10 Best monuments in Istanbul

In addition to the excellent food that you can enjoy on Istanbul's gastronomic tours and its wonderful Turkish baths, one of the most important things to see and do in Istanbul is, of course, touring its most important monuments. As you will understand when you travel to a destination so rich in history and traditions the options abound, however I have made for you a selection of the ones I consider essential among the essentials. Enjoy your trip!

You can't leave the city without seeing this marvellous masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. The Hagia Sophia was built under the orders of the great Justinian between 532 and 537 and was for many years a Catholic temple, and not just any temple but the official residence of the Pope. Unfortunately, the temple was transformed into a mosque, which is why the worship of images is forbidden and all the beautiful Byzantine mosaics are kept hidden behind several curtains.

Artistically and architecturally, the interior of Hagia Sophia is stunning to say the least; its main hall measures a staggering 70 x 74 metres in total.

Where is it and how to get there?

Located in the Sultanhamet Quarter, in the Sultanhamet Square, this is the most touristy and easily accessible area of Istanbul. The best way to get to Hagia Sophia is to take the T1 Tram, whose route passes through all the important points, and costs approximately €1.

Useful Information

• Opening hours: Open 24 hours.
• Price: approximately €13.5

Among the best mosques in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque may stand out as the most popular and the favourite of architects and historians around the world. Built between 1609 and 1617 on the orders of Sultan Ahmed I, it is considered one of the greatest examples of Ottoman architecture and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Its impressive interior has a diameter of some 23.5 metres and a total height of 43 metres when viewed from the outside. It is estimated that the building can hold approximately 10,000 people. The name Blue Mosque is attributed to the more than 20,000 beautiful sea-blue tiles specially brought from Iznik to adorn the dome of the mosque.

Where is it and how to get there

Located in the central area of Istanbul, in the Sultanhamet Quarter; as with Hagia Sophia I find the best way to get there is to take the T1 Tram, whose route passes through all the important points, the approximate price is 1€.

Useful info

• Opening hours: Open to the public from Monday to Sunday at the following times: in the morning from 8.30am to 11.30am; in the afternoon from 1pm to 2.30pm and from 3.30pm to 4.45pm.
• Price: It is free, but you can make a contribution or donation when you enter the church.

The Topkapi Palace is a must-see on any trip to Istanbul. When visiting the Topkapi Palace you will find many interesting elements such as the wonderful entrance gate to the Courtyard, and the beautiful Library of Sultan Ahmed III; however the most interesting points, and the ones I recommend to look at first on a quick visit are:

• The Harem, where the sultan lived with his more than 500 women.
• The Treasury where objects of high historical and economic value are kept, such as an 88 carat diamond belonging to Napoleon's mother, called the Dagger of the Dipper, or the Topkapi Dagger made of gold and emeralds.

Where to find it and how to get there

The Topkapi Palace is located in the heart of the Eminönü district of Fatih, one of the most popular tourist areas of the city, making it very easy to get to. The best means of transport to get there is the Istanbul Tram route T1 which will offer you a ride with wonderful views of the city.

Useful information about Istanbul

• Opening hours: Every day from 10:00 to 14:00. Closed on Tuesdays.
• Price: You will have to add up several prices, the entrance to the palace costs approximately 11€, the entrance to visit the Harem costs an additional 6€, while the entrance to visit St. Irene's Church costs an additional 5€. You should budget according to your interests.

Even if your trip to Istanbul is for a short visit of 2 or 3 days maximum I urge you to try to visit the Basilica Cistern; undoubtedly an architectural and historical attraction that you won't find anywhere else on the planet. Built in the 6th century during the Byzantine Empire, the space was intended to serve as a temporary water storage resource for the city. The name Basilica is attributed to the fact that it was built underneath the Basilica of Stoa, which was later destroyed.

The Cistern space is still preserved today and houses a collection of 336 columns from different periods that were reused from other buildings and temples in the city; another interesting fact is that it has served as a mysterious backdrop for big budget films.

How to get there

It is located in the large Fatih district, in the very heart of Istanbul. You can get there using the Tram: Sultanahmet, on the T1 line, which passes through the most important historical points of the city.

Useful information about Istanbul

• Opening hours: Every day from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm.
• Price: The entrance ticket for adults costs approximately €3.

Considered one of the oldest towers in the world, it was built in wood to serve as the city's lighthouse in 528; 820 years later it was rebuilt to give us the structure we know today. It stands some 61 metres high, but what is really impressive is its 16.5-metre diameter, which is quite large considering the initial use it was intended for.

In addition to its historical, symbolic and cultural importance to the Turkish people, the best part of visiting the Galata Tower is its observation deck, one of the highest points in the city, with a viewing platform on the top floor offering panoramic views of Istanbul. Get your camera ready!

Where it is and how to get there

Located in the Beyoğlu district in the Beyoğlu district, you'll have to cross the Golden Horn via one of the bridges that link the different parts of the city. The best way to get there is to take the City Tram route T1 Karaköy. From this point the Tünel funicular will take you straight to the Tower.

Useful Information

• Opening hours: The attraction with its museum is open daily from 09h00 to 20h00.
• Price: Approximately €13.5 for an adult ticket.

Construction of this complex began in 1843, initially as a new residence for the royal family who wanted a more modern palace. The baroque and rococo revival style work fully complies with the architectural trends and aesthetics prevailing at the time. Visits to Dolmabahçe Palace are divided into four main parts: Selamlik, where the Crystal Staircase and the Throne Room are located; the Harem, which served as the Sultan's private residences; the Clock Museum and the beautiful Crystal Pavilion.

Where is it and how to get there?

Located in what is known as the European side of Istanbul, in the Beşiktaş district, Dolmabahçe Palace may be a little further away than other works on the list. The easiest way to get there from central Istanbul is to take the Kabataş Tram, line T1. You'll need to get off at the last stop on the route and take a 10-minute walk to be at the monument's gates.

Useful information

• Opening hours: The Palace is closed on Mondays, the rest of the week you can visit from 9am to 4pm; during the winter season in Istanbul the opening hours are reduced to 3pm.
• Price: Entrance to the complex area including the Harem costs around €16 for an adult ticket.

The Galata Bridge is the most famous bridge in the city; throughout Istanbul's history it has been built, destroyed and renovated many times and is therefore closely linked to the history and evolution of the city and its people. With a length of 490 metres, the bridge is located over the estuary or arm of the sea known as the Golden Horn and is the structure that unites the oldest historic centre of Istanbul with the modern part of the city.

Two particularities about the bridge: Part of the structure is a bascule bridge that is raised to allow ships to enter the estuary; underneath the bridge there are numerous shops and restaurants so you can take advantage of the visit and eat some typical food.

Where it is and how to get there

Due to its proximity to the old town, the best way to get to the bridge is on foot, but you can always take the T1 tram. If you are travelling by tram from anywhere else in Istanbul the closest station to the Galata Bridge is Karaköy, just a 4 minute walk from the starting point of the bridge.

Useful information about the Galata Bridge

• Opening hours: Always open. Shops operate until late in the evening.
• Price: Not required.

If you like Byzantine art or medieval art in general; if your stay in Istanbul contemplates a three or four day visit, you can't miss St. Saviour's Church in Chora. Considered one of the most beautiful Byzantine temples in the world, it is a beautiful brick structure whose construction began in 536. Its Byzantine mosaics are very well preserved, and over the years the church has been first an Orthodox church, then a mosque and now a museum since the 1950s.

Where is it and how to get there

St Saviour's in Chora is located in the Kariye Camii Sok area, a little away from Sultanahmet and the more touristy areas of the city; the easiest way to get there is to take bus 32 from the Eminönü stop (near the Galata Bridge) to get off at the City Stadium stop. From here a 10-minute walk will take you to the gates of the temple.

Useful Information

• Opening hours: The site is open for visits daily from 9am to 5pm, with special summer opening hours until 7pm.
• Price: Approximately €9 for an adult entrance ticket.

Visit Gulhane Park to see two important monuments of Istanbul:

• The Column: An 18.5-metre high column made of marble with a capital dating back to Roman times, it is possibly the oldest monument in Istanbul. Although the exact date of its construction is not known, it is thought to predate even the founding of Constantinople,
• The statue of Atatürk: The first statue of the former Turkish president and founder of the republic is also located in the park. The work was made by the artist Heinrich Krippel.

In addition to seeing the monuments, it is worth a trip to Gülhane Park to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The park's name comes from a Turkish word that literally means "house of roses". It has been the most important green lung of central Istanbul since it was built in 1800. After its creation as a park for imperial use, it was opened to the public as an official city park in 1912.

Where is it and how to get there?

In the heart of the city right next to Topkapi Palace, the easiest way to get there is to take the T1 Tram to get off at Gülhane station, right in front of the park's entrance.

Useful information

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 06:00h to 22:30h.
• Price: Access to the park is free of charge.

Its prime location in the area known as the European part of Istanbul makes it a must-see destination on any visit to the city. Taksim Square is surrounded by various historical and archaeological sites as well as major hotels, restaurants and shopping centres.

If you visit Istanbul at Christmas time, Taksim Square hosts numerous celebrations including markets, art exhibitions, fairs and children's activities. In the Square you will also find a Turkish Republic Monument around which people often gather and take pictures.

Where is it and how to get there

It is located in the very centre of Istanbul's newest area, in the Taksim neighbourhood of the Beyoglu district. The easiest and most convenient way to get there is to take the T1 tram to the Kabatas stop.

Useful Information

• Opening hours: Always open.
• Price: Free admission.