In recent years, prices in Istanbul have increased significantly. The high level of inflation, the depreciation of the Turkish lira – all this could not but be reflected. Istanbul is no longer as cheap for travelers as it was a few years ago. The rise in prices also affected tourists: prices in cafes and restaurants have increased, and the cost of tickets to museums and palaces changes annually. So, from April 1, prices for state museums have again been increased by 100%, and the cost of a tourist museum card for 5 days has increased from 700 liras to 1,750.
1. The former Byzantine monastery of Pantocrator, and now the Molla Zeyrek mosque.
All mosques in Istanbul are free, and there are about 3 thousand of them. Using them you can study Ottoman art in ceramic tile paintings, architecture of different periods, and the Byzantine past.
This same mosque, a former Byzantine monastery, in my opinion is worth special attention. The second largest monument of the Byzantine period, after Hagia Sophia. By the way, there are plenty of hotels near this place, and we recommend using the services of trusted carriers, such as KiwiTaxi.com who can take you from the airport to your hotel or vice versa.
Construction of the monastery began in 1118 and continued until 1136. It was a whole complex consisting of a church, library, shelter, hospital and several underground cisterns.
Only the main temple, consisting of three parts, has survived to this day in its entirety. The very first southern church, the northern church, dedicated to Our Lady of Eleusa (“Tenderness”) and the part connecting the two churches, which is the tomb of the Komnenos dynasty. One of the emperors of the Palaiologan dynasty was buried in this same part.
2. Grand Bazaar, also known as Kapaly Charshi.
This is one of the most visited attractions in Istanbul. It’s definitely worth coming here. Just not for shopping, because prices have long been aimed at tourists and are several times inflated.
It’s worth coming here for impressions. This is almost an entire city, with an area of 30 thousand square meters with more than 60 streets. Mehmet the conqueror began building the Grand Bazaar almost immediately after capturing the city. The center of the market was the Internal Bedestan, which had existed since Byzantine times. You can spend the whole day here wandering through the labyrinth of streets. You can find an area of antique shops and hang out there, looking at antiques. You can study the old khans (caravanserais), which served as hotels for merchants coming from other lands. Now in some khans there are shops and workshops, for example in Zincirli Khan, or cafes, like in Sarraf Khan.
3. Sirkeci Station and Turkish Railway Museum.
You can easily find this place, in the thick of the historical center, next to the exit from the Marmaray station of the same name. Many people know about the station and come here for atmospheric photos. Once upon a time, the Orient Express arrived at this station and brought its elegant, aristocratic audience. Now trains don’t come here. But you can sit in a cafe, take atmospheric photos, or look into the waiting room. You can also rent a hotel for a night or more using Istanbul airport transfer, to get to your hotel as quickly and comfortably as possible.
And also take a look at the free railway museum, which is located in one of the rooms of the station. The museum room is small but has a surprisingly large number of items on display. There are costumes for employees, household items for 1st class passengers, photographs, documents, and road signs. You can be stuck for a long time studying it all.
4. Yoros Fortress in Anadolu Kavay.
A great option to escape on a sunny day, tired of the noise and crowds. To begin with, you will have a one-and-a-half-hour ferry ride. With seagulls, tea and the shores of the Bosphorus in the background. City ferries in this direction are available from the Eminönü, Uskudar, and Besiktas piers. You need to choose a route that goes to the Anadolu Kava stop. No need to take a Bosphorus tour or other organized walks. A regular city route with payment by Istanbul cards will be sufficient.
You swim to this station and then you need to climb up the mountain (20-30 minutes). Along the way, you will have amazing views of the Bosphorus and the green hills of the Beykoz region. On the mountain you will find the ruins of the Yoros fortress.
The ruins are not fenced in any way. After going through this hole, you will find yourself inside the fortress.
The first fortress on this site appeared in pre-Byzantine times; the Greeks and Phoenicians used it for trade and defensive purposes. Then there was a Byzantine fortress, also built for defense. For some time it was owned by the Genoese, which is why it is sometimes called Genoese. Then it was captured by the Ottomans. Now the fortress remains in ruins, but still majestic. And the atmosphere is complemented by views of the Third Bosphorus Bridge and the Black Sea beyond.
5. Underground cistern in the Nakkash carpet store.
Of course, everyone knows and strives to get into the Basilica Cistern, the largest and most popular in Istanbul. But if you want to save money and don’t want to stand in a kilometer-long line at the entrance, you can go to the free tank, which is located nearby. It is no less interesting, and the lack of crowds of people will be an additional bonus.
You just need to find the large carpet store Nakkaş, which is located near Sultanahmet Square, if you move from it towards the Küçük Hagia Sophia mosque (not to be confused with the main Hagia Sophia, which is in the opposite direction). Find a store and feel free to go inside, ask the employees at the entrance about the tank and they will point you to the stairs leading down.
Most likely you will be alone in the tank. They don’t come here often.
In the cistern, there is an exhibition dedicated to the Byzantine hippodrome and the monuments that were located on it. You can still see some of them in Sultanahmet Square.
The cistern is smaller than the Basilica, but still impressive. Plus inside there is an interesting exhibition about the Byzantine hippodrome. And yes, do not pay attention to the announcement at the entrance to the store that you need to sign up to visit the tank. I came several times, and always without an appointment. And they always let me in without any problems.
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