Istanbul is a historical treasure with landmarks dating back to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Being the gateway for the Silk Road, Istanbul is where East meets West. Most of the historic landmarks are on the European side. So, it’s fun and accessible to explore many iconic sites in a short amount of time. I loved my time in Istanbul and love sharing tourist tips. So, read on to discover Istanbul Turkey attractions on the European side for planning a vacation to this incredible destination.
About Istanbul
As Turkey’s cultural and economic capital, Istanbul straddles the Bosporus Strait, the boundary between Europe and Asia. It was founded by Greek settlers in the 7th century BCE. The Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great, made it the imperial capital, calling it Constantinople. In 1930, the city became renamed to Istanbul. The city served as the imperial capital for almost 1600 years during the Byzantine, Latin, Late Byzantine and Ottoman empires. It became an iconic landmark for the Silk Road.
The city advanced Christianity, hosting the first seven ecumenical councils. With the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 CE, it became an Islamic city seat for the Ottoman Caliphate. After the Turkish War of Independence in 1923 the city became the capital of the Republic of Turkey.
Istanbul is primarily known for its Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. Despite its development as a Turkish city since 1923, it contains many ancient, Roman, Byzantine, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish monuments.
The historic area of Istanbul is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Istanbul was strategically located for trade and defense. The confluence of the Bosporus, Golden Horn and Sea of Marmara provides ideal defense and a natural toll-gate. Istanbul’s temperate climate is transitional between the Mediterranean and Oceanic climates.
Top Istanbul Turkey Attractions
on European Side
The multi-cultural Istanbul is divided by the Bosporus Strait with the eastern side in Asia and western side in Europe. The Asian side of the Bosporus makes up a suburb for the commercial and economic centers with about a third of the city’s population.
The European side makes up the historic peninsula or Fatih District, corresponding with the city of Constantinople until the Ottoman conquest. Also, the historic district includes the Galata and Besiktas neighborhoods.
Take a Cruise or Ferry on the Bosphorus Strait
Along the waterfront, there are many opportunities to take a cruise of ferry on the Bosphorus Strait. This is a great way to get an overview of Istanbul and explore the iconic sites from water. For instance, cruises go by the Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, Maiden Tower, Rumeli Fortress and Bosphorus Bridge, connecting Europe and Asia.
Dolmabahce Palace and Clocktower
Bestikas District
Near Galata in the Bestikas District on the Bosporus waterfront is the opulent Dolmabahce Palace and Clocktower. It was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and 1909 to 1922. As the largest palace in Turkey, its eclectic design blends Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles with Ottoman architecture.
The palace is elaborately decorated with crystal and gold. It displays the world’s largest crystal chandelier in the Ceremonial Hall. Also, Dolmabahce offers the largest collection of Baccarat and Bohemian crystals in the world. The stunning Crystal Staircase is shaped as a double horseshoe and built with Baccarat crystal.
The Dolmabahce gardens are stunning in a well-manicured area to explore the palace waterfront. Indoor palace tours are controlled and organized. You follow a one-way walkway through the palace with no photo-taking allowed.
Galata Tower, Bridge and District
The Galata District is one of Istanbul’s oldest and most historic districts, dating back to the Byzantine Era. Its hilltop Galata Tower is the symbol of Istanbul. Built as a lighthouse in 528, it became damaged during the Crusades. Rebuilt by the Genoese in 1348, it became part of the Galata walls. Today, it’s a museum with one of the best observation decks with 360-degree views of Istanbul.
The vibrant neighborhood, Kuledibi, surrounds the tower with shops, cafes and restaurants. The must-see Istiklal Street is the most famous street in Istanbul connecting the Galata Tower to Taksim Square. Near the Galata Tower is the Galip Dede Ramp, a steep and winding street lined with traditional Ottoman houses. Also, the Kamondo Stairs offers a great photo op, leading from Bankalar Caddessi to the Galata Tower.
Galata Bridge crosses the bay known as the Golden Horn. Furthermore, the bridge joins the cruise terminal to the old town with 2 levels. You can walk or drive across the bridge. Many fishermen dangle their bait from the top. Below, many restaurants and cafes offer outdoor seating with spectacular views of the water and city.
Fatih or Historical Peninsula
Istanbul Turkey Attractions
The Fatih district is the historical peninsula, also known as old Constantinople. It is surrounded by the Golden Horn to the north, Sea of Marmara to the south with the Theodosian wall on the west and Bosphorus Strait on the east. Many of the famous historic landmarks are on this peninsula.
Egyptian Spice Bazaar
Near the Galata Bridge and the east end of the Grand Bazaar is the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. The bazaar has been the center for spice trade in Istanbul for centuries. It is part of the New Mosque, with revenues being used for maintaining the mosque. Overall, the indoor halls of the bazaar offer more than 80 shops for selling spices, Turkish delight, dried fruit and nuts and souvenirs. Interestingly, this market is well-known for selling natural medicines from herbs, spices, seeds, barks and roots.
Grand Bazaar
This world famous 500-year-old landmark is one of the largest covered bazaars in the world. Nothing takes you back to the historic origins of Istanbul more than the sights, sounds and smells of the Grand Bazaar. It’s regarded as the first covered shopping mall in the world. It offers more than 4,000 shops with numerous restaurants and even mosques. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of shops filled with carpets, ceramics, spices, souvenirs and gold jewelry.
Sultanahmet or Blue Mosque
The famous Blue Mosque is an iconic monument of Ottoman architecture. Officially, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it was completed in 1617. The Blue Mosque is named for its turquoise color. The word turquoise means ‘stone from Turkey.’
Its central dome is surrounded by four semi-domes over the prayer hall with six minarets. Inside, the mosque is covered with thousands of blue, green and white Iznik tiles and painted floral motifs.
The religious complex includes Ahmed’s tomb and madrasa. The Blue Mosque stands close to both Sultanahmet Square and Hagia Sophia.
Sultanahmet Square
Istanbul Turkey Attractions
Next to the Blue Mosque, the Sultanahmet Square is where the Hippodrome of Constantinople once stood and chariot races happened. An Egyptian Obelisk still stands. However, only a third of the original height displays. Other monuments in the square include the Serpentine Column, the Colossus and the German Fountain.
Hagia Sophia
A short walk from the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia is a multi-cultural monument with an impressive history. It began as a Byzantine church in 600 AD. Later, the church converted to a mosque. Now, you can tour inside and see the Byzantine mosaics and the altar moved to face mecca. It retains human forms in the mosaics, even though Muslims only praise Allah in their mosques’ decorum.
Don’t miss the Adhan or Islamic Call to Prayer done 5 times a day! I was in awe standing at Hagia Sophia during the Adhan. For about 10 minutes the hauntingly loud Duet Prayer Call chanted back and forth between Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque!
Basilica Cistern Museum
Across the road from the Hagia Sophia is the historic Basilica Cistern Museum. This covered cistern provided water to the grand palace used by the Eastern Roman Emperor, Justinian in the 6th century. This engineering marvel once brought drinking water with aqueducts from current Bulgaria to Istanbul.
This spectacle showcases 336 marble columns, Medusa heads and sculptures. Colored lights reflect on the water with classical music. It is an artistic revival of old and new for tours of this eerie but enchanting site.
Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace complex construction started after the conquest of Istanbul by Mehmet II the Conqueror in 1478. Used as a palace for about 380 years, it became the official residence of the Ottoman sultans until the construction of the Dolmabahce Palace. It displays opulent decorum of Iznik tiles and Ottoman carvings.
This massive complex is best explored with a guide and tickets purchased in advance. Top attractions at the complex are the Harem and treasury storing the crown jewels with the famous Topkapi dagger.
Istanbul Archeological Museums
Near the Topkapi Palace and Tulhane Park is the Istanbul Archeological Museum. It is one of the largest museums in the world with more than one million works. Its main cultural collections include Turkish, Hellenistic and Roman. Popular artworks showcase the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great, depicting phases of his life and the blue-tiled Karaman Mihrab.
It consists of 3 main museums:
1. Archeological Museum located in main building
2. Museum of the Ancient Orient
3. Museum of Islamic Art, housed in the Tiled Kiosk
Gulhane Park
The Gulhane Park was once part of the outer garden of Topkapi Palace, mainly consisting of a grove. Now, it’s a historical, urban park that is one of the oldest and biggest parks in Istanbul. It’s an incredible green space with gardens and benches to relax and ruminate on all the incredible history in the area.
Plus, Three Iconic, Turkish Things to Do
Baklava Tasting with Turkish Coffee at Karakoy Gulluoglu
You can’t go to Istanbul without taste-testing baklava and Turkish coffee. Baklava is the most popular sweet pastry of Ottoman cuisine. It’s made of filo pastry, layered with goodies. Near the Galata cruise port is the charming Karakoy Gulluoglu. It offers a variety of baklava options, such as pistachio, walnut, gluten-free, hazelnut, diabetic, vegan and tray baklavas.
I enjoyed my tray with 3 baklava pastries: chocolate, pistachio and walnut. Also, I savored a cup of Turkish coffee with the pastries. Turkish coffee is ground to a powder and served with a small cup of water. According to tradition, you drink the water first to cleanse the palate for the coffee.
In Turkey, coffee culture is often accompanied by fortune telling or “tasseography.” After finishing the coffee, you read the leftover coffee grounds. For example, here are some impressionistic meanings:
double line: journey to somewhere
bird: good news
fish: good luck or kismet
peacock: money
Get a Hammam or Turkish Bath
When visiting Turkey, you must try one of their greatest traditions, getting a Hammam or Turkish Bath. I experienced mine in Ephesus and noticed many interesting Hammam locations in Istanbul. This is an elaborate therapeutic process that can last hours. It starts with a steam bath to sweat out toxins. Then, wearing nothing but a cotton cloth, you receive a deep exfoliation and scrub all over the body from a therapist. Lastly, you can enjoy a massage. Your skin will never feel so clean and muscles so relaxed!
Whirling Dervish Ceremony
The Sufi whirling dervishes is a worshipping service of the Mevlana followers. During the ceremony, Dervishes whirl into circles. Going into a prayer-induced trance, they are a bridge between Gods and humans. There are many venues to buy tickets for the performances. A tour guide suggested buying tickets in advance for these spectacular performances.
Enjoy Istanbul!
This historic city is truly where East meets West, connecting Europe with Asia. The Istanbul European side is easy to explore with many of the historic landmarks close together and within walking distance. Istanbul is a treasure and filled with gems to discover a deep history of multicultural influences. If your travels bring you to Istanbul, please leave comments below on travel tips for this incredible city.
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