Istanbul, a city that sits on the border of Europe and Asia, is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and history. Offering a unique blend of the old and the new, Istanbul is a traveler’s dream destination. The city is home to a plethora of architectural marvels, including the iconic Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. For a more authentic experience, visit the Grand Bazaar, which dates back to the 15th century and offers a wide variety of goods. Be sure to indulge in Turkish cuisine, which is known for its mouth-watering kebabs, baklava, and Turkish delight.
Straddling two continents, Istanbul has been a sprawling, cosmopolitan city and vital commercial hub since the days it was called Byzantium. Ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Venetians, and then Ottomans, the city blends the ancient, historical, and modern as effortlessly as it does different cultures and religions.
You’ll find monumental houses of worship, including the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, as well as a contemporary fashion scene that sets the tone for most of the Middle East and North Africa. You can also while away your days wandering through the maze-like streets and sipping Turkish coffee, watching the world bustle by.
Sultanahmet: The Old City of Istanbul
Located at the entrance to the Bosphorus Strait, Sultanahmet is the historic hub of Istanbul and is crammed full of monumental sites like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Because they’re all grouped in the central Sultanahmet Square, many visitors tear through the big three in one day, but I think that’s a disservice to both the city and yourself. There’s only so much beauty you can absorb in one day before you’re stunned into numbness.
Instead, I prefer to space them out over three or even five days, while also seeing the city’s less-iconic sights. A driver and guide can help you navigate the heavy traffic here and throughout the city, as well as provide context.
