This is a must see attraction…read more Really pointless to review it since it is common knowledge how impressive it is.

Spectacular palace that takes hours to explore. We had two hours here, which is not nearly enough…read more We went through as part of a Viator tour group, which was a mistake. Viator is generally great, but this group consisted of like 60 people. Entering one by one, and validating each ticket by the guide took SO long. We spent most of the time doing this rather than explore the site itself. I recommend going through a smaller tour group. The guide went through just a few general comments and we were on our own to explore. Once inside, there's an option for a long and short tour. We opted for the latter because we were running out of time. The rush didn't give the museum justice. The palace had rooms that showed the history of life (some rather tough) at the time. The gardens and view of the city were amazing. Allow plenty of time.

This museum is located behind Topkapi Palace so if you are going there, you might as well come…read morehere. It wasn't nearly as crowded as the other museums and features artifacts from nearly all periods and civilizations in history. The history of coinage, archaeological artifacts, and Greek statutes, this museum is a must see. I would suggest going early in the morning to beat any crowds.

I would also consider this a must-see in Istanbul, it's quite a collection of artifacts across the…read morelong history of what is now Turkiye and what was the Ottoman Empire. The descriptions are in Turkish and English, you really don't need a guide, so ignore them around the entrance. I can tell from the YELP reviews over time and from the new appearance of many of the rooms that there's been quite a bit of improvement over time. This started out as a sarcophagi museum but expanded, the collection still seems to be expanding. It was nice to visit here after having seen Ephesus, Bergama, and Sagalassos; and I would very much like to return to Turkey to visit some of the many other Greek and Roman sites. There are two other must-see museums in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art. Topkapi is much more expensive than the other two, we only realized too late to get the museum pass that will really save you money if you're going to visit these and other museums. Allow at least 3-4 hours here, and bring some cat treats to make friends with the felines in front.

Absolutely stunning! Hagia Sofia, I was not familiar with your game. It was so interesting to see…read morehow much Christian influence and history is here, which I had no idea about. Our ticketing and entrance process was smooth, though busy - expect lines if you don't go right away in the morning or near closing. Wear clothes that cover your shoulders, chest and knees - and a scarf for covering your head for ladies. They do have some there if you need one. The space is huge! Down on the main floor is just for practicing Muslims to pray, so the space accessible to guests in the higher area. They did have a few spots where you can get audio info, but it was pretty limited info and more of a description of what you're seeing. The ticket covered admission to the museum (not attached, another building) that was VERY helpful and informative! We did that second but wished we'd done it first. Such a stunning space with a ton of history. An absolute must in Istanbul!

This is an Orthodox Church that convert to mosque. This may be happen during Ottoman era in 1453…read more This history site is classified as museum and it is classified as Ayasofya Cami. You need a ticket to visit for non Muslim visitors. You can buy the combo ticket with Hagia Sophia museum or building visit along. Price is not cheap. The interior can spot some mosaic tile with orthodox figures. The ticket only allows second floor visit. The wall is kind of cover up with huge platt. You won't see the wall painting. However you can see how big is the dome. Visit take you one hours.

This is a gorgeous museum in a beautiful historic building in the Pera neighbourhood of Beyoğlu…read more It's free on Fridays late in the afternoon, but make sure you go a bit early because there's usually a line. I was really astounded how beautifully curated the exhibitions are and it was all absolutely fascinating and so well done. There are several floors. I saw some incredible ceramics and artwork by Turkish artists from the 19th century. They have a few exhibitions going on at the same time. So much to see. There's also a wonderful and nicely decorated elegant restaurant downstairs that has fantastic fresh lemonade and delicious meatballs!

This endearing little art museum has a small entrance fee that is worth it to see the famous…read more"Tortoise Trainer" by Osman Hamdi Bey. You'll see copies of it all over Turkey, but this is where the original hangs. It's a unique and peculiar collection of art, some contemporary, some modern, a little classic, and an exhibit of weights and measures. Nice gift shop. Their coffee shop is also worth a visit on its own. Not far from the Pera Palace Hotel, so you can combine a visit to this museum with High Tea in Agatha Christie's old haunt.

Beylerbeyi Palace is the Ottoman Empire's version of I need a break from my other palaces. Nestled…read moreon the Asian side of the Bosphorus, this 19th-century marble mansion was Sultan Abdülaziz's idea of a chill summer home. Because Topkapi, Dolmabahçe, and oh, five hundred other residences just weren't quite breezy enough. Built in the 1860s, this place screams French glam meets Turkish flair, all chandeliers and lion statues, because subtlety is for peasants. It hosted imperial yacht guests like Empress Eugénie of France, who allegedly scratched a mirror in a fit of palace envy. And the kicker? The empire was already spiraling into debt. But hey, if you're going down, might as well go down with a killer sea view. Ace job, Sultans. Next time maybe try Airbnb to try to offset expenses.

So this was just okay and unless you are in the area I would not bother trekking out here just for…read morethis. Located in the Üsküdar district, this Baroque Palace was built in 1861 as a Summer palace. The areas inside are pretty restricted and roped off and you basically wander in the hallways peering into highly, way over the top ornate rooms. It just was not my thing. I mean do I really want to see where royals dropped a deuce? but I digress. Also no photography allowed inside for???? Reasons The gardens are just okay as well. The views from the waterline of the straight and Marty's bridge are spectacular, but can be seen just about anywhere from the many parks that dot the coast. There is a significant transport hub and you can take one back (which we did) to the main ferry terminals once you are done.

A top sight in Istanbul. I liked the walk through that you do through the main building. There…read moreare no photos allowed but it's a huge palace like something you would see in Europe. Outside there are some beautiful views of the coast and city and lovely gardens to walk through. I bought my tickets that day it wasn't too long in the morning. Like any other place, you have to go through security and another line for tickets and then another to enter. It was my favorite place to visit. In the spring the tulips were nice.

This is a must-see in Istanbul!…read more LOCATION It's in a different area than the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia so it takes a bit of a tram ride, but it's worth it. TIMING We were not prepared for the sheer size of this palace. Holy COW. We came midday with a few other things to do in the area, and could have left much more time to go slower but still very much enjoyed spending ~2 hours here. This palace is soooo huge, and they have different areas throughout the buildings with exhibitions and displays. See as many as you can! I recommend starting on the right side and working back and around from there. ATTRACTIONS Most of the attraction is the sheer magnificence of the interior decor and design in the palace: chandeliers, stunning rooms and spaces, and lots of art. NO PICS?!? The biggest bummer and reason for docking a star: NO PHOTOS?! You're telling me you're gonna show me the most magnificent castle and I can't take a pic?! That was a huge bummer. You can be sneaky but they do have guards everywhere. What's the harm in a little no-flash memory of the space? AMENITIES They have a cafe and a restaurant onsite, as well as restrooms and some gardens with benches to relax. You'll need it from walking around the massive palace!

Former church, museum and mosque all in one was further away from main Istanbul attractions but…read morewell worth the Uber ride. Our Uber dropped us off a couple blocks away due to some road closure. The Kariye was walled off so we followed the exterior walls towards the entrance gate and ticket office (20 Euros or free if Turkish citizen). Modest clothing was checked rigorously and women without head scarves were turned away. Once inside you could wander as long as you wanted and mostly everywhere except for the prayer floor. There were times when big tourists groups would block certain rooms and the guides were oblivious to the problems their people were causing others. I wished those docents or guards hanging out by the walls would also manage the groups. A free audio guide was available for listening and very helpful. We also cross referenced some details with the Rick Steves guidebook. The remaining Byzantine artwork inside was stunning. It was an unfortunate earthquake that destroyed a number of the mosaics and frescoes but the restoration and preservation of what remained was a testament to keeping that part of history available to all. Highly recommended if you have time when visiting Istanbul.

The Chora Church is one of the most amazing old churches I have ever seen. As with all the high…read moretraffic tourist sites, it's better in the off season. I would read up on it before you go, and bring a good guide book, Rick Steve's Istanbul is by far the best for Chora, but Lonely Planet and National Geographic are pretty good too. The acme of Byzantine art was the wall mosaic and there is no better existing example anywhere. St. Savior in Chora is now known locally as Kariye Camii because it's a hybrid museum and active mosque. The church is just inside the city walls, so I would spend a day starting here and then do Rick Steve's "City Walls and Neighborhoods walk" but it will take longer than he projected if you have the sort of wanderlust and curiosity that makes you take longer and of course even longer if you have to make friends with all the cats along the way. Note that all the guidebooks reporting free WCs here or at any mosque are already out of date, you have to pay a small fee so I learned to carry small Turkish bills. The current church building dates back to 1100, damaged by Crusaders (not the Motown stars) in the 1200s, reconstructed by patron Theodore Metochites. prime minister of the Byzantine Empire. In the early 16th century during Ottoman rule, the church was converted to a mosque and a minaret was added. After the East West split of the Christian Church, Occidental Christianity art and architecture became provincial, local customs, local saints, local interpretations. But the Eastern Orthodox Church remained consistent across centuries and the artistry here became an archetype. Eastern Orthodox churches are adorned with flourishes and decorations that echo the beautiful old mosaics here. Their goal was to show how God became mortal on behalf of human beings, transforming Oriental liturgy into reality. Don't compare the superior work here with the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna (6th century), different epochs, different theodicy. I'm Buddhist so I needed a primer on Christian legend and scripture but even given that, remember, the past is foreign. Included in these mosaics are apocryphal writings, then part of cannon in practice. The narthexes, inner and outer, contain most of the mosaics. Next to the nave is a side chapel (parekklesion) with frescoes. I especially liked the syncretic Mary depictions that worked in the pre-Christian Anatolian mother-goddess. and the biblical genealogy of Christ on a ceiling dome. You can make out Adam standing on a snake (the ancestry is in Aramaic Greek but many have attributes depicted, it's all in the flutes emanating away from, or actually leading up the Christ), Noah carrying an ark. Near are depictions of Christ's miracles. You are going to need Ibuprofen handy because you're going to be craning your neck a lot. Actually in Turkiye you can get Dexofen, a safer more effective NSAID that is not available in the USA, which works well on neck pain. Also don't miss the "Dormition of the Virgin," I guess Mary didn't ever die, she went to sleep forever, but this mosaic depicts her final bed. It's an easy bus ride, go to the Egrikapi Gate and it's a short walk. Istanbul buses are easy, comfortable, and cheap. It's a little intimidating taking a bus when you don't speak any Turkish, but they can easily read your destination from your phone, just show it to a bus worker at the depot and they will get you on the right bus. They are more helpful than Chicago Transit Authority or Milwaukee County Transit Authority workers by far.

B&B Roman Suite Via…read moreVespasiano 48, 00192 Rome Italy Lovely B&B 5 minutes from the Vatican. Beautiful rooms and a delightful manager, Emma. For a romantic visit to Rome, this cannot be beaten. She has 4 rooms in the building. We stayed in the Roman Suite 4 nights then 4 more nights in the corner room on the first floor which has 3 rooms that share a kitchen. We preferred the share because the room itself was bigger than the Roman Suite rooms. Either way it's a lovely place to stay. Emma will go out of her way to make your stay everything you could hope for.