Hey guys! 🙂
Recently I’ve written about my trip to Kusadasi. Other part of my Turkey trip was Istanbul. Still to this day this is one of my favourite cities I have ever visited! The sea, the architecture, people, markets, food, scents, sight…Istanbul really has it all! Before going further into my post I will list top 5 things ( for you lazy readers 🙂 ) you have to see/do in Istanbul:
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Topkapi Palace
- Bosphorus ferry ride
- Basilica Cistern
Other than those 5 things, you also must take a bus to go outside of Istanbul and see:
- Pamukkale
- Ephesus (Artemis temple, Library of Celses, Church of Mary)
- Troy
For the rest of you who want to know more about Istanbul keep reading and let me take you on this little journey 🙂
Walking through Istanbul
I arrived in Istanbul from Zagreb airport. I don’t even remember anymore how long was that flight, but I don’t think it was longer than 2, 2 and a half hours. We stayed in Green Anka Hotel. The hotel was great. It was really nice, the food was amazing and the rooms looked very pretty, plus the tram station was very very close to the hotel so we had no problem in getting to the city center. You have to know that Istanbul is cheap. 1 lira (turkish currency) is approximetly 0.34 USD. Tram ticket is 2 lira’s, kebab (one of the most famous quick foods there) is 3-5 lira’s and you get kebab, fries and some dips! Walking through the town you see many pretty buildings but you can also see very old ancient ones aswell. All of a sudden you see some old ancient statues in the middle of the street. Walking there is amazing because you can see many different people. From very modern, fancy and well dressed people to old fashioned ones. It’s a city of diversity really. Sometimes you won’t get any looks, and at some points people will look at you wierdly because you have shorts. But even though we noticed some of the people not approving the way we dressed (it was summer, and 40 degrees celsius so naturally all of us wore shorts and tops), still we didn’t have any problems.
The most famous market there is called The Grand Bazaar and you can find everything there! EVERYTHING! From so many different spices, to jewerely and clothes, to food and phone accessories. It’s huge and crowded and cheap. You can buy a lot of cute necklace’s and bracelet’s because they are so cheap. One thing you HAVE to do there is BARGAINING! I’ve mentioned it in my post about Kusadasi (click here). Everyone is bargaining there so don’t be shy to start a bargain, it will work!
Top 5 things to see
Ok now, let’s show you those 5 things you have to see. Prepare yourselves 🙂
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi palace is huge (that’s what she said hahaha. Ok. Sorry for my “humor”..won’t happen again)! I think we spend a lot of time there because it’s so big (..almost wrote it again..). It has the most beautiful view and it has sooo many details it’s crazy! I got very excited to see that because many emperors lived there and at that time, one TV Show about one of them was very popular, so I was happy to see where he actually lived.
Bosphorus ferry ride
You can’t leave Istanbul if you didn’t took a ferry ride! The most luxurious buildings, hotels and night clubs can be seen on the coast. Plus the famous Bosphorus bridge that connects Asia and Europe is amazing. The fact that only one city is actually on the both continent’s still blows my mind! I had a chance to go over that bridge with a bus AND to ride in a boat and see the coast. PER-FECT!
Basilica Cistern
Last but not least, Basilica Cistern. That’s the largest of few hundred ancient cisterns beneath Constantinople (old name for Istanbul). It’s dark inside and very mistical! Take a look:
Ok guys. That would be all. I’m sorry for too many pictures but I just HAD to show you a lot so you can really decide to visit Istanbul! Don’t forget to visit other things in Turkey by taking a day trips to Ephesus, Pamukkale and Troy. If you want to know more about Ephesus and Pamukkale click HERE and for Troy Imma leave you with this picture just so you get a bit more interested!
Until next time… :*
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I’ve never been to Turkey but I’ve always thought of it as an exquisite country that is very rich in culture. And of course, Hagia Sophia is just magnificent!
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It really is rich in culture, you said it right! 🙂
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love it! I never get enough of this city!! always worth a trip and am constantly thinking about when I will go there again – as if going to turkey 4 times within 12 months isn’t enough 😛
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Same here!! I can’t wait to go again either!
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Now this is a country that has been creeping up the bucket list quickly! It looks like a photographers dream and enjoyed reading what you got up to. Will be sure to keep these sites noted for WHEN (;)), I eventually get there 🙂 Ciao from Rome!
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It really is! Just make sure you check if it’s safe to go before you decide to go there 🙂
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I see everyone loving Istanbul but for some reason it left my disappointed. Maybe it was the grey weather and crowds everywhere. I did love Hagia Sophia and some other things, although the sweet flavours weren’t to my liking.
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That’s how I feel about Paris. It was probably the bad weather aswell!
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Istanbul is a magical city! And I heard street food is good too, so there’s another reason to visit it eheh
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It is, and the street food is cheap and sooo tasty! 🙂
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Lovely post. I have heard so many great things about Istanbul from people who have travelled there. They have such a rich history and especially the monuments, like the controversy between Hagia Sophia and the amount of history held in that place alone. Must have been so enjoyable
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Thanks for sharing all the photos-I have always been interested in visiting Turkey, but worried about the safety. You make it sound quite doable.
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In 2012 it was no problem in getting there or staying. Now it’s a bit different because of the refugees crisis but I don’t know, I don’t think it’s totally unsafe but you never know. So if you’re planning on visiting it ask around and double check! 🙂
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I’ve wanted to go for so long. Hopefully soon!
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Hopefully! You won’t regret it 🙂
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I love Istanbul…So beautiful and full of history…
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Me too! Can’t wait to visit again 🙂
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I’ve always wanted to go to Istanbul! Your photos are great. Thanks for sharing.
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You should 🙂 and thank you!
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Great Post Roberta! It brings me so many lovely memories, other place that we must visit in Turkey and It is in my bucket list is Capadoccia. One day I will! ❤
xxx
http://www.travelera.es
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thank you Nuria! And I’ve never heard of it. I will check it out! xxx
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Istanbul looks really nice! 👌Thank you for sharing these photos and advices. I love your posts and I can’t wait to see the next one. 😊
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Thank youuuu 😘😘
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Kidnap me and take me with you everywhere you go. I envy your blog😍😍😍😍
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Hahah Heiressss. Thank you! Concentrate on studying girl and after we can plan a trip hahah ! Xx
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Great post as always! Istanbul is definitely on my bucket list, i read so much about it and it’s full of history, which is super interesting to me. I love your top 5 must-visit things in every post 🙂
Have a great day! x
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Hvala Dunja! You should definitely visit it! Have an awesome day aswell xx
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I really want to go to Istanbul, even more so now! Thanks 🙂
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Amazing!! 🙂
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Istanbul and Turkey have been on our bucket list for some time and we hope to visit this intriguing country where two continents meet in the near future. Your post motivates us to do this asap 🙂
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That’s great!
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you really should! It’s a great place!
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Hagia Sophia looks beautiful! Thank you for this great post. Next time I’m in Instanbul I’ll come back to this. Really want to try out that ferry ride!
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And by Instanbul, I mean Istanbul. Too much Instagram!
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You definitely should, thank you! 🙂
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