Top Destinations in Istanbul (Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar and more…)

Istanbul contains within its borders sights and sounds that are frozen in time. The people have managed to capture the grandeur of their rich history. My time in Istanbul was short lived, but I managed to visit places like Topkapi Palace, the Column of Constantine, the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, and the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Fortunately, all these aforementioned sites were located on the European side approximately two miles from my hotel and were within walking distance of each other. 

I included photographs of the must-see historical sites. The ones listed below are all located within walking distance (if you like to walk) of each other which makes for an exhausting but rewarding one-day experience. If I was to do it over again, I would break it up into three days or more because Topkapi Palace by itself is an experience that should be not be rushed. This also goes for the Grand Bazaar which is a sprawling maze of markets and other interactive buying experiences that takes at minimum one day to explore. 

Topkapi Palace

It is difficult to write a short summary of Topkapi Palace. The place feels haunted (in a good way) by the sultans, servants, guards, and concubines who resided there for centuries. As I strolled through the immaculately kept grounds, I was able to day dream about what life was like because every part of the Palace was open to exploration.

The war room contained an immense array of weaponry which challenged all my prior perceptions of war fare during that time period. Swords double the size of grown men hung on the walls, massive spears and halberds dangled dangerously within arm’s reach, maces designed to bludgeon men to death, ancient firearms, and a vast array of armor allowed my modern day imagination to consider what it must have been like to march into battle.

The kitchen showcased the imagination and innovation needed to feed the immense of people housed on the campus and contained thousands of pieces of pottery and utensils reflecting the unique cultural identity. The perimeter walkways and battlements held sweeping views of the bay which were accentuated by a cool summer breeze blowing off the calm ocean waters. The harem/concubine area of the palace was fascinating to explore because all hallways seemed to lead to the sultans main waiting room. Once inside the expansive waiting room, I observed a large throne with an obscured entryway to the sultans bedroom! In addition, the walls were covered in complex and ornate designs which were constant reminders of the talented artisans who made their homes in the palace. For a book worm like me, I found the library to be most interesting because there was a prioritization for ensuring those who pursued philosophy and educational endeavors had a place to comfortably study within the palace walls. 

Column of Constantine

The Column of Constantine was a stark reminder of Istanbul’s might and majesty during a tumultuous time in European history. The Turkish people were able to disengage this massive artifice from its moorings in Rome and transported the column to Istanbul where it still stands today. This was truly a sight to see and touch!

Grand Bazaar 

Where do I begin with the Grand Bazaar? I thought Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand was overwhelming, and then the Grand Bazaar came along and blew away all my preconceptions of what could be built. It is a sprawling covered marketplace with entranceways that have welcomed visitors for centuries. When we arrived, I could feel the ancient stonework throbbing with an electric energy. We passed through the archway and were confronted by a young street urchin who seemed to be straight out of a Jason Bourne movie. He offered to “show” us around and for some reason we said, “Yes.” One of my friends told him he wanted to buy a suit and from there our adventure began. The boy of no more than 13 years of age guided down an alleyway which led to a stairway descending down into a three-story underground market. My friend stayed and tried on suits while we continued through the back alleys passing small prayer rooms, old men smoking and drinking tea, and gawking at the ancient dilapidated housing built around the expansive complex. Eventually, we found ourselves on the roof of the Grand Bazaar. Don’t ask me how we got there because my sense of direction had been swallowed up by the overwhelming sights, sounds, and smells bombarding me at every twist and turn. Our young guide took us to a tailor and instructed us to sit and have tea while we awaited our friend to return with his suit. We were treated to Turkish tea and a variety of interactions which bordered on controlled insanity. Eventually, our friend concluded his suit purchase and we made our safely out of the Grand Bazaar with an experience that I will never forget. 

Blue Mosque (Under construction) and Hagia Sophia Mosque

If religious sites are your thing, please pass “Go” on the Istanbul monopoly board and go directly to the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Their beauty, majesty, and grandeur are second to none.