Three Great Things to do in Istanbul

There is a place for everybody in the city of Istanbul. For those who love to shop, the Grand Bazaar is the place to be. But take note; be ready with your pen and notebook, calculator and your haggling skills. You are definitely going to use them when you go to the many stores there. Over 5,000 stores are found in the Grand Bazaar so if you plan to do some shopping there, you need to spend at least three hours there. This is because there are other stores who sell the same kind of product but at different prices.

It is important that you take down the shop, its location and how much the product costs because if you can’t find any other shop that sells something at a cheaper price, you won’t have any problems locating it. For a bit of information, there are five gates going to the Grand Bazaar and each gate leads to different shops like Rabia Hani that sells carpets and there are other stores that sell coats, garments, souvenirs and so many others.

If you ever feel hungry, the Grand Bazaar also has restaurants and kiosks where you can take a break from all the shopping you have done. You can have a cup of coffee at Sark Kahvesi or at Ic Cebeci Hani where you can taste some of their yummy kebabs or play a game of cards.

A lot of Istanbul’s history can also be found in one of its most sacred places: the Hagia Sophia. Back in the old days, it was a basilica and thousands of years later, it was made into a mosque by their conqueror, Sultan Mehmed. To preserve some works of art that it has accumulated over the years, they plastered over these Christian symbolisms which made the Hagia Sophia one large museum.

Those interested in art, especially those that focus around religion would be happy to come to this place because there are holy relics all over the place. Wherever you look inside and outside, the Hagia Sophia will give you a glimpse of history, art and culture all at the same time.

If you want to be in a place that has almost everything you need, then hop on the Tram, or a bus, and journey on to Taksim Square. Here you, you can find classy hotels that you might like to spend a night and there are cheaper and more affordable hotels as well. Taksim Square is brimming with cafes, shops and restaurants perfect for tourists who wants to experience the day and night life in the city of Istanbul.

Taksim Square is also frequented by many people because the Monument of the Republic is located here. This 36-foot statue was built to commemorate the formation of the Turkish Republic in the year 1923. This historical is always frequented by tourists from all over the world and even locals visit just to remember their rich history. Indeed, Istanbul is not only a place of leisurely activities, but it can give you a lot about its history and culture.
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