Explore Istanbul

Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, laterbecominga mosque, and now a museum. When it was first built, it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople until the Ottoman era. It is considered to be one of Europe’s most exceptional architectural examples. The museum is open every day except Mondays.

Across from Hagia Sophia stands the supremely elegant Imperial Sultan Ahmet Mosque with six minarets. Built between 1609 and 1616, it is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior paneling of blue and white İznik tiles.

This massive palace was the primary royal residence of the Ottoman Empire for about 400 years between the 15th and 19th centuries. It is among the monuments contained within the “Historic Areas of Istanbul,” which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Palace is open every day except Tuesdays for tours.

Right next to the Topkapı Palace, you will find the Archeology Museum. Boasting a variety of historical artifacts from “Assos” to “Athens,” the museum houses the tomb of “Alexander the Great” and one ofthe first treaties ever written in history, the “Treaty of Kades. ”This museum is open every day except for Mondays.

Dolmabahçe Palace is located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul on the coastline of Bosphorus. The Palace has served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Baroque art influences are seen throughout the place and this impressive construction is symmetrically built. Also, it is open every day except for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

One could visit Istanbul for shopping alone. Starting from Kapalı Çarşı (The Bazaar) located in the old city is a wonderful place to begin this vibrant experience. The labyrinth of streets and alleys hosts more than 4,000 shops under the same roof.

Aside from The Bazaar, Istanbul is a very rich city in terms of shopping centers. Many of the city’s best shopping malls are within a 5- to 10-minute drive of the hotel.