Traveling in Istanbul: What to do?

You want to visit Istanbul and have a fantastic time. This city is lovely and has a lot to offer. This stunning and magical Turkish city, which connects Europe and Asia, has wonderful attractions such as ancient Byzantium, which is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and the third most populated, so you can understand the difficulty of choosing what to visit.

This article will give you some recommendations of what places to visit during your trip.

##Hagia Sophia, the former Byzantine Cathedral and Mosque

The Hagia Sophia is an ancient Byzantine cathedral that later became a mosque. Today, it is the main tourist attraction in Istanbul and Turkey. In 1935, it was converted into a museum, and in the last two decades, millions of tourists have visited it. Its mosaics, history, and exemplary architecture made it a World Heritage Site in 1985.

##The Blue Mosque, one of the most famous mosques in the world.

With its 6 minarets, this destination is one of the most famous mosques in the world. Built in 1609, it stands out for its 20,000 handmade tiles. The entrance is free and accessible for anyone outside prayer hours. It is separated from Hagia Sophia by the famous Hippodrome of Constantinople, of which today only the space, some fragments, and two imposing obelisks are preserved.

##Topkapi Palace, a former imperial palace

A must-see is this former imperial palace, dating from 1465 to 1853. Today it is an ideal museum to learn about the life of the ancient sultans. Its harem and fascinating treasure have made it world-famous.

##The Dolmabahçe Palace

The second most important of the city. It is here that the sultans moved their activity after leaving Topkapi. With a European style, this place is known, among other things, for having been the last residence and place of death of the revered Atatürk, founder and first president of modern Turkey.

##The Grand Bazaar, one of the largest bazaars in the world

This destination is considered the largest and most famous bazaar in the world. More than 50 streets and 3,600 stores make this impressive covered bazaar, where hundreds of tourists search for bargains every day. It has not ceased since 1461. Here you will find spices, teas, sweets, etc.

##The Suleiman Mosque, one of the most populated in the country

It is the largest in the city and one of the most famous sights on postcards and photos of the city. Like the vast majority, it is freely visited outside of prayer times, with the precaution of going barefoot.

##The Bosphorus Cruise, a unique experience

This classic excursion is one of those things to do in Istanbul on a first visit. The cruises, which provide good panoramic views of the city, depart from the Galata Bridge at the end of the Golden Horn and can go along the Bosphorus Strait to the vicinity of the Black Sea.

The conventional cruise takes 3 hours and has 3 departure times.

##Other information about Turkey tourism

If you want to travel to Turkey, you probably need a visa. You can learn more about the visa requirements and what to do thanks to **iVisa.com**. In addition, they will provide an expert to give you the best advice to plan your trip.

If you want to visit Turkey, you must apply for a Tourist Visa. You can get one of two types of visa with **iVisa.com**. The Single or the Multiple-Entry visa, both are valid for 30 to 90 days of stay within 180 days.

Also, if you plan on traveling to Turkey, remember that unvaccinated travelers must present a negative RT-PCR or antigen test result 72 hours for RT-PCR or 48 hours for antigen test before leaving.

Travelers who have received all the required vaccinations or have proof of a negative COVID-19 test do not need to go through quarantine.

Start your trip with **iVisa.com**! Please find more information in their [Turkey Visa for U.S. Citizens (Cost and Requirements)] blog post.

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