Belgrad Forest or in Turkish Belgrad Ormanı can be very crowded in the summer and on weekends. However, it is incredibly peaceful and enjoyable, especially between 7 AM and 9 AM in the morning. At these times, you can take a few things for breakfast with you and start the day with a walk in the park surrounded by greenery and then breakfast. Autumn can be the best time of the year to visit Belgrad Forest. It will be incredibly good to take long walks in this season when there are yellow leaves on the ground, the crowd is reduced, and a filter of yellow and orange tones is thrown into nature.

Species Diversity

Belgrad Forest is an area that receives heavy rainfalls although it is not high above sea level. It shows a transition feature between Central European and Mediterranean climates. This nature of the forest allows different plant species to grow together in the same area. The vegetation of the forest generally consists of deciduous trees and shrubs in winter. The sessile oak is the dominant tree species in the forest.

Belgrad Forest is also an important region in terms of living things in Istanbul and its surroundings. It is the natural habitat of many birds, reptiles, and mammals. With the protection measures for the forest and hunting bans for animals, endangered species can easily find the opportunity to breed here.

Neşet Suyu Parkour

When you enter through the main gate, that is the gate on the Bahçeköy side, the road in Belgrad Forest splits into two. If you continue from right to left, you will reach the Neşet Suyu Parkour. If you like running, this track will interest you. Towards the end of the track, you arrive at a pond. If you want water or a snack, there is a buffet at the beginning of the track. It is a great place for your morning jogs!

Horse Safari and ATV Tour

If you want to tour the Belgrad Forest on horseback, some companies offer such a trip opportunity. You can also take a safari trip with ATV vehicles. It is a great way to enjoy nature in Belgrad Forest.

Ataturk Arboretum

When you come to Belgrad Forest, never leave without seeing the Atatürk Arboretum, which fascinates you with its countless tree species. Here you can enjoy the lively open-air exhibition created by experts in the field of forestry and botany.

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FAQs:

Where is the Belgrad Forest?

Belgrad Forest is located in the European Side of Istanbul, in the northern part of settlements, inside Sarıyer and Eyüpsultan districts. It takes about 45 minutes from Taksim when there is no traffic.

How big is the Belgrad Forest?

The largest forested area in and around Istanbul, Belgrad Forest is spread over an area of 5442 hectares.

What is the biggest forest around Istanbul?

Belgrad Forest is the biggest forest in and around Istanbul, spreading over an area of 5442 hectares.

Yönlendirmeler:
https://istanbul.com/travel/theodosian-walls-istanbul
https://istanbul.com/about-city/seasons-and-weather
Kilyos

How about we define the response to the question, Where are the Theodisian walls? The walls were originally built from Marmara to Halic by Theodosius, but the section beginning from the Palace of Porphyrogenitus in the Ayvansaray neighborhood of the Fatih district towards Halic was rebuilt by successive emperors in the past. The walls up to the palace are therefore included in the Theodosian walls. There are now 9 operational gates on the Theodosian walls.

Because of the monogram of Jesus on the first one, it is referred to as the Gate of Christ. The First Military Wall is another name for this structure. A botanical garden contains the gate. The Golden Gate, the most magnificent of the gates, is accessible via the gate. Emperors used to enter the city through this gate following a military victory. It was once covered with gold decorations, hence the name "Golden Gate."

It now is inside Yedikule Cemetery, in order to meet the magnificence of the gate you should see it from inside the cemetery but you can also observe it from Yedikule Dungeons’ yard. You will see Yedikule Gate which received its name from the dungeons when you walk along the walls. There are many vegetable patches alongside the walls of Yedikule Gate.

As you make your way to Belgrad Gate, you can readily see the walls' three-layered defense system. These are the fortifications that Mehmet the Conqueror actually faced during the conquest of Istanbul. When you enter through the Belgrad Gate, you will notice a stairway. You can use these stairs to ascend to the Belgrad Gate's defensive towers, where you can see a different view of Istanbul's surroundings. Silivri Gate and Mevlevihane Gate are the other gates. You will arrive at Topkapi by passing through these gates. During the conquest of Istanbul, the gate was demolished and subsequently reconstructed. Here are two mosques that Sinan the Architect designed. The following important one is Edirnekapi. It is located on Istanbul's tallest hill.

Touring Around The Walls Of Istanbul 

These walls are still surviving in a few places. You can observe the walls and then continue learning about the space to which these walls belong. It is one of the best ways to spend a day in Istanbul sightseeing because the city walls will act as a road map and make your trip more organized.

Your adventure begins in Fatih's Ayvansaray neighborhood. Because this is the first neighborhood Istanbul begins to develop, it is comparable to the city's birthplace. You can first look at Fatih before beginning to go along the walls and learn about the gates and what's around them. You can visit the Horse Bazaar, Women's Bazaar, and Fatih Mosque here.

The Yenikapi Mevlevi Lodge will be visible once you enter Mevlevihane Gate. Dervishes conduct their rituals at Mevlevi Lodge. If you are interested in Istanbul's religious culture, it is advised that you go see a Whirling Dervishes performance. If you're interested, this is a fantastic chance to see one of the most well-known cultural and religious traditions in history. Visit Arakiyeci Ibrahim Mosque and Kara Ahmet Pasha Mosque, two mosques created by Sinan the Architect, while you are in the Topkapi area. The first building has significance because of its decorated glazed tiles, and the second building has significance due to its madrasa-like yard and interior pen carvings. On your trek beside Istanbul's Theodisian walls, you will pass across a few mosques.

Attending an Old City Tour, where you will visit Byzantine and Ottoman treasures, is a must if you want to learn more about the building of Ottoman mosques and how they operate or are already interested in their architecture. The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque and Complex, the Kariye Museum, which is renowned for its frescoes and mosaics, and then the Palace of Porphyrogenitus, which is the only fragment of the Bleherna, the Byzantine palace, can be found after you arrive in the Edirnekapi district. Bleherna, the first imperial structure taken following the invasion of Istanbul, was operational in the 12th century.

The Spoonmaker's Diamond, which is on exhibit in the Topkapi Palace Museum to enchant visitors, was most intriguingly discovered in the Porphyrogenitus Palace. Attending a Topkapi Palace Tour while you are there is a must if you want to see this 86-carat pear-shaped diamond, which is thought to be the fourth largest diamond of its kind. The second level of the Theodosian walls starts here, completing the first level

Once a large forest, the area it occupies was once used as a hunting ground for Ottoman rulers and was a favorite haunt of Sultan Abdulhamid II, who later put up walls and added a lake, houses and a porcelain factory.

The Park is divided into two parts and is connected to the remains of the nearby Ciragan Palace Kempinski by bridge. It has a large variety of trees, shrubs and flowers from around the world including cedar, pine, oak and cypress that date from the Ottoman period.

The lake occupies its center and has a large fountain.

Address: Çırağan Caddesi , Yildiz,  Istanbul

Caddebostan Beach “ Kadikoy

The Caddebostan beach is very famous beach of Istanbul for both tourists from outside of Istanbul and also for people who lives in Istanbul . People who lives in Istanbul mostly visit Caddebostan beach in the summer to enjoy their holidays , swim and take fresh breathes in Istanbul as if they were not in Istanbul. Caddebostan Beach offers visitors to get away from the crowd and stress of Istanbul .One of the natural attraction for tourists in Istanbul is  Caddebostan beach. Things to do in summer in Istanbul is visiting and enjoying beaches and also for the winter , so many things to do in winter in Istanbul’s beaches .Caddebostan beach is located at Kadıköy so both in winter or summer you can enjoy the rest of your day after having fun in Caddebostan beach. What to do in Istanbul after beach time ? Probably you will feel hungry after beach so you can eat delicious fishes at Misina Balık Restaurant , Cunda Balık, . If you don’t feel like eating fish you can also try Beppe Pizzeria  Kadıköy offers you best experiences to have,  like having a quality time and coffee at Walter’s Coffee Roastery , Coffee Spot , Coffee Manifesto etc..

Suadiye Beach Kadikoy

Suadiye Beach is also located in Kadıköy like Caddebostan beach so all suggestions can be applied for the visitors. Suadiye beach is also mostly preffered by both local tourist and foreign tourists from all around the World. Suadiye beach is also considered as natural attraction point of Istanbul.

Beaches Of Sariyer

Sarıyer district is hosting so many beaches more attractive and beautiful than each other in Istanbul. For example Uzunya Beach , Burc Beach , Suma Beach are some of these unique beaches.Not only with its beautiful beaches where you can swim ,enjoy and have fun of yourself but also in cold days of winter you can also enjoy the view of Sarıyer with your lovers , friends and family. Not only unique beaches of Sarıyer, but also thanks to location and advantages of Sarıyer makes it one of the attractive places in Istanbul to visit.

There are so many enjoyable activities in Sarıyer . For example , you can enjoy the rest of your day after having good time in beaches of Sarıyer , you can also enjoy yourself challenging places to eat or drink things or trying new foods and desserts which delicious from another with the excellent view of Bosphorus . My advices are like this for coffee or tea or something you prefer to drink , Emirgan Sütiş , Molka Cafe Bistro , Rumeli Kale Kafe&Restaurant . What about eating in Sarıyer ? It is really challenging for visitors to decide which one to choose but here are some advices from your writer ???? Num Num ,  Yelken Restaurant ,Yıldız Hisar , Kaşıbeyaz Bosphorus etc.. One more extra advice form y dear readers who are interested in trying new things , here you can visit Korean and Chinesee cuisine in Sarıyer A Golden China and Gaya Golden Restaurant is waiting for visiting to serve its best meals.

Florya Gunes Beach

Florya Gunes Beach is one of the most famous beach in Istanbul which is located in Florya, so close to Avcılar distrisct of Istanbul . Florya Gunes Beach offers its visitors enjoyable time and best view of sun and nature together. Do not waste of all your energy in excellent beach beacuse Florya provides you unique tastes in Kaşıbeyaz Florya  or Şazeli Florya  in which you are unable to full yourself in terms of physical needs rather than enjoying needs which you get from the Florya Gunes Beach.

Art historian Hayri Fehmi Yılmaz has prepared three alternative routes for you to explore Sultanahmet and its surrounding on foot. Enjoy it!

Most people know little about the city in which they live. Particularly when it is a city like Istanbul: you need to make a special effort to know it. This is because a structure or a wall that you pass by every day and do not notice may be one of the important building blocks that makes Istanbul special.

We can hear you ask: “So, how can we explore it?” To do this, you need to first walk around, see, and ‘understand’. Our suggestion is that you divide Istanbul into districts, explore it by defining special routes, and get to know the structures that have importance in Istanbul’s history more closely.

What about starting with Sultanahmet and around? Hayri Fehmi Yilmaz, who is a guide and a coordinator in Cultural Awareness Foundation, has prepared three routes for you to tour this region step by step. You can start walking either on your own or with your friends.

ROUTE 1:

1. Hagia Sophia Museum

2. Sultan Reshad Three-Faced Fountain

3. Caferağa Madrasah – You should definitely spend some time in the Traditional Turkish Arts Education Center and its restaurant.

4. Erdebil Lodge – Being one of the most famous Halveti lodges in Istanbul (The Arabic word ‘halvet’ means desolate, loneliness, to be alone. Entering into it means shutting oneself in a desolate room or a cell called ‘halvethane’ in lodges so as to be busy with only praying, mentioning, meditating and mortification. The Halveti sect is among those sects that affected the society most in Ottoman times.) This lodge was built by Hızıroğlu Sheikh Yusuf Sinan Erdebil between 1527 and 1528. It has been restored several times since. It has been turned into a law office and a shop that sells half-precious stones today by the children of the last sheikh.

5. Sogukcesme Street – The only street that has completely been restored within the rampart. Unfortunately Istanbulites do not live on it, but it is the most beautiful street in Istanbul.

6. Çelik Gülersoy Foundation Istanbul Library – Every Istanbulite has to visit this library, where there are all kinds of books and documents about Istanbul. Apart from the richness of books, the good-humoured librarian Neslihan Yalav is one Istanbulite you should meet.

7. Ikram Garden – If you are looking for a peaceful place far from the noisy crowd, you should definitely visit this place at the end of Soğukceşme Street, set within a greenhouse and a beautiful garden.

8. Sarnıç Restaurant – This place is a good alternative for those who want to have a meal in a Byzantine cistern with medieval decoration. The cistern, which is believed to belong to the Early Byzantine period, had once a building upon it.

9. Sur-u Sultani (Topkapı Palace Ramparts) – One of the most important memoirs of Fatih remaining from the 15th century and a rare work that still perpetuates the medieval atmosphere in the city.

10. Ahmet III Square Fountain – the biggest square fountain built in the Ottoman period. This fountain is composed of four water dispensers and it reflects the joy of the Tulip Age of the Ottoman Empire perfectly.

11. Mahmud I Alms House – One of the most important works in the Ottoman baroque style. It attracts attention particularly with its gorgeous door. Its epigraph was written by the famous calligrapher of the 18th century, Moralı Beşir Ağa.

12. Haseki Hürrem Public Bath – Built by Mimar Sinan for Kanuni’s famous wife, Hürrem. Its plan and design are unique in Ottoman bath architecture. It has been beautifully preserved and is now being used as a gift shop for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

13. Green House – There is a glasshouse and a pool made of pink marble in the garden of Green House, which is a restored 19th century residence. It is one of the presents given by Çelik Gülersoy to the city. The pool in the garden was brought here from the mansion of Serasker Rıza Pasha in Yıldız.

14. Cedid Mehmet Efendi Madrasah (Istanbul Arts Market) – An Ottoman madrasah in which traditional crafts such as calligraphy, illumination, marbling and binding are produced and sold. The building is also called Kabasakal Madrasah.

15. Old Sultanahmet Prison (Four Seasons Hotel) – One of the splendid works of Turkish neoclassical architecture. On the elegant epigraph over the door of this building resembling a palace in a fairy tale, these words are still remaining: “Dersaadet Cinayet Tevkifhanesi”, which means “Istanbul Homicide Detention House”. Nowhere else in the world can you see the words “homicide detention house” on the door of a five-star hotel!

16. Ishak Pasha Mosque and Bath

17. Dede Effendi House Museum – Home of Hamamizade Ismail Dede Effendi.

18. Akbıyık Mosque – The mosque that is considered to be the closest to the direction of Mecca (Kiblah) in Istanbul. This mosque, which was built in the 15th century, is also known as the “Kiblah of all mosques”.

19. Ahırkapı – One of the most beautiful gates on the ramparts of Marmara coast. This gate is still used and it opens to the coast’s one way road.

20. Erol Tas Café

21. Otluk Kapı – One of the outer gates of Topkapi Palace.

22. Merdiven Kulesi remnants (Magnaura Palace remnants) – One of the remains of the great palace which was called “Magnum Palatium” by the Byzantine emperors is here. It has been claimed recently that this place is Magnaura Palace, but this has not yet been proven. The structure is composed of substructures around a staircase tower with a platform that connects the two terraces of the palace.

23. Mosaic Museum – The history of the mosaics that are the remains of the magnificent palaces of Byzantine emperors goes back to the 6th century. There are rich scenes on the mosaics, which are rare in the Mediterranean world. They are kept in the yard where they were discovered.

24. Sultanahmet Arasta – This is a gun bazaar composed of two floors of side-by-side shops built in the 17th century. Today foreign visitors come here to see and buy traditional Turkish arts and carpets.

25. Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Palace remnants – The remains viewed as a high wall opposite of the Arasta are the last memories from a 16th century vizier’s palace. Two wooden mansions were built here in the 19th century, and then turned into a lodge. The area of the lodge is used as a car park today.

26. Sultanahmet Foundation Carpet and Rug Museum – In the museum within the Sultanahmet Mosque Hunkar Summer Palace, you can see the best examples of carpets and rugs.

27. Sultanahmet Mosque – A gorgeous building built by Sedefkar Mehmed Agha in the 17th century.

28. Sultanahmet Tomb – One of the rare remaining tombs with all its components and decoration elements.

We suggest you spend one full day for this route.

ROUTE II:

1. Remnant of the Milion Monument– A remnant of the famous Milion Monument which marked the beginning of the road that led from Istanbul to Rome can be seen. Some amateur visitors mistake the water scale dating to the 18th century behind the marble ruins for the monument. The fountain that stands before it was built by Beşhir Agha, who was one of the “Black Aghas” of the Harem, from Africa. (Why not visit an African country after your trip to Istanbul?!)

2. Yerebatan Palace – One of the biggest cisterns dating back to the 6th century, Yerebatan Cistern is operated by Istanbul Metropolis Municipality (IBB). The cistern was built only to store water, and two large medusa heads found inside were randomly incorporated into the building materials. It is thought that these two statues were also used in the keystones of the victory arches in ceremonies arranged in what has today become Çemberlitaş.

3. Halide Edip Adivar Monument – The bust of Halide Edip Adıvar, who was the fervent speaker of the great demonstration meeting held in Istanbul to protest the invasion of Izmir, and one of the most important female authors of Turkish literature, adorns a corner of the square.

4. Cevri Kalfa Primary School – The building, today hosting Turkish Literature Foundation, is one of the earliest modern school buildings in Istanbul. It was built by Sultan Mahmud II in the imperial style, in honour of the concubine Cevri Kalfa, who had rescued and carried him to safety during the events known as Alemdar Incident.

5. Sultanahmet Köftecisi (Meatball Eatery) – One of the oldest restaurants in Istanbul. It is a must to try its meatballs, bean salad and the traditional Turkish dessert of irmik helva.

6. Firuz Agha Mosque – It is one of the most beautiful works of early classical age in Istanbul.

7. Ruins of Saint Euphemia Martyrionu – These ruins, which have been converted into a martyrdom church in honor of the famous Euphemia of Kadıköy, are one of the most important Byzantine ruins in Istanbul.

8. Ruins of the Lausos Palace – Situated within the Sultanahmet Park, this palace, the ruins of whose walls can still be seen, is 1600 years old.

9. Binbirdirek Cistern and the Models and Plans of Istanbul Byzantine Monuments Exhibition

We suggest you spare approximately 6 hours for this route.

ROUTE III:

1. The German Fountain – The fountain was prepared in Germany as a present from the German Emperor Wilhelm II to Abdulhamid II, and brought to Istanbul. Its architecture is rather similar to the domed fountains in mosques.

2. The Obelisk – Belonging to the ancient Egyptian civilization and brought from Egypt, the obelisk is one of the oldest historical artifacts in Istanbul.

3. The Serpentine Column – Brought from the Apollon Temple in Delphi, this column is one of the most important bronze works of the classical times surviving into the present. To commemorate the victory the Greek city-states won against the Persian in the Greco-Persian Wars, this column was cast by collecting and melting the arms in the Persian garrison, and it consists of three snakes intertwined around each other.

4. The Chainmail Column – Being of the same age with the obelisk, this column had been covered with bronze plates.

5. Ibrahim Pasha Palace (now Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts) – It is the only vizier palace from the 16th century in Istanbul that has survived. In this palace, that belonged to Makbul / Maktul Ibrahim Pasha, one of the richest carpet collections of the Islamic world is preserved. The collection contains the most important carpets in the world, the Seljuk carpets dating to the 13th century are known to be the oldest modern carpets that have survived into the present day.

6. Ottoman Cadastral Ministry (now Cadastral Registry) – This building, which is one of the most beautiful specimens of the Turkish neoclassical, connects to one of the courtyards of the Ibrahim Pasha Palace.

7. Server Dede Shrine – Situated within the courtyard of the Ottoman Cadastral Ministry building, the tombstones of the shrine are made up of the inlaid columns taken from the Saint Euphemia building.

8. The Tombs of the Three Martyrs – On the spot where the famous Melami sheikh Ismail Mashuki and his followers were martyred, the shrines built in their honor still stand, although the tombstones are broken.

9. The Hollow Fountain – Behind the artifact which is one of the three hollow fountains in Istanbul, is a cistern that bears the seats of the Byzantine Hippodrome.

10. Ottoman Ministry of Agriculture (now Marmara University Rectorship)

11. The Janissary Museum – It is situated in the front section of the right wing of the Marmara University Rectorship. It is the second museum building in Istanbul to have coats of arms on its walls.

12. Hippodrome Sphendone – These walls, which are among the oldest one can see in the city, were built by Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in the late 2nd century, and repaired by Emperor Constantinus in the 4th. On these walls, which hide a huge substructure beneath, it is possible to see the traces of buildings that were once adjacent to them. This structure forms a terrace for the curved end of the Hippodrome’s track.

13. Cistern of Nakilbend Street– It is thought that this building, hosting Nakkal Carpets and Jewellers as well as an exhibition hall downstairs, belongs to the early Byzantine period.

14. Eresin Otel Floor Mosaic with Fishes – The walls and stone works of this artifact, which belongs to the early Byzantine period, were preserved during the construction of the hotel, and is exhibited today.

15. Little Hagia Sophia Mosque – The Church of Saint Sergios and Bakhos was built to indicate his gratitude by Emperor Justinianus, who also had the Hagia Sophia built.

16. Tunnel of Little Hagia Sophia Mosque – It is thought that this little door beside the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque, in the shore ramparts, was opened during the Ottoman Period. It is known that the decorated pieces with inscriptions were brought here from the pedestal of the statue of Emperor Justinianus in Ayasofya Square.

17. Bukoleon Palace and the Imperial Dock – This is the only beach palace that has survived from the Byzantine world. It is one of the most important parts of the Magnum Palatium.

18. Marmara Shore Ramparts 

19. The Pharos Beacon – The news of an enemy threatening Byzantium from the east was conveyed by smoke in daytime and fire at night, finally reaching this tower situated on the ramparts on the shore. Moreover, this beacon was placed so as to light up the harbor in front of it.

20. Çardaklı Bath

21. Kadırga Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque and Complex – The mosque that Sokollu Mehmet had Sinan the Architect build is renowned for its Nicene tiles of extraordinary beauty. Moreover, inside the mosque are four pieces of the Hacer-ul Esved stone brought from Kaaba.

22. Revani Chelebi (Helvai) Masjid – It stands, partly ruined, by the Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque.

23. Kadırga Dervish Lodge of the Uzbek– This dervish lodge was prepared as a kind of club or guesthouse for the itinerary dervishes and Islamic clergy from Central Asia, Samarkand, Bukhara and the surrounding region. Although its original building had been quite old, the wings that stand today belong to the early 20th century.

For this route, we suggest spare approximately one full day.

Well, the Grand Bazaar is pretty famous for its unique and various collection of things to buy, you can enter the jewelry section which has many shops for you to choose from just have a nice tour and choose your favorite piece to buy. You have also the Turkish delights and food section which the shops there will make you taste before you buy anything, so you know what to buy. Nevertheless, there are the carpets and clothes sections you might not want to miss out on. Bargaining however is pretty easy in the grand bazaar because the merchants are open for bargaining and they speak foreign languages so you might not find this hard from your in-language point of view.

Tour around the Beyazit Square

The Beyazit Square is one of the places that you must visit, it is located in front of Istanbul University and next to the Grand Bazaar and the Old Book Bazaar. If you ever had the chance to enter the university, then do it, the university design is not like any other, it was built as a fortress and has a martial design because it was built by the Ministry of War back in the Ottoman Empire, the university is a historical monument and very delightful to checkout. The Beyazit Tower is on the university’s campus and can be seen from the square.

In fact, the square has been the site for many protests, one in 1969 which is known as Bloody Sunday.

If you really like the area and don’t want to leave it, you can ride the tram and continue your way through the Egyptian spice bazaar and the Golden Horn, in the spice bazaar you can also shop for different kinds of spices and antiques, and eat some fresh fish at the fish bazaar which is one of the best places to eat fish and relax with a view over the golden horn.

Once finished from the spice bazaar, go to the top of the hill to the Suleymaniye mosque which is the largest mosque built by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, to reach the mosque you will need a ten-minute walk from Beyazit Square, you can enter the mosque, and wander its magnificent architecture, the mosque is open every day. But keep in mind if you are non-Muslim you should avoid visiting the mosque during the call to prayers and Friday which is the holy day for Muslims, because the mosque will be very crowded and you will not be able to witness its holiness.

The Beyazit district is one of the many places in Istanbul that has its unique identity and never fails to deliver for the people who visit it. The square was the former site of the Forum of Theodosius which was built by Emperor Constantine the Great, it has another name which is the Freedom Square but no one uses this name, it was named by Beyazit Square due to Beyazit Mosque which is located on one of its sides. The main attractions of the district are the Grand Bazaar and Beyazit Square alongside Istanbul University. If you started your journey to the old city in Beyazit, then you were not wrong, from there you can tour the district starting by the grand bazaar and going all the way to its square, later on you can still walk upward to reach the Suleymaniye mosque and reaching the golden horn to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, or once you finish from the district you can ride the tram all the way through Sultan Ahmet District and discover the wonderful Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmet mosque. You can check the old book bazaar if you are a book reader since they have local and international books of every kind.

Bosphorus Zoo

The Bosphorus Zoo, situated near Gebze on Istanbul’s Asian side, is an excellent opportunity to see the city’s Asian side. Beautiful birds, untamed pumas, and lions may be observed as you stroll gently through the small, congested alleys that encircle the animal cages. Crocodiles, bears, otters, kangaroos, and monkeys all have big sharp teeth. It’s also fun to watch different types of cats and tigers. If you like nature and animals, I strongly recommend that you visit that area. It’s also a good idea to go early in the morning to take advantage of the fresh air.

Aquarium Istanbul

Florya is one of Istanbul’s most appealing districts. The Istanbul Aquarium has an amazing fish collection. Prepare to go from the Black Sea to the Pacific Ocean via 16 themed locations. They also have a model of the Amazon rainforest. At the Istanbul Aquarium, you may feed the fish, and the 5D Cinema, which has the best motion program in the world, takes the audience to other worlds via five unique movie options. Storm Simulator, which immerses you in the middle of a storm and enables you to experience adrenaline-pumping moments, and Mirror Maze, which takes you through similar pathways, endless reflections, and thrilling dead-ends. You may also try shark diving at the aquarium, and after completing a 30-minute diving session, you will be awarded a diving certificate.

The suggested visit time is two to three hours.

Safari Jungle Istanbul

Isfanbul is a major entertainment complex on the European side of Eyüp, making it an easy place to visit in Istanbul. The city’s motto is “The Capital of Entertainment.” They created an amazing experience for individuals of all ages; youngsters may engage in outdoor activities and there is also an indoor games section within the mall. At the top of the park, there is a large retail area that is a wonderful place to go shopping. At the mall’s far end, there’s an aquarium and a jungle safari with snakes, spiders, and fish. In addition, they have a hotel and an exhibition center.

Isfanbul has become the most well-known and enjoyable not only the attraction in Istanbul, but also in the neighboring nations.

So, if you want to spend the day with your children walking through a big shopping mall, entertaining them with indoor and outdoor games and activities, and then taking them on an educational tour, you may go to the aquarium or the safari jungle.

Apart from the zoos and malls you will find in Istanbul, Don’t forget to pay a visit to historical sites like Dolmabahce or the iconic museums!

Camlica Hill

There are many things to do and see at Istanbul’s Camlica Hill, which is located on the Asian side of the city. Camlica Hill provides sweeping views of the city from its summit. 265 meters above sea level, this is the highest point in Istanbul to get the finest views. It is possible to enjoy the views from a variety of cafés and eateries. 

Enjoy a walk in the colorful gardens after taking in the wide views. Spend some time in the historical recreation facilities on the property. An Ottoman-style home with a matching interior is the setting for this story. Istanbul’s municipality runs the restaurant, which serves dishes including Sirloin steak packed with vegetables and roasted eggplants. To top it off, you may enjoy traditional Turkish music as you dine. 

Gulhane Park

Tourists and locals alike enjoy Gulhane Park today. The park is vast. Some of the gardens and outdoor cafés provide sweeping views of the Bosporus. Take a break at one of the park’s outdoor cafés, where you’ll be able to relax in the company of magnificent gardens, pools, and the Bosphorus. The old Imperial Stables Building in the Gulhane Park houses the Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam, which is well worth a visit. Because it’s one of a kind, you can observe the development of science in Islamic culture. 

Fethi Pasa Grove

In Uskudar and Belerbeyi, the Fethi Pasha Grove is a wonderful spot to relax with a drink and see the city and Bosphorus from afar. 16 hectares of open space and a spectacular view of the Bosphorus may be found there. Particularly on the weekends, it attracts a large number of people. 

Dolmabahce Gardens!

Dolmabahçe Palace, located in Beşiktaş, a famous retail area, with a view of the Bosphorus on the European side. Sultan Abdulmecit relocated the whole palace from the Topkapi complex to Dolmabahçe Royal in the mid-1850s, leaving behind the palace complex and its traditional architecture/interiors behind. 

In contrast to the Topkapi Palace, the interiors here have a blend of Ottoman and European designs. With its 285 rooms, silk and rug-draped chambers, grand staircase, and enormous crystal chandeliers, the opulent mansion is a testament to its occupants’ wealth and the architect’s talent.

The waters of the Golden Horn serve to define the northern edge of the peninsula that makes up "Old Istanbul" as it is a natural delta that connects to the Bosphorus Strait at the spot where the Strait joins the Marble Sea (ancient Byzantium and Constantinople). Geographically, this estuarine entrance divides Istanbul's historic district from the rest of the city and creates a harbor with a horn-shaped shelter that has served as a haven for countless Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and other maritime trade ships throughout history.

The Historic Bay Separating the European and Asian Parts of Istanbul

With the growth of the city, it has lost some of its significance as a major port but continues to be a vital waterway for transportation inside the city as well as a popular tourist destination thanks to the old Galata Bridge's eateries. Today, residential areas can be found on both coastlines, but only one has been transformed into landscaped quays, where, among other things, the infamous Bulgarian St. Stephen's Iron Church is located and where industrial waste is no longer dumped into the bay's waters. The Ataturk and Halich Bridges span the Golden Horn in addition to the Galata Bridge, which is located at the mouth of the harbor.

It's important to note that Leonardo da Vinci conceptualized a bridge over it without columns in 1502, but his proposal was never put into action; instead, it served as a basis for the design of a slightly smaller bridge that was built in Norway. Istanbul has two Golden Horn bridges. The M2 line of the Istanbul Metro, which passes through the Golden Horn in Istanbul, includes the steel cable-stayed Golden Horn Metro Bridge. It is the fourth bridge over the Golden Horn and opened for traffic in February. It connects the Beyoglu and Fatih neighborhoods on the European side of Istanbul and is situated between the Galata Bridge and the Ataturk Bridge, roughly 200 m east of the latter.

The bridge connects the Yenikap transportation hub in the Fatih district directly to the Haciosman metro station in the Sarıyer district. Ayvansaray in the southwest and Halicioglu in the northwest are connected by the second Golden Horn Bridge, which is located about 3 km to the north. You can cross the bridges to get from Galata Tower to Golden Horn.

A boat excursion of the Golden Horn is also offered. You can sign up for a boat tour to visit the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. You will cruise the river that divides Asia and Europe for two hours, passing several well-known routes. The Dolmabahce Palace, the Ciragan Palace, the Maiden Tower, the Bosphorus Bridges, the fortifications of Rumeli and Anadolu, and the Ottoman mansions are just a few of the breathtaking sights you'll visit on Golden Horn Bosphorus tours.

You will enjoy the Bosphorus Cruise & Sightseeing Golden Horn trip, and you will have the chance to witness Istanbul's opulence and magnificence thanks to the lovely long coastline. Sailing here in the spring is especially enjoyable because that is when the Judah tree, an emblem of Ottoman Istanbul, blooms. According to agronomists, it is one of the oldest tree species in the world and is named after a well-known Bible story.

Few people will ever forget the purple and purple hues of its flowers, which blanket parks, streets, cemeteries, and promenades along the shore. If you want to take in the breathtaking view of the Golden Horn, you must go to the Pierre Loti Café. There is no finer view than the one offered from this location, where French Orientalist Loti spent his time gazing at the seas of the Golden Horn

The first urban park established in Istanbul was Gulhane Park. The park, which now has hundreds-year-old oak and walnut trees, was once the Topkapi Palace's exterior gardens while the Ottoman Empire was in power. As a result, the park did not become accessible to the general public until 1912, in the last years of the Ottoman Empire.

The park's historical significance goes beyond the fact that it was once an imperial garden. Additionally, it was significant in 19th-century Ottoman history. To modernize the empire, a number of reforms were launched in 1839, including the Tanziman Edict and Reforms. The Gulhane Edict also came to be known as the reforms that were announced at Gulhane Park. As a result, Gulhane Park represents both modernism and Istanbul's intricate tapestry of history. 

What To Do in Gulhane Park?

Gulhane Park, one of Istanbul's largest and most historic parks, provides tourists with a variety of activities. The park is home to the Column of the Goths, the city's oldest surviving monument. One of Istanbul's most enigmatic sights is a single marble column that dates back to the third century CE. The park has numerous walkways where you can stroll comfortably. You might descend to Gulhane Park Lake by taking one particular route.

Another may lead you to the playground at Gulhane Park, where your children can play while you relax on a park bench. After a long day of sightseeing, the paths may even lead you to the Gulhane Park Tea Garden, where you may unwind with a cup of Turkish tea.

You can even go to Gulhane Park during the tulip fest if you visit Istanbul in the spring. A significant Ottoman Empire icon, tulips are used to beautify the park during the Gulhane Park Tulip Festival. The park transforms into a vibrant fiesta of color during the festival, which typically lasts from March through April. Don't worry if you can't travel to Istanbul during that time. No matter the season, the park is exquisitely gorgeous. For instance, Gulhane Park is positively magical in February, particularly when it snows.

Tips And Tours Before Visiting

Because Gulhane Park is located in Sultanahmet, the heart of the historical peninsula of Istanbul, and is directly adjacent to the Topkapi Palace, it's close to many historic sites such as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Istanbul Archeology Museum, the Blue Mosque and the Underground Cistern. The best way to get to Gulhane Park from Taksim, for instance, would be to take the T1 tram line and get off at the Gulhane Tram Station, which is located at the entrance of the park. 

There is no Gulhane Park entrance fee, which means, that you can stroll into the park whenever you want, as long as you show up during the opening hours. The Gulhane Park opening hours are from 6 am to 10.30 pm, so you'll have plenty of time, no matter when you decide to drop by. If you want to plan your trip in the most efficient way possible and use Gulhane Park as a rest stop while touring the old city, why not get your Istanbul Tourist Pass from istanbul.com which will help you to plan your tour as efficiently and quickly as possible?