Exploring Istanbul: A Brief Guide to the Vibrant City

No matter what decade or century it is, Istanbul has always been an interesting place on the global map. The city has lived for centuries and seen it all but still stands tall among its neighboring cities. The city acts as a gateway between East and West. Roam around with the chauffeur service Istanbul and you will witness the most beautiful amalgam of Western and Asian cultures. 

The vibe of the city is vibrant, subtle, religious, and whatnot. So, when in the city, here are a few things to do. Do not forget to book your airport transfer Istanbul to escape the waiting time for a taxi. 

1. Visit Hagia Sophia

Start your day by visiting Hagia Sophia. Your Istanbul chauffeur service can arrange the ride for you. The construction of this structure took place somewhere in the 6th century and at that time it was the largest and most important cathedral in the world. Later in the 15th century, after being conquered by Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Along with holding religious importance, it’s also an architectural marvel of Byzantine architecture and art. You can gaze at its walls for hours admiring its beauty. It’s open 7 days a week, so getting an entry won't be a problem. Just arrive a little early to escape the crowd. Your Limousine service Istanbul can guide you about the right time to visit. 

2. Go to the Topkapi Palace

If you want to get a glimpse of how the sultans used to live, you have to visit the Topkapi Palace with Istanbul limousine service. There are huge rooms, chambers, weapons, artifacts, and other luxury items on display. The sultans loved their luxurious lifestyle and so you will find objects like Japanese porcelains and silver and copper kitchenware. The place was inhabited for over 400 years and during this time, it went through many renovations, each adding to its charm. The mosaic, wall art, hammam, every bit of it is worth visiting. You can reach there by booking an Istanbul airport transfer. 

3. Shop at the Grand Bazaar

There isn’t a market as vibrant and as historically significant as the Grand  Bazar of Istanbul. Plus, you get to see and buy a ton of things here. It is one of the oldest markets in the world and is still spread across multiple streets. There are over 5,000 shops on these streets, so you better have some time on your hands to make the best purchase. The key to shopping here is good bargaining skills. You can take back home beautiful fabrics, home decor, antiques, carpets, ceramics, local produce, and more. To reach the Grand Bazaar take your car service Istanbul.

4. Visit the Blue Mosque

The Blue mosque was built in 1616 and it’s quite famous for its blue tile interior. There are over 20,000 hand-painted tiles in there and it all shines when the light from the 200 windows hits the inside walls. A lot of tourists visit the mosque here, but because it’s a religious place, you have to follow a set of rules. Make sure you visit after or before the prayer time as it's not allowed to enter during prayer times. You can confirm the timing with your Istanbul car service. 

5. Try some Turkish delicacies

When in Istanbul, you have to try the local food, it will leave a mark for sure. Some of the local delicacies that you can’t miss are Kofte (a type of meatballs), Pide (Turkish Pizza), Dolma, Meze (stuffed vine leaves), Sis Kebabs, and Doner. In the end, you can try some Lokum and baklava with a cup of Turkish coffee. And let us warn you the coffee here is quite strong. The airport Istanbul transfer can take you to all the best places to eat.

6. Get a full body scrub at a Hamam

The hammam ritual is very sacred to the Turkish culture and even the sultans had special hammams made in the palace. You can find several Hammans across the city, but go to one with a recommendation from your local Istanbul chauffeur.

You can book a hammam experience with scrub and massage. Just to be clear, the scrub and massage is not like your smooth Swedish massage as it will include a lot of scrubbing and kneading, which is surprisingly pleasing. It rejuvenates the body and you will be left feeling refreshed. To avoid a bad experience, ask your chauffeur Istanbul for a good hammam place. 

Istanbul can be busy at times, so you need to have a booking for transfer Istanbul airport in advance. This will make your whole travel experience smoother.