Istanbul is a big city full of possibilities and things to do, as a metropole which has an amazing fusion between nature and history. Istanbul is a very old city that has amazing history because it was the main city for the Ottoman empire and Byzantine empire too. At the same time since it is located at the Bosphorus, the places are pretty amazing on the seacoast and between the forests. In today’s article allow me to talk about what to do in Istanbul and where to go.
Taksim Square
Of course, when it comes to Istanbul the first thing that comes to mind is that old statue at the middle of the square and the people are gathering all around taking pictures while eating Turkish bagels from the packmen in the street. That is Taksim Square, the main square of Istanbul located in Beyoğlu and the statue is the Turkish Republic Monument. When you finish walking around in the square, you will find most of the people are heading to the Istiklal Avenue, that is one of the most famous streets in Istanbul, it has many small shops, restaurants, and bars. In the middle of that street you will notice the Taksim Nostalgic Tramway, it is one of the oldest symbols in Turkey and the locals decided to repair it and keep it in Taksim in order to remind them in the old days, you need to get to try once it is so entertaining. At the end of Istiklal Avenue you will arrive in a small yet very historic tower, you may notice that tower in some advertisements about Turkey, that tower is Galata Tower and it was once the highest point in Istanbul so it was used for observation. You can get a ticket and visit the tower from inside, it has a small café and a patisserie shop and an amazing 360-view to the Bosphorus and the old town. Taksim is at its most aesthetic during nights because most of foreign and locals head there for entertainment. Taksim at night is very amazing place for entertainment because it has many places to drink and dance with the people to have fun. Many bars colorful menus and delicious foods are awaiting, you will never regret your decision going there. When you finish having fun in Taksim you can walk toward Karaköy seashore to have some fresh natural breaths during the night while watching istanbul with its amazing night bridge lights, it is really pleasurable.
Sultan Ahmet Square
In Sultan Ahmet Square there are three main things to do, first, visiting The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) one of the oldest symbolic history mosques, it was built by the Ottoman sultan Ahmed I between 1609 – 1616 facing Hagia Sophia, in order to compete with it. Its architect was Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, a poet and inlayer as well, and a student of the greatest architect Sinan. The Blue Mosque has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes which makes the classical period’s last great mosque.
The second is visiting Hagia Sofia Basilica, it had a great history, it is a former Greek Orthodox Christian Cathedral, converted later on to a mosque by the Ottoman Empire, and now it opens its door as a mesmerizing museum awaiting for the visitors from all around the world. Last but not least, Tarihi Sultan Ahmet Kotecisi, one of the best famous and delicious Turkish cuisine in that district, he is a specialist in Kofte in making Grilled meat balls, with the Turkish spices and the colorful pickles, very worth it to visit.
In Istanbul if you applied for a Turkish Language course in it would be perfect, because many Turkish Language courses do tours in Istanbul in order to share the culture with the foreign students and wander them around the beautiful city. By this method the student will be able to learn Turkish a lot easier because he/ she will be more engaged with the language with their teachers outside the class, this enforce the learning and the practicing. For that join to our classes and learn Turkish at Magic Talk Academy! For more information contact us!
