🕌 Istanbul in 72 hours: the perfect route

Every year Turkey is included in the list of the most popular countries for holidays among residents of the CIS. However, striving for the warm sea, tourists often do not pay due attention to the largest city in the country – Istanbul. And there is something to see and be surprised by.

Over more than 2,500 years of existence, the city has radically changed its appearance more than once, and now on its streets you can find monuments from different eras and cultures. And if you still prefer a relaxing holiday by the water, then we have collected the eight best beaches in Turkey in one material.

Hagia Sophia

This unique shrine is the real heart of Istanbul. The building itself was built in 530 as St. Sophia Cathedral. For more than a thousand years it remained the largest temple in the Christian world. And in 1453, the Ottomans captured Constantinople, and the cathedral was converted into a mosque. The icons and frescoes were destroyed, but the mosaics were left. 

Suleymaniye Mosque

And this is the largest mosque in Istanbul, it can accommodate up to 500 people. The shrine was built by order of Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. In memory of him, four minarets were installed here, because he was the fourth padishah after the conquest of Istanbul. The building is interesting not only for its interior decoration, but also for its beautiful courtyard, which overlooks the historical center of Istanbul. 

Blue Mosque

And this shrine, unlike others, was built not in honor of military victories, but in memory of the loss. Having lost the war with the Austrians, Sultan Ahmed I decided to appease Allah and ordered the foundation of a grandiose mosque. And it was nicknamed blue due to the use of a large number of blue tiles in the decor. 

Walk through Topkapi Gardens

Construction of Topkapi Palace began shortly after the capture of Constantinople as the official residence of the Sultan. A harem was also located here, so a beautiful garden was laid out around the fortress. It is especially pleasant to stroll along on hot days, and everyone will enjoy the variety of plants, fountains and winding paths. Inside the palace there is one of the richest museums in the world; here you can even see the sword and cloak of the Prophet Muhammad.

Why you need to visit another museum in Istanbul – the archaeological one, read here.

Concert in the Basilica Cistern

It was in this unusual place that the final scene of the book “Inferno” and the film based on it unfolded. A cistern is a huge underground reservoir of water to supply a city. It was built back in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian I. Inside it are 336 nine-meter marble columns rising from the water. An amazing atmosphere is created by multi-colored lighting and excellent acoustics. It was thanks to the latter that concerts and music shows began to be held here. 

Sailing on the Bosphorus

The Bosphorus is a sacred strait not only for Turkey, but also for the entire European civilization. Every day dozens of huge tankers and hundreds of tourist boats sail here. Be sure to board one of them to see the city from the water and admire the coastal attractions: Dolmabahce Palace, the legendary Golden Horn Bay and the Galata Tower. The original option is an evening excursion illuminated by the lights of the metropolis.

Istanbul ice cream tasting

Strictly speaking, dondurma is not ice cream, but a special Turkish dessert. This amazing dish was created by a simple shopkeeper using salep (flour from the root of wild orchids) and goat's milk. However, this recipe was known only to noble people for 300 years. Now anyone can try this unusual sweetness. 

Read here what other dishes you should definitely try in Istanbul.

Sweets

Turkish sweets are practically a national brand. Look for the most delicious options not in flashy confectionery shops, but in inconspicuous shops designed for local residents. Be sure to try kunefe – a hot pie made of thread-like dough filled with unleavened cheese, generously sprinkled with sugar syrup. And buy your family an assortment of baklava, lokum, kadaif and shekerpare.

Shopping

Do not forget that Turkey is the sewing workshop of Europe. There are several huge malls in Istanbul, uniting hundreds of brands under their roof. In local stores you can find all brands at the best prices. Choose Forum Istanbul – Europe's largest shopping center and go shopping.

Where else should you go for discounts in January, read this article.