top places to visit in istanbul  
4. Grand Bazaar            

One could only visit Istanbul for the shopping alone. The Grand Bazaar in the old city is the logical place to start. Charming souvenirs and gifts can be selected from among Turkish crafts, the world-renowed carpets, gold jewelry, brillant handpainted ceramics. The Old Bedesten offers a curious assortment of antiques. Spice Bazaar, next to the Yeni Mosque at Eminonu, transports you to fantasies from the mystical East. Sultanahmet has become another shopping center in the old city. The Bazaar of Istanbul Arts, The Arasta (Old Bazaar) of the Sultanahmet Mosque a thriving shopping arcade makes both shopping and sightseeing Istanbul very convenient.

    

Open: 07:00-19:00, closed on Sundays
Getting there from hotel: Take tunel train just in front of hotel to Karakoy. From Karakoy take the street car(metro) to "beyazit" stop. When you get off, you will see on of the entrance doors of Grand Bazaar.

 
5. Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque)
One of the largest of Istanbul's structures, the complex includes a mosque, medresses, the sultan's chamber, shops of tradesmen, a hamam, a public fountain with a spout, a mausoleum, a hospital, a soup kitchen and a primary school. Some of these survived to the present.
The complex was built (1609-1617) by the architect Mehmet Aga for Sultan Ahmet I. The mosque is located in the centre of the complex and referred to as 'Blue Mosque' on account of the roughly 20,000 blue glazed tiles which covered its exterior.

Open: Everyday except prayer times.
Getting there from hotel: Take tunel train just in front of hotel to Karakoy. From Karakoy take the street car(metro) to "Sultanahmet" stop. When you get off at Sultahmet Square you will see the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi palace all next to each other.

 

  
6. Underground Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi)      

Underground Cistern which is also known as Yerebatan Palace was built in app. 540 A.D. by the Emperor Justinianos I of the Byzantine Empire. A big square was dug underneath the ground and it was supported by 300 columns. At the time, it was the most important water storage area and provided water to the whole city. Its exotic and unbelievable appreance make the cistern an irresistable attraction.

Open: 09:00 - 17:30
Getting there from hotel: Take tunel train just in front of hotel to Karakoy. From Karakoy take the street car(metro) to "Sultanahmet" stop. When you get off at Sultahmet Square you will see Underground Cistern on the southwest of Hagia Sophia.
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