We came here because you can't really come to Istanbul and not come here to visit. We came right…read morebefore prayer time, and it was reasonably uncrowded as I understand it. Still felt crowded to us. Women will need a headscarf, and you take off your shoes at the entrance, so keep that in mind if you tend to go without socks. It might've been a free entry, I don't actually remember. It was built in about seven or eight years, and when you look up and you see what they did in seven or eight years it's remarkable. It's an absolutely stunning building. The Stained Glass Window's are gorgeous, the tiles are amazing. It's stunning. And both a tourist attraction and active mosque.

One of the more impressive Mosques we have visited. For starters, you guessed it, it's blue in…read morecolor. The massive columns inside and the height of the ceiling stands out most of all. Remember to respect the culture by removing your shoes before entering. No men shorts and women need to cover their shoulders and head otherwise, entry will be denied. This is a must see and it's iconic and free to enter so make sure to visit it.

Excellent museum, we had saved this museum for a day when the weather was too inclement for a lot…read moreof outdoor sightseeing and since this was winter, pretty much all days weren't ideal and this became a place we visited on the last full day. I'm glad we had a couple of hours because there's a lot to see here. It's a very well arranged museum, so we were able to learn the artistic differences between periods like we were in a very good archaeology class. The textiles, ceramics, and calligraphy (Qurans) were all the more fascinating when arranged by region and epoch. Very good captions and descriptions. In a former palace, the building itself is wonderful, and of course we got to meet some more nice Muslim cats. Yes, it's posted "no pictures," but the guards are concerned with old school film flash photography which would degrade some of the more delicate artifacts, and they are also watching for people touching items unprotected by glass. Just be respectful and don't lick anything. I think that is good advice for life.

This is a nice museum located in the heart of Istanbul inside the palace of Ibrahim Oasha. It's not…read morebig by any means - plan 1.5 hrs max if you read every label. It costs 17 EUR, but you can get a museum pass for a few days which includes this location (total bang for your buck). Wasn't crowded at all (prob because it's March). I was expecting to see more art variety, but this museum should be treated more like an opportunity to learn about the history of Islam, the Ottoman Empire, and all the caliphates of the past. The museum has a rich collection of centuries (or even millenia) old Qurans, rugs, and ceramics that are well preserved. There's also a bit on the history of coffee and coffee shops as well as fashion. Everything was organized in the chronological order and there were plaques in every room explaining the history of the region. The calligraphy pieces were stunning as were Islamic relics such as the beard of the Prophet. Definitely worth a visit if you have a pass and are in the area!

How cool! A part of Egyptian history in the old Istanbul downtown, precisely within the heart of…read moreSultanahmet Meydanı, part of what is called the Hippodrome of Constantinople. The Roman emperor Theodosius (the Obelisk was renamed after him) brought it over in the 4th century, but it was initially constructed under Pharaoh Thutmose III in Egypt in a temple in Luxor. Like a lot of older historical piece, the Obelisk is a bit damaged, but it fascinating to look at, so many details to discover and admire! Free to visit, a quick walk from the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia, check out the Serpent Column near by and the German fountain of Wilhem II ! Lots of history around, you just need to stroll a bit around the Sultanahmet Square and try to learn about the history of this country and the world since it's so connected!

Originally commissioned by Egyptian Pharaoh Tuthmosis III in the 15th century BCE to commemorate…read morehis victories in what is now Syria. It was one of a pair of obelisks on the south face in front of the Seventh Pylon at the Temple in Karnak ((Thebes). Theodosius repurposed it in 388 to celebrate his defeat of the usurper Maximus, it stands where the spina of the Hippodrome of Constantinople was. At the base you can see Theodosius and his court at the Hippodrome and other Hippodrome scenes. You can see this obelisk portrayed in all sorts of art, like the 16th century engraving by Onofrio Panvinio "Ruins of the Hippodrome."

The Hippodrome of Constantinople is such a symbol of Istanbul. It's a huge square in the historic…read moreSultanahmet part of the city with ruins of old monuments scattered around. Make it your mission to find all of them. They have signs with explanations and historic facts about each one of them. It's amazing that this is a part of the city like any other with street vendors, people rushing around, cats, crowds of tourists. It used to be a circus, they had horseraces in Roman times here, a place that provided entertainment, the core of the city. Now, there are ruins left and a few monuments like: the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, The German Fountain. I would recommend to come here after you land, settle in your hotel, it's a great way to decompress by walking around and discovering the city's history and the present fast pace! You can grab a snack around as well! Free to visit and a must see!

The Hippodrome (Atmeydani in Turkish) was the chariot-racing centre of public life for nearly a…read moremillenium and a half in Byzantine and Ottoman times. These days it doesn't feature horseraces: it's a broad avenue with lots of pedestrian traffic to restaurants and shopping. It featured a lot of market stalls when I was there and saw activity late into the night, though I'm not sure if that was a by-product of being there during Ramadan. There are still some important monuments along the centre of the Hippodrome road: the ancient Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, the Hellenic Spiral Column, and the mysterious Rough-Stone Obelisk. A more recent addition is the Kaiser Wilhelm Fountain at the north end. The whole Hippodrome avenue remains a popular gathering- and walking-spot for the bustling Sultanahmet area of Istanbul.

This mosque is a hidden gem within the Kadirga neighborhood in Istanbul. There are two mosques with…read morethis name, so be sure to find the correct one you intend to visit! It was about a two minute walk from where my mom and I were staying. It was constructed in the 16th century, and is yet another of Sinan's many mosques. This one, similar to the Rustem Pasa mosque, is notable for the extensive use of Iznik tile throughout the interior. The mosque was commissioned by the Grand Vizier, Sokollu Mehmed Pasa, and his wife; however, only his name is included. His wife was a granddaughter of Suleiman the Magnificent, thus one of her uncles would have been Rustem Pasa, the Grand Vizier of Suleiman himself and whose namesake mosque is also heavily decorated using Iznik tile. When we visited here, it was more tranquil than most of the other mosques. More solemn. I think there's a reason for that. In part, it may be that four pieces of the Black Stone, which is sacred in Islam, are incorporated into the mosque. Although it's a 10 minute walk from the much more famous Sultanhamet (the Blue Mosque), this one is hidden within a neighborhood that is unremarkable but has several small hotels. Yet when we were here, although we weren't here long, there were only two other visitors here (we all entered at the same time when they opened). Like with any mosque, women must cover their head and shoulders; they will have scarves for you to use if you don't bring your own. Also you will be asked to remove your shoes. After both of our parties had taken a photo or two the imam--or if not the imam, the caregiver for the mosque--asked that we not take photos inside the mosque itself, which was not the case at the other mosques. Sokollu Mehmet Pasa was once an extensive complex, with shops on one level to provide for upkeep of the mosque, I believe. It also had a caravansary and other structures in addition to the madrasa. We had stopped by more than once in hopes to view the mosque, but it was not open. I'm not sure what the reason for this was; I think we got lucky that they opened it during the hours we were expecting when we finally were able to visit, and we got there right about the time it was supposed to open. I'm don't know if it is still tricky to find the time when it's open, but I think it is worth it.

This is the Mecca of Istanbul visitors! Hard to miss if you plan to check out the Blue Mosque…read moreor/and Hagia Sophia since this plaza is right in between them. It was April when we visited, so the trees where in bloom which is nice! The end of the tulips season well. The fountain is pretty, check out the mosaic fresca-s and details that decorate it! Plenty of benches around, ideal to grab a snack near by and sit here and enjoy it. Not an easy task because the area is crowded with lots of locals, tourists, even huge groups. Lots of photo ops here, everywhere you turn is a nice sight! A few restaurants around, as well as street vendors if you want to grab a simit, roasted chestnuts, corn or fresh squeezed juices for a snack break. Prices are higher than in other areas since it's such a touristy area, but oh well... when in Sultanahmet Square... you should expect it! Our hotel wasn't far, so we would the plaza to get around town since it leads you to the tram, shops and restaurants also! Try to visit in the evening, it gets way quieter and the buildings are beautiful lit up! Hard to miss, good area to check out, stroll, take a break in the action. This is the center of historic Istanbul, expect crowds, but try to enjoy the sights as well!

This large plaza is located between the Topaki Palace and the Blue Mosque…read more It quite litterally contains many of the top attractions in the Faith / Sultanament DIstrict. There are also a few parks, plus the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cisterna, The Hippodrome of Constantinople, et al. It is usually packed with people during the day but clears out at night. The fountain near the Hagia Sofia is not exactly the fountains at Bellagio but the color changes with the Mosques in the background are fun to watch. There also is a multitude of restarants, vendors, shops, ATM's and tram station nearby