Perhaps the reason the island of Heybeliada is internationally known is the controversy surrounding Halki Seminary (Θεολογική Σχολή Χάλκης), which sits on a hill just above town. It’s the main school of theology for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The second biggest of the Princes’ Islands in Istanbul is Heybeliada (Saddlebag Island), also known by its Greek name, Halki (Χάλκη). It makes for a nice, relaxing day trip from the bustling and chaotic mainland.
Istanbul Sapphire is the fourth tallest building in Istanbul (as of August 2024). It features an observation deck on the 56th floor.
The Bucoleon Palace (Βουκολέων) was one of the Byzantine palaces of Constantinople. The ruins are located in a small park on the Marmara Sea in the Küçük Ayasofya neighborhood. It’s just a short walk east of the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Want to get off the beaten path in Istanbul? A good option is Kumkapı. This neighborhood on the shores of the Marmara Sea isn’t usually on the tourist radar. There are no big name attractions, but it’s nice to explore for a couple hours.
Topkapı is a neighborhood in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey. It sits along the Theodosian Walls and shouldn’t be confused with Topkapi Palace.
The Fatih Mosque (Fatih Camii) is one of the largest and most important mosques in Istanbul, Turkey. It’s located in a busy area of the Fatih district along Fevzi Pasha Avenue.
I rang in 2013 in quite a unique way – on a boat between two continents! A small group of Turkish and expat friends got together and purchased tickets to a special New Year’s Eve cruise on the Bosporus, the strait splitting the city of Istanbul in two and separating Europe from Asia. It started and finished at the docks in Kabataş.
The Great Palace Mosaics Museum (Büyük Saray Mozaikleri Müzesi) in Istanbul displays mosaics unearthed at the site of the Great Palace of Constantinople. The museum is included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Historic Areas of Istanbul.
