5 top attractions in Istanbul, Turkey with walking tours? You must visit the Asian side of the city when visiting Istanbul. How often can you visit two continents in a matter of minutes and not even have to go through customs! We popped over to Asian Istanbul after a scenic cruise checking out the shores of both North and South. A good stop is Kanlica, famous for its thick yogurt. When strolling through the city, you’ll see many older gentlemen playing games. The game of choice is Backgammon and you must give it a try. Look for a local cafe offering boards to use, sit down and order a coffee or tea and play until your heart’s content. This popular game dates back 5,000 years in the Persian empire and is going strong today in the city of Istanbul.
If you just want easy access to Istanbul’s top attractions without a guide, then another option would be to go on a Big Bus Tour. For me, there’s no better way to become acquainted with a new city than these Hop On Hop Off Tours. Double decker buses ply set routes that take you to many of the top attractions in Istanbul, and you can hop on and off as many times as you want for the duration of your pass. Very convenient indeed. The Grand and Egyptian Spice Bazaars are Istanbul’s most popular bazaars. One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with over 3,000 shops, you can buy all sorts of things at the Grand Bazaar like leather goods, jewelry, carpets, clothing, furniture, ceramics, and souvenirs.
Located close to the Golden Horn, Eyp Sultan Mosque is a hugely significant mosque for followers of the Islamic faith. The site is where many people believe that Abu Ayub al-Ansari was buried, a man that was a good friends of the Prophet Muhammad and a standard-bearer. The mausoleum is ornate with many fine Iznik tiles. The mosque was traditionally where coronations were held for new Ottoman sultans, though the present mosque was built in the early 1800s, occupying the site where an earlier mosque once stood. Non-Muslim visitors can look around the complex, though they must remember to dress respectfully. There is no admission fee for the mosque, but donations are gratefully received. Take pictures of the magnificent pale-coloured building from the outside, taking time to appreciate the glorious domes and soaring minarets. Inside, light floods through the many windows and you are sure to be impressed by the beautiful details of the main dome. Admire the large chandelier that hangs high above the hall, the plush red carpets, and the grand arches and pillars, and watch as Muslims pray and perform religious rituals. Read even more info on Free walking tour Istanbul.
Is Istanbul worth visiting? Of course! It is a beautiful city filled with astonishing landmarks and meaningful traditions. You will find a lot of exciting things to do in Istanbul. There are plenty of attractive Istanbul points of interest, so going sightseeing in Istanbul is such a fulfilling experience that you will never forget. Istanbul was first founded in 660 BC. It was named Byzantion at that time. In 330 AD, the city was rebuilt, and the name was changed into Constantinople. Throughout history, this city has served as the capital city of many imperials, from the Romans to the Ottoman. That is why you can feel the powerful influences of both Islam and Christianity in Istanbul. Some of the most famous Istanbul tourist attractions are magnificent mosques and churches.
Our free walking tour of Istanbul take you on a travel thru Istanbul’s deep history. Our Tours are educative and entertaining, we don’t offer unexciting details! Check out Istanbul’s bustling avenues and explore 10.000 years of remarkable and interesting history. Our Istanbul walking tours promise enough laughs thru fun information and facts as well as stories. Discover even more info on freeistanbultours.com.