On your way up or down from Pera, visit this historic station. You can easily take the tram to the…read moreIkstacion Sirekeci (a little confusing but the difference is the line) and then cross the Bosphorus Bridge which is another very interesting Istanbul site. Sirkeci Station is a terminus station of the Turkish State Railway TCDD. From here, international, domestic and regional trains run west. As the terminus of the legendary Orient Express, Sirkeci Station gained worldwide fame. The station is an impressive mixture of Art Nouveau and Orientalism. While the main building of the station remained in its original state, its surroundings have changed dramatically since 1890. In the 1950s and 60s, the terminal restaurant became a meeting place for journalists, writers, diplomats and the idle elite. The old 1874 locomotive from the Krauss & Company Locomotive factory of Munich directly in front of the station building is also worth a visit. Since 2013, the Sirkeci Station is a stop of the Marmaray railway line. The Marmaray route runs under the Bosphorus strait and connects the European and Asian part of Istanbul within a few minutes.

Believe it or not this was one of the standout experiences in my visit to Istanbul. Visited on the…read morelast day of the trip and the gorgeous exterior caught my eye. Really beautiful architecture. After spending time at the Pera Palace, I was blown away by the palanquin on display. I couldn't believe that only 100 years ago that people were literally being carried to their destinations! It's especially incredible considering the distance between the 2 locations. The interior is just as cool. Beautiful stained glass windows. Trim painted in an unexpected carnation pink. I loved it all! The museum is small but filled with lots of artifacts from the train. And it's free!Definitely worth a visit.