Last minute tours to istanbul. Four magical days in istanbul

If you want to have a profitable vacation in Istanbul, then pay attention to last-minute tours. New trips to Istanbul appear every day. You can choose your travel dates and a good hotel.

What is included in the hot tour? The tour consists of air travel, transfer, insurance and hotel reservation. In addition, there are options without flights and transfers. The difference in price between a burning and a regular tour can be 30-50%. Tour operators want to sell these tours as quickly as possible and reduce prices.

Istanbul is a popular holiday destination. Tourists come here from all over the country. Istanbul is often chosen for holidays with children, there are many interesting sights and amazing nature. Young people and lovers of excursions will also find something to do in Istanbul.

It is better to hurry up to buy the tour you like before someone else buys it. The easiest way to do this is online. The purchase will take approximately 8 minutes. No need to go to a travel agency. Book last minute tours to Istanbul without leaving your home. This is a reliable way to catch the best offer of the tour operator.

Founded on the site of ancient Constantinople, at the very intersection of two continents, it boasts amazing historical and cultural sights and a unique centuries-old past. Eras, names and rulers changed, but the soul of the city remained unchanged, hidden in the shining domes of temples, colorful oriental bazaars, paved roads and aromas of Arabic coffee.

Tours to Istanbul is a journey to the most luxurious of all the tales of the East. During the day, travelers are waiting for a walk between the ancient palaces of Constantinople, where the mysterious spirit of the past hovers, through magical gardens, colorful squares and squares. And in the evening - exciting cruises on a yacht along the Bosphorus with an exquisite dinner, the dishes of which will delight even the most sophisticated gourmet.

Holidays in Istanbul in 2015 will appeal to lovers of thousand-year-old sights, connoisseurs of measured secular pastime and couples come here. In one of the most romantic cities in the world, they will be able to spend an unforgettable Honeymoon newlyweds and experience thrill fans of active sports.

Seasonality and climate. When is the best time to go on holiday to Istanbul?

Istanbul is a coastal city with a unique location on two continents at the same time, which has left its mark on its subtropical climate. In the northern part of the city it is more humid, and even at the height of summer it is rather damp and rainy. Western - characterized by snowy and cold winters. The most favorable for recreation is the area of ​​the Golden Horn Bay, where the Mediterranean warm climate reigns. In general, the weather in Istanbul is very changeable even within one day, and in different areas cities can be completely different.

Prices for tours to Istanbul

The majestic and diverse Istanbul attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique location, developed infrastructure and a huge selection of educational excursions to historical monuments. And although the city is visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors all year round, the summer months are the most popular. The cost of a seven-day tour in 2015 at the height of the tourist season reaches 55-65 thousand rubles for two people with a flight from Moscow. This includes accommodation in 4-5 star hotels and breakfast. You can stay cheaper in 2-3 star hotels - the same ticket will cost 40-45 thousand rubles.

Save from 7 to 30% of the initial price of the tour to Istanbul will help the method early booking- redemption of the ticket a few months before departure. Haven't decided on a travel date yet? in a great way to reduce vacation expenses will be the purchase of a last-minute tour on the eve of the trip.

Types of recreation. Things to do?

Istanbul - a prime example how harmoniously a beach holiday can be combined with the busy bustle of a multi-million metropolis. Located on the two banks of the Bosphorus and washed by the Marmara and Black Seas, the city is inextricably linked throughout its history with the fleet and the sea.

beach holiday

Although Istanbul has a long coastline, the most comfortable and suitable areas for swimming are located in the regions of Jaddebostan and Fenerbahce. There is a very shallow depth and a gentle approach, and the water temperature is several degrees higher than in other areas of the resort. On the Black Sea coast best beaches are concentrated in the Sariyer region. The swimming season begins already in June, when the water reaches a comfortable +20°C. Marine zones offer a wide range of choices water activities: fishing, water skiing, diving, boat trips, etc.

Excursion tours to Istanbul are like a colored mosaic, the pictures of which change at a great speed, more and more surprising with beauty and luxury. Each district of the city is unusual, filled with unique charm and color. Tourists are waiting for the legendary Hagia Sophia, built in the era of the Byzantine Empire, the majestic Blue Mosque, the Church of Hagia Irene and the lively Grand Bazaar. They will be able to see the bewitchingly beautiful Basilica Cistern, the Maiden Tower - one of the symbols of the city, the most beautiful city ​​mosque Suleymaniye, as well as the real shrine of the Turks - the Eyup Sultan Mosque.

Shopping tours

Istanbul is a true Mecca of Eastern trade. Along with traditional bazaars and markets, the city has many modern shopping centers, where the products of the world's leading brands are presented. favorable prices. Luxurious Turkish carpets, bright, hand-painted ceramics, smoking pipes, copper mirrors and souvenirs, as well as sweets, spices and spices are popular with guests of the country. Turkey is famous for its inexpensive jewelry, textile and high quality leather products.

Beaches and their types

Istanbul provides a unique opportunity to plunge into the waters of two seas in one vacation. The beaches within the city are usually quite crowded, and, according to reviews seasoned tourists, it is better to go to the Asian coast of the Marmara Sea - to the Princes' Islands and Kadika, where there is everything you need for a quality beach holiday on the sandy beach. On the European coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara, the areas of Florya and Yesilköy are interesting, which can be reached by commuter train. On the Black Sea coast, beaches in Šile, Agva and Kilyos are especially popular.

Attractions

In terms of the number of attractions, Istanbul can compete with the largest European cities- Rome, Paris, Athens. Moreover, most architectural and historical monuments located within the city and accessible to everyone who is interested in oriental culture.

Blue Mosque

As a symbol of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque will captivate with its grace, luxury and grandeur. During its construction, the best examples of classical Ottoman and Byzantine architectural styles were used, and the chief architect was called a jeweler for a reason - the interiors of the mosque amaze the imagination with richness and beauty. Thanks to the use of white and blue paints for painting ceramic tiles, which decorate the building, it looks blue.

Topkapi Palace

The main residence of Turkish padishahs until the 19th century, today Topkapi Palace is one of the richest museums in the world. It is a grandiose complex of 700 thousand square meters. m., and during the time of Sultan Mehmed, only the attendants here numbered over 5 thousand people. Among the most famous expositions of the museum are a unique collection of porcelain, decorations of sultans and their wives, luxurious thrones made of valuable wood - more than 60 thousand exhibits in total.

Saint Sophie Cathedral

Hagia Sophia is a stunning example of Byzantine architecture, which was originally an Orthodox church. Its history goes back over a thousand years, during which the building was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. The magnificent Hagia Sophia reflects all the wealth and power of Byzantium, and the best architects of their time worked on its construction. The best materials were brought from all over the world, for which an amount equal to two annual budgets of the country was spent.

Dolmabahce Palace

The grandiose Dolmabahce Palace was erected in the 19th century by Sultan Abdul-Mejdid in order to compete in luxury and pomp with the best palaces of European rulers. He succeeded with brilliance, because more than 14 tons of gold alone were used to decorate the interior. The total area of ​​the premises is 4.5 hectares, and most of them are open to tourists.

Since the site has long dreamed of visiting Istanbul, the preparation of the trip was thoroughly approached: the guidebook and various Internet sources were read, all the friends who visited this city were interviewed, installed on the phone (on the laptop - just in case :)) and. Task: to grasp the immensity - to see and feel the long-awaited Istanbul in 4 days.

(Total 63 photos)

When planning their route around Istanbul, many people ask on thematic forums: how to see Istanbul in 3 days, but not standard, not top-10 places recommended by guidebooks? To which they receive an answer from experienced travelers - follow the “top-10”, you won’t be mistaken, there won’t be enough time for a closer acquaintance. It was from the iconic places of Istanbul that we started :).

1. Sultanahmed district. Blue Mosque. We got here the second time - the infidels are not allowed during prayer.

2. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, which gave the name to the whole area, very impressive from the outside, turned out to be very modest inside.

3. At the entrance, you can take bags with handles for shoes and, having removed them, go inside. At the exit, it is customary to give money to the temple.

4. Istanbul is called the city of cats. They are loved here, and cats are not at all scared. This is our first acquaintance, resting against the backdrop of the Blue Mosque. The horizon is littered (c) Cap.

5. Jump.

6. Sesame bagels - simit. Wherever you go, bagel vendors will follow you until you break down :).

7. Baths of Roksolana - the first double (male and female) hammam in Istanbul. Built in the 16th century, in the 19th century. the baths were abandoned, now, after restoration, they are functioning again.

8. Church of Divine Wisdom - Hagia Sophia. For over 900 years it has been Cathedral Constantinople, and when the city was taken by the Turks, the cathedral was turned into a mosque. Now it is a museum.

9. Inside the cathedral is amazing - with a modest appearance did not expect such luxury inside.

10. On huge round donkey-skin shields are sayings from the Koran and the names of the first Caliphs. Ataturk, turning Sofia from a mosque into a museum, ordered them to be removed, but immediately after his death, the shields were put back in place.

11. And here is the first application - not out of necessity, but out of interest :). Photograph an unfamiliar foreign word and get its translation. The dictionary is installed on the iPhone.

12. Fortunately, the Turks, having captured Sofia, did not destroy anything. They just added it, and the wrong one, according to the canons of Islam, was closed.

13. But we didn’t notice the cat. The trickster was encrypted at the lighting device - in order to capture him, he had to sacrifice the illumination of the interior.

14. According to legend, a priest hid in this column, who read the last liturgy before the Janissaries broke into the cathedral. If you insert your thumb into the hole and rotate it 360 degrees, your wish will come true.

15. Although Istanbul did not please us with the sun, it was warm.

16. Shoeshine at the Hippodrome. In fact, in the topography of the square, one can only guess the outlines of the Hippodrome, and one of their valuable decorations - the four horses - were taken away by the crusaders, and now these horses adorn the Cathedral of San Marco in Venice. But it’s better not to even talk to shoe shiners, unless you are afraid of being drawn into a long conversation, at the end of which you will have to fork out.

17. Egyptian obelisk - the very first and most ancient monument, was brought by order of Constantine the Great from Luxor. By the way, there are also dogs on the streets of the cat city :). The dogs live on the streets, but they are spayed and vaccinated against rabies, as evidenced by a special ear clip. So, if you were bitten by a dog with a clip in your ear, 40 injections (okay, it used to be, now 3 injections) do not threaten you.

18. The streets of Istanbul are simply dominated by the male population.

19. Doner. About smells, you can guess :).

20. Istiklal street. Istanbul is a very strange city - even walking with a map, we began to stray. They looked for the name of the street - they did not find it, they asked passers-by several times where Istiklal was - no one knows. It turned out we are going on it :).

21. Such loaders meet regularly.

22. Quite solid stone houses coexist with wooden structures, which are not clear at all how they still stand.

23. All sorts of sweets. Too bad we were after breakfast.

24. From Taksim Square to Tunel there is an old tram, a ride on which is already an adventure. The electronic ticket for it contrasts sharply with the wooden, rattling vehicle itself :). But it’s better to ride it back to Taksim Square, because it’s not difficult to walk uphill and downhill.

25. After Tunel Square, very interesting streets of the old Galata area begin. What they don’t sell here: old things, musical instruments, vinyl records, shoes, souvenirs.

26. Moreover, the shops are located, as it were, in microdistricts in the direction of trade. For example, shops with musical instruments will stand one after another, then shops with hand-made bags will begin, and then shops with prizes - cups, figurines can go.

27. Galata tower.

28. And most importantly, everyone is busy :).

29. View from the Galata tower. There is a restaurant at the top of the Galata Tower (spoken from high prices, but we don't know, haven't tried it) and an observation deck.

30. I wonder which photographer who visited Istanbul does not have such a photo? "Fishermen on the Galata Bridge" :).

31. Galata bridge and pier completed. Between the Egyptian Bazaar and the New Mosque, there is a market where they sell all kinds of living creatures - from seedlings and flowers to chickens and puppies.

32. Local Durimar sells real live leeches. People living in Istanbul don't know why?

33. Entrance to the Egyptian market, and, of course, men drinking tea.

34. Violets.

35. Previously, the Egyptian market was traded mainly in Indian spices, and it was named so because caravans from India went through Egypt.

36. Now they sell sweets and even jewelry here.

37. Pier with boats to the islands. Thank you, we don’t need to go there, otherwise we would sail in the wrong direction now :).

38. The next place from the top-10 is the Basilica Cistern - one of the largest and oldest underground reservoirs in Constantinople. It has 336 columns. The Basilica kept a reserve drinking water in the event of a drought or a siege of the city, water was delivered by water pipes and aqueducts from the sources of the Belgrade forest, located 19 km north of the city.

39. The guide says that the cistern was found by accident - to someone in the 16th century. it occurred to me to ask where the fish comes from, which the inhabitants who lived in this place caught right through the holes in the floor. We also saw fish - the tanker employees caught it in one compartment and transferred it to another.

40. Complete disregard of Byzantine builders for Greek mythology- Gorgon Medusa upside down. But she should be afraid...

41. The entrance to the Basilica was not immediately found - it is located on the other side of the street.

42. Trouble, sir.

43. Grand Bazaar. A huge indoor market, which is full of life, as if separate from the rest of the city. If you come here, it is difficult to leave before half a day: countless galleries, workshops, restaurants, mosques and even a bathhouse.

44. On the way to the hotel we saw a rally, however, with a drum and a pipe. To find out who is rallying, they used it, which recognizes and translates not by words, but by the entire text. The consumer protection association rallied.

45. Fish market near the Galata bridge. Here you can also fry freshly caught fish.

46. ​​As planned, we tried the famous Istanbul sandwich with mackerel - balik ekmek. Fresh fish, grilled right in front of you, in bread, with salad, onions and lemon juice - unrealistically delicious. It costs 4 lira, in fish restaurants on the bridge, more expensive.

47. But this young man, seeing that I was taking pictures, demanded to show him a portrait, pressed all the buttons in the camera, and, as a result, blocked his photo from deletion - “smart student” 🙂

48. View of the Sultanahmed area from the Galata Bridge.

49. The Suleymaniye Mosque stands on a hill above the Golden Horn, and they say it slowly slides into the bay. Very beautiful mosque, but the best view of it is not close, but from below. We see it on the right if we stand on the Galata Bridge.

50. Vefa district is considered one of the most authentic areas of Istanbul. There are many wooden houses of the old Ottoman buildings and religious schools.

51. The locals never refused us when we asked permission to take pictures.

52. If you turn off Yenicheriler Street, there will be a path through the cemetery, which leads to the tea garden, which is considered the best in the city.

53. Chamberlitash district.

54. Column of Constantine. Find a cat.

55. View of the Blue Mosque. For the sake of this view, they cleared several blocks and arranged a square.

56. In search of the Topkapi Palace, we again turned into the wrong lane and ended up in the palace around :).

57. Initially, the Topkapi Palace was created as an official residence for the administration of the empire. But during the time of Suleiman the Magnificent, concubines and wives migrated here.

58. Topkapi was the main palace Ottoman Empire for 400 years, and 25 sultans lived in it.

59. "Sinful love" of cypress and plane tree against the backdrop of the Harem.

60. Ahmed III Fountain - the largest in the city. It was interesting what kind of words were written under such a strict face: “Safety is the most important!!!”. Yes, we will not climb :).

61. Dolmabahce Palace - the largest residence of the Sultan on the Bosphorus. The courtyard moved here in the 19th century. from the Topkapı Palace, and later became the residence of Atatürk. Photography is not allowed in the palace, but it is definitely worth going here. All the interiors have been preserved, you can see how the courtyard and the harem lived.

62. And in the evening, to reward ourselves for a productive day, we came to a trusted restaurant that we were advised: appetizers, grilled squid, sea bass with shrimp sauce and lamb with eggplant puree with cream.

63. Well, iOs helped us figure out the menu, so this time, we didn’t order “for the boom” :).

In conclusion, we can say that we have fulfilled our maximum program. But how much is still unknown in Istanbul! And, of course, Istanbul is a city where you want to return and return. So stock up on ABBYY Lingvo, sneakers with thick soles (necessarily on thick ones - the old city is covered with paving stones, then your legs hurt very much :)) and go conquer Constantinople!

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Tours to Istanbul, Byzantium, Tsargrad, Constantinople

A unique city steeped in polar cultures, traditions and architectural styles, beautiful Istanbul is one of the most interesting on the planet. For my centuries of history the metropolis was the capital of several states. Each new government started a grandiose construction, each new era gave birth to its outstanding architects, and the architectural collection of the city was replenished with amazing monuments that can be seen during tours to Istanbul from Moscow.

He leads his chronicle from 658 BC. Then it was called Byzantium, and in Russian literature - Constantinople. At the turn of the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, it became part of the Roman Empire and became Constantinople. And after the capture in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed II, the city acquired its modern name - Istanbul. The capital of the Ottoman Empire, stretching from Algiers to Basra and from Budapest to Mecca, was the center of the entire Islamic world and gave impetus to the creative flourishing of Koji Mimar Sinan, the author of 360 magnificent mosques, madrasahs, palace complexes and other structures.

Today Istanbul is the most populous and shopping mall Turkey, which carefully preserves its museum treasures. They are located right under the open sky and generously give their beauty to all travelers who buy tours to Istanbul.

Treasures of three eras

Istanbul is the only city in the world connecting Europe and Asia. The European half of the city is cut by the Golden Horn Bay. Eminonu - the Old City - still breathes the Middle Ages today, which you can also feel during sightseeing tours to Istanbul in narrow streets and in ancient mosques. Beyoglu - New town- includes a commercial port area, as well as a business and Cultural Center. A smaller part of Istanbul is located on the Asian side - Uskudar. Communication between areas on different banks of the Bosphorus is carried out by means of ferries and bridges.

In the Sultanahmet area, the density of attractions exceeds all wildest expectations. Going on tours to Istanbul for the weekend, you are unlikely to have time to see even half. All three eras - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman - chose them as a place for the construction of luxurious buildings. The uniqueness of Hagia Sophia lies in the fact that it was originally built as a Christian temple, but after the conquest of Constantinople, it was supplemented with minarets, mosaics and panels with Arabic script, after which it turned into a mosque. Nearby is the Blue Mosque, open to tourists, the only religious Muslim building in the world with six minarets. Between them lies the area of ​​the ancient Hippodrome, and in a twenty-minute walk, the largest and one of the most ancient bazaars in the world, Kapala Charshi, rustles.

Istanbul tour operator "Vand" also advises you to visit the Topkapi Palace with a rare collection of treasures, the Church of St. areas. And be sure not to miss the opportunity to look at the historic city center from observation deck Galata Tower, which is located on the shores of the Golden Horn Bay.

ocean of entertainment

Before the holidays, many people think about where to spend these few free days. And then tours to Istanbul for 3 days become a real find. The absence of a visa, a short flight, a large selection of air carriers and hotels will also be nice bonuses.

Istanbul is a boring city in every way. So if you decide to buy tours to Istanbul for the New Year, you will have an ocean of opportunities to spend time in a way that will be remembered for a long time. For example, splash in the Aqua Marina and Aqua Dolphin water parks, admire the frolicking marine life in the Istanbul Dolphinarium or on representatives of the terrestrial fauna in the Baromoglu Zoo. At any time of the year, guests are invited by the Ice Museum - Magic Ice. You will pass a thematic route more than a kilometer long from the Black Sea to the Pacific Ocean in the Istanbul Aquarium, and you will see dinosaurs in the Jurassic Land Amusement Park.

You can spend your time in an unconventional way by fishing on the Galata bridge, taking a boat ride along the Bosphorus in the evening or wandering around Nevizade and Istiklal streets, where you will not only see a lot of interesting things, but also make a lot of bargain shopping. And by all means devote the evening to the study of Istanbul nightclubs, narghile and jazz cafes. It’s also a good idea to celebrate the New Year in Istanbul with a visit to the famous Turkish hammam.

Single topic in Istanbul history, these are the Princes' Islands, where they get on a sea ferry. Cars are prohibited here, so it is always quiet, clean and fresh. While relaxing in Istanbul, you can sunbathe here, rent a bicycle or ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

Discover and fall in love with this ancient and at the same time extraordinary modern city. In the metropolis from which the Christian faith came to us, at the junction of Europe and Asia, everyone will be able to sort out his soul and understand what remains a mystery for many forever.

This guide will help you navigate largest city- Istanbul for every tourist who visits this eastern city for the first time.

How to get to Istanbul on your own

Now it will not be difficult for a traveler to get to it on their own. Freely available are sold to Istanbul for any date. You can fly without transfers by aircraft of Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines, Transaero companies. It's cheaper to fly, but with a transfer you can on board airlines Air Moldova.

Insurance

Before you go on vacation, do not forget to take out travel insurance. You can do this without leaving your home, on the website of the insurance company. In addition to accidents, you can insure against the loss of luggage.

Where to stay in Istanbul

If you do not want to overpay for food in restaurants and want to avoid a huge crowd of tourists, then we recommend staying in one of the Istiklal Street area in Beyoglu. Here, mostly local residents relax and spend their free time in cafes and restaurants, so prices are lower than, for example, in the center. If you want to stay in close proximity to the main attractions, then we recommend that you choose the Sultanahmet area. Another one of the most popular places for accommodation are Aksaray and Laleli. If you are buying a tour, then the agent will most likely offer you accommodation in one of these areas.

Preparing for sightseeing

You will have to pay for the entrance to one or another attraction of Istanbul. In addition, you will have to stand in a long queue to buy a ticket. In order not to waste time that can be devoted to more enjoyable activities, we recommend that you prepare in advance and purchase a museum card - Museum Pass on the website muze.gov.tr/buy_e_ticket. The card allows you to visit the main museums of Istanbul once within 72 hours. Also, the card allows you to skip the line.

Getting Around Istanbul

If you plan to travel by metro and other public transport, consider buying transport card istanbulkart. You can buy it from a vending machine near the metro. Before departure, the card can be handed over and you will be refunded its value. To replenish the card, attach it to a special terminal and insert banknotes into the bill acceptor. Everything can be used.

The first day

After the suitcase is unpacked after the flight and accommodation in the hotel, you should not stay in the hotel room. Where better to immediately go to get acquainted with Istanbul!

The Sultanahmet Mosque deserves attention in the first place. It was built in the distant 17th century and has recently been restored. This mosque is also called the Blue Mosque. This name was fixed due to the fact that the tiles of the mosque are sky-blue. This building is truly majestic. Inside the mosque there are a huge number of windows through which the sun's rays penetrate. Reflecting from the blue tiles, they create the effect of an immense space. Despite the fact that thousands of Muslims and tourists come here, the mosques are quiet and calm. When planning to visit this place, there are a few things to consider. binding rules. It is forbidden to enter the mosque with shoes on. You must either leave it near the entrance, or put it in a specially designated place.

The fair sex is not allowed to enter with bare shoulders and without a headscarf. A mannequin, dressed according to all the canons of Islam, was even placed near the mosque. Throwing a cursory glance at him, it immediately becomes clear to tourists what they are supposed to wear. You can not make noise, eat inside the mosque. Taking photographs is allowed, but it is forbidden to direct the lens towards the worshipers.

Next, you should go to the Carpet Museum. It is located near the Blue Mosque, on the territory of the Hagia Sophia mosque. The museum has three galleries. Here are collected carpets woven back in the Ottoman Empire, carpets from various mosques, including from Sultanahmed. The collection also includes prayer rugs. After that, it would be nice to have a bite to eat somewhere or drink a cup of the famous Turkish coffee. You can do this in Taksim Square, which is the busiest and noisiest in Istanbul. There are many cafes and eateries, which are constantly inhabited by a myriad of visitors.

Keep in mind that the choice of a place for a snack should be taken carefully. Take the time to read reviews and recommendations on sites like TripAdvisor or Foursquare first. In dubious cafes, you can easily become a victim of scammers and dishonest owners of establishments. For example, ordering food and drinks from the menu at one price, they will be included in the bill at a different, higher price. When asked to bring a menu for comparison, you will be provided with another one that you have never seen before. Therefore, since you have wandered into an unfamiliar place, do not be too lazy to take a picture of the menu on your phone or tablet. Another option for "divorcing" tourists is to bring food and drinks that you did not order. They can be very expensive. We recommend that you immediately refuse them if you did not order them to the waiter.

Walking along the square, you can’t help but walk along Istiklal Street. You can walk or ride the tram. There is no transport on the street, as it is pedestrian. Here you can also go to famous stores: H&M, Mango, Adidas. Why waste time and a great opportunity to buy a quality item? There are bookstores on Istiklal Street where you can find many useful and interesting books. There are also sellers of musical masterpieces and novelties. It will not be superfluous to look into the cinema - you can have a good time watching a movie. Gourmets in Istiklal are always waiting for cozy cafes and restaurants. Here you are happy to offer dishes of Italian, Chinese and even Ottoman cuisine. The chance to try something unusual should not be missed in any case. Here you can even go to concert hall or in art gallery! As they say, anything for your money.

Istiklal is a kind of Arbat. Throughout this street you can find various temples and embassies. Istiklal is full of life around the clock. Rallies and protests are taking place on the street. Football fans watch in the evening sports events and celebrate the victories of their team in a big way. At night, you will not meet anyone here!

Second day

Today you should definitely look at the "Istanbul Strait" - the Bosphorus. It conditionally divides Europe and Asia. It is used by large and small ships from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. To swim along the Bosphorus, it is enough to take a pleasure boat at the Galata Bridge. Tourists can look at bridges, fortresses, and a fish market during a water tour. If you don't have the time or desire to ride a pleasure boat, you can pay for a short tour. Its duration is two hours. During this time, you can get acquainted with the main views of Istanbul from the water expanses. If there is a financial constraint, then there is no better option than to take a ferry, sail on it to the Asian side and return to Istanbul. The waters of the Bosphorus can be admired, of course, standing on the shore. Time flies by here. At any time of the day, it remains an attractive place for connoisseurs of beauty. Either the sunset is reflected in the water surface as if in a transparent mirror, then fog rises above the water, enveloping the entire water surface like a fluffy blanket, then sea vessels appear sailing from afar. You can admire the Bosphorus for a very long time.

After enjoying the magnificence of the Bosphorus, you can look into the fish restaurant Sultanahmet. Here you can taste freshly prepared fish. The menu is not very extensive, but the taste of the dishes is amazing. In the evening, they arrange a fire show right next to the tables. The interior of the restaurant is memorable: the designers have added details with a marine theme to it. The walls are decorated with marine instruments, models of ships. And the ceiling generally deserves a separate discussion. There are so many lanterns hanging on it that it is difficult to count them. In the evening, they all glow, thereby creating coziness and a wonderful fairy-tale mood.

In the afternoon you can go to the Istanbul Dolphinarium. If children travel with their parents, then the trip here should be in entertainment program at the first place. The dolphinarium has seven pools, where trained dolphins, white whales, seals and walruses perform. Here you can even pay for a dolphin therapy session. Its duration is 10 minutes. Children and adults will be wildly delighted with such a pastime. The Dolphinarium is located on the shores of the Golden Horn Bay.

Views of marine life can be continued in the Turkuza Zoo aquarium. By total area it is one of the largest aquariums in Europe. Here you can meet the many inhabitants sea ​​depths. A walk through the tunnel 80 meters long will leave an indelible impression in the memory of every visitor to the aquarium. What kind of fish and sea creatures you will not see here!

In the evening it would be nice to go to a kebab shop. For example, in Zinhan Kebap House. From its windows overlooking the Spice Market. You can see ships heading towards the Golden Horn Bay. In the evenings, the panorama fascinates with its splendor: burning lights are reflected on the water of the bay, sailing ships flicker like moths in the dark. To all this, you can add excellent food and live music. Kebab here can be tasted from several varieties of meat.

Day three

Start the day with a tour of the unique architectural structures. These are the Galata Tower and the Galata Bridge. You can enter the tower in two directions: passing through the tunnel or along the path of Galip Dede street. The tower is the symbol of Istanbul. The entrance to it is located near the Galata Bridge. It consists of two levels. On the top floor there is transport, and on the bottom there are restaurants and shops. The top floor also sells fresh fish.

Then you can look at the high building in all - the Istanbul Sapphire skyscraper. The viewing terrace is open from 10 am to 10 pm. The first floor of the skyscraper is a shopaholics dream. There are enough shops and boutiques here to spend all the money you earn. On other floors there is a golf course, a swimming pool. Great for inclement weather active rest. There is also parking here. And in the 4D cinema they will offer to look at Istanbul from a bird's eye view. Flying on a non-existent helicopter will bring a lot of positive emotions. At night, if you wish, you can visit night club. There are more than enough of such establishments in Istanbul.

Day four

This day should start with a trip to Hagia Sophia. The church was built in the sixth century. On its dome stood an Orthodox cross. Later, the church became a mosque, minarets were added to it. Some time later, it was turned into a museum. Entering Hagia Sophia, one gets the impression that one is not in a bulky building, but in a light and weightless creation of inhuman hands. It was originally planned that the church would be like an immense space. Hence the special atmosphere here. Thanks to the numerous windows, light enters the building and creates a wonderful glowing effect. Initially, the windows were larger in size. The Turks laid some of them with stone. At the entrance, you must be prepared for the fact that the guards will conduct a thorough inspection (as at the airport).

Another attraction of Istanbul is Gulhane Park. Landscape designers did their best. It is very cozy and calm here. Many beautiful roses grow in the park, a fountain of stunning beauty works. Walking along the shady alleys and bridges will not hurt any tourist who has come to Istanbul.

If you follow the guide, you won't have to rack your brains about what to do in a far eastern country. There are many places in Istanbul that will surprise you with their splendor.