Straddling the continents of Asia and Europe, Istanbul's stunning location has made it a cultural crossroads beyond compare. Its geographic position alone seems to have made it intended to be the capital of a great empire. Actually, it was the epicentre of 2 great but extremely different empires, the Ottoman and Byzantine, for some 1,700 years. Some of the best attractions of this city are:
Grand Mosque
Foreign visitors call this Blue Mosque because of the colour of its tens of thousands of interior inzik blue tiles. This masterful early 17th century building with its many domes and 6 minarets was built to compete with the Hagia Sophia across the street. Enjoy the wonderful environment of its wide courtyard which is the largest of all of the Ottoman mosques.
Topkapi Palace
This best place was the imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans for almost four hundred years. Although much of the palace is not permitted to access, the daily hours of the Harem are of biggest interest to tourists.
Dolmabahce palace
Placed on the top shores of the Bosphorus. May translate as filled garden, a majestic building that first time looked like European style rather than to the more traditional Ottoman structure styles. The Chandelier in the Throme Room is of the biggest in West at about 4.5 tons definitely value to view.
Spice Bazaar
Take a deep breath in the heady mix of colorful herbs and spices in the vivid Egyptian Bazaar.