What to Do in Topkapi Palace: Tours & Attractions

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, or Shrine of the Holy Wisdom of God, was built in 537 AD under the direction of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, and with the exception of 1204-1261, served as an Eastern Orthodox basilica up until the fall of Constantinople in 1453, when the new Ottoman ruler turned it into a mosque. It was later secularized and opened as a museum in 1935. Although the exterior is a sight to behold, it's the jaw-dropping view of the massive dome from the inside that demands your undivided attention. The building is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture, and held the title of largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years - until the completion of Seville Cathedral in the early 16th century.

Grand Bazaar

With 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops selling everything from bracelets to lanterns, carpets to leather goods, the Grand Bazaar is not to be missed - if not for the shopping, then for the sheer spectacle of the venue itself. Either way you won't be disappointed. For those intent on picking up a souvenir or two, keep in mind that, in anticipation of a lower offer vendors often start the bidding quite high, so you might want to learn the basics of bargaining before attempting a purchase. Once you've completed the transaction try out the local fare at one of the many restaurants located inside the bazaar.

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, fuses Byzantine elements from neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture. Built on the site of the former Byzantine palace under the direction of Sultan Ahmet I, the mosque was meant to symbolize Ottoman supremacy at a time when cracks in the armor were beginning to show. Unique features include six minarets - only one other mosque in Turkey has as many - and the iznik-style blue tiles that lend the mosque its name. The Blue Mosque is closed to visitors during prayers, which take place five times a day, each session for 90 minutes, so plan your visit carefully! Head to the park facing the mosque at dusk to hear the call to evening prayers and see the mosque lit up by colored floodlights.