Istanbul – at the crossroads of two cultures

For 1500 years, Istanbul was the capital of successive empires: Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, and today it is a vibrant, fascinating place. This modern metropolis is the only city in the world that was built on two continents - Asia and Europe. The city was founded in 330, when Emperor Constantine made Istanbul - then Constantinople - the capital of the Eastern Empire. The city was associated with riches that were undreamed of by the rulers of medieval Europe. In the 15th century, it had almost a million citizens (today it is over 1453 million!). The favorable location, quality of local products and imported exotic goods resulted in the development of a powerful trade center here. In 450, the city was captured by the Ottomans. For the next XNUMX years, magnificent Ottoman buildings were built here.

Trips to Turkey – Istanbul

Istanbul in Turkey is one of the most populous cities in the world, the only one located simultaneously on two continents: Europe and Asia. Due to its size and popularity, the city is often confused with the actual capital. Turkey i.e. with Ankara. Individual sightseeing and optional trips with a boutique travel agency CARTER is the perfect way to travel around Turkey, regardless of the season and length of stay. If you are going to Istanbul for a weekend, you can take advantage of our suggestions for visiting this beautiful city with a private driver and an individual guide. We organize tours around the old town of Istanbul in small groups and private ones, with a Polish-speaking or English-speaking guide. A fascinating city tour in Istanbul will remain in your memory for a long time. You can also go on a cruise on the Bosphorus with us on a luxury boat or yacht, combined with dinner and performances, and a tour of the Princes' Islands. We invite you to explore Istanbul without rushing, in a luxurious setting; explore the city's best boutiques and bazaars and experience all of Istanbul's most important monuments and tourist attractions in just a few days.

How many days do you need to visit Istanbul?

The time needed to explore Istanbul depends on how many attractions you want to see and how much time you want to devote to each of them. Istanbul is a city full of monuments, culture and attractions, so you can spend days or even weeks there discovering everything it has to offer.

Short visit (2-3 days): If you are limited in time, you can visit the top attractions of Istanbul such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar and Emperor's Hill. In 2-3 days you can see many important places.

Standard visit (4-5 days): To get to know the city better and have more time for exploration, it is worth booking 4-5 days. You can then visit not only the main attractions, but also other interesting places such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Chora Church, Basilica Cistern and many others.

The biggest attractions in Istanbul

Istanbul is full of fascinating attractions, but here are 10 of the most important and famous:

1. Hagia Sophia: This monumental structure was a former church, then a mosque, and now a museum. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and art.

2. Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii): This is one of the most important mosques in Istanbul with distinctive blue ceramic tiles.

3. Topkapi Palace: It was the residence of the Ottoman Sultans and now a museum that houses rich treasures and exhibits from the history of the Ottoman Empire.

4. Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı): This is one of the largest and oldest bazaars in the world, where you can buy jewelry, carpets, souvenirs and much more.

5. Emperor's Hill (Çemberlitaş, Sultanahmet): This is the place from which you can admire the panorama of the city and the Blue Mosque.

6. Dolmabahçe Palace: An Ottoman-era palace that was the residence of the sultans and the place where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk carried out reforms to create modern Turkey.

7. Chora Church (Kariye Müzesi): This is a former Byzantine church, known for its wonderful mosaics and frescoes.

8. Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı): This underground water tank with columns is a fascinating example of Byzantine engineering.

9. Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi): A tower overlooking the city from which you can admire the panorama of Istanbul.

10. Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı): This is a colorful bazaar where you can buy spices, teas, sweets and many other products.

Of course, this is only a short list of attractions, and Istanbul offers many other places worth visiting, including museums, palaces, Turkish baths and much more.

Individual tour of Turkey - Istanbul, Cappadocia and relaxation on the beach

Regardless of your trip to Turkey, Istanbul should be at the beginning or end of every tour. This amazing city, full of culture, history and culinary values, will delight every traveler and the most demanding people. Private tours in Istanbul and other cities of Turkey, best-trained guides with rich historical knowledge, original programs and individual approach to each visitor are the greatest advantages of the office CARTER.

The biggest attractions in Istanbul

Istanbul is a unique place, full of incredible history, but also captivating modernity. In every corner of the city you can come across monuments from Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times: palaces, mosques, churches, monasteries, monuments, walls and ruins.

The biggest attractions include: the stunning basilica called the eighth wonder of the world - Hagia Sophia, the impressive Blue Mosque and the famous Topkapi Palace. Every traveler visiting the former capital of Turkey should immerse themselves in the place that is the essence of the Turkish love of trade - the Grand Bazaar. Another unforgettable experience will be a walk along the famous promenade - İstiklal Caddesi, where attention is drawn by the historic red tram and numerous shops, restaurants, religious buildings and museums. It is also worth visiting the 62-meter high Galata Kulesi tower, from which you can admire the stunning panorama of the city. A must-see attraction is also a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait. While admiring beautiful views on a special cruise ferry, you can cross from the European to the Asian part of the city and see the beautiful Kız Kulesi lighthouse from its shores.

Istanbul culinary

The smell of roasted chestnuts, lots of colorful spices, traditional sweets such as baklava, rachatłukum, pomegranate juice or simit, i.e. Turkish bagels - these are primarily what can be found on Turkish streets.

You must try buryan, i.e. lamb ribs, or sit at one of the numerous wood-fired grills and order a kofta or minced kebab with bread and ajran - salty yogurt. Istanbul is also the kingdom of fish and seafood. Midye are sold on the streets - mussel shells filled with their meat, rice and mint. Another must-try is the grilled mackerel sandwich. After a meal, be sure to drink strong tea served in tiny glasses or Turkish coffee.

Istanbul is a city that attracts not only with its majestic monuments, but also allows you to feel the incredible energy of the east. The rhythm of the city - the prayers of the muezzin, the sound of the Bosphorus, the singing of seagulls, the aromas of spices allow you to move to another, intriguing world.