Best things to do in Istanbul including the Blue Mosque

Best things to do in Istanbul: Day One

One of the best things to to in Istanbul is to take a walk around the famous Golden Horn of land on the southern side of Galata Bridge. Visiting nearby Yeni Mosque, an Ottoman Imperial mosque and a great feat of Islamic architecture, is another of the best things to do in Istanbul. In the complex surrounding the mosque is a spice market, also called the Egyptian Bazaar, which sells spices, dried fruits, nuts and other local delicacies. Buying Turkish Delight from this market is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.

The centre of Istanbul is at the other end of the tram line, by Sultanahmet Square, within walking distance of the Basilica Cistern, the largest of the underground cisterns that fed the city in its 6th Century Constantinople days, and going underground to have a look at it is one of the best things to do in Istanbul. The Cistern's main exit is right by the Hagia Sophia, once a church, then a mosque and now a museum, home to impressive Byzantine mosaics -- the best are on the second storey. You'll want a couple of hours there, but it's within walking distance of another of the best things to do in Istanbul: the Blue Mosque, named for its coating of 17th Century Blue Iznik tiles.

Spending an evening shopping and eating at the Grand Bazaar is another of the best things to do in Istanbul.

Best things to do in Istanbul: Day Two

One of the best things to do in Istanbul is cruise the Bosphorus straight, which Istanbul was built along, out to the village of Anadolu Kava??. The route zigzags along the narrow passage, hopping between the Anatolian and Asian sides of the water. One of the reasons it's one of the best things to do in Istanbul is that there's a good view from the top of the village once you get there, one of the other reason it's one of the best things to do in Istanbul is that the seafood restaurants are well known for excellence.

Best things to do in Istanbul: Day Three

There are more of the best things to do in Istanbul around Sultanahmet Square. This time go via the St Irene Church,within the expansive grounds of Topkapi Palace both also places on the list of best things to do in Istanbul. This palace has been made into a museum of itself, but as well as exhibits featuring treasures from the palace, and the sultans who lived here, there are also exhibits featuring other Turkish treasures. The Istanbul Archaeological Museum, where you can see some of the most unique and impressive treasures of the ancient world is also within the grounds of the Topkapi Palace. Gülhane Park used to be the palace grounds, and is a very short stroll away, and one of the best things to do in Istanbul if you like the great outdoors.

If you have time for it there's one more local attraction worth wandering though at the end of the day: Miniatürk. It sounds naff, a miniature layout of many of Turkey's great sights, but it does give you an idea of this country's great architectural highlights -- and you might not have time to see them all full size.

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