A guide to
ISTANBUL

Welcome to Istanbul

#turkey 🇹🇷 #europe #asia

Table Of Contents

• 🗺 Where to go
• 💡 Recommendations
• 📝 Things to know

As a city with a long and turbulent history, Istanbul has countless monuments to visit, making it difficult to decide where to begin. We decided to start our journey from the one that impressed us the most and led us to this wow moment when we first saw this monument with our own eyes. And this is none other than the Basilica Cistern.

Where to go

🔗

1. Basilica Cistern

🔗

Hidden beneath the busy streets of Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district, the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) is the city’s largest surviving underground water reservoir.

It was built in the 6th century in the reign of Emperor Justinian I, and its purpose was to supply water to the Great Palace and the nearby buildings. Nowadays, the reservoir no longer serves its original purpose, contains only a small amount of water and it acts like a tourist attraction, where visitors can learn more about the history of this place. With 336 marble columns, each about 9 meters tall, it feels like entering a cathedral below ground. And the lighting makes the whole experience quite impressive. As you can see in the picture, the lighting creates a contrast between the warm tones on the brick arches and the cool tones reflecting in the water. Overall, compared to Istanbul’s other attractions, the Basilica Cistern offers a completely different experience: an underground, mystical world. For all these reasons, this place is quite attractive and popular, so make sure to schedule your visit in advance and preferably during the early hours of the day when it's not so crowded.

Powered by GetYourGuide

📍 Directions

🐧

Aaaah!

There are two column bases that reuse Medusa heads from Roman ruins; one upside-down, the other sideways. Can you find them?

2. Galata Tower

🔗

It is one of the city's most prominent landmarks, standing out with its height of 66.59 meters. Constructed by the Genoese in the 1300s, this medieval stone tower with conical roof originally served as a watchtower. Over time, it has undergone several modifications and in the 1960s, the tower underwent restorations and its interior was remodeled before being opened to the public.

Today, it features an elevator that takes visitors up to the observation deck and museum. It also has a restaurant and offers a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the Golden Horn and Istanbul. The surrounding area is always full of people, as the tower itself is a spectacular sight to behold.

While it is a perfect photo opportunity at any time of day, the sunset is truly phenomenal. The tower creates a stunning contrast against the landscape and the cobblestone streets that surround it. As the city lights begin to flicker on, it creates a magical atmosphere, perfect for sharing a special moment.

📍 Directions

🐧

How to get there with public means of transportation

Tram: You can get off at the Karaköy stop of the Kabataş-Bağcılar tram line and walk for about five minutes to reach the Galata Tower.
Metro: You can get off at the Şişhane stop of the Yenikapı-Hacıosman metro and walk downhill to reach the tower.
Bus: If you prefer to travel by bus, you can reach the Galata Tower with all lines operating to Karaköy.

Recommendations

🔗

1. Try the turkish coffee

Turkish coffee is a UNESCO-listed tradition you shouldn't miss. Prepared in a copper cezve and served unfiltered, it's strong, thick, and topped with foam. It comes with a glass of water and Turkish delight—take your time to enjoy it. And don't drink to the bottom; the grounds stay in the cup! For a fun experience, try the fortune-telling tradition: turn your cup upside down after finishing, and see what stories the coffee grounds tell.

Things to know before your visit

🔗

1. 🐧

   What currency do they use in Istanbul?

   Turkish Lira (₺/TRY)

2. 🐧

   What type of power outlet?

   Type C and F (European style)

3. 🐧

   Is tap water drinkable

   Not recommended—stick to bottled water

4. 🐧

   A bit of history

   Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents—Europe and Asia.

5. 🐧

   Some words

   Merhaba 🔈(mer-HA-ba/meɾˈha.ba/)→ Hello
   Teşekkürler 🔈(te-shek-kyur-ler/te.ʃek.kyɾˈleɾ/)→ Thank you
   Lütfen 🔈(lyoot-fen/lytˈfen/)→ Please
   Evet 🔈(e-vet/eˈvet/)→ Yes
   Hayır 🔈(ha-yur/haˈjɯɾ/)→ No
   Güle güle 🔈(gyoo-le gyoo-le/ɡyˈle ɡyˈle/)→ Goodbye (to person leaving)
   Hoşça kal 🔈(hosh-cha kal/hoʃˈtʃa kal/)→ Goodbye (if you're leaving)
   Ne kadar? 🔈(ne ka-dar/ne kaˈdaɾ/)→ How much?
   Günaydın 🔈(gyoon-ay-din/ɟy.najˈdɯn/)→ Good morning
   Rica ederim 🔈(ri-ja eh-deh-rim/ɾiˈdʒa e.deˈɾim/)→ You're welcome
   

Share

Share

More Destinations to Explore

Belgrade

Discover the best attractions and recommendations of Belgrade

Medellin

Explore Medellín-from the street art of Comuna 13 to the traditional Pueblito Paisa, the iconic s...

Madrid

Discover the capital of Spain and its top attractions: Plaza Mayor, Gran Via, Parque Retiro, and ...