· Haghia Sofia: Dating from the sixth century, originally a basilica constructed for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. A masterwork of Roman engineering, the huge 30 m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The basilica was looted in 1204 during the fourth Crusade, and became a mosque in the 15th century when the minarets were added. It was turned into a museum in 1930's.
· Topkapi Palace: The imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for three centuries. Lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. In the second court in the entrance to the Harem (admission extra) and the State Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The third court has the Imperial Treasury. The views from the Fourth Court over the Bosphoros are spectacular.
· Sultanahmet Mosque (aka Blue Mosque): With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultanahmet or 'Blue' Mosque impresses from the outside.
· Basilica Cistern: It doesn't sound like much, but this giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege, and later consacrated as a basilica, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Istanbul. A wooden walkway winds between the pillars, and lights and piped music add to the eerie atmosphere.
· Galata Whirling Dervish Hall: A dancing hall of the mystical Mevlevi order, shut down in 1925 along with all other 'reactionary' movements in Turkey. Today the building houses the Museum of Divan Literature.
· The Museum of Archeology: A must see! One of the best, including a great collection of Sumerian tablets!
· Dolmabahce Palace: See the Ottoman Palace centered close to Taksim at the Dolmabahce shore. Build on 110.000 meter square ground with 285 rooms and 43 halls where the Ottoman empire was administered in the last 150 years.
· Grand Bazaar: Istanbul's grand old bazaar with an estimated 4400 shops lined along covered walkways. It is said to be the world's oldest shopping mall, covers several blocks and features a labrynth of side streets to keep you lost for the better part of a day. The shops seem organized around their wares, e.g. the silver jewlers are clustered together, the carpet shops are clustered elsewhere and the shoe shops are bunched together somewhere else.
· Miniaturk: Istanbul has a new Maquette park which has began to operate as of April 23rd,2003. The mini Turkey park called Miniaturk and have mini models of old ottoman architectural works in Turkey. On miniaturk Turkey's rich historical and cultural heritage is being displayed with their maquettes.
· Chora Church is the most interesting Byzantine church after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The importance of the church does not come from the building itself , the frescoes and the mosaics are superb and reflect the magnificent heritage of Byzantine Art.
· Hippodrome: The square in front of the Blue Mosque covers the site of the ancient " Hippodrome ", one of the most famous areas in Byzantine Constantinople. There are various monuments in Hippodrome Area. The most attractive one is the "Egyptian Obelisk".
· Galata Tower: Galata Tower has dominated Beyoglu skyline since 1348 and still offers the best panoramic views of the city. Until the 1960s Galata tower was a fire lookout tower. Now the upper floors hold an uninteresting restaurant-nightclub, and a panorama balcony.
Skyscrapers of Istanbul