Istanbul: minarets and bazaars

Istanbul, with the beautiful sharp line of delicate minarets and onion-shaped domes, is the city of fantastic palaces decorated with treasures gained in the numerous wars of the Ottoman period. 

In the magnificent Grand Bazaar, which has hundreds of feet of covered passages, thousands of shops and shining stands, visitors can really understand the roots of this city, an important place of trade with foreign countries. Here you can get lost for hours, and if you are prepared to negotiate well, you can find many offers of colored carpets, sapphires, rubies or emeralds.

Below the Bazaar, the waters of the Golden Horn are cut by the Galata bridge which connects the old city with the new one. But talking about Istanbul, new means at least one century old.

However, the former capital of the two important empires Byzantine and Ottoman, Istanbul has an impressive history and monuments that offer breathtaking views. The promontory known today as Sultanahmet was built during centuries by emperors and sultans, its walls surrounding disappeared palaces and some of the first Christian religious settlements. Now, among the many archaeological treasures, you can explore the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the ruins of the great hippodrome used for chariot racing.

For accommodation you can choose one of the many cozy and cheap hotels in Istanbul.