Square, Archaeological site

The Hippodrome is a place you will almost certainly pass through - and you may not even realise you are standing on one of the most important sites in ancient Istanbul. Today it looks like an ordinary square, but it was actually the centre of the Byzantine Empire. [btn "View the 10 best hotels in Istanbul" https://www.booking.com/city/tr/istanbul.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-istanbul-hippodrom] The remains of the ancient stadium now lie in…

Street

During your visit to Istanbul, you shouldn't miss a stroll along the vibrant Istiklal Cadessi shopping street. Every day, 3 million locals and tourists pass through this boulevard, heading from the large Taksim Square to the much quieter Galata district. [btn "Find a hotel in central Istanbul" https://www.booking.com/city/tr/istanbul.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-istanbul-istiklal] Unfortunately, Istiklal Cadessi Street has also been infamous in…

Lighthouse, Fortress

The Maiden Tower (Kız Kulesi) is a small historic building on a small island in the Bosphorus, just a few dozen metres from the Asian shore in Üsküdar. Originally it served as a guard and checkpoint on the water route, later for example as a lighthouse or quarantine station. Today, it functions mainly as a restaurant and a symbol of Istanbul - a place most people know from photos, although in reality they often visit it only from the coast. …

Square

Taksim is a place you'll almost certainly pass through - and it may not exactly wow you in itself. It's not a pretty square in the classic sense. It's more of a transport hub, a gateway to modern Istanbul and a starting point for an evening out. Being one of the few large empty spaces in central Istanbul, it is also a frequent venue for celebrations or demonstrations. [btn "Book a hotel near Taksim" https://www.booking.com/district/tr…

City Quarter, Promenade, Museum

Galataport is a very different Istanbul than you expect from the historic centre. A modern waterfront, restaurants, shops and a landscaped promenade along the Bosphorus. I went here for the first time more out of curiosity... and ended up spending more time here than I planned - mainly for the views and the atmosphere in the evening. [btn "Find modern hotels in Galataport" https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en.html?ss=Galataport%20Istanbul…

Bridge, Lookout

The Galata Bridge is one of those places that you will cross automatically in Istanbul. It connects the historic centre to the Karakoy district and is also one of the most authentic places in the city for tourists with local life. The first time I took it, I just thought of it as getting from point A to point B. I ended up coming back several times - for the atmosphere, the fishermen, and the views of the Golden Horn. [btn "Find hotels…