Istanbul has been a part of the history of Asia Minor since the
time of the earliest settlements. Its position on the Bosphorus
Strait ensured and still ensures the city’s huge importance in
the region, and it’s easy to see why Istanbul has grown (and
been at the centre of conflict) for centuries. The mix of
cultures and peoples in the city has created multicultural
society, as well as a melting pot of architecture that
compliments the stunning geography of the area. Anyone on a
Turkish holiday will want to make the most of the sights and
sounds of the city, so we’ve decided to help out by listing the
top five must see views in Istanbul.
5. The Arcadia Hotel
Along with the first class accommodation and cuisine you would
expect with holidays in Turkey, this hotel offers some of the
best views in the city. You can lose yourself in staring from
your room’s windows across the Sea of Marmara or share a
romantic moment looking out over the Hagia Sophia and the Blue
Mosque at night. The perfect view to start or end a day on, and
you don’t even have to leave your hotel room.
4. The Hagia Sophia
No holiday to Turkey and Istanbul would be complete without a
visit to the Hagia Sophia. There are many great views of
building around the city, and as an imposing monument it is hard
to miss, but one of the best views is actually inside the
Museum. Originally a patriarchal basilica and then a mosque, the
“Church of Holy Wisdom” (as Hagia Sophia translates) is huge and
awe inspiring. It is the third church to be built on the site
and has a chequered history involving Catholic, Christian
Orthadox and Muslim ownership. The scale of the outside is
nothing to the artistry of the inside of the building, and the
best views of the structure are to be had from beneath the dome
or from the upper galleries.
3. Çamlica Hill
The view from the top of Çamlica Hill is popular with those on
Turkish holidays, and the first truly panoramic view on our
list. The view encompasses the Levent and Maslak financial
districts, the Bosphorus bridge and the Bosphorus Strait itself.
Equally grandiose in the day or at night, it gives you a great
feeling of the scale and feats of modern engineering in Istanbul
that are often ignored in favour of the more historic sights.
2. The Bosphorus Bridge
The bridge is a technical wonder to behold, but it is the view
from the bridge that we’re most interested in. The views offered
are those into the Golden Horn harbour, the Black Sea and the
Marara Sea and give the viewer the feeling of being at a true
crossroads. While on the Bridge your holiday takes on a truly
international feeling, standing as you are between Asia, Europe,
the Black Sea and the way to the Mediterranean. A must on any
visit to Istanbul.
1. The Galata Tower
At about the same height as Tower Bridge in London, the Galata
Tower is a great vantage point for the quintessential panorama
of Istanbul, and a highlight of many people’s holidays to
Turkey. It provides great views of the entire city, all of the
major monuments and the incredible scenery of the area, and is
the top of our list as it towers over obstructions and gives you
a great sense of Istanbul as a whole.
About the Author: Sarah Arnesen is the Marketing Manager for
Anatolian Sky, a company offering incredible holidays to Turkey http://www.anatoliansky.co.uk
Home/Holidays-in-Turkey.aspx
aspx). They provide holidays to the entire Anatolian region,
including Asia Minor, Cyprus, and Turkey itself.
