How to Spend Time in Istanbul as a Foreigner?
1-Eminonu
This is where you hear from your relatives from Istanbul saying, “We can buy it here from expensive Eminonu.” Its cobblestone streets, the mystical elegance of the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar with Ottoman traces, and of course the Eminonu Fishermen. Today, if you are a shopper, you will love the Grand Bazar, which practically has thousands of shops selling everything from sandalwood scents to the Middle East, 24 Karat gold, local wood carvings and traditional paintings. If your stop will be in Eminonu Istanbul, be sure to open and taste the fish, bread and pickle duo on the sandals decorated with Ottoman motifs. Afterwards, you will discover the streets where you can enjoy lokum (Turkish delight), Ottoman paste and shopping in a sincere manner.
2-Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace, which was once used as an anchorage area for Ottoman ships, is one of the most emotional and magnificent places in Istanbul, where Atatürk lived and passed away. You can enjoy the view of Dolmabahce Palace by drinking tea with pleasure in the cafes in the palace, which has been turned into a museum. Seeing the place where the glorious founder of Turkish’s deep-rooted history lived will provide you with much information within the scope of the trip.
3-Fatih Grove
You can witness the elegance of Fatih Sultan Mehmet and the Bosphorus Bridge from the grove formerly known as Otagtepe. It is one of the places where guests come to take photos and watch the view of the best places to visit in Istanbul as a foreigner.
4-Beyoglu- Taksim- İstiklal Street
The reason why we gather 3 places that are impossible to be separated from each other under one roof is that they contain entertainment venues in their hearts. You cannot come to Istanbul and not sit in the best Taksim cafes or breathe in the noble atmosphere of Beyoglu. While you are in Taksim, you will go to many churches and see the architectural structures.
5-Galata Tower
Although the date of construction of the Galata Tower, which was once called the Tower of Christ, is not known exactly, it is estimated that it was built in the early 500s.
We highly suggest that you go to the tower, which is filled with tourists every season of the year, with the rumour that lovers can never leave when they go to Galata together, and with its historical relevance. In Galata Tower Istanbul, which has faced many struggles in its history and has not withdrawn its beauty from its elegance, we are confident that you will receive the most stunning landscape images. Because of a storm that occurred in 1857, the Galata roof flew.
How to go to Galata Tower; By private vehicle, you can reach Taksim by entering the Galata Tower sign on the left side of the Tarlabasi road. You can leave your vehicle in the parking lots around the tower. By public transportation, first, you reach Taksim. Then, after crossing Istiklal Street from the beginning to the end, you can reach the tower about 500 meters below from the end of the street. If you want to come from Eminonu, you can reach the Karakoy road by going up the slope from Bankalar street or you can use the tunnel.
6- Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia Mosque, which is one of the most important monuments in the history of world architecture with its magnificence, size, and functionality, it has an important place in the world of art. This magnificent work is the biggest church built by the Eastern Roman Empire in Istanbul and was built three times in the same place. When it was first built, it was called Megale Ecclesia (Great Church), and it was named Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) from the 5th century until the conquest of Istanbul.
Megale Ecclesia, built by Emperor Konstantinos in 360, and Emperor II. The Hagia Sophia church, which was rebuilt by Theodosius in 415, was destroyed in public uprisings, and was open to worship as a church for 916 years and was converted into a mosque after Fatih Sultan Mehmed conquered Istanbul in 1453. Hagia Sophia Mosque was transformed into a complex structure in the Ottoman Period. It was converted into a museum in 1934 and served as a museum until 2020. In 2020, it gained the status of mosque again.
If you want to explore Istanbul, the best thing is to take a guided Istanbul tour and then travel to the magical places.