Istanbul, the largest city in Europe at the moment and the former capital of the Ottoman Empire is located on both sides of the Bosphorus and has long been thought of as the meeting place of the East and the West. Istanbul is a city that masterfully blends its cultures and history, making it a fascinating destination with a lot to offer tourists from all over the world. The city is a contemporary metropolis founded in the Neolithic period and pays tribute to its past with Byzantine structures and medieval bazaars.
Along with the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, Istanbul is home to other well-known tourist destinations like bustling bazaars, lovely ancient neighborhoods, and a thriving dining and nightlife scene.
Istanbul is one of those locations that never ceases to enchant, no matter how frequently you return. This unique blend of East and West offers fascinating cultural encounters around every corner. Istanbul is charming with its alluring bazaars, Ottoman mosques, and countless teahouses. Renting one of our completely furnished apartments is a better way to extend your stay in Istanbul so you can experience the most amazing things every weekend.
Unquestionably, the range of cultures, history, stunning mosques, and other sites of worship, as well as the crazy that comes with this wonderfully cosmopolitan city given that it is split between two continents, will mesmerize you. There are several places you can visit in the city to properly see all that it has to offer you; whether you are a tourist or resident!
Popular Hotspots in the City
An iconic and significant part of Istanbul’s tourist attraction list is the Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia is a marvel of Roman engineering with its immense dome, which covers what was for more than a thousand years the largest enclosed area in the world and is 102 feet or 31 meters in circumference. Anyone who respects the essence of good architecture must also see the Basilica Cistern which is nearby. In order to store water and supply the city with fresh water, numerous underground cisterns were built during the Byzantine era. The largest cistern in the city is the Basilica Cistern!
Topkapi Palace, one of Istanbul's must-see attractions, combines history and spectacular beauty into a relaxing experience. For nearly four centuries, the sultans who presided over the Ottoman Empire resided in the opulent Topkapi Palace as their imperial residence. It is one of the world's largest remaining palaces.
Going to a Turkish bath, which involves getting a layer of skin washed off, is another must-do Istanbul activity. A hammam is a traditional bath that dates back to Roman times and is typically found inside beautiful domed structures. Following a brief period of dousing with water, the process is followed by a brief respite on a heated marble platform. The patient is then scrubbed hard with black soap and a special rough mitten to remove dead skin cells by the attendant. Many of our furnished apartments are located near to some famous Turkish baths that are both historic and effective at providing you with the proper experience!
Additional activities in Istanbul
The Grand Bazaar is among the most pleasant weekend activities in Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar is the largest market in Istanbul and, based on some estimates, the largest covered market in the world. It features more than 4,000 shops selling jewelry, lanterns, carpets, leather goods, hookahs, ceramics, and other commodities.
Walking down the street that was formerly known as the "Grande Rue de Pera" is one of the most pleasant things to do while visiting Istanbul. Now known as Istiklal Avenue, this street is home to a tonne of bars and eateries that can be the ideal spots to spend a weekend! There are even museums and galleries situated on or near this avenue so there is something fun for everyone here! You should definitely add weekend excursions from Istanbul to adjacent villages or coastal towns to your list of things to do! If traveling to the Black Sea has been on your bucket list, you may also take a ferry up the Bosphorus! There are further possibilities like having a snack or admiring locally manufactured crafts or mementos in the vicinity of the Galata Tower! The picturesque Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) is one of Istanbul's most popular tourist destinations and the most recognizable icon of the Golden Horn.
The main idea to take away here is that while there are endless things to do in Istanbul if you manage to use your time well every day as you enjoy life in a fully furnished Cabriole Home, you can easily fill up your days with pleasurable activities and explore the city in depth and like a local!
