Welcome to Istanbul! The largest city of Turkiye 🇹🇷 with a population of more than 15 million residents. The largest city of the five transcontinental cities in the world. Istanbul connects Europe and Asia. Home of the second oldest subway and the oldest covered market in the world. The capital of three major empires: the Eastern Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire!
While working remotely around 2019, Istanbul was my base for some years and I continue coming to visit while welcome and guide some friends and travelers.
This guide is for travelers with not much time to visit Istanbul but don't want to miss the most famous places, or for those who just don't want to stay in a big city, and we don't want them to miss them. Of course, if you are staying longer, you can add this one-day guide to your itinerary!
I will guide you since you arrive at the airport, recommend places to stay if you are staying 1 night, or guide you back to the airport if you plan to be back at the airport the same day. We will visit these places:
📍Grand Bazar
📍Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)
📍Hagia Sophia
📍Gulhane Park
📍Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar)
📍Galata Bridge
📍Galata Tower
📍The Tunel
📍Istiklal Street
📍Taksim Square
If you start your day early, you may have time to visit these other places after the Egyptian Bazar and before Galata Bridge. Sign up for a private consultation for more info about them. ✦
If you are coming from any European - Schengen country, EU ROAMING does not cover Turkiye. So be aware that you may need to check the roaming data offers of your phone company in advance but since you will be there just for a short time I will advise you to get a eSim.
I usually do the same since nowdays the prices of simcards in Turkey increased with a minimun of 35 euros, in a regular store in the city because in the airport is more expensive. So if you want a recomendation of a Turkish operator I was using Turk Telekom before but the eSim I use, AIRALO, is also connected with the Turk Telekom network and they always have some good deals for data in Turkey (that will not cost you 35 euros).
You can check the data packages here and feel free to use my referal code SANDRA1918 for a 3usd credit in your first eSim. You could also check regional eSims for data in different countries.
If you are already a user of AIRALO you can use a special promo code APR10 to get a 10% discount for one booking made on the Airalo site or app. This promo code is valid until April 30, 2024.
These are the main two airports where you can arrive. Now they both are connected with public transportation to the city, but I know at the beginning it can be overwhelming to move in Istanbul (with public transportation and not speaking the language), so I will suggest you take the buses (transfers) that most of the airports in Turkey offer to get to the city. In both cases, you need to take the bus in the direction of TAKSIM. You don't need to book a ticket in advance, the staff of the bus will pass by to ask you for payment once you are sitting on the bus. Due to the inflation situation in Turkey, the prices could change from one day to another, but they're usually proportional to 3/4 euros, and you can pay with local currency (in cash).
✦ Avoid changing much foreign currency at the airport; bring euros or USD with you, but at the airport you can change some, enough for the bus to the city, and once in Taksim, there are many exchange offices near by with better rates.
NEWS: New metro 11 (U) connecting IST - Gayrettepe.
The journey with the M11 metro line, extension lines U1 & U2 opened on January 29, 2024 the travel time is around 30 minutes for Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport, 41 minutes for Taksim-Istanbul Airport.
If you decide to take this metro to go to Taksim, change in Gayrettepe to M2 direction Yenikapi, please, to be able to use it you need to buy a transportation card, continue reading for all the information.
From Istanbul Airport - IST or in Turkish language İstanbul Havalimanı
(EN) Visit this website to see the buses timetable from IST airport. Remember to take the buses to TAKSIM.
Sometimes many turkish websites have problem with the english version of lack of one. Once in the website click on "Sefer Saatleri" then in "Nereden" choose Istanbul Havalimani and in "Nereye" choose Taksim to get the times of the buses departing from the airport. You can also use the google extension to translate the website.
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(ES) Visita esta web para ver los horarios de los autobuses desde el aeropuerto IST. Recuerde tomar los autobuses a TAKSIM.
A veces, muchos sitios web turcos tienen problemas con la versión en inglés/español por falta de uno. Una vez en el sitio web, haga clic en "Sefer Saatleri", luego en "Nereden" elige Estambul Havalimani y en "Nereye" elija Taksim para ver los horarios de los buses que salen del aeropuerto. También puedes utilizar la extensión de Google Traductor para traducir pagina web completa.
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From Sabiha Gökçen - SAW or in Turkish language Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı
(EN) Visit this website to see the buses timetable from SAW airport. Remember to take the buses to TAKSIM.
Sometimes many turkish websites have problem with the english version of lack of one. Once in the website, in the area "Servis Saatleri" click on "Detaylar icin tiklayiniz". Be sure you do this while the route selected is "Taksim--- Sabiha Gokcenhen Havalimani". Scroll down to see the times for the route "Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı - Taksim kalkış saati". The first section shows the time from Taksim to SAW. You can also use the google extension to translate the website.
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(ES) Visita esta web para ver los horarios de los buses desde el aeropuerto SAW. Recuerde tomar los autobuses a TAKSIM.
A veces, muchos sitios web turcos tienen problemas con la versión en inglés o simplemente no tienen una. Una vez en la web, en el área "Servis Saatleri" haz clic en "Detaylar icin tiklayiniz". Verifica de hacer esto mientras la ruta seleccionada sea "Taksim--- Sabiha Gokcenhen Havalimani". Desplázate hacia abajo para ver los horarios de la ruta "Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı - Taksim kalkış saati". La primera sección muestra el tiempo desde Taksim hasta SAW. También puede utilizar la extensión de Google para traducir la pagina completa.
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Arriving in TAKSIM and getting a Istanbulkart!
Here is where you will arrive in Taksim accoding to your departure airport:
(EN) If you arrive from IST airport this will be your stop in Taksim (right next to the station from SAW and in front of Point Hotel Taksim)
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(ES) Si llegas desde el aeropuerto IST, esta será tu parada en Taksim (justo al lado de la estación de SAW y frente al Point Hotel Taksim)
(EN) If you arrive from SAW airport this will be your stop in Taksim (right next to the station from IST and in front of Point Hotel Taksim)
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(ES) Si llegas desde el aeropuerto SAW esta será tu parada en Taksim (justo al lado de la estación de IST y frente al Point Hotel Taksim)
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Once you are in Taksim we can take care of 2 things; change some money in the exchange offices around the station for those small snacks you gotta try on the way and the most important buy the local transportation card, the famous: ISTANBULKART.
The Istanbulkart will allow you take all kind of public transportation in the city as subway, metro, buses, tramway, cable car, funicular, tunel, metrobus, ferries and even pay and get some discounts in supermarkets/ restaurants and pay the public WC around the city (yes, as a debit card, crazy eh?) The card costs around 2 euros in Turkish lira and if by the time you are visiting Istanbul not all the stations upgraded to the new ticket machines "Bilematik" (that accept card payment) you will need to keep some cash to buy and charge your card (not coins).
To get the card go to Taksim Metro Station (If you came with bus to Istanbul go to the Otogar Metro Station) and follow the indications of the Bilematik choosing your language. Some Bilematiks could not have istanbulkart, so you can try in any of the others located inside the station.
(EN) Just cross the street on the direction to the park and you'll see the M sign.
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(ES) Cruza la calle en dirección al parque y verás la señal M.
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✦ Here is your tip about public transportation in Istanbul, during this guide we will avoid taking buses to save time since it's easy to get stuck in the traffic of the city anytime and our main meaning of transportation will be metro, tramway and walking!
✦ The rates for a trip with Istanbulkart is usually around 0.50 cents of euro and if you do a connection with any meaning of transportation within the first hour you get a reduced fee every time it happens till reach the minimum rate.
✦ Planning to sleep one night before going early morning to the airport or bus station? My recommendations near the airport buses stations:
For budget travelers who also like hostels life, this place is in walking distance to the bus station.
(EN) Modern hostel, rooftop bar, different activities everyday, breakfast included till 12 pm, reception 24hrs and elevator to dont get tired with your luggage!
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(ES) Hostal moderno, bar en la terraza, diferentes actividades todos los días, desayuno incluido hasta las 12 pm, recepción las 24 horas y ascensor para no cansarte con tu equipaje.
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In case you would like to treat yourself and stay in a well-connected point, you can check it out Point Hotel Taksim.
(EN) The hotel is right in front of the Taksim Hava buses station, it has pool and 2 restaurants on site and the check out is at 12:30 pm.
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(ES) El hotel está justo enfrente de la estación de autobuses de Taksim Hava, tiene piscina y 2 restaurantes y el check out es a las 12:30 p.m.
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Arriving from the bus station: Buyuk Otogari Esenler
If you are coming from Bulgaria or from Greece this is most probably the station where your bus will arrive, and I would say is the best station since is connected with a Metro Line. Esenler Otogar is the central and largest bus terminal for intercity bus service in Istanbul. Although the terminal is located in Bayrampaşa district, it is named after Esenler district, which is closer.
The station has different restaurants, ATM, Istanbul Kart Billematik. From one side of the station you can take buses to another cities in Turkey and the other to international destionations.
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Good news is apart of having a metro line at the bus station we can also exchange money there and buy the Istanbul Kart. For info and instructions about how to get the Istanbul kart from the billematiks please scroll to the previous section "Arriving in TAKSIM and getting a Istanbulkart!".
To start our tour in Istanbul you will need to take the M1 towards YENIKAPI, both lines departing from Otogar M1A and M1B will go to Yenikapi Station.
This is one of the main stations of Istanbul turistic area but I wouldn't recommend you staying that close since it is usually pretty bussy and caothic. From there you can take the Marmaray, the subway that connects Europe and Asia in Istanbul.
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From Yenikapi Metro Station follow the directions to M2, you will need to tap your Istanbul Kart again, This is the last/first station of the M2 line so you can't get lost. Take the M2 towards Haciosman.
Once in the train you can decide if you want to start your tour around Istanbul and drop off in Vezniceler Station and from there you can follow the directions of this guide from "From Taksim to the Grand Bazaar" (scroll down for more details).
In case you are staying or living your luggage somewhere around Taksim you can drop off in Taksim station after 4 stops an later on continue the guide from "From Taksim to the Grand Bazaar" (scroll down for more details).
From Taksim to the Grand Bazaar
With the completed project, travel times will be 30 minutes for Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport, 38 minutes for Göktürk-Mahmutbey, 45 minutes for Tekstilkent-Istanbul Airport, 41 minutes for Taksim-Istanbul Airport, 26 minutes for Taksim-Göktürk and 4. Levent-Istanbul Airport. It will be 35 minutes..
With the completed project, travel times will be 30 minutes for Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport, 38 minutes for Göktürk-Mahmutbey, 45 minutes for Tekstilkent-Istanbul Airport, 41 minutes for Taksim-Istanbul Airport, 26 minutes for Taksim-Göktürk and 4. Levent-Istanbul Airport. It will be 35 minutes..
From Taksim Metro station, take the M2 Yenikapı direction. Our next station will be Vezneciler Metro Station.
Click on details for all the directions to the Grand Bazar
(EN) Leave the station and walk around Büyük Reşit Paşa Caddesi (Street/Avenue) (Cd - Cadessi in Turkish) on the way to Ordu and turn left of the way to Beyazıt Tramway.
(ES) Sigue la salida del metro hacia la universidad, ya fuera camina por Büyük Reşit Paşa Caddesi (calle/avenida) (Cd - Cadessi en turco) en dirección a Ordu y gira a la izquierda en dirección a Beyazıt Tramway.
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From this station we will walk towards the Grand Bazar, once in front of Beyazıt Tramway station turn left and you will see this entrance.
(EN) In Turkish: Kapalıçarşı, meaning ‘Covered Market’; also Büyük Çarşı, meaning ‘Grand Market’.
It is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops.
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(ES) En turco: Kapalıçarşı, que significa "mercado cubierto"; también Büyük Çarşı, que significa "Gran Mercado".
Es uno de los mercados cubiertos más grandes y antiguos del mundo, con 61 calles cubiertas y más de 4.000 tiendas.
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Let yourself get lost around the Grand Bazar to discover the place, but I will advice you to don't get something big there since prices will be more expensive than any other places. If you want to check on your list "buy something from the Grand Bazaar in Turkiye" buy a small souvenir or sit for a turkish tea (çay) in one of the small places inside. The Grand Bazaar is close on Sundays.
✦ The Oldest Hookah smoking place in Istanbul:
Little local decorated and no overpriced place if you want to try the famous shisha/hookah with some other locals, if it is too early for you to try it you can get a turkish coffee there too.
(EN) I found this place with some friends just walking around and is the Oldest Hookah Smoking Place in Istanbul. I hope you could have the time to visit.
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(ES) Encontré este lugar con algunos amigos caminando alrededor y es el lugar para fumar narguile más antiguo de Estambul. Espero que puedas tener tiempo para visitarlo.
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Walking to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Mosque
If you want to take the tram from around the Grand Bazaar you can walk back to Beyazıt or walk a bit more further to Çemberlitaş station and stop in Sultanahmet (just 1 and 2 stations away). Otherwise, just continue walking around the tramway rails in the Yeniçeriler Street that will become Divan Yolu street further till reach the Sultanahmet tram station. On the right side of the street you will see the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Parki.
(EN) The park with fountains is a memorial to the poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy and has iconic views of the Blue Mosque.
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(ES) El parque con fuentes es un monumento al poeta Mehmet Akif Ersoy y tiene vistas icónicas de la Mezquita Azul.
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Continue walking through this park to get to the famous Sultanahmet Square or Sultanahmet Meydani, a historical place featuring the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Mosque.
(EN) Or the Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire.
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(ES) O el Hipódromo de Constantinopla era un circo que constituía el centro deportivo y social de Constantinopla, capital del Imperio Bizantino.
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Look to the right side of the square and walk to see the Obelisk of Theodosius.
(EN) In 390 Theodosius the Great brought an obelisk from Egypt and erected it inside the racing track. Carved from pink granite, it was originally erected at the Temple of Karnak in Luxor during the reign of Thutmose III in about 1490 BC. Theodosius had the obelisk cut into three pieces and brought to Constantinople. The top section survives, and it stands today where Theodosius placed it, on a marble pedestal. The granite obelisk has survived nearly 3,500 years in good condition.
(ES) En el año 390 Teodosio el Grande trajo un obelisco desde Egipto y lo erigió dentro de la pista de carreras. Tallado en granito rosa, fue erigido originalmente en el templo de Karnak en Luxor durante el reinado de Tutmosis III, aproximadamente en el año 1490 a.C. Teodosio hizo cortar el obelisco en tres pedazos y llevarlo a Constantinopla. La sección superior sobrevive y hoy se encuentra donde la colocó Teodosio, sobre un pedestal de mármol. El obelisco de granito ha sobrevivido casi 3.500 años en buen estado.
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Next to the Obelisk, you will see one of the entrance to the most famous Turkish mosque. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque also known as The Blue Mosque.
(EN) It is one of the most iconic and popular monuments of Ottoman architecture. It was constructed between 1609 and 1617 during the rule of Ahmed I. The predominant colour of this paintwork is blue, one of the reasons for the mosque's popular name,
A major restoration of the mosque took place in the 21st century. During preparatory work in 2013, it was discovered that the mosque's northwest minaret had shifted 5 centimetres over time, constituting a potential threat to its structural stability. Work to reconstruct and repair the minaret was underway in 2015. Comprehensive restoration work on the rest of the mosque began in 2018 and was finished in April 2023.
(ES) Es uno de los monumentos más emblemáticos y populares de la arquitectura otomana. Fue construida entre 1609 y 1617 durante el reinado de Ahmed I. El color predominante en su interior es el azul, uno de los motivos del nombre popular de la mezquita.
En el siglo XXI se llevó a cabo una importante restauración de la mezquita. Durante los trabajos preparatorios en 2013, se descubrió que el minarete noroeste de la mezquita se había desplazado 5 centímetros con el tiempo, lo que constituía una amenaza potencial para la estabilidad de su estructura. Los trabajos de reconstrucción y reparación del minarete comenzaron en 2015. Los trabajos de restauración integral del resto de la mezquita comenzaron en 2018 y finalizaron en abril de 2023.
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Standing accross the Blue Mosque is Hagia Sophia mosque or in Turkish Ayasofya.
(EN) The last of three church buildings to be successively erected by the Eastern Roman Empire, it was completed in 537 AD. It was a Roman Catholic cathedral for some decades after the Fourth Crusade of 1204.
An Orthodox church until the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Also a mosque until 1935, then a museum and then from 2020 a mosque again.
(ES) Fue el último de los tres edificios eclesiásticos construidos sucesivamente por el Imperio Romano de Oriente y se completó en el año 537 d.C. Fue una catedral católica romana durante algunas décadas después de la Cuarta Cruzada de 1204.
Una iglesia ortodoxa hasta la conquista otomana de Constantinopla. También fue mezquita hasta 1935, luego museo y a partir del 2020 nuevamente mezquita.
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✦ Would you prefer maybe to stay around this area? These are my recommendations if you would like to stay closer to these places.
(EN) Just a block away from Gulhane Park, 24 hours reception, they organize activities like bar crawls and more.
(ES) A solo una cuadra del parque Gulhane, recepción las 24 horas, organizan actividades como recorridos por bares y más.
(EN) Really close to Sirkeci Marmaray Station (the one you can also take to go to the Asian Side), organize events like pub crawls and movie nights. 24 hours reception and it has a nice view terrace.
(ES) Muy cerca de la estación Sirkeci Marmaray (la que también puedes tomar para ir al lado asiático), organiza eventos como recorridos por pubs y noches de cine. Recepción 24 horas y tiene una bonita terraza.
(EN) Best hostel in Turkey in 2019. Right behind the Sultanahmet Mosque!
(ES) El mejor albergue de Turquía en 2019. ¡Justo detrás de la mezquita de Sultanahmet!
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Walking around the tramway to Gulhane Park
Continue walking following the tramway rails in the Alemdar street, right before getting into Gulhane Park you can see some of the restaurants around where women make the classic Gözleme.
(EN) It is the oldest and one of the most expansive public parks in Istanbul. Gülhane Park is a historical urban park and it is adjacent to and on the grounds of the Topkapı Palace.
Right before get into the park you will see some food trucks selling some breads/pastries, you can try the famouse Simit there and personalize it with cream cheese or nutella if you prefer and have a snack while walking through the park.
(ES) Es el parque público más antiguo y uno de los más grandes de Estambul. El parque Gülhane es un parque urbano histórico y se encuentra junto al Palacio de Topkapı.
Justo antes de entrar al parque verás algunos carritos de comida que venden panes/bocadillos, puedes probar el famoso Simit allí y personalizarlo con queso crema o nutella si lo prefieres para comer mientras caminas por el parque.
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Walking to the Egyptian Bazaar
Take the exit to the Sirkeci Tren Gari and continue walking around the tram rails in the Ankara street until Resadiye Street, you will pass by the renovated Yeni Cami and next to one of the entrance of the Mısır Çarşısı or Egyptian Bazaar.
(EN) The most famous covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. Also know as the Spice Bazaar, it has a total of 85 shops selling spices, Turkish delight and other sweets, jewellery, souvenirs, and dried fruits and nuts.
The bazaar is the center for spice trade in Istanbul, but in recent years shops of other types are gradually replacing the sellers of spices.
(ES) El complejo comercial cubierto más famoso después del Gran Bazar. También conocido como el Bazar de las Especias, cuenta con un total de 85 tiendas que venden especias, dulces turcos, joyas, souvenirs, frutos secos y nueces.
El bazar es el centro del comercio de especias en Estambul, pero en los últimos años tiendas de otro tipo están reemplazando gradualmente a los vendedores de especias.
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Crossing the Galata Bridge
Right in front of the Egyptian Bazar you can walk cross Galata Bridge and see the ferries sailing around the Golden Horn, any time of the day you will find fishermen in the upper level and down in both sides of the bridge lots of restaurants with local food. Enjoy the view!
(EN) The Galata Bridge is not only a bridge that connects two sides of the city but also represents a cultural encounter. The Galata Köprüsü (in Turkish) connects the old city of Istanbul, site of the imperial palace and principal religious and secular institutions of the Ottoman Empire, and the modern districts of Beyoğlu, where the majority of the inhabitants used to be non-Muslims and where foreign merchants and diplomats lived and worked.
(ES) El Puente de Gálata no es sólo un puente que conecta dos lados de la ciudad sino que también representa un encuentro cultural. El Galata Köprüsü (en turco) conecta la antigua ciudad de Estambul, sede del palacio imperial y las principales instituciones religiosas y seculares del Imperio Otomano, y los modernos distritos de Beyoğlu, donde la mayoría de los habitantes solían ser no musulmanes y donde vivían y trabajaban comerciantes y diplomáticos extranjeros.
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Walk up to the famous Galata Tower
After crossing the Galata Brigde continue walking in the Kemeraltı Street, cross the Tersane Street, walk around the Bankalar Street till Yüksek Kaldırım Street where we will start our walk-up, but no worries, lots of handcraft shops, cafés, shops and restaurants will keep you entertain. Walk until the intersection of this street with Şahkapısı street, a little after ŞOK Market you only need to look to your left to see the beautiful Galata Tower.
(EN) The Genoese rebuilt the current tower in 1348-49. When the Genoans captured Galata in the 1300s, they saw that most of the walls and the first tower were destroyed by the Byzantines. They rebuilt the Galata Tower, and laid the foundations of today's tower. The tower, called "Christea Turris" (Tower of Christ) after a cross on its cone, gradually became the symbol of this small Latin society.
After the conquest of Istanbul, the Galata Tower was left to the Ottomans by giving the key to Fatih Sultan Mehmet on the morning of 29 May 1453. Back in the 14th century, when the Tower was reconstructed, the Galata Kulesi (Name in Turkish) was the tallest building in the city. During the Ottoman empire, the tower functioned as a jail, observatory house, and watchtower.
(ES) Los genoveses reconstruyeron la torre actual en 1348-49. Cuando estos capturaron Gálata en el siglo XIII, vieron que la mayoría de las murallas y la primera torre fueron destruidas por los bizantinos. Reconstruyeron la Torre de Gálata y pusieron los cimientos de la torre actual. La torre, llamada "Christea Turris" (Torre de Cristo) por una cruz en su cono, poco a poco se convirtió en el símbolo de esta pequeña sociedad latina.
Después de la conquista de Estambul, la Torre de Gálata quedó en manos de los otomanos al entregarle la llave a Fatih Sultan Mehmet en la mañana del 29 de mayo de 1453. Allá por el siglo XIV, cuando la Torre fue reconstruida, la Galata Kulesi (nombre en turco) era el edificio más alto de la ciudad. Durante el Imperio Otomano, la torre funcionó como cárcel, observatorio y torre de vigilancia.
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You can visit Galata Tower if you prefer or if you are here by the sunset time you can have a beautiful panoramic view of Istanbul from the top. Get your tickers online, so you can save some time if you want to visit. Check the link in the details of the place!
✦If you want to have other nice photo angles of the tower, you can walk around it to the Büyük Hendek Street and get another nice spot for great photos!
Passing the area of Galata tower, Yüksek Kaldırım Street will change to the name Galip Dede Street, continue walking uphill, and you will get to the famous Istiklal Street, but before we continue walking in that direction turn left in Tunel Meydan to visit the famous Tunel! If you want, you can use the Tunel going down and up again using your Istanbulkart.
(EN) The Tünel (in Turkish) is the second-oldest fully underground urban railway in the world, after the London Underground (1863) and the oldest in Europe, pre-dating the Budapest Metro by 21 years. It has two stations, connecting Karaköy and Beyoğlu.
(ES) El Tünel (en turco) es el segundo ferrocarril urbano totalmente subterráneo más antiguo del mundo, después del Metro de Londres (1863) y el más antiguo de Europa, siendo 21 años anterior al Metro de Budapest. Tiene dos estaciones que conectan Karaköy y Beyoğlu.
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Walking along the Istiklal Avenue
We are almost at the end of our day trip! After visiting the Tunel we will go back to the end/start of the Istiklal Caddesi (In Turkish) walk all this lively pedestrian street!
While walking here you will see boutiques, music stores, art galleries, cinemas, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs with live music, hotels, historical patisseries, chocolateries, restaurants and a steadily growing number of international chain stores. There is even a branch of Madame Tussauds.
(EN) Historically known as the Grand Avenue of Pera, it is an 1.4 kilometre pedestrian street and one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul, Turkey. It acquired its modern name after the declaration of the Republic, İstiklal (Independence) commemorating Turkey's triumph in its War of Independence.
During the Ottoman period, the avenue was called Cadde-i Kebir (Grand Avenue) in Turkish or the Grande Rue de Péra in French. It was a popular gathering place where Ottoman intellectual rubbed shoulders with Europeans and the local Italian and French Levantines. In the 19th-century travelers referred to Constantinople (today Istanbul) as the Paris of the East, they considered the Grande Rue de Péra and its cosmopolitan, half-European, half-Asian culture.
(ES) Históricamente conocida como la Gran Avenida de Pera, es una calle peatonal de 1,4 kilómetros y una de las avenidas más famosas de Estambul, Turquía. Adquirió su nombre moderno tras la declaración de la República, İstiklal (Independencia), que conmemora el triunfo de Turquía en su Guerra de Independencia.
Durante el período otomano, la avenida se llamaba Cadde-i Kebir (Gran Avenida) en turco o Grande Rue de Péra en francés. Era un lugar de reunión popular donde los intelectuales otomanos se codeaban con los europeos y los levantinos italianos y franceses locales. En el siglo XIX, los viajeros se referían a Constantinopla (hoy Estambul) como el París del Este, consideraban la Grande Rue de Péra y su cultura cosmopolita, mitad europea y mitad asiática.
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Arrive to Taksim Square
At the end of the Istiklal Street you will find the Taksim Square. Taksim Square is also the location of the Republic Monument which was crafted by Pietro Canonica and inaugurated in 1928 and commemorates the 5th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, following the Turkish War of Independence. The square is flanked to the south by The Marmara Hotel, to the east by the Atatürk Cultural Centre, to the north by Gezi Park and to the west by Taksim Mosque.
(EN) The square is flanked to the south by The Marmara Hotel, to the east by the Atatürk Cultural Centre, to the north by Gezi Park and to the west by Taksim Mosque.
(ES) La plaza está flanqueada al sur por el Hotel Marmara, al este por el Centro Cultural Atatürk, al norte por el Parque Gezi y al oeste por la Mezquita Taksim.
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The way back!
From Taksim Square you can just walk around the Cumhuriyet Avenue on the direction of the Gezi Park, you will pass the metro station where we started our trip and then go back to the airport transfer buses station in the Abdulhak Hamit Street.
I hope you enjoy this day discovering the main tourist attractions in Istanbul!
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During the last 7 years I have been traveling around the world and trying to find my way to live traveling.
The first 3 years I hitchhiked around South America discovering my own country Peru and visiting Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador. After South America, 4 years ago I started my travels in Europe and Africa. I have been in Spain, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, UK, Turkey, Poland and Morocco.
I travel slow, I like to just get inmerse into a daily life as a local so I am the kind of nomad that spend months in one country or city or decide to move for a while in a new country and come back many times and see how a place has changed, how new people and new times in life can bring me new experiences in the same place.
I volunteer while traveling mainly in hostels, I also use couchsurfing hosting or as a guest, sometimes wildcamping, sometimes I travel hitchiking, sometimes renting a car or with plane, train or buses. During this years traveling I lived in Cusco, Peru for 1 year and also in Cordoba, Argentina and lately in Istanbul, Turkiye. Planning my next destination and happy to help you plan yours!
