Welcome to Istanbul! Here's The Handbook You Need

Welcome, my dear. You are standing in a one-of-a-kind place. You are breathing in one of the most glorious cities ever, especially in the last thousand years. The stories about Byzantine and the ruins of the old city rest here, the root of the Greek Empire, Byzantine Empire, and Ottoman Empire. Istanbul used to have a different name; many would know it as the city of Constantine, but nowadays, it is just a boy's name.

Istanbul is an old, historical city. It is bigger than most think, and often different from expectations. By the city itself, I refer to the actual area that was called once Constantinople, now Istanbul, this is not so big but Istanbul itself today is a big city. It is a big city both by land and the population, which might change you during your trip or stay.

The city is nearly 5.500 km2 with 20 million inhabitants That is a big number even for an Asian city and a huge number for a European city. This leads to the the things that make İstanbul unique, it has a land in Europe and Asia. Boğaz köprüsü which is called Borphoros in English united both continents, as a result, İstanbul is their meeting point.

The greatness of the city creates many problems too, as many tourists and locals know traffic is a serious problem. The housing and job markets etc. are becoming tougher day by day, but as a tourist that is not your concern. 

One thing, I would like to inform you about is every territory has its own little culture. You would be shocked, that's why it is important to pay attention when you are on a bus. Take in the people and architecture of each part of the city. I have been doing it for 20 years and it still amazes me.

Istanbul is approximately 2700 years old, Istanbul saw Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, now Turkey. The majestic part is Istanbul still carries all of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage inside of it. The artists are from all areas and all around the world. Greek Byzantium was influenced by the Romans so we not only see a Roman city we see traces of the Roman Empire in Byzantium and we see both empires' cultures and archıtures in Ottoman architecture, as well as daily day life.

Don't Leave Without Seeing These:

Galata Tower/ Galata Kulesi

Galata Kulesi is a Byzantine artwork made in the 14th century but of course, after many renovations, it probably looks different. We know by now it changed in the 20th century. It has its stories about Hazerfen Ahmet Çelebi who many believed jumped from the tower with the machine he invented and flew to the Üsküdar.

The most important story is that people believe the person you first go to Galata with is the person you will marry, in this scenario, you can guess where couples go to. It is a date place, a landmark, and one of the most romantic places in İstanbul for sure.

Blue Mosk/ Sultanahmet Camii

Sultanahmet is one of the most beautiful mosques which was made by Mehmer Ağa, a student of Mimar Sinan who is one of the most famous architects of all time. There is nothing to say about it it is more than 400 years old now and still stunning! It is near Çemberlitaş (which is also from the Romans) and Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) which is pretty famous for its Orthodox origins too.

Kapalıçarşı/ The Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar, as you might heard, is one of the biggest bazaars around. It is colorful, loud, crowded, and magical. The issue is that the sellers are not so lovely, and can not be trusted to offer a good price, so I can not recommend that anyone buy anything. Only if you have too much money, then you can, but mostly it is overpriced, especially for tourists. That bazaar is famous for silver jewelry, and there are old experts. It was made by Fatih Sultan Mehmet who is the conquerer of İstanbul.

Dolmabahçe Sarayı/ Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahçe is not an old palace. It was built in the 19th century under the rule of Sultan Abdulmecit. The palace has three big buildings. One of them is the main palace for the Padişah (the Ottoman Emperor) and his workers, like the famed yeniçeriler (janissaries). The Harem is for the lady sultans and, of course, their helpers. That is where the ''Harem'' is. The palace overlooks the beautiful Bosphorus.

Dolmabahçe Palace symbolizes the transition of the Ottoman Empire as it modernized and looked to Europe. Also, the architecture is a mix of Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles.

Yerebatan Sarnıcı

Yerebatan Sarnıcı is so hard to get into because of the line of tourists. Buy the tickets online and show up early, that's the only way. Be careful don't even try it at the weekend. Yerebatan Sarnıcı had a renovation recently and there are some events in it, such as concerts nowadays which are ... Of course, expensive. It is an ancient underground water reservoir and was again made by Justinian around the 530s.

Kız Kulesi

Kız Kulesi directly means ''Girl Tower''. When I say it like that it makes me remember girl dinner but of course, it is nothing like that. Again a tower with a beautiful and sadding story. Before the story, you must know Kız Kulesi is floating in the sea and located near Üsküdar on the coast. It is such a magical landmark that İstanbul was nearly, the place I got proposed to. There is a restaurant around and inside so make your choice, you can go by sea taxi or there are minibus style ferries, now for the story.

Once upon a time, there was a king with a beautiful young daughter whom he loved more than the whole kingdom. She was a beautiful and innocent kid, but one day the king relieved a prophecy that his daughter would be killed by a snake on her 18th birthday. Terrified of this fate, the king built Kız Kulesi in the sea and locked her away. He was her only visitor, and on her 18th birthday, he brought her a basket of fruit, thinking that he had beaten the prophecy. However, unbeknownst to him an asp had snuck into the basket, and when he presented his daughter with it the asp bit her and she died in his arms.

Pierre Loti Tepesi

Pierre Loti is another romantic landmark of İstanbul. Lovers in Yeşilçam movies (Yeşilçam is an area in Turkish cinema) used to go to Pierre Loti Tepesi. It has a great view and a cable car. I love that cable car especially, it is also really cheap. There are coffee shops and restaurants there, you can go with your lover and watch the beautiful view.

İstiklal Caddesi ve Taksim Meydanı

İstiklal Caddesi used to be a way more authentic and ecstatic place than it is now. Even 10 years ago it had a different atmosphere and aesthetic. The people, the stores, and now everything has changed. Now, because of the renovation they have made it is filled with concrete. Still, it's the biggest open shop in Turkey, and it is older than some countries, despite being a newer attraction in the city. There are so many beautiful coffee shops and restaurants my two favorites are Şirin Fırın directly in front of Galata but stay in the corner, it's a really cute bakery colored green. My favorite restaurant is budget-friendly and their shrimp is amazing, it's called Parole. Do not forget to get in pasajları (passages) like the famed Çicek (flower) Pasaj.

Anadolu ve Rumeli Hisarları

Hisar is one of the most historical places, especially if you are interested in how İstanbul was consecrated. You should see them, the view and the atmosphere are amazing. The tours will help you to learn about everything, and I would recommend a tour of this attraction.

Emirgan Korusu

Emirgan is a romantic place too. It might be a place where you can see the cute squirrels if you have some luck. The place itself is really big, it's a kind of park, and there are street food sellers at the exits. Do not forget to take a good walk have tea inside, and get the ''Gözleme'' while leaving.

Süleymaniye Cami

Süleymaniye Cami is called as Mimar Sinan's Masterpiece. Mimar Sinan designed the architecture around the beginning of the 16th century. The mosque was made under the name of Sultan Süleyman, who you might know as Süleyman the Magnificent. Both of the gentlemen I mentioned need research, their work and life are really interesting. The great times of the Ottoman Empire are shown in the beauty of this mosque.

Fener ve Balat Semtleri  

Balat and Fener have a complicated history of their citizens. Balat and Fener was never truly a Turkish place, back in time Greeks and Jews used to live than have been forced to leave the neighborhood. Especially Rums (Greek speakers identifying with Rome/Byzantium) because of what was being done to the Turkish people in Cyprus, the torture against Turks there turned into pressure against Greeks here. The Jewish community was the community that was brought in during the rule of Sultan Beyazıt when they were invited after being expelled from Spain.

Karaköy  

Karaköy, I should warn you it is an amazing place with endless coffee shops, but places where you can not find something like it again. Karaköy might be a big expense. There is Karaköy Güllüoğlu, where you should have the baklava, no matter what do not leave without eating at least one piece. There are a lot of famous places in Karaköy, but it is up to you to look them up or just go and go to the restaurants that seem cute to you. Nearly all of them have good stuff. Do not forget to see Galataport from here, it is 5 minutes and Dolmabahçe is within walking distance.

Ortaköy Meydanı ve Cami

We call here actually ''tarihi yarım ada'' it is the real Istanbul. Ortakoy Cami is not one of my favorites but the ''Krumpir'' you should taste here, is especially famous. Ortaköy is self really old neighborhood, but Ortaköy Cami is nearly 200 hundred years old, if we consider the other temples around İstanbul this is not an old one. The unique thing about it is that it has inspiration from neo-baroque and Ottoman styles together.

Gülhane Parkı

Gülhane Parkı has more than 5-6 places in itself, I shall mention a few that stand put. First I want to mention the Archeology Museum which is huge and has everything from this land, second is Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapı Palace) which ı do not believe words can do justice, the third one is not glorious but is a library and a museum for Turkish writer Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar who ı believe is one of the best. You might like his novels if you give them a chance.

The Park is huge and beautiful without any other landmarks in it, but ı want to mention a poet who wrote a poem about this park and revolution, human rights, and living as equals. Nazım Hikmet Ran has an amazing poem called ''Ceviz Ağacı'' which begins with I am a walnut tree in Gülhane Park. You open the song named after the same poem, ''Gülhane Parkı'' from Cem Karaca. Cem Karaca is an old rock star from here. He is an Anatolian rock area star. He has an amazing voice and songs. Open it while you wander around this beautiful park.

Kadıköy Bahariye Sokak/ Ali Suavi

Kadıköy, is the Berlin of İstanbul. I studied in Kadıköy. The street food, pizza2go, the fish restaurant the old and amazing desert places are brilliant places to eat. The bar street is long and colorful, there is a special pasta place I want you to find. It is not that touristic but I believe it should be. There are mosques and churches next to each other. It is a multicultural town. Go to Ali Suavi Street and drink tea in the Kadıköy Çikolatacısı (Kadıköy chocatiers) 

Yavuz Selim Cami

You should go there for the article and the view. Yavuz Selim Cami is under the name of Yavuz Selim who was an Ottoman Sultan(and a great conquerer). Yavuz Sultan is an interesting commander, he is a fighter and warrior that is for sure. He made the Ottoman Empire double in size, he got the throne by forcing his father to abdicate and he got the throne in really old age and only was able to rule for 8 years. Although still, he made the Ottomans richer than ever. This information was not about the mosque of course. It was designed by Mimar Sinan and built by the order of Kanuni (Aka Yavuz's son).

Yuşa Tepesi

Yuşa Tepesi is a hill with a great view of Istanbul. I have been here once and still can not forget the beautiful view. Also, there are some coffee places, and of course, the real meaning of the place is that people believe Yuşa Profit's tomb is there.

Büyük Çamlıca Tepesi

Çamlıca is in Anatolian site, there is a huge mosque and a park there. The hill used to be a factor in Yeşilçam back in the day. I can hear you asking what is Yeşilçam? Yeşilçam is a Turkish film production and distribution hub, like Hollywood or Bollywood. Yeşilçam was popular around 1950-1980.