Visit Istanbul - Turkey

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Istanbul was called Byzantium by the Greeks, in 660 BC, until it was reestablished as the capital of the Roman Empire and became Constantinople, by the hands of Emperor Constantine (330 AD). But it was during the conquest by the Ottoman Empire that the Turkish city that has “one foot in Europe and the other in Asia” took on its current name and became a metropolis almost 2,700 years old that impresses and conquers the visitor. from the beginning to the end of the trip.

The brief explanation, based on historical facts, is just a sample of what Istanbul represents today: a unique tourist destination that exudes history and culture on all sides; the habitat of a people that went through many adversities, suffered the most varied types of influences, but knew, throughout a fascinating history, to “absorb” such factors with mastery, adding colors, flavors, sounds and aromas.

Despite not being the capital itself, the city that exudes modernity is the economic, historical and cultural center of the Republic of Turkey, in addition to being the largest in the country and one of the largest in the world. Museums, monuments, mosques, bazaars, interesting neighborhoods and streets are just some of the many entertainment options available to visitors, who must book at least four days of stay if they intend to explore the city properly.

In Istanbul you will find people who are extremely proud of their origins and who, in general, welcome the thousands of foreigners who visit the city every year. In addition, sympathy for Brazilians tends to be even greater due to a common passion, football. Several Brazilian players even play or have played in Turkey.

The official language of the country is Turkish, but those who dominate the English language will not have difficulties in tourist areas, the local currency is the Turkish Lira.

Istanbul is breathtaking for any visitor, whether he is used to seeing many places in the world or not. Although it is a city that is more than two thousand years old - and this means that the "history" factor is present in every square meter, every corner -, it is necessary to mention that the metropolis also has its modern side (the so-called "part of the city"). nova” is quite impressive in this sense), as well as an intense cultural life.

Much of Istanbul's best tourist attractions are concentrated in the fascinating and famous Old City. It is impossible to walk through the streets of the region and not be enchanted by the imposing mosques, hear the muezzin - the call propagated by the minarets (towers) of the city, summoning people to prayer - and not feel something special.

Walking through some neighborhoods and the famous bazaars, such as the Grand Bazaar (the largest and oldest) and the Spice Bazaar, crossing the Galata Bridge, taking a boat trip across the Bosphorus and discovering very interesting museums, among many other options, cannot be missed. outside the schedule of those who want to get to know the city (having a good map, for example, is essential).

A good tip for art lovers who want to save money is the Istanbul Museum Pass, a card that entitles you to enter museums for a maximum of 3 days (or 72 hours after the first validation). The card is for sale at the receptions of some hotels, as well as tourist offices, tobacconists/shops that sell cell phone cards and at the ticket offices of some museums - such as the Hagia Sophia (Haghia Sofia).

In addition to being a relief for your pocket, the card also skips the line at museums such as Hagia Sophia, Chora Museum, Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art and Museum of Mosaics.

Spices, dried fruits, scarves and fabrics, jewelry, jewelry, sweets (such as the delicious lokuns), souvenirs from Turkey and a series of articles of the most varied types can be found in this bazaar, which has an incredible atmosphere. Erected in 1660, the Egyptian Market, also known as Spice Bazaar, is behind the New Mosque (Yeni Valide Camii).

The market, in fact, was built as a kind of “extension” of the mosque; in addition, a portion of what is collected there is used to fund charity projects and the like. Walking around the place is a fun program, especially for those who enjoy shopping.

The tip for those who don't think about spending money in Istanbul's bazaars, therefore, is not to stop at the stores, if the intention is not to buy something. That's because Turkish merchants are excellent sellers and will definitely do everything to make you leave there loaded with bags!

The Spice Bazaar is open from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. A tip for those looking for a restaurant option nearby are the small snack bars in the outdoor area. These establishments sell delicious kebabs and duruns at very good prices. It is worth checking.

Built with the intention of surpassing the Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) in beauty and magnitude, the Sultan Ahmet Camii, or Blue Mosque (unofficial name), was erected during the command of Sultan Ahmet I, between 1606 and 1616. imposing temple - which has a greater number of minarets and blue tiles inside, which justify the unofficial name - has an impressive architecture, and a good way to admire the beautiful construction is to walk from the Hippodrome of Constantinople.

The Blue Mosque is a popular spot in the city for tourists going to Istanbul, but it is good to remember that the place is a religious temple and, for this reason, visitation is controlled. Entrance for visitors is free and, when permitted (daily, except during times of prayer), it takes place at the door located on the north side.

The interior of the work designed by Sultan Ahmet impresses with the beauty of its famous blue tiles, the imposing dome, the floor covered with carpets, among many other elements. Very close to the mosque is the tomb of the sultan (türbe), where not only the creator of the mosque, but also his wife (strangled to death in the harem of Topkapi Palace) and children are buried. The site can be visited from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Istanbul - the largest city in Turkey - offers a variety of accommodation options for the thousands of people who visit it every year. They are establishments belonging to large chains, luxurious or smaller hotels, bed and breakfast style, hostels with prices that “fit” in the pocket, among others.

As the city is extremely touristy, tips for those who want to save on accommodation are to try to book a place as far in advance as possible and also avoid high season periods. Seasonal apartments can be a much cheaper option.

A good part of Istanbul's tourist attractions are concentrated in Sultanahmet, the so-called old city. Staying in this area, therefore, will mean that the visitor does not use, or uses very little, the local public transport (not to mention that the area is great to be explored on foot). If the intention is to stay close to the nightlife, the tip is to look for hotels located close to Taksim Square / Istiklal Street (Beyoglu), a place that offers easy access to the old city by means of the funicular and the electric cable car (more information in Getting Around ).

Although the neighborhoods of Sultanahmet and Beyoglu, already mentioned in the text, are the most sought after by tourists, it is good to remember that the districts of Ortaköy and Nişantaşı are well located and also offer excellent accommodation options.

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