-
Carpet Museum
Housed in an 18th-century imaret (soup kitchen) built behind the Aya Sofya complex, this recently opened museum is entered through a spectacular baroque gate and gives the visitor an excellent overview of the history of Anatolian carpet making. The carpets, which have been sourced
-
Büyük ÇamlIca
A hilltop park with a crown of pine trees, Büyük Çamlıca is the highest point in the city and can be seen from miles away (or as you ferry down the Bosphorus). İstanbullus flock here to relax, picnic in the pretty gardens, enjoy a snack or glass of tea at the Çamlıca Restaurant and
-
Eski Gümüşler Monastery
Some of Cappadocias best-preserved and most captivating frescoes are hidden within this rarely-visited ancient rock-hewn monastery that was only rediscovered in 1963.The lofty main church is covered with colourful Byzantine frescoes, painted between the 7th and 11th centuries. Of p
-
Mamure Castle
This tremendous castle, with its crenellated walls, 39 towers and part of its moat still intact, is the biggest and best-preserved fortification on the Turkish Mediterranean coast. The rear of the castle sits on the beach, where sea turtles come in summer to lay their eggs, while i
-
Pera Palace Hotel
The Pera Palas was a project of Georges Nagelmackers, the Belgian entrepreneur who linked Paris and Constantinople with his famous Orient Express train service. The 1892 building has undergone a €23-million restoration in recent years and claims to have regained its position as İst
-
Mausoleum
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum was the greatest achievement of Carian King Mausolus (r 376–353 BC), who also moved the Carian capital from Mylasa (Milas) to Halicarnassus. Today, the only ancient elements to survive are the pre-Mausolean stairways and
-
Sulusokak Caddesi
Many of Tokats old buildings still survive, though in ruins, along Sulusokak Caddesi, which was the main thoroughfare before the perpendicular Samsun–Sivas road was improved in the 1960s. With its ancient buildings and dusty side-streets its an interesting area to poke about. Sulus
-
Rüstem Paşa Mosque
Nestled in the middle of the busy Tahtakale shopping district, this diminutive mosque is a gem. Dating from 1560, it was designed by Sinan for Rüstem Paşa, son-in-law and grand vizier of Süleyman the Magnificent. A showpiece of the best Ottoman architecture and tilework, it is thou
-
Rahmi M Koç Museum
Hasköy, located on the Beyoğlu side of the Golden Horn, was for centuries a small, predominantly Jewish, village. In the Ottoman period it also became home to a naval shipyard and a sultan’s hunting ground. Today its main claim to fame is this splendid museum dedicated to the histo
-
Ruins of Sardis
The ruins of Sardis lie at the eastern end of the village, immediately north of the road. Information panels dot the site. You enter the site along an 18m-long paved Roman road, past a well-preserved Byzantine latrine and a row of almost 30 Byzantine shops, which belonged to Jewish
-
Beyazıt Meydanı
Beyazıt Meydanı is officially called Hürriyet Meydanı (Freedom Sq), though everyone knows it simply as Beyazıt. In Byzantine times it was called the Forum of Theodosius. Today the square is home to street vendors, students from İstanbul University and plenty of pigeons, as well as
-
Caves of Heaven and Hell
Near Narlıkuyu, a road winds north for 1.5km to several caves – sinkholes carved out by a subterranean river and places of great mythological significance. The walk from Narlıkuyu junction to the main entrance gate is quite steep. Enterprising locals usually offer taxi services up
-
Curetes Way
Named for the demigods who helped Lena give birth to Artemis and Apollo, the Curetes Way was Ephesus main thoroughfare, lined with statuary, great buildings, and rows of shops selling incense, silk and other goods. Walking this street is the best way to understand Ephesian daily li
-
Grotto of the Seven Sleepers
The road between Ephesus two gates passes this cave tomb, where seven legendary Christians, persecuted by Emperor Decius in 250 AD, are buried. Walk 200m from the grotto car park to see the ruins, following the hill path to the right. The grotto is clearly visible through a wire fe
-
Monastery Valley
The 4.5km Monastery Valley is full of rock-cut churches and dwellings cut into the cliff walls. Its a lovely place for a stroll and panoramic viewpoints abound. From Güzelyurts main square, take the signposted right-hand turn and follow the street down about 400m to the ticket boot
-
Kadıköy Produce Market
An aromatic, colourful and alluring showcase of the best fresh produce in the city, the Kadıköy Pazarı is foodie central for locals and is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists. Equally rewarding to explore independently or on a guided culinary walk, it’s small
-
Sarayiçi
It was here, in the 15th century, that Sultan Murat II built the Eski Sarayı (Old Palace). Little remains of this grand structure, which was blown up just before the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78 to prevent the Russians capturing weapons stored inside. Fortunately, the kitchens wher
-
Perge
Some 17km east of Antalya and 2km north of Aksu on highway D400, Perge was one of the most important towns of ancient Pamphylia. Inside the site, walk through the massive Roman Gate with its four arches; to the left is the southern nymphaeum and well-preserved baths , and to the ri
-
New Mosque
Only in İstanbul would a 400-year-old mosque be called New. Dating from 1597, its design references both the Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque, with a large forecourt and a square sanctuary surmounted by a series of semidomes crowned by a grand dome. The interior is richly dec
-
Galata Bridge
To experience İstanbul at its most magical, walk across the Galata Bridge at sunset. At this time, the historic Galata Tower is surrounded by shrieking seagulls, the mosques atop the seven hills of the city are silhouetted against a soft red-pink sky, and the evocative scent of app
Total
1173 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
53/59 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
