amphitheatre that in Roman times hosted chariot races, polo matches, and socials for as many as 100,000 people. The massive Yerebatan (or Basilica) Cistern is supported by 336 columns and can hold 80,000 cubic metres of water—enough to sustain a besieged city in ancient times.

Artistic Istanbul
There’s no shortage of museums in Istanbul—everything from automobiles to banks to firefighting to calligraphy is celebrated through its own museum. It would take years to visit and appreciate all of the wonderful museums in the city, but a few are worthy of putting on your “must-visit” list.

History buffs are drawn to the Sadberk Hanim Museum, the first private museum in the country, which houses a collection of pieces from 6000 B.C. through the Ottoman period. The Oriental Museum is a repository of interesting objects spanning the ancient Arab world and civilizations including Babylonian and Egyptian. The Mosaic Museum contains enthralling Byzantine palace mosaics that are believed to date from the 4th and 6th centuries AD. The City Museum, located in the Yildiz Palace complex, displays a huge range of mediums: paintings that show scenes from daily life in the Ottoman period; calligraphy, textiles, porcelains made in the imperial workshops of Yildiz Palace, glass, and more. The Pera Museum features Kutahya tiles, Anatolian weights and measurements, and three art galleries; its most famous occupant is Osman Hamdi’s “The Tortoise Trainer.” The Archeological Museum is an interesting assembly of artefacts from Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, and ancient Egypt.

Among the permanent collection at the Fine Arts Museum—the first art museum in the country—are works by world-renowned artists, as well as strictly Turkish artists, and an impressionist gallery. As its name suggests, the Istanbul Modern showcases modern and contemporary Turkish artists and fosters educational programs. The Carpet and Kilim Museum in the Hünkar Kasri allows fibre lovers to get their fill of superior examples of carpets and mats.

Adventurous Istanbul
With a great climate most of the year, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a little adventure on land and sea. Horse lovers rejoice: you can actually find a place to ride in Istanbul. A picturesque ranch in the village of Hosdere Köyü is home to both indoor and outdoor riding areas. Serious adrenaline junkies will want to seek out Gezici YAK, a company that specializes in rafting and trekking trips to Köprüçay, Antalya, and the Taurus Ranges region on the Mediterranean. Skin and scuba diving expeditions at the northern end of the Aegean are also possible. For adventure on a slightly slower scale, Ogzala concentrates on walking tours with scenery including mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and forests. Longer mountaineering treks on the Black Sea coast are available for hearty visitors.

Soaking up the sun is a popular pastime here. Public beaches include the very popular Caddebostan Beach along the Sea of Marmara; Küçüksu Beach, located in Üskudar, the favourite beach of Ottoman Empire Sultan Murad; the romantic Uzuna Beach in Demircikoy; Kilyos Beach on the Black Sea; and Site Beach, about 70 miles from Istanbul, which is located near the ruins of a Genoese castle.

When you’re looking for something a little more private, beach clubs are a great option. Among the many possibilities, True Blue Beach has an excellent stretch of sand, swimming pool, restaurant, and bar in the middle of a garden. Dodo Sea Club in Tuzla, one of the most famous if its kind, offers shuttles from Kadikoy so visitors can enjoy the benefits of the remote club. Solar Beach offers quite a line-up of activities: beach volleyball and soccer, rock climbing, jet skiing, kite boarding, banana boats, wind surfing, as well as regular music performances. Burc Beach, 1 kilometre of gorgeous sand at Kilyos, has enormous waves and relatively shallow water.

With all of that sun and sand, it may be hard to believe that you can ice skate in Istanbul. The Galleria Shopping Mall offers an escape from the often-sweltering weather with an ice rink that’s incredibly popular with locals and tourists alike.

Night Life in Istanbul
From performing arts to clubs that cater to international glitterati, there’s more to do after the sun goes down in Istanbul than you might imagine. Performing arts can be found at the Atatürk Cultural Center in Taksim Square, which is home to the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, the Symphony Orchestra, and the State Theatre Company. The Kadiköy Municipality Süreyya Opera House has been refurbish into a venue for the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet. The annual International Istanbul Festival encompasses four separate arts festivals covering a large chunk of the year. It includes a film festival, jazz festival, music festival, theatre section, and more.

The bar scene includes the wonderful 360 Istanbul, with incredible views of the Golden Horn from its perch in the belfry of St. Antoine. In addition to the views, a modern décor, tasty appetizer menu, and yummy drinks make it one of the best. Taps in Upper Tunel will feel like home to many Westerners, with its many micro-brews and menu of things like pizza and pasta—but here’s the kicker: it’s very popular with locals. Delightful rooftop bar Leb-i-Derya is an ideal destination for sophisticated urbanites looking for innovative cocktails, a surprisingly complex menu, and a winter ambience that includes a fireplace.

Wine bar enthusiasts should head to Sarabi in Beyoglu, where its underground cellar houses more than 100 labels, including some fine Turkish bottles. Viktor Levi Sarap Evi, also in Beyoglu, is a true institution in the region and a rare place where the house wine is some of the best.

Suada is basically a floating club in the middle of the Bosphorus, a chic destination for those looking to experience decadent cocktails, exquisite sushi, and the advantages of an upscale beach club. Anjelique in Ortaköy is a popular spot to unwind, have some food and beverages, and take in the intimate ambience. Besinci Kat, a nightclub in Cihangir, welcomes stylish visitors to its rooftop terrace, where guests listen to funky music well into the night.