Istanbul is one of the most accessible cities to explore. With some of the best places to visit in Turkey in the city, many of the most famous Istanbul landmarks are within walking distance.
Whether you do a
self-guided tour or take an Istanbul Old City walking tour, even if you only had one day in Istanbul, you can still tick off many of the most famous Istanbul attractions.
The largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, Hagia Sofia is considered one of the greatest architectural marvels and a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.
Most of the carved marble pillars are believed to be recycled ruins from other parts of the empire, including leftovers from Hagi Sophia. It is undoubtedly an impressive water-holding facility.
It resembles the columns of the Triumphal Arch of Theodosius, and the tears pay tribute to the hundreds of slaves who died during the cistern construction.