Fizal and I took a flight to Istanbul from London and arrived in Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, located on the Asian side of Istanbul. Since our hotel is on the Europe side (in Fatih) and we were meeting my friend there, we had to get round to reach the Sultan Ahmet rail station. We boarded the Havataş Airport shuttle bus from the airport to Taksim (for 14TL), and then take the Funicular from Taksim to Kabataş, and then take the Light Rail Metro straight to the Sultan Ahmet Station. 

Upon arrival at the Sultan Ahmet station, I was first captivated by the majestic architecture of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque; also known as the Blue Mosque because of its famous blue iznik tiles adorning its interior walls. Our hotel was just a walking distance to the Blue Mosque, so we stopped at the Sultan Ahmet Tram Station and the 'imperial mosque' immediately caught my attention.

See how grand it looks even from afar... How can anyone not be amazed by this piece of architecture?

There are many mosques in and around Istanbul and the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), Suleymaniye Mosque, Yeni Cami (New Mosque) and Fatih Mosque are among the popular ones. However, we only visited the Blue Mosque because we didn't have much time in Istanbul.

The Blue Mosque was constructed in the early 17th century during the Ottoman Empire. The mosque comprises of one main dome, a cascade of smaller domes and six minarets and incorporates elements of traditional Islamic architecture. It beautifully calls for prayer (azan) 5 times a day with different muezzins taking turns and is called out on different loud speakers; so you can hear the azan coming from multiple directions around the city.

One of the entrances/exits to the Blue Mosque that leads to the Sultan Ahmet Park and Hagia Sophia Museum.



Night view of the Blue Mosque from the park.



One can enter the Blue Mosque free of charge either as visitor (especially non-Muslims) or for the purpose of performing solah. The detailed-tiled interior splendour of the Blue Mosque will just take your breaths away.


I was in such awe for the beautiful interiors.



Neighboring the Blue Mosque is the Hagia Sophia Museum (also known as Ayasofya müzesi by locals), located opposite the Blue Mosque separated just by the Sultan Ahmet Park. Hagia Sophia is among Istanbul's most popular monuments and one of the world's greatest architectural achievements; its dome an epitome of the early Byzantine architecture. First constructed as a church (Holy Wisdom) during the Roman Empire in Istanbul, and then renovated into an imperial mosque and later declared a museum in 1935. More info about this here. The entrance fee is 30TL and opens daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm (close on Mondays). 




The main hall of Hagia Sophia upon entrance.


Topped with amazing lighting from chandeliers hanging from the the great dome of Hagia Sophia.






The level of details they put on these interior walls are just so beautiful and admirable!


Night view of Hagia Sophia Museum.

Basilica Cistern is the largest cistern of the many other ancient cistern that lies beneath Istanbul. It was formerly a Basilica before being converted into a cistern, hence its name. Famous because of its historical architectural quality, the cistern is iconic to the Corinthian and Doric style architecture. In addition, these underground columns were constructed from various kinds of marbles and ancient structures dated way back since the 6th century. More info on its history here. It opens daily from 9.00am to 5.30pm and entrance fee is 20TL.




 Column support/The Medusa Heads; Info on the myths about these heads here.

The Grand Bazaar (Souk) of Istanbul is one of the biggest market place in the world catering up to nearly 4000 stalls selling various goods; from spices to tea and lanterns to carpets. The Grand Bazaar consist of the covered bazaar, that is surrounded by the open air bazaar, which also sells similar type of goods. I personally find, this is where you can see Turkish local traditions where the men hang around with friends in their little chairs drinking the Turkish tea and having some simit bread.You'll also notice some boys carrying a tray of cups of Turkish tea that they deliver to the people within the bazaar.

One of the entrances to the covered Grand Bazaar.

We actually thought that the Grand Bazaar stays open till pretty late at night (cause markets usually stays up late don't they? haha) but turns out that the bazaar opens at 9.00 up till only 19.00.




Beautiful and colorful hanging ceramic plates.

And more! with cute patterns painted on them.


And these famous Turkish lamps..

They make the bazaar everything it is! I'm overwhelmed everytime I see shops that sell these lamps. They're so beautifully lit!






There were lots of Turkish delights sold at the bazaar, in packs and boxes and even those that are displayed on the racks like the photos below. But of course, keeping with our budget, we were looking for the best price and found some at a shop along the streets at the Sultan Ahmet Station (not at the Grand Bazaar). The best flavours that I've tasted is the 'Pomegranate and Honey with Pistachio' and the 'Chocolate with Hazelnut' Turkish delights. They taste sooooo good! Bought some for families and ourselves too!

Turkish delights!

Baklava.

Turkey is home to the world famous kebab and you can find them almost everywhere in Istanbul. There was this one kebab shop that sells very famous doner kebab. We read really good reviews about it online and decided to try it. Its called the Dönerci Şahin Usta and is located just outside one of the gates to the Grand Bazaar. Since we went there around lunch time, there were already many people (especially locals) lining up along the busy narrow lane to buy their kebabs.

So this is how the doner kebab looks like at the Dönerci Şahin Usta, thinly sliced flavored meat with some salad and chili wrapped in pita bread for 15TL.

And this is Fizal enjoying his first few bites on the kebab wrap with the ayran (yogurt drink) that they also sell there for 3TL. There were no place to sit so we (as well as some other customers) ended up having our lunch (standing) on the street like the Turks. haha.

And of course, we had a couple of sip of the Turkish tea at some of their tea shops at nights just before going back to our hotels. I love how a lot of restaurants and cafes are beautifully decorated with Middle Eastern or Turkish touch to them - with lots of lamps and beautiful carpets and vibrant colorful furniture. It just looks and feels so cosy to have our drinks there.




Fizal and his nargile / Turkish water pipe (or hookah or shisha - whichever you like to call it).




Apple tea!




Beautiful set up!

It was my birthday while we were in Turkey, so Fizal bought me a little mousse cake for us to enjoy while having some hot tea in the cold night - blessed!


Last but not least, one group photo! Ainun, me and Fizal.

Istanbul has so much to offer historically, gastronomically and also culturally but unfortunately we had so little time to spend in Istanbul. We were only in Istanbul for a brief period (2 days and a half) because we also went to Cappadocia (see here for posts on Cappadocia Part 1 and Part 2), and being a student that I am, I can't take long holidays and leave my work unattended for weeks. haha.

Istanbul is definitely one of the places I'd love to come back to. Among the other attractions that I really wanted to go to but didn't manage to because of the limited time we had was the Galata Tower (on the Asian side), the Dolmabahçe Palace Museum and Topkapi Palace (and its Harem); the museum of the imperial era. It houses the Sacred Trusts including Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) sword and cloak and some other sacred objects of the Prophet's companions' on display.

 If you're ever planning to visit Istanbul, I say make it a worthwhile trip and stay a little longer, there is a lot to explore and discover because Istanbul holds some of the greatest Islamic histories. But until I have another opportunity to visit Istanbul, this is it for my tales in Istanbul.