Places to Visit in Istanbul On New Year Eve
Countdown has started as we are few weeks away to welcome year 2018. It’s the right time when we can all plan our celebration for New Year; celebration which is not restricted to gender or age. Some get a chance to travel abroad while others stay in their homeland to celebrate New Year.
Ever wondered which place has the best history from both Western and Eastern world? Top of the mind Istanbul is recalled. Aside from the affluent history this city holds and how it was a coveted city for Emperors in the past, it is actually a transcontinental city; the only one in the world. So this is definitely a must visit!
Tourists will find stunning architecture, museums holding priceless collections and Islamic art, the experience from shopping in a one-of-a kind bazaar which is a quintessential Istanbul experience and much more.
Blue Mosque
This is the top attraction in Istanbul. The blue mosque, built by Sultan Ahmet, owes its name to the color of its porcelain mosaics. It was built in the 17th Century, in the ancient city of Byzantium. From there the pilgrims left for Mecca. There are depictions of paradise on the upstairs murals. It is one of the few countries where non-Muslims can enter mosques. In the interior, there are four pillars that support a huge dome, of more than 40 meters of height. Across the square is Aya Sofia (Hagia Sophia), an Orthodox church-turned-mosque-turned-museum. The four minarets extend up to the sky that can be seen from the other side of the Bosporus. Being a sacred place, it is advised to leave your shoes before entering and cover your limbs completely to show humility.
Santa Sofia
The exterior of Hagia Sophia is of astonishing monumentality. But in this building, there is exactly the opposite as in the Blue Mosque. If mosque’s exterior is spectacular, then Santa Sofia’s interior transcends in beauty. But that does not mean that it does not fail to impress us with its incredible good state of preservation (we are talking about a 6th Century from the time of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian).
Galata Tower
The Galata Tower is one of the oldest and most important in the world built by the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius in 507 with the name Tower of the Lighthouse. Throughout the centuries it has withstood the test of times; nevertheless, its beauty remains singular. The Galata Tower is one of the most sought-after places by tourists, from which one can have the best panoramic view of the city of Istanbul. Once reaching the top, have patience and do not give up watching the sunset just because the Tower is full of tourists. When you are famished, you can visit the restaurant there granting you 360 view of the illuminated city at night.
Galata Bridge
If there is something unique about this place, it’s the fishermen on Galata Bridge: untiring with a smile on their faces and bucket of fresh fish at their feet. It seems that the fishermen do not sleep. At dusk, fires are lit and it’s time to eat tomatoes, asparagus and grilled vegetables with those fish. The best will be sold to outdoor food outlets near the ferry stations.
Bosphorus Strait
To experience the views from European and Asian sides, this is the place to go. The width of the Bosporus strait varies between 550 and 3000 meters and is navigable over 30 km, connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. It is busy with ferries, cruises and its navigability is crucial for the Russian oil industry to export. This tour becomes more appealing in the late afternoon, near the sunset.
These tours are available in various places along the coast of the Bosporus and prices vary according to the type of tour, some of which are complemented by Turkish folk music throughout the trip.
Don’t forget to miss these places this New Year’s Eve if you’re touring Istanbul. Furthermore, if you get the chance, visit the Grand Spice Bazaar, the Grand Bazaar and taste Turkish delights with Turkish tea.
Content by Guest Blogger: Kazim Raza is a Digital Marketer and Search Engine Analyst. I love socializing and playing soccer. One of my target is to guide people how to earn a living via online marketing. There is a proper method to do this, and once you learn what that is, you become unstoppable.
