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  • 8/12/2019 3-Day Istanbul PromptGuide v1.0

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    3 days

    3-day IstanbulCity Guide

    A preplanned step-by-step time lineand city guide for Istanbul.Follow it and get the best of the city.

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    Overview of Day 1

    LEAVE HOTEL Tested and recommended hotels in Istanbul >Take Tram Line T1 to Sultanahmet stop

    09:00-10:30 Hagia Sophia Istanbul's most famousattractionTake a walk to Sultanahmet Park

    10:30-11:00 Sultanahmet Park Amazing view on HagiaSophia and the BlueMosqueTake a walk to Blue Mosque

    11:00-11:45 Blue Mosque World-known landmarkTake Tram Line T1 from Sultanahmet stop to Sirkecistop (Direction:Kabatas) - 25

    12:10-12:55 Eminn Neighborhood Oldest neighborhood of Istanbul

    Lunch timeTake a walk to Sleymaniye Mosque

    15:00-16:00 Sleymaniye Mosque Second largest mosquein Istanbul

    Take a walk to Beyazit Square - 25

    16:25-16:40 Beyazit Square Grand open spaceTake a walk to Grand Bazaar - 10

    16:50-17:50 Grand Bazaar The world's oldestcovered market

    END OF DAY 1

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    Attraction Details09:00-10:30 Hagia Sophia (Cankurtaran Mh., 34122 Istanbul)

    Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9:30am - 4:30pm, Mondays: Closed Admission: 20 TLTHINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) is an awe-inspiringarchitecture in Istanbul. First it was built asan Orthodox cathedral, later became amosque, today it is a museumIt incorporated unique elements of both theByzantine and Ottoman empires and their religionsHagia Sophia was constructed between 532and 537. It was the largest cathedral of itstimeHagia Sophia was the seat of the Patriarchof Constantinople (the "Orthodox Vatican")for almost a thousand years

    After 1453; Sultan Mehmed II converted thechurch into a mosque. Islamic elements(mihrab, minbar, four minarets) replaced

    Christian features (altar, bells, iconostasis)Hagia Sophia remained a mosque until 1931when it was turned into a museum. Debatesare still going on whether it should be achurch, a mosque or a museum

    Having been the principal mosque of Istanbul, many Ottoman mosques, such asthe Blue Mosque or the SleymaniyeMosque, were modeled after Hagia SophiaIts name has nothing to do with the femalename, Sophia. Sophia is the Latin phoneticspelling of the Greek word for wisdom

    THINGS TO DO THERE Admire the impressive building from theoutsideWalk around in the former church and enjoythe stunning architectureHead up the stairs to the upper gallery for the splendid Byzantine mosaics

    TIPS & INSIGHTSGo early to avoid the crowds

    MORE Info and Photos >

    10:30-11:00 Sultanahmet Park (Sultanahmet Square)THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Sultanahmet Park is a lovely park lyingbetween Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophiawith a large fountain in the middleThe park is an excellent place for picnic andrelaxation. It provides a spectacular view of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque,especially at night when they are lit upMilion, a tall marble column in the northerncorner of the park, was 'point zero' in theByzantine Empire. All distances weremeasured from hereHippodrome, built in the 3rd c. AD, was aByzantine chariot racing stadium with acapacity of 100,000 people. Today it is apark-like square next to Sultanahmet ParkHippodrome or Sultan Ahmet Squarefeatures four monuments: (1) SerpentColumn, (2) Obelisk of Thutmose III or

    Egyptian Obelisk, (3) Walled Obelisk, and(4) German FountainSerpent Column was moved here from theTemple of Apollo at Delphi. Originally it wascast to commemorate the victory of theGreeks over the Persians during the 5th c.BC Persian Wars

    The Egyptian Obelisk was brought here fromthe Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt toadorn the stadiumThe Walled Obelisk, built in 10th century,used to be covered with bronze. Troops of the Fourth Crusade removed the metal tomake coinsThe German Fountain is a gift to Sultan

    Abdul Hamid from Kaiser Wilhelm II after hisvisit to Istanbul in 1898

    THINGS TO DO THEREHave a rest on a bench near the beautifulfountain and just admire the two imposingIstanbul landmarksWalking along the Blue Mosque take a lookat the Egyptian Obelisk, the Column of Constantine and the Serpentine Column

    TIPS & INSIGHTS

    MORE Info and Photos >

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    Attraction Details

    11:00-11:45 Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mh., Tavukhane Sokak 5, Istanbul)Opening hours: Daily: 9am - 6pm Admission: FreeTHINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Blue Mosque is a grandiose mosque inIstanbul. It was completed in 1616 and isconsidered the last imperial mosque of thecitySultan Ahmet I commissioned the building.His intention was to surpass bothSleymaniye Mosque and Hagia SophiaIn an attempt to emphasize Islam'ssuperiority over Christianity, the larger Blue Mosque was built opposite HagiaSophia (a former Byzantine church) on thesite of the Byzantine royal palaceThe architect's name was Mehmet Aga. Hewas a student of the Ottoman star architectSinanOnly two mosques have 6 minarets: the BlueMosque and the central mosque of Mecca,

    the Islamic holy city. The latter now has 7 toemphasize its statusOfficially it is called Sultanahmet Camii(Mosque of Sultan Ahmet). The nickname'Blue Mosque' was given because of theblue znik tiles that decorate its interior The central dome is 43 m (140 ft) high and23,5 m (77 ft) in diameter. Over 20,000 bluetiles adorn its walls

    THINGS TO DO THERE Admire the beautifully-arranged cascade of domesNon-worshippers are required to use thenorth entrance, off the HippodromeRemove your shoes before entering. Putthem in a plastic bag (available at theentrance). You can put the bag with theshoes on a shelf provided

    Admire the breathtaking interior decoratedby masses of beautifully designed blue,green, yellow and red tilesEnjoy the special atmosphere

    TIPS & INSIGHTSModest dress is required both for womenand menIt is considered polite for a woman to cover her head when entering a mosque. Werecommend bringing your own scarf The mosque is impressively illuminated inthe evening

    MORE Info and Photos >

    12:10-12:55 Eminn NeighborhoodTHINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Eminn neighborhood is located on thesouth side of the Golden Horn. It is theoldest part of Istanbul from where the cityexpandedThe neighborhood has been a major transportation hub since Byzantinetimes and features some of the bestknown Istanbul attractions: Spice Bazaar , New Mosque, and Rstem Pasha MosqueThe impressive Sirkeci Train Station wasbuilt during the late Ottoman period. It is oneof the termini of the famous Orient ExpressOther highlight is the grandiose Central PostOffice also built during the late Ottoman era

    Eminn is one of the busiestneighborhoods of Istanbul. It has only

    55,000 residents but more than 2 millionpeople come here dailyTHINGS TO DO THERE

    Take a short walk in the old harbor, enjoyingthe stunning viewsOr just walk along the streets to the harbor enjoying the atmosphere

    TIPS & INSIGHTSStop for a cup of authentic Turkish tea inone of the traditional tea houses

    MORE Info and Photos >

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    Attraction Details

    15:00-16:00 Sleymaniye Mosque (Sleymaniye Mh., Profesr Sddk Sami Onar Caddesi 1, Istanbul)Opening hours: Daily: 9am - 7pm Admission: FreeTHINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Sleymaniye Mosque is an imposingOttoman imperial mosque. It is the secondlargest mosque in IstanbulThe mosque is an epic symbol of the lateOttoman Empire's military might andimperial power It was built in 1550-57 for Sultan Sleyman Ithe Magnificent by Ottoman star architect,Mimar SinanThe building complex also includes ahamam (Turkish bath), medrese (Islamicschool), a hospital and a caravanserai (innfor travelers and traders)The interior is simple, yet breathtaking. Thehuge central dome is 53 m (174 ft) high. 200stained-glass windows decorate the mosqueIn 'addicts' alley' cafs used to serve opium

    and hashish along with tea and coffee

    Sleyman I and his wife Roxelana areentombed in the courtyard

    THINGS TO DO THERERemove your shoes before entering. Putthem in a plastic bag (available at theentrance) and carry the bag with youEnjoy the magnificent interior

    After leaving the mosque visit Sleyman I'stomb and rose gardens and explore thegrounds

    TIPS & INSIGHTSModest dress is required both for womenand menIt is considered polite for a woman to cover her head when entering a mosque. Werecommend bringing your own scarf

    MORE Info and Photos >

    16:25-16:40 Beyazit Square (Beyazit Square)THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Beyazit Square is a spacious square next tothe Grand Bazaar. Officially it is calledHrriyet Meydan, meaning "FreedomSquare"The square used to be Istanbul's mainmeeting place for centuries. It stands on thesite of the ancient Roman Forum TauriThe gate between two Turkish flags is themain entrance of the University of Istanbul.The university campus was built as theOttoman War Ministery, hence itsfortress-like appearance

    The mosque is called Bayezid II Mosquecommissioned by Sultan Bayezid II. It wasthe second largest imperial mosque erectedafter the conquest of Constantinople

    THINGS TO DO THEREWalking towards the Grand Bazaar take alook at the impressive Beyazt Mosque andIstanbul University's main gate

    TIPS & INSIGHTS

    MORE Info and Photos >

    16:50-17:50 Grand Bazaar (Mollafenari Mh., . Nuruosmaniye Caddesi, Istanbul)Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 7pm, Sundays: ClosedTHINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is the world's oldestmarket and one of the world's largestbuildingsSultan Mehmet II built the market soon after conquering Constantinople as the tradingcenter of the Ottoman Empire. The bazaar was opened in 1461The traditional leather stores, spice andpottery shops, carpet, antique, and jewelrydealers are typical of the bazaar. Manyshops nowadays sell souvenirsThe market is one of the liveliest places of the cityThe bazaar in numbers: 307,000 m2(3,30500 sq ft), 61 covered streets, 4,500shops, 30,000 traders, between 250,000and 500,000 daily visitors

    Besides the shops, it gives home to twomosques, two Turkish baths, fountains,multiple restaurants and cafs

    THINGS TO DO THEREHave fun getting lost in the labyrinth of thebazaar Enjoy the lively atmosphereShop for some food, spice, jewelry andclothes

    TIPS & INSIGHTSDo not forget to do some bargaining if youwant to buy a souvenir Great experience even for those who hate toshop

    MORE Info and Photos >

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    See all fun activites in Istanbul. Click here >

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    Overview of Day 2

    LEAVE HOTEL Tested and recommended hotels in Istanbul >Take Tram Line T1 to Glhane stop

    09:00-11:30 Topkapi Palace World heritage siteTake a walk to Basilica Cistern - 10

    11:40-12:40 Basilica Cistern Istanbul's most unusualtourist attraction

    Lunch timeTake Tram Line T1 to Kabatas stop (Direction: Kabatas)Take the funicular from Kabatas to Taksim Square

    15:00-15:30 Taksim Square Popular meeting placeTake a walk to Istiklal Avenue

    15:30-16:30 Istiklal Avenue Exquisite pedestrianshopping streetTake a walk to Galata Tower - 15

    16:45-17:45 Galata Tower The best 360 views of the city

    Take a walk to Galata Bridge - 15

    18:00-19:00 Galata Bridge Istanbul's greatlandmark

    END OF DAY 2

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    Attraction Details09:00-11:30 Topkapi Palace ( brahim Paa Oteli, Binbirdirek Mh., Terzihane Sk 7, 34122 Istanbul)

    Opening hours: Summer, Wed - Mon: 9am - 7pm, Winter, Wed - Mon: 9am - 5pm, Tuesdays:Closed Admission: 20 TLTHINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Topkapi Palace used to be the OttomanSultans' prime residence for almost 400years. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Sitesince 1985 and Istanbul's main touristattractionMehmet II built the palace in 1459-65 after conquering Constantinople. It served as thesultan's palace until Abdl Mecit I moved thecourt to Dolmabahe Palace in 1853It was designed to resemble the tentencampments of nomadic Ottomans. Itstands on Sarayburnu, a strategic pointoverlooking the BosphorusBeside the sultan's residence the palacecontained offices, the seat of government, a

    Harem and also a military training ground for Ottoman soldiers After the fall of the Ottoman Empire (1921),the government turned the Topkapi Palacein a museum of the imperial era in 1924The museum houses such invaluabletreasures as the 86-carat Kasikci Diamond,the Topkapi Dagger, prophet Muhammad'scloak and sword. Collection of porcelain,robes, military equipments and Ottoman artpieces are also on display

    THINGS TO DO THEREEnter the outer Topkap complex for free

    Admire the ceremonial gates and thetraditional fountains

    After buying the ticket, you'll enter the inner complex of the palace (the "Museum") andvisit several increasingly intimate courtyards,housing the palace kitchens, councilchamber, armory, treasury, and tulip gardenDo not miss the Harem. You'll need to buy aseparate ticket from the Harem's ticket booth(in front of the Harem entrance)

    TIPS & INSIGHTS Accepting only Turkish Lira and Credit Cardas paymentThe Kitchens, The Section of Arms and TheLibrary of Manuscripts are closed to visit dueto renovationStop for a cup of tea in the restaurant andenjoy the stunning view overlooking theBosphorusThe Harem is well worth the extra charge

    MORE Info and Photos >

    11:40-12:40 Basilica Cistern (13 Yerebatan Caddesi, Sultanahmet)Opening hours: Daily: 9am - 6:30pm Admission: 10 TLTHINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Basilica Cistern used to be the city's largestunderground water reservoir in Byzantinetimes. It was built in the 6th century byByzantine Emperor JustinianIts purpose was to ensure the city's water supply even in time of droughts and sieges.Water came here via clay pipes andaqueducts from Belgrade forest (12 kmaway)The cistern covers 9,800 m2 (11,720 sqyards), more than 2 football fields, and has a

    capacity of 80 million liters (18 milliongallons)The cistern was built on the site of a former Basilica, hence its name. Turks call it:Yerebatan Saray meaning 'Sunken Palace'336 pillars (8 m (26 ft) high each) that werereused from earlier Roman ruins, hold up theroof. This explains why the tops of thecolumns are so different

    The "palace" features two Medusa (terrifyingfemale creature in Greek mythology) headsat the far endBefore the walking platforms were builtvisitors had to rent boats to traverse it

    THINGS TO DO THEREWalk along the designated walkways lit withglowing red lights and enjoy the etherealatmosphere and the breathtakingatmosphereListen to the nice classical musicaccompanying the sound of endlessly

    dripping water nad enjoy the relaxingatmosphereMake sure to walk the decks to see theMedusa Heads

    TIPS & INSIGHTS

    MORE Info and Photos >

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    Attraction Details

    15:00-15:30 Taksim Square (Taksim Square)THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Taksim Square is the main square of Istanbul's New Districts. It lies on the eastend of the busy shopping street, IstiklalCaddesi (Independence Avenue)It is one of the termini of the nostalgic trainthat runs along Independence Avenue. Theline ends at The Tunnel (Tnel), Europe'ssecond oldest (1875) subway stationThe square's name derives from Arabicmeaning 'division' or 'distribution. The city'smain water line, built by Sultan Mahmud I in1732, ended here and branched off to other parts of the cityThe stone reservoir is still in place and canbe found on the southern side of the squareMonument of Independence shows Atatrkand other revolutionary heroes. It waserected in 1928 to commemorate the victory

    of the Turkish Independence War

    Travel agencies, restaurants, cafs andpubs surround the square along with someof Istanbul's most luxurious hotels, such asInterContinental, and the Ritz-CarltonThe square is the venue of many publicevents such as concerts and parades, New

    Year Celebrations and other socialhappenings

    THINGS TO DO THEREStart your visit at the memorial to see thestatue of Atatrk and his soldiers,representing the War of IndependenceTake a rest in one of the restaurants beforeexploring the busy pedestrian street, IstiklalCaddesi

    TIPS & INSIGHTS

    MORE Info and Photos >

    15:30-16:30 Istiklal Avenue (Istiklal Caddesi)THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Istiklal Caddessi (Independence Avenue) isan elegant pedestrian shopping street inIstanbul's New Districts. More than 3 millionpeople visit the street dailyDuring the day it is filled with shoppers, inthe night it becomes the center of the city'snightlifeIt houses boutiques, music and bookstores,traditional bakeries, chocolateries, artgalleries, cinemas, theaters, cafs, pubs,restaurants and night clubs with live musicThe avenue was built in 1870 after adevastating fire. The area was rebuilt as ashowcase of Art Nouveau StyleThe street's name commemorates thetriumph of the Turkish War of Independenceand the declaration of the Turkish RepublicHighlights include: historic tram line; theTunnel (or Tnel, the second oldest subwaystation in Europe), St. Anthony's RomanCatholic Church, Flower Passage, the fishmarket, and Aya Triada Greek OrthodoxChurch

    THINGS TO DO THEREWalk along this elegant pedestrian streetand enjoy the special atmosphere, the mixof sounds and smells

    TIPS & INSIGHTSIf you walk up from Galatasaray Square it isrecommended to take the TnelIt is a great spot for a nice evening or nightwalk

    Be prepare that it is always crowdedMORE Info and Photos >

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    Attraction Details

    16:45-17:45 Galata Tower (Bereketzade Mh., 34420 Istanbul)Opening hours: Summer, daily: 9am - 7pm, Otherwise, daily: 9am - 5pm Admission: 10 TLTHINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Galata Tower is a 62 m (205 ft) high,medieval stone tower with a conical top. Itprovides the best 360 views of IstanbulThe Genoese built the tower in 1348 andcalled it 'Christea Turris' (Latin for Tower of Christ). It was part of the fortificationssurrounding the citadel of GalataThe Genoese were the main trading partner of Constantinople. The city of Galata wastheir trade colony

    According to travel stories (calledSeyahatname), Hezarfen Ahmet elebi, a17th century aviator, overflew the Bosphorusfrom Galata Tower using artificial wings for glidingFrom the 18th century Ottoman Turks usedthe tower for spotting fires in the city

    After a storm destroyed the tower's conicroof in 1875, Galata Tower remained withouta top until the 1960's

    The tower was opened to the public in 1967THINGS TO DO THERE

    Admire the tower from outsideTake the elevator and a small set of narrow,winding stairs. They will take you to therestaurant and the viewing platformWalk around the gallery and enjoy thefabulous views of the Golden Horn and thecity

    TIPS & INSIGHTSTime your visit for sunset, if possibleIf you don't fancy walking to the tower, takethe Tunnel (the old subway) uphill fromKaraky to TnelIn the evenings, the restaurant hosts adinner and cabaret with Turkish folk danceand belly dancing

    MORE Info and Photos >

    18:00-19:00 Galata BridgeTHINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Galata Bridge is a two-level concrete bridgethat spans Bosphorus at the Golden HornThe original Galata Bridge, the first bridgespanning the Golden Horn, was built in theearly 20th century

    After the old historic bridge becameinsufficient for modern traffic, the currentGalata Bridge was built in 1994The lower level of the bridge is lined withrestaurants and cafs. The upper leveloffers sweeping panoramic views of Istanbul's old town, especially breathtakingin sunsetHundreds of fishermen stand along therailing trying to catch the biggest fish of thedayLeonardo da Vinci designed a revolutionarynew bridge in 1502 for Galata Bridge'scurrent location. If built, it would have beenthe longest bridge of its time

    THINGS TO DO THEREWalk all along the bridgeOn the upper deck watch the row of fishermen cast lines, peering optimisticallyinto murky waters belowEnjoy the excellent view across the city, theGolden Horn and shipsHave a rest in one of the cafs of the lower level

    TIPS & INSIGHTSThe restaurants in the lower level of thebridge tend to be overpriced

    MORE Info and Photos >

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    Overview of Day 3

    LEAVE HOTEL Tested and recommended hotels in Istanbul >Take the ferry from Eminn to skdar - 20

    10:00-11:00 skdar Neighborhood A taste of AsiaTake the ferry from skdar to KabatasTake a walk to Dolmabahe Palace - 30 in all

    11:30-14:00 Dolmabahe Palace One of the mostglamorous palaces inthe worldLunch time

    Take a walk to Kabatas tram stopTake Tram Line T1 from Kabatas stop to Eminn stopTake a walk to Suleymaniye Hamam

    16:00-17:30 Sleymaniye Hamam Relaxing experience

    END OF DAY 3

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    Attraction Details10:00-11:00 skdar Neighborhood

    THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW skdar is a charming and predominantlyresidential neighborhood on Istanbul's Asianside. Its difference from the European sidesurprises most first-time visitorsskdar has a different style of architectureand a more relaxed atmosphereThe Greeks founded the settlement,Chrysopolis or 'City of Gold', in the 7th c.BC. It was an important staging point in theGreek-Persian war of 410 BCBefore Ottomans finally conqueredConstantinople in 1453, they had alreadybeen ruling skdar for a 100 yearsskdar features a large number of historical mosques such as Mihrimah SultanMosque built by Ottoman star architectSinan in 1548

    Leander's Tower (Kz Kulesi), a tower ontiny island off the coast of skdar wasoriginally built by the Greeks to control themovements of Persian ships. BothByzantines and Ottomans used, rebuilt andmodified the tower

    THINGS TO DO THEREExplore the streets and some mosques inthis quiet neighborhoodTake a pleasant waterfront walk to seeLeander's Tower

    TIPS & INSIGHTSThe area behind the ferry dock is a busyshopping district, with many restaurants(including the well-known Kanaat Lokantasiserving Ottoman cuisine) and a number of important Ottoman mosquesYou can take a ferry from the waterfront toget to Leander's Tower

    MORE Info and Photos >

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    Attraction Details

    11:30-14:00 Dolmabahe Palace (Vinezade Mh., 34357 Istanbul)Opening hours: Tue, Wed, Fri - Sun: 9am - 4pm, Mon, Thurs: Closed Admission: 20 TLTHINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Dolmabahce Palace, one of the world's mostopulent palaces and the largest in Turkey,was the royal residence of the last 6 sultansof the Ottoman Empire

    Abdl Mecid I built the palace in 1843-56.The former 13th century royal palace,Topkapi, lacked the up-to-date luxuryThe design of the new building attests toincreasing European influence. It mixeselements of modern European styles(Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassicism) withtraditional Turkish architecture and lifestyleIt cost 5 million Ottoman golden coins(equaling 35 tonnes of gold) to erect thecastle. 14 tonnes of gold was used for gilding the ceilingsThe palace has an area of 45,000m2 (11.2

    ac), 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths and 68toiletsOne of the world's largest crystal chandelier,a gift of Queen Victoria of England, hangs inthe central hall. It contains 750 lamps andweighs 4,5 tonnesMustafa Kemal Atatrk, the founder and firstPresident of the Republic of Turkey, turnedthe palace into a presidential residence in1924He died in the palace at 9:05 AM on 10thNovember 1938. As a matter of respect allclocks in the palace were stopped at thistime

    THINGS TO DO THEREDecide which parts of the palace you wantto visit. We recommend that you do not missthe Selamlk (administrative wings). Thisguided tour takes approximately 90 minutesIf you have the time you can also visit theHarem. This separate guided tour takes 45minutesBuy your entrance ticket(s) at the mainentrance gateWalk through the palace's well-maintainedgarden, with a small pool flanked by lionstatuesTake a look at the magnificent ceremonialland gateFollow your guide on the guided tour of theadministrative wingsTake your time to enjoy the garden and the

    view of the BosphorusTIPS & INSIGHTS All visits are guided and you can visit thepalace only in groups (due to securityreasons). Tours starts about every 15minutesIt is strictly forbidden to take photos andvideos inside the palace

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    16:00-17:30 Sleymaniye Hamam (20 Mimar Sinan Caddesi, Sleymaniye )Opening hours: Daily: 10am - 12midnight Admission: 35THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Suleymaniye Hamam is a Turkish Bath thatis part of the beautiful Sleymaniye MosquecomplexBeing operational since 1550, it is the oldesthamam in Istanbul. The building wasdesigned by Ottoman star architect SinanIt specializes in couples and families. Itemploys a friendly, helpful and highlyprofessional staff The entire hamam experience lasts 90minutes. The service includes the hot room,washing, peeling (scrubbing), and a soapmassageThe experience feels like going back to theOttoman timesThis hamam is out-of-the-way meaningfewer tourists. It is busier late afternoon andin the eveningThe scrubbing and massage can hurtoccasionally but it feels wonderful afterwards

    THINGS TO DO THEREFirst enjoy the hot room where you will lie ona hot marble slab in the center of the roomfor about 40 minutes

    After that you will have a body exfoliationfollowed by a soap massage and washingserviceYou will be dried off in a specialized wayYou can rest in another room to relax andenjoy a drink (extra charge)

    TIPS & INSIGHTSThe hamam is suitable for families andcouples only. Single males or females willnot be admittedOnly cash is accepted

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    Photo creditsCover pageCover photo #1: Photo by Vince MillettCover photo #2: Photo by myhsuCover photo #3: Photo by Bruno Girin

    Maphttp://www.bing.com/maps

    Attraction detailsHagia Sophia: Photo by youngrobv Sultanahmet Park: Photo by Bruno Girin BlueMosque: Photo by S-Square Eminn Neighborhood: Photo by kiwanc Sleymaniye Mosque: Photo by laszlo-photo Beyazit Square: Photo by chocorayto Grand Bazaar: Photo by eurotrip_it Topkapi Palace: Photo by gsz Basilica Cistern:Photo by Ashley Dinges Taksim Square: Photo by Salim Virji Istiklal Avenue: Photo by Tolga"Musato" Galata Tower: Photo by brunoboris Galata Bridge: Photo by Travel in Istanbul (AK) skdar Neighborhood: Photo by kiwanc Dolmabahe Palace: Photo by xiquinhosilva Sleymaniye Hamam: Photo by Suleymaniye Hamam

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