Interesting Facts

- Istanbul is the center of the Eastern Orthodox Church and has played this prominent role for the last seventeen centuries.

- Istanbul has the distinction of being the only country spread over two continents, namely Europe and Asia.

- The Sirkeci Train Station in Istanbul was the last stop of the Simplon Orient Express between Paris and Constantinople from 1883 to 1977.

- The dome of the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia at Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) was till recently known as the largest self-supporting dome ever constructed.

II. Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Beylerbeyi Palace

The Beylerbeyi Palace is situated across the Dolmabahce Palace. It was constructed as a summer home for the sultans, and is decorated luxuriously. It has a beautiful marble fountain and huge bathing pool in the main salon. This pool is surrounded by a number of perfect blue and white striped 30-foot-tall marble columns. Visitors can also go upstairs to see the study, which has been made of astoundingly intricate wooden inlays. The bamboo copse in the garden is also beautifully made and offers a fabulous view of the surroundings. Some of the rooms in the palace are more modern than expected, and indicates just how recently the Ottoman Empire ended.

Entry fee: EUR 5

Open: Tuesday - Wednesday, Friday - Sunday - 9:30 am - 4 pm.

B. Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace, located on the Seraglio Peninsula, was converted into a museum in 1924. The palace has a number of beautiful architectural assets such as The Harem, Baghdat Pavilion, Revan Pavilion, Sofa Pavilion, and the Audience Chamber. It also possesses a host of other interesting artifacts that reflect the stately palace life. You can also visit the Gülhane Park, which lies on the slopes below Topkapi Palace. It stretches all the way up to the seashore, and is a popular picnic destination among residents and tourists. The park also hosts a number of open-air concerts. The Gothic Column in the park is regarded as one of the main obelisks of the Byzantines, and is yet to be classified. As a result, it is still considered to be an unofficial Byzantine ruin.

Open: Tuesdays - Sundays 9:30 am - 4:30 pm The palace remains closed on Mondays

C. Rumeli Fortress

One of the most imposing sights on the Bosphorus straight is the Rumeli Fortress. It is an old building that dates back to the 15th century. However, timely maintenance and upkeep has made sure that the ramparts and walls are still in excellent condition. It houses a museum and attracts a great deal of visitors all throughout the year. Open-air concerts are held at this venue and usually begin in June. Sitting inside the Ottoman castle and looking over the straits as the music plays on in the background is the best possible way to enjoy authentic Turkish music.

Entry Fee: EUR 2

Open: Tuesdays - Sundays 9 am - 4:30 pm

D. Sari Kosk

The Sari Kosk is located at the center of Emirgan's woodland preserve. The massive ‘gingerbread-style' structure is now more of a restaurant than a historic site. It proves to be an eye catcher for anyone strolling through the park. Reservations are a must on Saturdays as the location is extremely popular with foreigners. Even though the food served is not special or extraordinary, the extremely beautiful view and atmosphere makes the place well worth a visit.

Average cost: EUR 10

Open: Monday-Saturday, 12 pm - 3 pm, 7 pm - 11 pm

E. Malta Kosku

Malta Kosku is an old historic house that is situated in the heart of the Yildiz woodland reserve, which is a small but excellent respite from the din of the city. It is located in-between a walking trail and is surrounded by natural scenic beauty. The Malta Kosku has an elaborate exterior. It has an ordinary casual café downstairs and a plush and extravagant restaurant upstairs. The restaurant's luxurious Rococo décor, well-preserved state, and a scenic and quiet location make it the ideal place for an afternoon tea or an elegant dinner. The restaurant serves an open buffet on the weekends and hence prior reservations are not needed. However, incase you plan to make a visit during the week you are advised to call and make reservations in order to avoid a long wait.

Average cost: EUR 10

Open: 9 am - 10:30 pm

F. Archaeological Museum

The architect Vallaury built this building at the end of the 19th century with the help of the famous Turkish painter Osman Hamdi Bey. Tourist flock the museum to look at the exquisite Tiled Kiosk and the Museum of the Ancient Orient. The museum has a large collection of relics and works belonging to the ancient Greek, Roman and other Anatolian civilizations. Some of them even date back to the 6th century BC. In case you plan a visit, you can visit the Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great, Mourning Ladies, and other important people. Apart from this, the museum also has various interesting objects that include goods found in the Sidon excavation.

G. The Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar, commonly known as ‘Kapaliçarsi' in Turkish, is one of the largest covered markets in the world, comprising of more than 58 streets and 4000 shops. Records state that approximately 250,000 to 400,000 visitors visit it daily. The Grand Bazaar is famous for its jewelry, pottery, spice and carpet and textile shops. Most of the stalls in the market are grouped according to the type of goods sold, with separate sections for leather coats, gold jewelry, carpets etc. The bazaar has two-domed masonry structures built for storing goods and safekeeping. Mehmed II ordered the construction of the first dome in 1464. In 1894, it underwent major restorations following a major earthquake that wrecked havoc.