Istanbul marked with the seal of the former greatness of the Byzantine capital amazes with its unapproachable beauty to this day. In this city sprawling on two continents, West meets East creating an atmosphere of intrigue and charm. A sightseeing excursion of the city with a competent English-speaking guide will give a lot of impressions.
Here are the best sights, without which a visit to Istanbul is unthinkable:
- 67 m high Galata Tower; it offers a magnificent view of the Old Town and its surroundings;
- The former Sultan's residence Dolmabahce is the most “glamorous” palace in Turkey; it took 14 tons of gold leaf to build it;
- The Basilica Cistern is an underground reservoir that has been supplying city dwellers with water since the VI century;
- The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest markets in the world with 5,000 stores; Here you can buy chic carpets, spices and hand-painted ceramics (1001guide recommends bargaining to get things here at a fair price);
- Hagia Sophia is a must-see point on an excursion of Istanbul; mosaic decoration of the dome, walls covered with expensive marble, a library decorated with Turkish tiles - all this attracts the eye and makes a lasting impression.
While walking in Istanbul, it is not recommended to photograph the citizens without their permission - this can be perceived as a violation of personal space. If you want to visit one of the mosques in the city, remember that it is forbidden to go there with bare hands and feet. An experienced guide will tell you about these and other nuances of behavior in public places before the excursion.