A free tour in Istanbul

Transferring to Kuala Lumpur I spent a few hours in Istanbul visiting Beyazıt Square, the Grand Bazaar and Hagia Sofia.

Istanbul is my favourite city in the world! I went there twice already and I had amazing experiences every time. I would like to celebrate this city in 3 posts.

In the previous two posts, I wrote about when I went to Istanbul for the first time in 2021, here and here you can read about it. This time I would like to talk about my last visit in 2023, where I spent a few hours during a transfer on my way to Malaysia.

Booking the flight to Kuala Lumpur I discovered that Turkish Airlines offers free tours to people who have long transfers in Istanbul, so I thought that spending a few hours in my favourite city could be a great idea.

I did the afternoon tour that started at 4 pm and finished at 9:30 pm, we visited the central district, Fatih, and the main landmarks, Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Hippodrome Square.

We were a group of about 20/30 people, from everywhere in the world. There were people from Mexico, Colombia, France, Albania, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. I talked with a guy from Mexico who was going back home after a one-month-long trip to India, and with a guy from Kazakstan that just started his long trip to Europe.

From the airport, by bus, we went to Beyazıt Square, situated in the historic heart of Istanbul, which is a bustling hub that encapsulates the city's rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmosphere. Named after the Beyazıt Tower, a prominent landmark in the square, this bustling area teems with activity day and night.

At the centre of Beyazıt Square stands the grand Istanbul University, Turkey's oldest institution of higher education. Nearby, the Beyazıt Mosque, with its elegant Ottoman architecture and towering minarets, commands attention and serves as a focal point for religious and cultural gatherings.

The square is also flanked by the historic Beyazıt Kapalı Çarşı (Grand Bazaar), a sprawling labyrinth of shops and stalls offering everything from textiles and jewellery to spices and souvenirs. This bustling marketplace, dating back centuries, invites visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant tapestry of Istanbul's commercial and cultural life.

It was the first time I was there, and I found it a very interesting square, with nice buildings and a vibrant atmosphere. The sunset gave that special touch to the space. I took a big part of the pictures here because there was still daylight, so from now on there will be just night pictures.

Surrounding Beyazıt Square, you can explore narrow alleys and bustling streets lined with historic buildings, traditional tea houses, and lively cafes. But also not far from there, there is the old book market, also known as the Sahaflar Çarşısı, which is a hidden gem nestled within the historic streets near the Grand Bazaar and Beyazıt Square. This atmospheric market is a haven for book lovers, bibliophiles, and collectors, offering a treasure trove of rare and antique books, manuscripts, maps, and prints.

Dating back centuries, the Sahaflar Çarşısı has a rich history steeped in the tradition of book trading and scholarship. Its narrow alleys and cosy stalls exude an old-world charm, inviting visitors to wander through a labyrinth of literary wonders. Vendors, known as sahaflar, proudly display their collections, which range from ancient texts and illuminated manuscripts to modern classics and out-of-print editions.

The market's ambience is as captivating as its offerings, with the aroma of aged paper and ink filling the air and the sound of bargaining echoing through the alleys. Visitors can browse through stacks of books, engage in lively conversations with vendors, and uncover hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.

It was also my first time at the book market, and I loved it, unfortunately, we didn’t spend much time here, so I wasn’t able to explore it well and take more pictures.

We also visited the Grand Bazaar, which I had already seen when I was there the first time, but I was happy to go there again because it is one of my favourite places in the city, and also because I love markets.

After the Grand Bazaar, we walked to the place where we were going to have dinner, and on the way we passed by several places, the most important was Corlulu Ali Paşa Mosque, located in the historical district of Eminönü in Istanbul, which is a charming Ottoman-era mosque known for its architectural elegance and tranquil ambience.

Built-in the 18th century by the Grand Vizier Corlulu Ali Paşa, the mosque is a testament to the architectural mastery of the Ottoman Empire. The mosque's exterior features intricate stone carvings, ornate domes, and towering minarets, reflecting the classic Ottoman architectural style.

For dinner, we went to Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta, founded in 1920 by Selim Usta, located in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, which is renowned for its traditional Turkish köfte (meatballs).

The köfte at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta is made from minced meat, seasoned with a blend of spices, and grilled. Served with fresh bread, tangy pickles, and savoury sauce, this köfte offers a taste of authentic Turkish cuisine. Dinner was included in the tour, and it was a nice opportunity to sit down and talk with the other participants.

After dinner, we walked to the Hippodrome Square, a vibrant public space with centuries of history within its borders. Originally built by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in the 3rd century AD, the Hippodrome was a centre of entertainment and social gatherings for the Byzantine Empire.

Today, the Hippodrome Square preserves remnants of its illustrious past, including the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column, and the Column of Constantine. These ancient monuments stand as silent witnesses to the grandeur of Constantinople, once the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

Surrounded by historic landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern, the Hippodrome Square serves as a focal point for both locals and tourists. Its spacious layout, shaded promenades, and lush greenery offer a tranquil escape from the bustling streets of Istanbul.

The tour finished after we visited Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque which is still under renovation. I used the opportunity to take some night pictures of the area. Now I have a better camera than when I was there in 2021.

From there we took the bus back to the airport where I said goodbye to the people I met, and everyone went back to their trips. Usually, I wouldn’t consider these kinds of tours, but I think that in specific situations they could offer a great opportunity to do something that you otherwise wouldn’t do.

I enjoyed these few hours in Istanbul. It was nice to be back after a few years and I don’t exclude going there again soon, there are still a lot of things to discover and people to meet.

The series about Istanbul finishes here. Next week I will tell you where I celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago.

See you soon

Flavio