5 top attractions in Istanbul with free walking tours? Hagia Sophia is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It was once a church and a mosque but is now one of the most visited museums in the world. For 916 years it was a church and then following the conquest of the Sultan Mehmed, it was converted into a mosque and remained so for 482 years. In 1935 it was converted into a museum and visitors can enter daily to see the mosaics, calligraphy, tiles and Sultan’s lodge.
Going on a scenic all-day cruise of the Bosphorus is one of Istanbul’s greatest pleasures according to many. They’re right. Sehir Hatlari is Istanbul’s official ferry company and offers three Bosphorus Cruises — Full, Short, and Moonlight (Evening). The Short Cruise takes you on a two-hour loop while the Full and Moonlight Cruises last for six hours and take you all the way to Anadolu Kavagi, which is the last dock before the Black Sea. It’s a charming seaside town where you can have a delicious seafood lunch or dinner by the water. Check out my post on the Bosphorus Cruise with Sehir Hatlari for more pictures and information.
Emirgan Park is one of the biggest public parks in Istanbul, covering some 117 acres (47 hectares) and surrounded by a high wall. The land was once covered with cypress trees, and the estate passed through many owners over the years, eventually becoming available to the public in the 1940s. Filled with many plant and flower species, the pleasant park has two ornamental ponds and three beautiful mansions. A popular recreational spot, there are jogging tracks, walking trails, and places to eat and drink. Take a stroll around the extensive park, seeing the wide array of pretty flora. Trees in the park include pine, cedar, beech, ash, spruce, and willow. The plants attract plenty of birds and insects. Don’t miss seeing the tulips in full bloom if you visit in the spring. Keep fit on the running tracks, relax alongside the ponds, enjoy a picnic, and let kids run and play in the wide open spaces. Discover a few more info at Free walking tour Istanbul.
In Eminonu neighborhood of Istanbul, near the Topkapi Palace, you can find the complex of The Istanbul Archaeology Museums, one of the most famous Istanbul points of interest. The museum consists of three buildings; each of them houses different theme of collections. The first one is the Museum of the Ancient Orient. This part of the museum displays pre Islamic artifacts obtained during the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. The second part of the museum is the Archaeology Museum. You can see traditional statues and sarcophagi in this part of the museum. The last part of the Istanbul Archeology Museums is the Tiled Pavilion. Mehmet The Conqueror ordered the construction of this pavilion back in 1472.
We believe all travelers, regardless of their budget is, should have an opportunity to feel and embrace what Istanbul offers and we also believe that the fee a trip should relate with your budget and how much you loved it. For this reason, all our free Istanbul Walking Tours are operated with a “Pay-What-You-Feel” base, hence everybody can book it and still prefer to contribute what they believed it was worth at the end of the walking tour if they wish to. Our guided walking tours of Istanbul feature something for everyone’s needs. Explore even more details on https://www.freeistanbultours.com/.