Istanbul is a well of wonders both for locals and tourists. We got really curious and asked our followers on Twitter where they love the most in Istanbul. Take a look at their responses below, join the conversation on Twitter (www.twitter.com/tgistanbul), and share with us where “your place” in the city is.

Winda_Gulnaz: “Beyoğlu - istiklal caddesi - nostaljik tramvay”

The tram on İstiklal Caddesi (Istiklal Street) is as functional as it is nostalgic. For more information on how to get around the city, click here.

Alison__Ramsey: “Shopping on bağdat caddesi”

The heart of shopping on the Asian side is definitely Bağdat Caddesi (Bağdat Street), especially the Şaşkınbakkalareaand Suadiye. The same goes for Nişantaşıon the European side.

Gokceagsu: “I would say cihangir for sure”

We all love Cihangir - it’s even listed on The Guardian as one of the top 5 cities to live in the world. Curious much? Check out our neighborhood profile of Cihangir to learn more.

Lauren_Manuel: “The blue mosque, Aya Sofia, ferry over Bosphorus, Buyukada Island.”

Sultan Ahmet Camii (The Blue Mosque) and Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia) are must-see sights for all first-time visitors of Istanbul. But there is more to seeSultanahmetother than The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.Unlike the buzzing Sultanahmet area, Büyükadais a calm island that serves as a perfect getaway from the city. For the past few years, it’s been attracting a steady stream of tourists, too.

Deryakitapci: “Galata and the Cafe at Istanbul Modern - #breathtaking”

A must-do in Istanbul is to gaze at the city from the top of the Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower). Read about our neighborhood review to discover more about the Galata area. And next time you’re at the Istanbul Modern Café, make sure you discover the hidden spots in Karaköy.

DTriantaphyllou: “Cihangir of course and walking from there to Cibali via the Galata Bridge and through the sokaks after Eminonu...in the snow.”

The city is even more beautiful in the snow, and there are a lot that you can enjoy during the wintertime like drinking traditional Turkish drinks (salep and boza) or enjoying a bowl of delicious soup.

CoralieNicolao: “Fener for the authenticity and çamlıca for the amazing view”

If you like authentic neighborhoods, check out Samatya on the European Side.

SuzetteVanDelay: “Bosphorus!”

You can take a trip up the Bosphorus with a ferry, yacht, cruise, or even with Sultan Kayıkları (Sultan Boats) just like the ones that Ottoman Sultans used to travel with.

Auberbergine: “The view of the city from over the bridge!”

The view over the bridge is indeed unprecedented. Why not enjoy it with a glass of bubbly in a limo?

Semsiistanbul: “Kalamis to Caddebostan coast; good for a walk with my dog.”

Do you know what else is great on the coastal road? Outdoor sports! Running, bicycling, swimming, windsurfing…

Dilapa: “Getting lost in the mysterious charm of the basilica cistern, the bohemian feel of Galata and running along the Bosphorus!”

Mystery indeed! Yerebatan Sarnıcı (The Basilica Cistern) is a must-see on a visit to Istanbul. For more on what to see on your next trip, check out our list of the TOP 7 must-see sightsin Istanbul.

Serayulucankanb: “I was happy with everything, I love Istanbul.”

Who doesn’t love Istanbul? It’s a magic cityafter all.

On the other side of Istanbul, located between a busy street and the city’s largest cemetery, is one of the city’s newest and most talked about mosques. Completed in 2009, the Şakirin Mosque was built in memory of Ibrahim and Semiha Şakir by their children. The mosque’s name is obviously a reflection of the family name but it also has the literal meaning in Arabic of “those who are thankful (to God).” What makes this mosque unlike any other in the country is that the interior design team was led by a woman – Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu – who also happens to be the Şakirs’ grand-niece.

Fadıllıoğlu was already internationally renowned before this project for her interior design work in homes, hotels, shops, nightclubs, and restaurants, but this was her first time working on a religious structure. She consulted art historians and theologians throughout the project, and the result is a blend of influences from past and present, East and West. With the help of her team of designers and artists, she has created a truly remarkable contemporary space for worship.

The first impression you have upon entering the mosque is one of light and open space and elegance. Even the women’s area, which is usually a small closed-off area in traditional mosques, is a spacious balcony separated from the rest of the space only by criss-crossing rails to allow the women at prayer a view of the stunning chandelier. This was an important feature for Fadıllıoğlu, who said she had women in mind when designing the mosque. The large asymmetrical chandelier is covered in small suspended glass globes shaped like drops of water. The design references a prayer that Allah’s light should fall on worshippers like rain. The rings of the chandelier also have the 99 names of God written on them. The large windows on three sides of the prayer hall allow sunlight to filter in and are inscribed with gold designs that make them look like pages from the Qur’an. The gracefully curving minbar is made of cream-colored acrylic and is covered with an elegant design of leaves and carnations that represents the universe and looks like calligraphy from a distance. The prominent mihrab is a vibrant turquoise and gold, and was inspired, like the wrought iron grills on the windows, by historical Selçuk patterns. Even the pale, hand-knotted camel-hair carpet is alluring in its simplicity.

The outside of the mosque is no less innovative. Its sleek, metallic form and dark grey stones complement and contrast with the light and space inside. Architect Hüsrev Tayla, who worked on the massive Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara, designed a single dome of aluminum composite flanked by two narrow minarets. In the courtyard is a stylish fountain by British designer William Pye, which consists of a metal sphere that reflects the mosque from every angle and is said to represent the universe.

The neighborhood of Zeynep Kamil in Üsküdar, where this mosque is located, is outside of the usual tourist areas, but it is not difficult to find and is worth the effort. This mosque is unique and beautiful, and in a part of the city that many people don’t see. Istanbul has a glorious past, but it is not just a piece of history. It is a modern, dynamic, changing city and this mosque is evidence of the wonders that are still to come here. It is only appropriate, then, that the plaque at the entrance to the mosque notes that it is dedicated to Ibrahim and Semiha Şakir and to “their beloved Istanbul.” Şakirin Mosque;Nuhkuyusu Caddesi No.2 Karacaahmet Mezarlık Girişi, Üsküdar

How to Get There

This mosque is located directly across the street from the Zeynep Kamil Hastanesi bus stop on one of the main roads that run from Üsküdar to Kadıköy. Take the 12A bus from either direction and you will reach it easily. Alternatively, it's a fairly short taxi ride from either Üsküdar or Kadıköy.

The 19^thcentury French poet and writer Alphonse de Lamartine wrote, “If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze at Istanbul.” It’s not hard to imagine he was gazing at the iconic skyline of Seraglio Point and the Golden Horn, with its breathtaking panorama of domes and minarets, when that thought came to his mind.

With nearly 3,000 mosques, Istanbul has more mosques than any other city in the world. And no matter where you go in the city, from the historical quarters to the posh downtown shopping and business districts or the extravagant and wealthy suburbs, you will hear the call to prayer cutting through the daily traffic noise and punctuating the pace of life. Although the most famous mosques are concentrated in the historic areas of the city and are pieces of history themselves (600 of the city’s mosques date back to the Ottoman period), the erection of beautiful and divine new mosques in Istanbul continues to make history.

Set amidst some of the most impressive mosques in Eminönü, it would be easy to overlook this little mosque with its lone minaret, but that would be a mistake. Find the narrow entrance on Hasırcılar Caddesi and wind your way up the steps to the surprisingly spacious terrace courtyard. Like many mosques of its time, the Rüstem Paşa Mosque was not built at street level. It was built above the vaulted shops and market stalls that supported its upkeep. Some things haven’t changed much since it was completed in 1563, and the mosque is still surrounded by shops and salesmen plying their trade in Hasırcılar Çarşısı (the Basket Weavers’ Market) although the range of products available today is a bit more varied. Despite its location in the heart of this bustling community, once you step into the mosque you will be amazed at the beautiful and tranquil atmosphere inside.

Rüstem Paşa, for whom the mosque is named, was a grand vizier and prime minister in the court of Süleyman the Magnificent (Sultan Süleyman I). He was also married to Süleyman’s only daughter, Mihrimah, who oversaw the construction of the mosque as a memorial after her husband’s death. Theirs was a marriage that very nearly didn’t happen. Rüstem Paşa’s competitors for the hand of Mihrimah spread rumors that he had leprosy, which would have made him a most unsuitable groom. However, when the palace doctors examined him they found him to be infested with lice. Medical wisdom at the time held that lice never touched lepers. Thus Rüstem and Mihrimah were able to marry, and he gained the nickname “The Louse of Fortune” (Kehle-i Ikbal) after the Turkish saying that for a lucky man, even a louse can bring him more good fortune. And Rüstem Paşa was a fortunate man indeed; he became one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the empire, and his name lives on with this stunning mosque.

Mihrimah hired the empire’s greatest architect to build her husband’s memorial. Mimar Sinan (Sinan the Architect) had been appointed chief architect of Istanbul by Süleyman the Magnificent in 1538. His most famous work, the Süleymaniye Mosque, which houses the tombs of both Süleyman and Mihrimah, sits on the hill just above the lesser known Rüstem Paşa Mosque. The Süleymaniye Mosque, which is the largest mosque in the city, is a testament to Mimar Sinan’s ability to build glorious structures on a monumental scale. Rüstem Paşa Mosque, by contrast, demonstrates Sinan’s genius and artistry for elevating a small edifice to sublime stature.

Rüstem Paşa Mosque has a floor plan that consists of an octagon within a rectangle, with a large center dome supported by four smaller semi-domes and thick octagonal columns. When you enter the mosque the first thing you notice is the vivid array of colors. The walls, the columns, the mihrab, and some of the exterior facades are all covered in Iznik tiles produced at the height of Iznik’s popularity. The tiles of this period are characterized by a startlingly white background, against which the vibrant colors are brilliantly offset. Red was the most difficult color to achieve and therefore the most highly sought after. Rüstem Paşa Mosque is resplendent with this rare color, which is echoed in the red carpet covering the floor. The tile patterns are geometric and floral. Throughout the mosque, stylized tulips, roses, and carnations appear in recurring patterns. In fact, more than forty different variations of the tulip motif can be found within this mosque.

Other important features in the mosque are the mihraband the minbar. The mihrab, a semi-circular niche that shows the direction of Mecca, is an example of classic Ottoman architecture, whose upper part consists of characteristic decorative stalactites surrounded by the refined Izniktile designs. The minbaris the staircase and raised platform at the front of the mosque from which sermons are given. In Rüstem Paşa, it is intricately carved marble set against tiles decorated with the tree of life and covered with a pointed roof. Unfortunately, it is not possible to climb to the upper galleries to see the tiles there, which include patterns and motifs not seen anywhere else in the mosque.

Despite its small size, this is one of the most impressive Ottoman mosques in Istanbul, and one that most of the big crowds of tourists bypass. It is worth the little bit of extra energy required to find this slightly-hidden treasure, especially since you will be able to explore Mimar Sinan’s showpiece in peace and at leisure.

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Rüstem Paşa Mosque; Hasırcılar Çarşısı; Eminönü

How to Get There

From the main square in Eminönü, walk up the street that runs along the right side ofSpice Bazaar. Follow your nose up this sidestreet to the delicious smell of roasting coffee coming fromKurukahveci Mehmet Efendi. Turn right and follow the street (Hasırcılar Caddesi) for about two minutes. The entrance to the mosque is on the right in an unassuming stone doorway with a very simple plaque between two shops.

To get to Little Hagia Sophia, start from the Arasta Bazaar on the opposite side of the Sultanahmet Mosque from the Hippodrome (i.e. the southwest corner of the mosque.) You'll find yourself at the beginning of a street called Küçük Ayasofya Caddesi. Simply walk westward on this street till you get to Little Hagia Sophia. (If you see a suburban banliyö train whizz by, you’ll know you’re on the right street – the train tracks run within a stone’s throw of the mosque.)

Many a tourist in Istanbul has experienced “mosque-fatigue.” This common but preventablecondition is usually the result of visiting too many mosques in too little time, without first educating oneself about their distinguishing architectural features—the very things that make a visit to a mosque rewarding and stimulating.

The Küçük Aya Sofya Camii, or Little Hagia Sophia Mosque, just west of Cankurtaran, is not the only mosque or ex-mosque in Istanbul to have once been a Christian church. The same is true of the Arap Camii in Karaköy, and of course of the larger and more famous Hagia Sophia itself, now a museum. (The Church of the Chora likewise underwent the same transition from church to mosque to museum.) Nonetheless, the fact that Little Hagia Sophia is still a working mosque makes the visible remnants of its Byzantine heritage all the more striking.

Like the Sokollu Mehmet Paşa Camii around the corner in Kadırga, Little Hagia Sophia is still relatively unknown to foreigners. Lying slightly off the beaten tourist track, in a working-class neighborhood known as Küçük Ayasofya Mahallesi, the mosque reached its nadir in the early-to-mid nineties, when the grounds were in such a poor state that a local newspaper complained about the beer cans and other refuse lying around the courtyard. Since then, extensive restorations have taken place, and Little Hagia Sophia is now open to both worshipers and visitors.

A small sign at the entrance to the mosque grounds tells the story of Little Hagia Sophia – formerly known as the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus – in both Turkish and English. According to the sign, in the early 6th century Byzantine Empire the young Justinian (later to become emperor and build the larger Hagia Sophia) was going to be put to death for participating in a revolt against his uncle, the Emperor Justin. (More authoritative scholarly sources identify the emperor in question as Anastasius, Justin’s predecessor.) St. Sergius and St. Bacchus then appeared to the emperor in a dream, urging him to spare Justinian’s life. In gratitude, Justinian built the church, dedicated to the two saints, shortly after becoming emperor himself in 527.

Your first cluethat this was originally a Byzantine church is the material of which it is built. While most Ottoman mosques are built out of stone, Little Hagia Sophia is made of a mixture of brick and mortar in which (as often in Byzantine churches) the long thin bricks seem to serve as dividers for the mortar rather than vice versa. Unlike Hagia Sophia’s circular dome, that of Little Hagia Sophia resembles a shallow inverted soup bowl with a flared rim. Next to the mosque is a low, squat minaret; there is a tomb on the left, plus a small Ottoman-era graveyard running around the rear of the building.

Those who have visited the Sultanahmet Mosque as tourists will find the protocol far more relaxed here – if you come just after the ezan has sounded, simply wait 5-10 minutes on the benches in front, till the small number of worshippers exit.

Once you enter through the domed portico, you’ll also be struck by the simplicity of the interior. Whatever its original state in the 6^th century (which, to judge from the comments of the Byzantine historian Procopius, was apparently as dazzling as the mosaics of the larger Hagia Sophia), the interior surface of Little Hagia Sophia is mostly – save for the designs above the vaults, and around the windows – a plain white. Small circular paintings on the sections of the dome are emblazoned with the names of Allah, Muhammad, and the first caliphs, in standard fashion.

There are two things in particular that make Little Hagia Sophia unique among Istanbul mosques. The first is the seven pairs of beautiful columns both on the main floor and on the gallery (there are also two extra, asymmetrically placed columns on the lower level, and four above.) The shafts of the columns are made of maculated colored marble; the white capitals are even more distinctive, with perfunctory Ionic scrolls beneath elaborately carved floral patterns, from a distance somehow resembling pebbles hollowed out by sea worms or mollusks.

Another, perhaps less obvious, feature is the dedicatory inscription to St. Sergius in Greek running along the entablature of the columns. In contrast with the mosque’s brightly-colored Arabic calligraphy, this low-relief inscription, made of the same white marble as its entablature, would be easy to miss on a cursory visit to Little Hagia Sophia.

The presence of this inscription is, when you think about it, incredible. Four to five times a day, a group of worshipers perform Muslim prayers in Little Hagia Sophia – while above their heads runs a still-legible dedication to a Christian saint.Though it would be too facile to tout this as an example of Turkish religious tolerance, such a juxtaposition could nonetheless serve as a symbol of Anatolian civilization over the past few millennia: a Turco-Islamic overlay above a Hellenic-Christian past.

In front of the mosque there is a courtyard, in the center of which is fountain for ritual ablutions. The courtyard is surrounded by small cells that originally served as dervish lodges, then as a medrese (religious school), and now house artisans and second-hand booksellers. Here you can buy handmade ceramics, as well as exquisite original Ottoman-era illuminated manuscripts.

If you are not operating under severe time constraints, or if you have already seen the major sights of Istanbul and want to visit somewhere off the beaten path, a visit to Little Hagia Sophia is strongly recommended.

The Grand Bazaar is 30,700 square meters with over 60 streets and alleys and 4,000 shops. It was completed in the 15th century after Sultan Mehmet II conquered Istanbul. The bazaar’s two main entrances are Beyazıt and Nuruosmaniye. Shops sell a wide range of products, including jewelry, carpets, leather, ceramics, copper & brass, hand-woven textiles, and much much more! There are several nice cafés and restaurants where you can take a break from shopping.

Address: Beyazıt Meydanı, Beyazıt

Phone: (0212) 522 31 73; (0212) 519 12 48

Open: Monday – Saturday, 8:30am – 7:00pm;Sunday, closed

*The bazaar is closed on 29 October (Republic Day) and the first days of Ramadan (Ramazan Bayramı) and Sacrifice Feast (Kurban Bayramı) holidays.

Dolmabahçe Sarayı (Dolmabahçe Palace)

This magnificent palace served as the Ottoman’s administrative center and Sultan’s residence from 1856 to 1922. It was built when Abdülmecid I decided that Topkapı Palace was a little passé and what he needed was a more European, state of the art residence. There are Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical influences strongly evident in the design of the palace.

Address: Dolmabahçe Caddesi, Beşiktaş

Phone: (0212) 236 90 00

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 9:00am – 4:00pm;Monday and Thursday, closed

Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapı Palace)

The first and most famous of the Ottoman Sultans’ residences and administrative centers, Topkapı was built in 1478 and was in use for approximately 400 years of the 624 years of Ottoman rule. The palace is now open for public viewing and contains Islamic relics, such as the cloak of the Prophet and, as such, is something of a place of pilgrimage, although most visitors are just as interested in the magnificent architecture and the Haremlik (Women’s Quarters), which are definitely worth the extra admission fee. Set aside at least half a day for a full tour.

Address: Sultanahmet

Phone: (0212) 512 04 80

Open: Wednesday – Monday, 9:00am – 5:00pm;Tuesday, closed

Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Basilica Cistern)

The largest and most famous of the many underground cisterns in Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern was built in the 6th century under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great. The cistern is the size of a cathedral, holding 80,000 cubic meters of water and is reached by descending 52 stairs. The most remarkable features are the two giant Medusa heads, which serve as column bases. One of the heads is upside down and the other rotated on its side; some believe that this type of positioning of the Medusa heads was meant to negate the power of the Medusa’s deadly stare.

Address: Yerebatan Caddesi No.13, Sultanahmet

Phone: (0212) 522 12 59

Open: Monday – Sunday, 9:00am – 6:00pm

Mısır Çarşısı (Egyptian or Spice Bazaar)

Built in 1660, the Egyptian Bazaar is the second largest bazaar in Istanbul after the Grand Bazaar and is almost as overwhelming, with an extraordinary array of spices, sweets, dried fruits and nuts, teas and coffees and, bizarrely, aphrodisiac mixtures. The bazaar was called the Egyptian Bazaar because most of the imported spices came from Egypt during the Ottoman period.

Address: Eminönü Meydanı,Eminönü

Open: Monday – Saturday, 8:30am – 6:30pm;Sunday, closed

Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower)

Built in 1348 on the peak of the city walls around the Genoese colony, the Galata Tower is one of Istanbul’s most striking landmarks. The top section of the tower has been demolished on numerous occasions during fires, earthquakes, and storms. The existing top section was built in 1967. In the past, the tower was used as a warehouse for a shipyard, a prison, and a fire tower. Today, the 12-story structure is a tourist site that affords a wonderful panoramic view of the city, both across the Golden Horn and up the Bosphorus. On a clear day you can see as far as the Princes’ Islands, and the tower also has a café and restaurant where you can enjoy the view over a meal or Turkish coffee. The tower is located in the central, artsy area of Galata, which is worth a trip in itself, and easily reached from Taksim and the base of the Galata Bridge.

Address: Galata Kulesi Sokak, Şişhane

Phone: (0212) 293 81 80

Open: Monday – Sunday, 9:00am – 8:00pm

Haydarpaşa Tren Garı (Haydarpaşa Railway Station)

Located on the Asian side of the city, the Haydarpaşa Railway Station is a major hub of transport in Istanbul, and is indeed the largest and busiest rail terminal in the Middle East. The main building was constructed in 1906 and it is an imposing edifice, and a familiar sight on the Asian waterfront of the Bosphorus. Having survived a fire in 1917, the station has been extensively restored and has regained its Orient-Express-era charm with its stained glass, wood paneling, and gigantic chandeliers.

Address: Rasimpaşa Mahallesi, Kadıköy

Phone: (0216) 336 20 63;(0216) 336 04 75

Close to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia is a remarkable structure with a patchwork history. It was originally built as an Orthodox patriarchal basilica in the 5th century AD. It was taken over by the Ottomans upon their capture of Istanbul (then called Constantinople) in 1453 and converted into a mosque. Finally, it was converted into a museum by the Republic of Turkey in 1935. The museum now contains holy relics and extraordinary examples of iconography. Definitely a must see for anyone remotely interested in history.

Address: Alemdar Caddesi, Sultanahmet

Phone: (0212) 522 17 50 – 522 09 89

Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00am – 4:30pm; Monday, closed

Büyük Saray Mozaikleri Müzesi (The Great Palace Mosaic Museum)

This museum is situated just off Sultanahmet Square and houses the mosaics uncovered from the remains of the Great Palace of Constantinople, which was redone during the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian I in around 550. The museum is situated near the site itself, and the mosaics, which formed the peristyle courtyard, are reproduced in the form that they would have appeared in the courtyard.

Address: Arasta Çarşısı, Sultanahmet

Phone: (0212) 518 12 05

Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00am – 4:30pm; Monday, closed

Pera Müzesi (The Pera Museum)

Founded in 2005 by the Suna and Inan Kıraç Foundation, the museum is housed in the former Bristol Hotel, which was constructed in 1893. The museum has three permanent collections: Orientalist Painting, Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics, and Anatolian Weights and Measures, although most visitors come for the excellent temporary exhibitions, which have included Botero and Kahlo-Diego in the past. The Orientalist Painting exhibition, which features Osman Hamdi’s “The Tortoise Trainer”, is the most famous permanent exhibition.

Address: Meşrutiyet Caddesi No.65, Tepebaşı

Phone: (0212) 334 99 00

Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00am – 7:00pm; Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm; Monday, closed

*The museum is closed on New Year’s Day and the first days of Ramadan (Ramazan Bayramı) and Sacrifice Feast (Kurban Bayramı) holidays.

Arkeoloji Müzesi (The Archeological Museum)

Located near the Topkapı Palace, on what used to be the grounds of the outer parks of the palace,The Archeological Museum was founded in 1891.The museum includes sculptures from the Ancient Age, artifacts from various ages that were excavated in Istanbul, and much more. One of the most famous pieces of the museum is a sarcophagus that is believed to have been prepared for Alexander the Great.

Address: Istanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri Alemdar Cad. Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu Sk, Sultanahmet

Phone: (0212) 520 77 40 - 41

Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00am – 5:00pm; Monday, closed

*Hours of Ticket Sale: 9:00am – 4:00pm

Istanbul Modern Sanat Müzesi (Istanbul Museum of Modern Art)

Founded in 2004 in a converted warehouse in Tophane by the Bosphorus, the museum is the first of its kind in Istanbul, and mainly features the works of up-and-coming Turkish artists. It has a permanent exhibition and a restaurant on the top floor, and several temporary exhibitions housed on the ground floor. In the past, the temporary exhibitions have included solo and group exhibitions (for example, “Armenian Architects of Istanbul”) as well as conceptually-themed exhibitions.

Address: Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. Liman Işletmeleri Sahası Antrepo No:4, Karaköy

Phone: (0212) 334 73 00

Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 10.00am – 6.00pm; Thursday, 10.00am – 8.00pm; Monday, closed

*The Museum is closed on New Year’s Day and on the first day of religious holidays.

Türk ve Islam Eserleri Müzesi (Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum)

Built in 1524, the museum is housed in the former palace of Ibrahim Paşa, the grand vizier to Süleyman the Magnificent. The museum exhibits various examples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles and rugs, as well as ethnographic displays, including recreated rooms of Turkic groups and displays of nomadic artifacts.

Address: At Meydanı No. 46, Sultanahmet Kızılay Meydanı Parkı, Küçük Piyale MhKızılay Meydanı Parkı, Küçük Piyale Mh

Phone: (0212) 518 18 05

Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:30am – 4:30pm; Monday, closed

Sabancı Üniversitesi Sakıp Sabancı Müzesi (The Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum)

This world famous museum, housed in an old Ottoman mansion, used to be the private summer house of the Sabancı family until it was converted into a museum in 2002. It is most famous for its temporary exhibitions, which included the works of Picasso, Dali, and Rubin. The permanent exhibitions include examples of Islamic art, especially calligraphic, and old state and religious documents from the Ottoman Empire, as well as porcelain, furniture, and artworks from further afield.

Address: Sakıp Sabancı Cad. No: 42, Emirgan

Phone: (0212) 277 22 00

Open: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,and Sunday, 10:00am – 06:00pm; Wednesday, 10:00am – 8:00pm; Monday, closed.

*The last tickets are sold30 minutesprior to the museum’s closing time.

**The museum is closed on New Year’s Day and the first days of Ramadan (Ramazan Bayramı) and Sacrifice Feast (Kurban Bayramı) holidays.

Kariye Müzesi (The Chora Museum)

The Chora Museum is rather like the Hagia Sophia: the museum was built as a Byzantine church in the 6th century and was later converted to a mosque by the Ottomans in the 16th century before being converted to a museum by the Republic of Turkey in the 1940s. It is considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture, and contains many impressive mosaics and frescoes from all periods of its chequered history.

Address: Kariye Camii Sokak No. 29, Edirnekapı

Phone: (0212) 631 92 41; (0212) 522 09 89

Open: Thursday – Tuesday, 9:00am – 4:30pm; Wednesday, closed

Rezan Has Müzesi (Rezan Has Museum)

Rezan Has Museum is part of the Kadir Has University, which was converted from an old tobacco factory. The main attractions of the museum are a Byzantine cistern, a rare structure that is worth a visit, and the ruins of an Ottoman-era hamam (Turkish bath), both contained on the museum’s site. Temporary exhibitions constantly come and go, keeping the focus fresh and allowing for more variety. Past exhibitions have included works of painting, ceramics, and photography (to name a few).

Address: Kadir Has Üniversitesi, Cibali

Phone: (0212) 533 65 32

Open: Monday – Sunday, 9:00am – 6:00pm

*The museum is closed on New Year’s Day and public holidays.

Sadberk Hanım Müzesi (Sadberk Hanım Museum)

Founded in 1980 by the Koç family, Sadberk Hanım Museum is Turkey’s first private museum. Initially, the museum was housed in a 19th-century yalı (Turkish-style waterfront mansion), but was later expanded and now includes the 20th-century yalı next door. The museum showcases over 18,000 pieces including archeological remains from the Byzantine era, Islamic works from the Ottoman era, rare collections of ceramics, silks, and artworks from Central and Far East Asia. It is an overlooked museum but definitely worth a visit, particularly as it is constantly being updated by the family purchases from auctions across the world.

Address: Büyükdere Piyasa Cad. No: 27- 29, Sarıyer

Phone: (0212) 242 38 13 -14

Open: Monday – Tuesday, 10:00am – 5:00pm; Thursday – Sunday, 10:00am – 5:00pm; Wednesday, closed

*The museum is closed on New Year’s Day and the first day of religious holidays.