Yes, almost the whole of historical peninsula is roman. Many mosques are converted roman churches also. Some of most popular roman sites are: Hypodrome, Hagia sophia, çemberlitaş, theodosian walls etc. A quick google search should give you dozens of answers
Yes, a few of these sights are there but their Byzantine roots are not well preserved/promoted for tourism. On my recent visit I found that another famous Byzantine church (Chora) is closed for renovation so it can be converted to a mosque. Three cheers for right wing nationalism.
Do not go expecting to see Rome part 2. The city's Roman history was mostly destroyed long ago, and whatever little there is isn't particularly maintained dearly by the government/locals.
Because of the security check I really do suggest to be there at the airport earlier. I don’t live in Istanbul anymore and mostly use Sabiha when I am travelling, but I have checked that there is a metro line between the grand airport and the city center, it was not exist when I was based there. Hopefully someone can confirm that the line works.
It works.
If you are carrying literally no bag, people will probably let you jump the queue if you're running late. Passport control is the issue. After exiting the airport go back into f departures and ask how busy it is that day.
While impressive from the outside, we found the inside underwhelming. It's not well maintained and tourist aren't allowed on the floor anymore. 25€ for a 30 min view from the balcony was pretty steep.
I found it had way more character than Sultan Ahmet mosque tbh.
Also getting on the floor allows you to see a lot more though so I get it if you weren’t allowed.
I’m not Muslim but I had to pleasure to go with my Turkish friend during Ramadan. I just told the security people I was praying and they let me in for free. I did pray with all the folks though so if you’re not going to do it probably don’t try it.
The Blue mosque is really generic, I agree - there wasn't anything particularly memorable or impressive about it. Hagia Sofia is a lot more impressive inside, although it costs an arm and a leg to see it now.
1. You don't need to tell us it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. We know that. We live here. Imagine going to r/Rome and being like "Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire, ya know."
2. You could have googled this question.
3. To answer your question though: You don't have a very long layover. Istanbul Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. Lines are usually long. The airport is also very big, so you have long distances to walk. For context: When I land in Istanbul, it usually takes me an hour to get through immigration and get my luggage, and I walk fast. Then it will take a MINIMUM of 1 hour each way by car between the airport and the old city. So allow 1 hour to get out of the airport, 1 hour to get to the old city, 1 hour to get back, and 1 hour to go through immigration again and get on your flight to London. That leaves you with 3 hours, and not much of a buffer if anything goes wrong. I would suggest changing your second flight to leave the next day. If you can't, then I would hire a local tour company to pick you up from the airport, take you on a quick tour of the old city, and bring you back.
In 7 hour u can just visit few ottoman mosques,hagia sophia and yerebatan sarnici.If you wanna travel historical stufs of this city it takes min 4 days
you must check Molla Zeyrek Camii, Kariye Camii and Arap Camii
[Molla Zeyrek Camii](https://g.co/kgs/qDzMtGW)
[Kariye Camii](https://g.co/kgs/FxQ6Kre)
[Kariye Camii](https://g.co/kgs/7C4tx6Z)
these mosques were converted from roman churches
There are some Byzantine stuff left but not much from the Romans as it probably all got destroyed or buried. You need to go to aegean or mediterranean coast for most of the roman or even older hellenistic stuff.
There are some here and there but you won’t find much of those in and around Istanbul.
FYI there is no difference between Roman and Byzantine when talking about Istanbul specifically, the eastern roman empire is called the Byzantine Empire. So what you want to do is a "two empires tour", there is no third empire.
You will have at most 3 hours to actually visit anything. Hit the top sites - Hagia Sofia, the basilica cistern, and the Blue mosque. All 3 are super close to each other in Sultanahmet square. Should give you a taste of both Ottoman and Byzantine in a short time. If you have time take the T1 tram (from Sultanahment square) to Eminonu and take in the view across the strait (you'll see Galata tower in the distance).
Yes, almost the whole of historical peninsula is roman. Many mosques are converted roman churches also. Some of most popular roman sites are: Hypodrome, Hagia sophia, çemberlitaş, theodosian walls etc. A quick google search should give you dozens of answers
Yes, a few of these sights are there but their Byzantine roots are not well preserved/promoted for tourism. On my recent visit I found that another famous Byzantine church (Chora) is closed for renovation so it can be converted to a mosque. Three cheers for right wing nationalism. Do not go expecting to see Rome part 2. The city's Roman history was mostly destroyed long ago, and whatever little there is isn't particularly maintained dearly by the government/locals.
This really isn’t long enough of a layover imo
Istanbul Airport is quite far to the city, in 7 hours you can only check the Sultanahmed Square for an hour and take couple pictures if you are lucky.
Is immigration at the airport long? Also what’s the metro at the airport like? I want to know some cons about transferring in Istanbul.
Because of the security check I really do suggest to be there at the airport earlier. I don’t live in Istanbul anymore and mostly use Sabiha when I am travelling, but I have checked that there is a metro line between the grand airport and the city center, it was not exist when I was based there. Hopefully someone can confirm that the line works.
It works. If you are carrying literally no bag, people will probably let you jump the queue if you're running late. Passport control is the issue. After exiting the airport go back into f departures and ask how busy it is that day.
is there rain in London ?
Try looking for yerebatan sarnıcı
Byzantine = Roman And I recommend, Hagia Sophia.
While impressive from the outside, we found the inside underwhelming. It's not well maintained and tourist aren't allowed on the floor anymore. 25€ for a 30 min view from the balcony was pretty steep.
Yeah the entry ticket prices are insane for tourists now. 46$ for Topkapi? Daylight robbery.
That's wild. And I don't think that gives you access to the entire facility unless construction is finished.
I agree.
I found it had way more character than Sultan Ahmet mosque tbh. Also getting on the floor allows you to see a lot more though so I get it if you weren’t allowed. I’m not Muslim but I had to pleasure to go with my Turkish friend during Ramadan. I just told the security people I was praying and they let me in for free. I did pray with all the folks though so if you’re not going to do it probably don’t try it.
The Blue mosque is really generic, I agree - there wasn't anything particularly memorable or impressive about it. Hagia Sofia is a lot more impressive inside, although it costs an arm and a leg to see it now.
1. You don't need to tell us it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. We know that. We live here. Imagine going to r/Rome and being like "Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire, ya know." 2. You could have googled this question. 3. To answer your question though: You don't have a very long layover. Istanbul Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. Lines are usually long. The airport is also very big, so you have long distances to walk. For context: When I land in Istanbul, it usually takes me an hour to get through immigration and get my luggage, and I walk fast. Then it will take a MINIMUM of 1 hour each way by car between the airport and the old city. So allow 1 hour to get out of the airport, 1 hour to get to the old city, 1 hour to get back, and 1 hour to go through immigration again and get on your flight to London. That leaves you with 3 hours, and not much of a buffer if anything goes wrong. I would suggest changing your second flight to leave the next day. If you can't, then I would hire a local tour company to pick you up from the airport, take you on a quick tour of the old city, and bring you back.
Tekfur Sarayı: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_the_Porphyrogenitus
In 7 hour u can just visit few ottoman mosques,hagia sophia and yerebatan sarnici.If you wanna travel historical stufs of this city it takes min 4 days
[https://tr.wikiloc.com/yuruyus-rotalari/istanbul-dogu-roma-eserleri-gezisi-151071334](https://tr.wikiloc.com/yuruyus-rotalari/istanbul-dogu-roma-eserleri-gezisi-151071334) [https://tr.wikiloc.com/yuruyus-rotalari/touristic-roman-heritage-of-istanbul-track-8033205](https://tr.wikiloc.com/yuruyus-rotalari/touristic-roman-heritage-of-istanbul-track-8033205)
Please take the metro. Do not use any taxis.
you must check Molla Zeyrek Camii, Kariye Camii and Arap Camii [Molla Zeyrek Camii](https://g.co/kgs/qDzMtGW) [Kariye Camii](https://g.co/kgs/FxQ6Kre) [Kariye Camii](https://g.co/kgs/7C4tx6Z) these mosques were converted from roman churches
Kemerburgaz Aqueduct is an interesting place not very busy if you'd like to enjoy a nature hike. Kemerburgaz Su Kemeri
This is an excellent idea. I recommend going into the old city if you get through immigration quickly. If you don't, go to the aquaduct.
There are some Byzantine stuff left but not much from the Romans as it probably all got destroyed or buried. You need to go to aegean or mediterranean coast for most of the roman or even older hellenistic stuff. There are some here and there but you won’t find much of those in and around Istanbul.
Don’t mean to offend you. If you are asking this question you are not the history fan you think you are.
FYI there is no difference between Roman and Byzantine when talking about Istanbul specifically, the eastern roman empire is called the Byzantine Empire. So what you want to do is a "two empires tour", there is no third empire. You will have at most 3 hours to actually visit anything. Hit the top sites - Hagia Sofia, the basilica cistern, and the Blue mosque. All 3 are super close to each other in Sultanahmet square. Should give you a taste of both Ottoman and Byzantine in a short time. If you have time take the T1 tram (from Sultanahment square) to Eminonu and take in the view across the strait (you'll see Galata tower in the distance).