Shahd Alhamdan

Saudi Gazette



If you’re confused between travelling to Asia or Europe for a one-week break, Istanbul is your best choice since it is the bridge city between the two continents. If it’s your first time in Istanbul, it is preferable to stay in a hotel near old Istanbul. Nixon, a three-star hotel in the Kabatash area is a budget hotel in the European Bosphorus and it’s close to several interesting places such as Ahmed district and the Spice Market. You don’t have to worry about transportation since there is a tram in front of the hotel. For people who prefer luxury hotels, Kempinski hotel, originally an Ottoman palace called “Curagan Palace”, which means life spreading, is a great option..







Day 1



For the first day, visit Topkapi in Sultan Ahmed since it’s the largest palace in Istanbul that was turned into a museum in 1924. The palace is a complex surrounded by 5 km of walls and occupies an area of 700,000 sq. m at the tip of the historical peninsula. Several Sultans lived in this classical example of Turkish palace architecture. Each Sultan developed the palace by adding or altering rooms or departments such as the famous Sultan Suleiman who most people know from MBC’s Turkish series “The Sultan’s Harem”.



In the palace you will find an area for the administrative affairs, the council of ministers meeting room, the treasury area, many courtyards, Haramlik, Salamlik, mosques , the hall that hold the hair of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and other rooms. Visitors will need at least five hours to finish a complete tour of the palace, after which they can have a snack in the palace cafe. After this small tour, explore Sultan Ahmed’s district small shops.



In the evening having dinner in Nusrat restaurant would be a great choice. The restaurant does not have a menu and it serves more than three orders of meat with salad and potatoes. For dessert, you get to experience the true taste of Turkish delight including ice cream.



Day 2



On the second day, after a short walk next to the Bosphuros, visit Dolmabahçe. Sultan Abdul Majed took this location and decided to move from Topkapi Palace, so he would be able to provide modern luxuries that Topkapi lacked. When Turkey became a republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk occupied a small room in the palace when he used to visit Istanbul.



 He also died in this room. As a result, it became a strategic palace for tourists. The palace is divided into Haramlik and Salamlik. After finishing the tour in the palace, visit The Dolmabahce Mosque which was commissioned by queen mother Bezmi Alem Valide Sultan. In the afternoon, take a tour around Istanbul on the Bosphorus by ferry.



In the evening, go to Ulus area where the famous Ulus 29 restaurant and Ulus Park are located. You also try Panorama café’s special Turkish tea or coffee while enjoying the view.



Day 3



On the third, buy a ferry ticket to visit one of the Prince islands. There are around 5 islands that you can choose from but the biggest one is Buyukada. During the Byzantine period, princes and other royalty were exiled on the islands, and later, members of the Ottoman sultans’ family were exiled on the same islands as well. Once on the island, you can find many restaurants that serve “Manti” Turkish dish and “kazandabi” Turkish delights.







Day 4



On the fourth day, visit the “ Yeni Cami” meaning the New Mosque then visit the spice market or “the Egyptian market”. The market is part of the Mosque complex. It was constructed in the 1660s with rents from the shops going to support the upkeep of the mosque and its charitable activities. It was called the Egyptian Market because it was famous for selling goods shipped in from Cairo. After you finish shopping in this market, you can eat at one of the oldest Turkish restaurants next to the market named “Hamdi”.



In the evening, go to Ortakoy area where you can find several cafes and small shops and eat Turkish fries, which the location is famous for.



Day 5



By now, you have become somewhat familiar with the beautiful city in Istanbul. A city that is rich with culture, history and good food.

Continuing your trip, on the fifth day you can visit Istanbul modern museum to see many paintings and short documentaries from Turkish and foreign artists. When you finish, visit the Sulimanya Mosque and Complex, which is perched on one of the seven hills of Istanbul. It was completed in 7 years (1550-57). The complex includes five schools, kitchens and mass hall, now a restaurant for groups, a caravansary with stables, a hospital, hamams, and a cemetery. The great sultan Suliman is buried in an elaborate tomb on the grounds next to his wife. And finally, head to the Bebek area for dinner where you can find several high-end restaurants.





Day 6



Just one more day until your trip is over. But how can you go to Istanbul without visiting the famous Hagia Sophia, which has also been called “the Eighth Wonder of the World” by East Roman Philon as far back as the 6th century. The current Hagia Sophia is the third construction, done in a different architectural style, even though it occupies the same location as the previous two. The original building was constructed in the period (527-565), under the order of Emperor Justinianos.



It was used as a church for 916 years but following the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Hagia Sophia was converted into mosque. Afterwards, it was used as a mosque for 482 years. In 1935, it became a museum. Moreover, you can visit The Basilica Cistern. It is a place where water was stored. You will also find the wish pool were visitors throw coins after wishing to Medusa heads that are seemingly staring back at you. Both heads are casually used as column bases; one positioned upside down, the other tilted to the side. Their origin remains a mystery till this very day although rumour has it that they were recycled from an antique building of the late Roman period.



After leaving the palace, have lunch in one of the Turkish restaurants in Sultan Ahmed. Yildiz palace or the Star Palace could be visited in one day too.  It was built in 1880 by the Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II after he left Dolmabahçe because he feared a seaside attack on the palace. It contains several sarayas, yet most of the sarayas are under construction except one and the theatre. After finishing your exploration journey to historical palaces, visit the park next to the palace and relax for a while. In the evening you can have dinner in the Oriented house and watch their show.





Day 7



On the last day, go to the Grand bazaar where you will find many Turkish products and souvenirs to take back home. A holiday would not be complete without a break for a massage. After all that walking and exploring, go to Aya Sofya Hamam and try the Turkish Spa and Hamam. In the evening, go to Isteklal Street in Taksim and eat semit. Your holiday ends here, but you will go back home with so many souvenirs, photos and stories to tell.