Hagia Sophia
One of the most enduring symbols of Istanbul is the Hagia Sophia, a massive building that has seen many incarnations. Byzantine Emperor Justinian consecrated it as a church in 537; a thousand years later it was converted into a mosque, then declared a museum by President Atatürk in 1935. In 2020, it was converted back into a mosque. Today it’s free and open to all visitors, and revered for its stunning mosaics.
Basilica Cistern
This underground cistern is almost 1,500 years old and remains Istanbul’s largest Byzantine cistern. The cavernous space harks back to another time and dimension. A wooden platform stretches out over water teeming with carp; walk among its 336 marble columns, which were salvaged from old temples.
Princes Islands
One of Istanbul’s lesser-known features resides on the Sea of Marmara’s horizon, where an archipelago of nine islands makes an ideal day trip from the cacophony of the city. The islands are all car-free and lined with walking trails that wind through pine forests and lead to panoramic vistas and scenic coves.