Istanbul, which has been under many different civilizations for centuries, is almost an open-air museum, bearing traces of many civilizations.One of the most popular cities in the world and the European Capital of Culture in 2010, the city welcomes thousands of local and foreign tourists throughout the year. The countless historical buildings, palaces, mosques, museums, museums and parks all around Istanbul make visitors feel like they are in a completely different city.
1) Istiklal Street
Istiklal Street, where life goes on at all hours of the day, is one of the indispensable spots in Istanbul for both locals and foreign tourists. Located between Taksim Square and Tunnel Square, this 1.4 kilometer long street has a unique history dating back to the late 19th century. There are many cafes, restaurants, bars, taverns, shops and souvenir shops on Istiklal Street and its side streets. For 90-odd years, you can try a variety of candies at the historic Üç Yıldız Şekerlemecisi (Three Stars Confectionery) and visit Beyoğlu Chocolatier. We should not forget the centuries-old buildings on Istiklal Street. Among these, you should not miss buildings such as Mısır Apartment, Botter Apartment, Ravouna and various churches. You can visit historical churches such as St. Antuan Catholic Church, Crimean Church, Panayia Isodion Church and Aya Triada Church while taking a pleasant walk on Istiklal Street. You can visit various arcades such as Narmanlı Han, Avrupa Passage, Syria Passage, Aznavur Passage and have a nostalgic feast at Çiçek Passage.
2) Galata Tower
Walking from Istiklal Street to Tünel always leads to the most vibrant spot of Beyoglu, Galata. The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Galata is of course the Galata Tower. You can imagine Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi, who made the first intercontinental flight, which is also included in Evliya Çelebi's Seyahatname, when you climb to the top of the Galata Tower; you can visit the Galata Mevlevihanesi, the first Mevlevihanesi of Istanbul, and participate in the Sema show. One of the oldest synagogues of Istanbul, which serves as a cultural center today, is also located in Galata. Tofre Begadim Synagogue, founded by the Tailors Guild, is also a must-see in Galata. While you are in Galata, SALT Galata and one of the newest spots in Istanbul, Postane, a co-production space in the historic British post office, are also worth a visit!
3) Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar, or Grand Bazaar as foreign tourists call it, is the largest bazaar in the world and one of the oldest covered bazaars in the heart of Istanbul. With approximately 4 thousand shops, the Grand Bazaar continues to be one of the most colorful spots in Istanbul at all hours of the day. From jewelry to antiques, from lighting to carpets and rugs, from clothes shopping to food and drink, the Grand Bazaar has every kind of shopkeeper you can think of. You can easily understand where and what you can find in the bazaar by looking at the names of the streets. In the Grand Bazaar, which has various street names such as İplikçiler, Kürkçüler, Takkeciler, Terzibaşı, Yorgancılar, Altuncular, you can see the most beautiful rugs and jewelry works of Turkish art and buy items made of various materials such as ceramics, leather or bronze. During your visit to the Grand Bazaar, don't forget to have a frothy cup of coffee at Feraceciler Street after exploring the streets.
4) Spice Bazaar
The Spice Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar, is located right behind the New Mosque in Eminönü, right next to the Flower Market. The Spice Bazaar, which was built to generate income for the New Mosque, takes its name from the spices brought from Egypt. In addition to the spices brought from Egypt and India, the Spice Bazaar, which used to serve as a grocery store and butcher's shop, now houses only spice shops and dried nuts shops. You can find all kinds of spices, flower seeds, rare plant roots and shells in the Spice Bazaar.
5) Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques in Turkey and even in the world, is located in the square it is named after - Sultanahmet Square. Known as the Blue Mosque in the West because of the colorful tiles inside, the Blue Mosque is also the first and only mosque with 6 minarets in the Ottoman Empire. You can find detailed information about the Blue Mosque, which was built by the order of Sultan Ahmet I by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, one of Mimar Sinan's favorite students, architect and mother-of-pearl master Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, with a majesty that can be seen from many points of Istanbul, in this article.
6) Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is arguably one of the most beautiful palaces in Istanbul. Located at the very tip of the area known as the "Historical Peninsula", it was built after the conquest of Istanbul. For 400 years, Topkapı Palace was the administrative center of the state as well as the center of life for the Ottoman sultans. In the palace, which consists of two main sections, Birun, known as the service area, and Enderun, where the internal organization is located, there are many different areas such as the Tower of Justice, Sacred Relics, Palace Kitchen, Zülüflü Baltacılar Quarry, Hagia Irini Church, Ahmed III Library, Baghdad Pavilion. The most interesting and most visited point of Topkapı Palace is the Harem apartment.
7) Hagia Sophia Mosque
Converted to a mosque in 2020, Hagia Sophia is a building that was built in the same place three times in total. While serving as a cathedral during the Byzantine period, the building, which was converted into a mosque with the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, could be visited as a museum from 1935 until 2020. Today, it is open for worship as a mosque. Hagia Sophia, one of the oldest cathedrals in the world, is also one of the cathedrals whose construction was completed in the shortest time. When you examine its interior decoration, you will be surprised how harmonious every detail is! Figures of Jesus Christ and Mary, apostles, angels, Ottoman monograms... There are many mosaics worth seeing in Hagia Sophia. One of them is the apse mosaic, the first figural mosaic of Hagia Sophia. In this mosaic, there is Mary in the center and the baby Jesus in her arms. Other famous mosaics you should check out in Hagia Sophia are the Deisis mosaic, the Leon VI mosaic, the offering mosaic, the Zoe and Komnenos mosaic.
8) Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern, one of the most valuable structures left in Istanbul from the Byzantine Empire, was built in 532 on the order of Emperor Justinian. In those years, the cistern was used for the water needs of the palace and the people. Even after the conquest of Istanbul, it continued to be used as a water source for a while. In the past, the cistern was also known as the Basilica Cistern because there was a Stoa Basilica on the cistern and the Basilica Palace because of the columns coming out of the water. 140 meters long and 70 meters wide, the most mysterious artifact in the Basilica Cistern is the Medusa Head. The statue, located under two columns in the northwest of the cistern, is one of the most important artifacts of the Roman Period, but it is not known how it got here.
9) Maiden Tower
Another structure that forms the silhouette of Istanbul is the Maiden's Tower. One of the most romantic addresses of Istanbul, the tower is located off the coast of Salacak in Üsküdar district. There is no clear source on when exactly the Maiden's Tower was built, but some sources say that the construction process started in 341 BC. The Maiden's Tower, which is the subject of many different legends, was also known as Damalis and Leandros in the past. During the Byzantine Empire, it was also known as Arcla, meaning small castle. After Istanbul was conquered, the tower on the island was demolished and a wooden tower was built instead. The wooden tower could not withstand the fire and was rebuilt in 1725. The Maiden's Tower, which has been used for purposes such as collecting taxes from ships, defense, quarantine hospital and radio station throughout history, is now visited as a museum. You can easily reach the Maiden's Tower by taking the boats departing from Salacak every 15 minutes.
10) Pierre Loti Hill
Pierre Loti Hill is undoubtedly one of the places with the most beautiful view among the places to visit in Istanbul. The name of the hill, where you will have a panoramic view of the Golden Horn, comes from the French writer named Julien Viaud. Viaud used to frequent a cafe on this hill and his nickname was Pierre Loti. This nickname later became the name of the hill. After a long trip to Istanbul, you can take the cable car from Eyüp Sultan Mosque and come to Pierre Loti Hill. The pleasure of Pierre Loti is different at breakfast time. You can have breakfast against the view on the hill where there are many different restaurants and then start your Istanbul tour.
Health Tourism In Turkey
Health Tourism is a person's travel to another country to be treated for any health problem and it is one of the fastest growing industries. Patients contact with a health tourism agency for their treatment. These companies interceder between hospitals and patient. Medical tourism allows patients to receive quality and affordable health services on the one hand, and to make cultural visits on the other. International health tourism, which has become a very popular service recently, has already become a race between around 30 countries around the world.
Why Should You Choose Turkey?
In this rank, Turkey has a place in top 5 countries. According to data of health tourism, 1.258.352 guests has visited Turkey. The clinical branches most preferred by international patients are respectively; gynecology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, medical biochemistry, general surgery, dentistry, orthopedics and traumatology, infectious diseases and ear-nose-throat.
Istanbul, one of the most popular cities in the world, became the European Capital of Culture in 2010.