ISTANBUL FOR FREE
Istanbul is one of the best cities in the world where you can enjoy exploring if it is just for one day. And going around the city doesn't necessarily requires you to spend much for you to have a pleasant time.
If you plan to stay in Istanbul for a day or two, consider finding an accommodation around Sultanahmet, it is here where most of the important landmarks are located. It is the cultural area of Istanbul where historical landmarks are just walking distance from each other.
So here are some of the attractions where you can spend a day visiting them without hurting your pocket.
Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
The most recognizable and iconic landmark of Istanbul, where it is visible in all corners of the city. It was built by Sultan Ahmet to rival Hagia Sofiya. It has impressive interiors as the domes were filled with thousands of blue tile mosaic. The windows were intricately designed and adorned with tiles. It was called Blue mosque not because the domes were in blue color but rather the blue tiles inside that decorates its interiors.
There is no entrance fee here but you need to observe some silence because this is a mosque. Once you enter inside, you are requested to remove your shoes and put them on plastic bags which are provided because the whole floor is carpeted. Women should cover their heads with turbans and are not allowed to wear shorts and miniskirts as this is a Muslim place. Maximum time to spend is 2-3 hours. Opens daily from 9 am to 6 pm and during prayer time visitors are requested to go outside as they close it.
Hippodrome
This famous landmark at the center of Sultanahmet area was the center of Byzantine civic life, according to a travel guide, it was built in 203 by Emperor Septimus Severus. If you are on a guided tour, mostly, this is the first place to be visited on your itinerary before proceeding to other places.
This area was a former chariot-racing site and you will see two obelisks that came from Egypt. The Hippodrome was the center of Byzantium's life for 1000 years and of Ottoman life for another 400 years and has been the scene of countless political dramas. Re-landscaped in more recent years, it is one of the city's most popular rendezvous and promenades.
The whole place is clean and very safe; you can feed the doves, play with the dogs or just enjoy the ambiance. No entrance fee as it is a public park; time to spend is 1-hour maximum.
Arasta Bazaar
The Arasta Bazaar is a tidy market street in the heart of Sultanahmet’s historic district. This modest bazaar was built in the 17th century by savvy Ottoman officials. Today the street caters to tourists with their wooden-facade shops filled with carpets, mock-Ottoman artifacts. The shops in the bazaar offer everything from jewelry, carpets, souvenirs, ceramics, and more.
Galata Bridge
This is a lively bridge linking Beyoglu to the historic section of town. It has two levels. The lower one is lined with restaurants while the upper one is for traffic and an incredible number of fishermen. It is a great vantage point to watch the maritime traffic and admire some of the Golden Horn landmarks. Here you can walk along the bridge watching some fishermen or enjoy the scenic view of the Bosphorus while watching the ferries crossing.
Egyptian Spice Bazaar
Around 500 meters from Galata Bridge, the market's Turkish name, the Mısır Çarşısı (Egyptian Market), references the fact that the building was initially endowed with taxes levied on goods imported from Egypt. Here you can find stalls selling dried herbs, honey, nuts and dried fruits.
The Suleymaniye Mosque
Although not as impressive as the Blue Mosque, but still worth visiting. The interiors are just the same as Blue mosque but less grandiose. Same guidelines once you enter inside, you have to remove your shoes and put them on plastic bags. Women have to cover their heads and a proper dress code is strictly observed; no miniskirts and shorts.
The only difference of this mosque is that there is a small cemetery inside and some tombs which are closed by the way so you just have to peek at the doors. At the backside, you will have a view of the Bosphorus also. Since nothing much to see, at least 1 hour is already okay just to take some pictures and see what’s inside. There are no entrance fees and it is open daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm, it is closed only during prayer time
The Grand Bazaar
After seeing Suleymaniye Mosque, have some time for shopping, since Grand Bazaar is just next to it around 500 meters. Actually, you have the option of going first to Grand Bazaar then to the mosque since they are just a small distance away, but I prefer doing a shop later because I don’t want to bring some pieces of stuff while visiting the mosque, either way, you have the option.
From its approximately four thousand shops, your eyes will feast on a lot of things. From carpets to lamps; to porcelain, to jewelry, name it, almost everything is there! It is the biggest covered market in Turkey with 60 entrances.
The place is huge even a lot of tourists are there, clean and well-guarded, so I guess it is safe. Make sure you know how to bargain as the prices are quite high.
I just spent there for like one hour, enough to see the whole place. But if you want to check each store, probably you will spend for 2 hours more. No entrance fee and the market is closed every Sunday.
Istiklal Caddesi
Perhaps the busiest street in Istanbul, Istiklal Caddesi is the shopping district of the city where most of the high-end stores are located. It is situated at the Europe side called Beyoglu, Istiklal Caddesi is home to various restaurants, cafes, and bars. This could be the entertainment district of Istanbul where lots of yuppies lived there.
If you walk straight along the street you will find yourself at the Taksim Square which is the end of Istiklal street. Here you can ride the tramvia lumbering alongside the street which is functioning very well.
Roaming around Istanbul is very easy, as long as you read directions you won’t find yourself getting lost. If you are into long walks, this place is perfect for you. You don’t need to take a taxi, all you need is to take the metro that will take you to some landmarks.
Taking the metro is the quickest and most convenient way to reach some tourist spots as the traffic is very heavy. It will just cost you 3TL no matter how far the distance.
As for my experience, these are places you can visit when you don't want to spend a lot in Istanbul. So your goal of see more and spend less is quite doable in this city!
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