Istanbul Guide

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AIVITA ARIKA/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

PLAN YOUR TRIP İSTANBUL’S TOP 10

Bosphorus Ferry Trip (p163) 3 Climbing aboard one of the city’s famous flotilla of ferries is the quintessential İstanbul experience. The trip between Asia and Europe on a commuter ferry is hard to beat, but the Bosphorus tourist ferries that travel mouth of the Black Sea are even better, offering pas sengers views of palaces, parks and ornate timber mansions on both the Asian and European shores. It doesn’t matter whether you opt for a long or short cruise, as either is sure to the great strait from Eminönü towards the

Shopping in the Bazaars (p93) 4 The chaotic and colourful Grand Bazaar is the best-known shopping destination on the Historic Peninsula, but it certainly isn’t the only one. After exploring its labyrinthine lanes and hid den caravanserais, follow the steady stream of local shoppers heading downhill into the busy shopping precinct of Tahtakale, which has at its hub the seductively scented Spice Bazaar, pictured left. From there, head back up towards the Blue Mosque and its attached arasta (row of shops by a mosque), where you may well find a lasting memento of your trip. 7 Bazaar District

Süleymaniye Mosque (p96) 5 Dominating the Old City’s skyline, Süleyman the Magnificent’s most notable architectural legacy certainly lives up to its patron’s name. The fourth imperial mosque built in İstanbul, the Süleymaniye was designed by Mimar Sinan, the most famous of all Ottoman architects, and was built between 1550 and 1557. Its extensive and largely intact külliye (mosque complex) buildings illustrate aspects of daily Ottoman life and are still used by the local com munity, making this a sight that truly lives up to the tag of ‘living history’. 1 Bazaar District

be memorable. 2 Day Trips