If you live abroad and come to Istanbul for a holiday, you should definitely see the historical places of Istanbul.

There are many historical places in Istanbul, we have compiled and prepared some of them for you.

Istanbul has hosted many civilizations in terms of history and its history dates back to ancient times, Istanbul hosts many historical artifacts of the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire, Here are some of them.

• Hagia Sophia Museum
• Beylerbeyi Palace
• Topkapı palace
• Galata tower
• Aydos Castle
• Basilica Cistern
• Maiden’s Tower
• The Egyptian Bazaar
•  Dolmabahçe Palace
• Spice Bazaar
• Grand Bazaar

1. Hagia Sophia Museum

The Hagia Sophia museum is located in Fatih, Istanbul.
Hagia Sophia was built 3 times in the same place as a church and is still used as a mosque today.
Construction date: Hagia Sophia was first started by Constantine the 1st, and its opening was realized by Constantine the 2nd in 360.
With the outbreak of riots in 404, the church burned down and its ruins remained.
The 2nd Hagia Sophia was built by the Emperor Theodosius in 415 on the 1st Hagia Sophia church and opened for worship.
Again in 532, riots took place and the 2nd Hagia Sophia was burned and destroyed.
Emperor Justinian wanted to build a bigger Hagia Sophia after the rebellions and the 3rd Hagia Sophia was built between 532-537.
For more details, we recommend you to see the Hagia Sophia museum.

2. Beylerbeyi Palace

Beylerbeyi palace is located in Beylerbeyi district of Üsküdar district in Istanbul.
Beylerbeyi palace construction date: Beylerbeyi palace was built by the architect Sarkis Balyan between 1861 and 1865 by the Ottoman Emperor Sultan Abdulaziz.
For more detailed information, visit Beylerbeyi Palace.

3. Topkapi Palace

Topkapi palace is located in Istanbul, Fatih district. When you come to Istanbul, we definitely recommend you to see this palace where many sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived.
Topkapi palace construction date: Topkapi palace was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1478 by Architect Alauddin Davud Aga. It was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for 360 years until the construction of the Dolmabahçe Palace.
For more information, be sure to visit Topkapi palace.

4. Galata Tower

You can’t go to Istanbul without seeing the Galata tower, the Galata tower is one of the symbols of the ancient city of Istanbul.
Galata tower construction date: Galata tower was first built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian in 507-508 AD. Today’s tower was rebuilt in 1348 – 1349 and it was repaired by Architect Murad Bin Hayreddin because it was damaged in earthquakes and has survived to the present day. For more information, be sure to visit the Galata tower.

5. Aydos Castle

Aydos Castle, which is not known to many people in Istanbul but sheds light on the history of a period, is located in the Sultanbeyli district of Istanbul. Although the castle has suffered a lot of collapse, it is now restored by the Sultanbeyli Municipality and brought to the present day.
The date of construction of the Aydos calciner: It is thought that the Aydos castle was built by the eastern Roman Empire between the 11th or 12th centuries, and the name Aydos is thought to come from the name Aetos, which means Eagle in Greek.
Be sure to visit Aydos Castle for more information.

6. Basilica Cistern

The Basilica cistern is a must-see for those who come to Istanbul. The historical cistern was restored by the Istanbul metropolitan municipality in August 2022 and opened to visitors again. You should definitely see the Basilica Cistern, which has been flooded by visitors with its newly restored state.

7. Maiden’s Tower

The Maiden’s Tower is one of the symbols of Istanbul and the first thing that comes to mind when Istanbul is mentioned. Although there are many legends about it, some of them are said to have been built by a king to protect his daughter from snakes, and one of the legends is that there is a huge treasure under the maiden’s tower. Maiden’s Tower is located in Üsküdar, Istanbul and is in a location that you can easily reach.
History of Maiden’s Tower: Maiden’s Tower BC. It is thought to have been built around 24 years ago.
It is the only historical artifact left from the Byzantine era in Üsküdar.
Be sure to visit the Maiden’s Tower to learn more.

8. Dolmabahce Palace

The stuffed garden palace is one of the most important places bearing the traces of the past of the Ottoman Empire, which has become one of the symbols of Istanbul, which has historical importance. If you come to Istanbul, you should definitely see this place.

History of the Dolma Garden Palace: The construction of the Dolma Garden Palace was started in 1843 and it was built by the Ottoman Sultan Dultan Abdulmecid in 1856.

The stuffed garden palace is also the place where the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, passed away.

For more information, be sure to visit the Dolma Garden palace.

9. Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is one of the most visited historical places in Istanbul. The covered bazaar, which contains many shops, enchants the visitors.
History of the Grand Bazaar: There are two sections in the Grand Bazaar, the first section was built by the Byzantines and its exact date is not known. In 1461, the second part of the covered bazaar, the second part of which was built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, contains more than 3500 shops and is one of the historical places that hosts the most tourists in the world.

10. Spice Bazaar

The Spice Bazaar is one of the most visited historical places by the visitors coming to Istanbul. It is located in the Eminönü district of Istanbul.

The Egyptian Bazaar, which is one of the oldest markets in Istanbul, has survived the danger of fire many times, but has survived to the present day without any damage.

History of the Spice Bazaar: The Spice Bazaar is one of the distinguished places built by Architect Kazım Ağa in 1660 by Turhan Sultan.

We definitely recommend you to visit and see the Egyptian Bazaar.