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Istanbul

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İstanbul, Türkiye

August 02, 2023

1. Visit the Sultanahmet District: This is the old city center of Istanbul, where you can explore iconic sites like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace.2. Take a Bosphorus Cruise: Enjoy sweeping views of both Europe and Asia from the deck of a boat.3. Spend an Evening at the Grand Bazaar: Get lost in this labyrinth of shops full of everything from spices to carpets to jewelry. 4. Visit the Spice Bazaar: Take in all the aromas and flavors of this centuries

Trip Plan provided by Janey Smith

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Basilica Cistern

Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

(54217)

Val Schuman

a week ago

During my recent trip to Istanbul, I decided to explore the Basilica Cistern, and it proved to be a worthwhile experience. The cistern's historical significance and unique architecture are undoubtedly interesting, making it worth a visit for those interested in ancient wonders. The underground structure's vastness, supported by rows of ancient columns, creates a striking visual impact. The dimly lit ambiance adds an air of mystery, making it an intriguing place to explore. Learning about its Roman origins and how it functioned as a water reservoir in the past provided some interesting historical insights. However, while I found the Basilica Cistern to be a fascinating site, it didn't leave a lasting impression on me as some other historical attractions have. The lack of in-depth interpretation and limited informative resources made it challenging to fully appreciate the cistern's historical context and significance. As a result, I wouldn't highly recommend it to everyone visiting Istanbul, but it is certainly worth considering for those who have an interest in ancient history and architecture. During my visit, there was a substantial line outside the cistern, but fortunately, it moved relatively quickly, allowing me to enter without much delay. Once inside, the number of visitors was manageable, which made for a more pleasant experience as I could explore the cistern at my own pace. In conclusion, the Basilica Cistern is worth a visit for its historical significance and unique architecture. However, it may not leave a profound impression on everyone, and its appeal might be more subjective. If you have an interest in ancient history and are looking for an intriguing underground experience in Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern is worth considering.

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Garden Mezze | Steakhouse Restaurant | Fine Dining | Top Turkish Restaurant | Seafood | Breakfast

hoca paşa mah nöbethane cad, Serdar Sk. No:13, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

(1611)

Will Peters

a month ago

What an absolute pleasure it was dining at Garden Mezze. Our hosts were fantastic and kept bring us mountains of food and a few complimentary snacks. The secret dessert was delicious and everything tasted great. Would 100% go back if we’re in Istanbul again. Thank you for such a wonderful evening!

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Grand Bazaar

Beyazıt, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

(131162)

Jacqueline Warner

a week ago

It's a nice modern market, I personally like the old school original markets better but it was nice and cool inside temperature wise. People are friendly and let you taste a lot of different samples as well as help you with finding different things you are looking for. It's clean and pretty spacious. We went during the week and it wasn't so crowded. The prices are higher than elsewhere in the city but they are willing to negotiate. Overall, it's a good experience!

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Mürver Restaurant

Kemankes Kara Mustafa Pasa Mah, Kemankeş Cd. No:57-59, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

(1637)

Andrew Li

2 months ago

A fantastic spot for dinner and drinks right by Galataport. We ordered the grilled calamari and duck hummus as starters, and the sea bass for our main. This ended up being plenty for two people. The sea bass was the highlight. The skin was perfectly crisp and the fillet itself was juicy and well-seasoned. The calamari and duck hummus were also quite tasty. Service was attentive, and the restaurant is beautifully decorated with a scenic view of the Bosporus. Imagine it’s also a great spot if you’re just looking to grab drinks (the cocktails were excellent). Overall, a bit on the pricier side but definitely recommended for anyone looking for an upscale seafood spot.

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Sultanahmet Square

Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet Parkı No:2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

(28577)

J_Travels

2 months ago

One of the most iconic city squares in the world featuring true wonders of history, culture and architecture. Visit during the day, as well as by night to capture the incredible beauty at all times.

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Spago

Harbiye, Mim Kemal Öke Cd. No:35, 34365 Şişli/İstanbul, Türkiye

(1006)

Copper Pink

2 weeks ago

The place is very good and the view is phenomenal. The staff are a bit inattentive but overall it was a very good experience. It’s extremely expensive but the food and view is definitely worth it. 10/10

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Egyptian Bazaar

Rüstem Paşa, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

(145759)

Joe Macpherson

in the last week

Busy market and a better one than Grand Bazaar, in my opinion. There are lots of colours and smells here abd its great for photo opportunities. The prices are more or less fixed, so not much negotiating is available. It is located right outside the mosque so it's easy to find.

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Last Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant

Hoca Paşa, Darüssade Sk. No 10, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

(2079)

Piuli Basu Roy Chowdhury

2 weeks ago

We visited this place for lunch after our visit to Topkapi Palace. This place lived up-to its review. The service was just too good. they served us soup, Turkish Cay, Baklava as complimentary dishes. Our dishes also tasted pretty good. The environment was welcoming and staff was really nice. It was a great treat.

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Istanbul Archaeological Museums

Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

(15575)

Hadeel Ghazi

a year ago

I can talk for hours about the magnificence of this place. It’s huge! Filled with statues of all famous and non-famous, real and fictional characters. Gods and goddesses, warriors, heroes, remnants of the old ages, archeological excavations, bones, jewelry, a gift shop …etc .. You just have to see it to appreciate it. Outside of the place there is a large expanse of green gardens that you can walk about in. A cafe that serves hot and cold beverages and ice cream! You need a ticket to get in, and if you need an audio guide then prepare your passport before you go.

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