One of the most amazing places I've ever seen, let me start with the negatives so you're prepared…read more Even in the off season, it's crowded. Part of the crowd are guided tours, quite the nuisance and do not fall prey to the multitude of charlatans aggressively touting their personal guide services. What you need instead is a little personal research using Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, or National Geographic tour guides. Be prepared for the steep admission charge, and remember this is a must see, and an expensive place to maintain, it's in constant restoration. That may interfere with good PICs that show the majesty of the place, but certainly doesn't subtract from the historic experience. This was the third church built in the same location, it is the archetype of Byzantine Architecture, built by famed mathematicians Anthemios and Isidoros as ordered by Emperor Justinianos in 532 to 537. That was very fast in those days, and impossible today, renovations will take twice as long. It survived sacking and looting by the Fourth Crusade and being converted to a mosque by the Ottomans. In fact, ruing the reign of Murad III, architect Sinan added buttresses and Islamic artistic touches that reinforced the structure to endure earthquakes. It's one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites in Turkey, it is a museum and a mosque. The breathtaking and dizzying dome reads: "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a niche in which there is a lamp, the lamp is in a crystal, the crystal is like a shining star, lit from (the oil of) a blessed olive tree, (located) neither to the east nor the west, whose oil would almost glow, even without being touched by fire." (Nur, 24/35) The work of Kazasker Mustafa Izzet Efendi,calligrapher during the reign of Sultan Abdulmejid. Dress appropriately and respectfully, it's still a mosque.

This is an Orthodox Church that convert to mosque. This may be happen during Ottoman era in 1453…read more This history site is classified as museum and it is classified as Ayasofya Cami. You need a ticket to visit for non Muslim visitors. You can buy the combo ticket with Hagia Sophia museum or building visit along. Price is not cheap. The interior can spot some mosaic tile with orthodox figures. The ticket only allows second floor visit. The wall is kind of cover up with huge platt. You won't see the wall painting. However you can see how big is the dome. Visit take you one hours.

The Blue Mosque was one of our first stops on our tour that day…read more My best advice is to wear pants that are loose and long, so everything down to your ankles is covered and you're wearing mid length sleeves on your tee shirt, not having bare shoulders. Even though my sister in law and I were wearing full length leggings they handed us both the communal skirts they give out as cover to those (men and women alike) that need it. We had both planned ahead and brought headscarves with us but there are plenty of stores directly around the mosque where women can buy a pashmina or something similar to wear, just make sure you pick one up unless you would like the communal one the hand out at the gate. Right before you enter you remove your shoes and they can be left in the bookcase on the side of the room while you visit. The mosque is gorgeous and the tile work is breathtaking. The decorated ostrich eggs that hang from the chandeliers were once upon a time used to ward off insects in the decades previous to air conditioning. It's a gorgeous space and absolutely worth a visit if you're in Istanbul.

An absolutely stunning mosque in the heart of Istanbul. Decorated inside with over 20,000…read moreblue-toned iznik tiles, it's truly a masterpiece. Likely one of the most visited sites due to its location in Sultanahmet Square. It is an example of Ottoman commitment to Islam and a reflection of their immense wealth. Like most mosques in the city, it's completely free to enter. Women must wear a head scarf and be modestly dressed. Scarves are provided if you don't have one. The mosque is very crowded during peak hours. I've had better luck in the evening for a more peaceful experience. Worth a visit and worth the hype!

One of my favorite things we did! Definitely worth seeing. Take your time! It's also nice and cool…read moredown there so it's a nice break from the sun.

Basilica Cistern is so stunning! I had NO idea what to expect, but had heard this was a must-see in…read moreIstanbul. LOCATION It has a prime location right in the square near Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque. It's underground so you won't see much above ground/a huge building, but you'll see the line forming. PRICE Tickets are NOT cheap at around 30 euro, but for us, it was a highlight so was worth it. The line was quite scary, but it moved rather quickly! You can also buy skip the line tickets if you've got a busy day. HISTORY This is a large underground water resovoir with huge vaulted ceilings and hundreds of Roman-style columns. It still holds a bit of water inside, and learning about the history with the plaques onsite and the audioguide was seriously impressive! INSIDE It's just magnificent walking on the platforms through the space, admiring the sheer magnitude of the columns. They've done a great job of uplighting, and the lighting changes every few minutes to give different perspectives and ambiance. They also have some cool art installations here that add to the space! This is a photo op heaven, and we never felt crowded inside as there was plenty of walkway and you cover a lot of ground inside. A must do in IST!

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!

This is a must-see in Istanbul!…read more LOCATION It's in a different area than the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia so it takes a bit of a tram ride, but it's worth it. TIMING We were not prepared for the sheer size of this palace. Holy COW. We came midday with a few other things to do in the area, and could have left much more time to go slower but still very much enjoyed spending ~2 hours here. This palace is soooo huge, and they have different areas throughout the buildings with exhibitions and displays. See as many as you can! I recommend starting on the right side and working back and around from there. ATTRACTIONS Most of the attraction is the sheer magnificence of the interior decor and design in the palace: chandeliers, stunning rooms and spaces, and lots of art. NO PICS?!? The biggest bummer and reason for docking a star: NO PHOTOS?! You're telling me you're gonna show me the most magnificent castle and I can't take a pic?! That was a huge bummer. You can be sneaky but they do have guards everywhere. What's the harm in a little no-flash memory of the space? AMENITIES They have a cafe and a restaurant onsite, as well as restrooms and some gardens with benches to relax. You'll need it from walking around the massive palace!

A top sight in Istanbul. I liked the walk through that you do through the main building. There…read moreare no photos allowed but it's a huge palace like something you would see in Europe. Outside there are some beautiful views of the coast and city and lovely gardens to walk through. I bought my tickets that day it wasn't too long in the morning. Like any other place, you have to go through security and another line for tickets and then another to enter. It was my favorite place to visit. In the spring the tulips were nice.

This is a must see attraction…read more Really pointless to review it since it is common knowledge how impressive it is.

Spectacular palace that takes hours to explore. We had two hours here, which is not nearly enough…read more We went through as part of a Viator tour group, which was a mistake. Viator is generally great, but this group consisted of like 60 people. Entering one by one, and validating each ticket by the guide took SO long. We spent most of the time doing this rather than explore the site itself. I recommend going through a smaller tour group. The guide went through just a few general comments and we were on our own to explore. Once inside, there's an option for a long and short tour. We opted for the latter because we were running out of time. The rush didn't give the museum justice. The palace had rooms that showed the history of life (some rather tough) at the time. The gardens and view of the city were amazing. Allow plenty of time.

My husband had a business trip to attend the convention here, so I joined his trip and stayed here…read more When we checked in my husband used Amex Platinum Card and he was asked "PIN code" (no PIN code for it), so used another credit card and same thing happened. The receptionist checked in for us(because when he booked the hotel room it accepted and the convention was hold this hotel, so they trust us) and told my husband to call and talk Amex customer service person. We got our room and my talked to the Amex person who told my husband "no tap, no tip, use the scan". So my husband went back to the front desk and told them what he talked with Amex person, then tried to use Amex card but didn't work. They swapped another credit card scanner, but still didn't work. Finally, another card worked, so we made it but hard work. Our room was good size for us but, sink drain was super slow, and we told about it, didn't fixed until we checked out, and room TV didn't work (we heard same complain from the people who attended the convention) and reported but it finally worked in the morning we left. Our hotel room booking plan was included executive lounge plan, we enjoyed cocktail time with some Turkish Pupus and some Turkish sweets. Breakfast was buffet, many selection of Turkish meals. Not everybody could speak English (except receptionist) but their service was common.

Such a beautiful, modern hotel. Such a lovely ambiance with huge rooms and clean and modern…read morefurniture. The interior can be a bit dark at night but gives a nice ominous feel. There is a lovely art gallery with works that one can buy. The views of the city are great. Breakfast is delicious as well. Hotel is a bit pricey but it's close to the airport-which is very convenient.

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 Chora Church is one of the most amazing old churches I have ever seen. As with all the high…read moretraffic tourist sites, it's better in the off season. I would read up on it before you go, and bring a good guide book, Rick Steve's Istanbul is by far the best for Chora, but Lonely Planet and National Geographic are pretty good too. The acme of Byzantine art was the wall mosaic and there is no better existing example anywhere. St. Savior in Chora is now known locally as Kariye Camii because it's a hybrid museum and active mosque. The church is just inside the city walls, so I would spend a day starting here and then do Rick Steve's "City Walls and Neighborhoods walk" but it will take longer than he projected if you have the sort of wanderlust and curiosity that makes you take longer and of course even longer if you have to make friends with all the cats along the way. Note that all the guidebooks reporting free WCs here or at any mosque are already out of date, you have to pay a small fee so I learned to carry small Turkish bills. The current church building dates back to 1100, damaged by Crusaders (not the Motown stars) in the 1200s, reconstructed by patron Theodore Metochites. prime minister of the Byzantine Empire. In the early 16th century during Ottoman rule, the church was converted to a mosque and a minaret was added. After the East West split of the Christian Church, Occidental Christianity art and architecture became provincial, local customs, local saints, local interpretations. But the Eastern Orthodox Church remained consistent across centuries and the artistry here became an archetype. Eastern Orthodox churches are adorned with flourishes and decorations that echo the beautiful old mosaics here. Their goal was to show how God became mortal on behalf of human beings, transforming Oriental liturgy into reality. Don't compare the superior work here with the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna (6th century), different epochs, different theodicy. I'm Buddhist so I needed a primer on Christian legend and scripture but even given that, remember, the past is foreign. Included in these mosaics are apocryphal writings, then part of cannon in practice. The narthexes, inner and outer, contain most of the mosaics. Next to the nave is a side chapel (parekklesion) with frescoes. I especially liked the syncretic Mary depictions that worked in the pre-Christian Anatolian mother-goddess. and the biblical genealogy of Christ on a ceiling dome. You can make out Adam standing on a snake (the ancestry is in Aramaic Greek but many have attributes depicted, it's all in the flutes emanating away from, or actually leading up the Christ), Noah carrying an ark. Near are depictions of Christ's miracles. You are going to need Ibuprofen handy because you're going to be craning your neck a lot. Actually in Turkiye you can get Dexofen, a safer more effective NSAID that is not available in the USA, which works well on neck pain. Also don't miss the "Dormition of the Virgin," I guess Mary didn't ever die, she went to sleep forever, but this mosaic depicts her final bed. It's an easy bus ride, go to the Egrikapi Gate and it's a short walk. Istanbul buses are easy, comfortable, and cheap. It's a little intimidating taking a bus when you don't speak any Turkish, but they can easily read your destination from your phone, just show it to a bus worker at the depot and they will get you on the right bus. They are more helpful than Chicago Transit Authority or Milwaukee County Transit Authority workers by far.

Kariye Müzesi, known in English as Chora Church, is a beautiful museum in Istanbul. It has,…read morethroughout its history, been a Christian church, a mosque, a museum, and now it's status is somewhat up in the air as the President has tried to return it to a mosque. My mom and I visited in 2013, and for both of us it was our favorite part of our trip to Istanbul. It's small, to be sure. But the disgruntled reviewer surprises me a lot, because... yes, they are real mosaics. And the 14th century is pretty far back? I mean it's not like they were created a couple years back. I wasn't around 700 years ago, and I'm pretty impressed by things that are still this well preserved after that long a time, but to each their own I guess. Although the mosaics are only a paltry 700 years old, there has been a church here since the 4th century. The mosaics were covered over during its time as a mosque, and the art restored after it became a museum. The stories told are some of the most ancient versions of Christian stories. There's a portion of the mosaic that shows Joseph's son leading Mary along as she rides a donkey, and that was my favorite part of the mosaic. Mom and I took at least a couple hours walking through the narthex and pareclession. We examined the various parts of the mosaic and the building extensively. In addition to the art, I have to say part of the experience for me was the awe of being in a place that has been a spiritual place for thousands of people over the course of the last 1700 years. If I visit Istanbul again and Chora is open for visitors, it will definitely be on my list of places to visit, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who is interested in history, art, or religion. Review #626 7/2002

This bazar was not as big as the grand bazar but it was very fun with some cool businesses. I went…read morethere multiple times for shopping and I enjoyed the vibe of it. If you find any opportunities, visiting this place is recommended! :)

Much preferable to the Grand Bazaar, it's smaller with less aggressive sales people. Near the Blue…read moreMosque, and like a couple of other Yelpers, we found a nice shop to get scarves. You should still visit the Grand Bazaar and Spice-Egyptian Bazaars for the tourism, but for more enjoyable shopping come here. It's also near the mosaic museum which I'm not sure is worth your time but I mention this for orientation purposes. You can meet some nice cats here.