1. Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia) was the world's main Orthodox cathedral for a thousand years; after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, it was turned into a mosque, and in the 20th century it became a museum.

2. Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) – this majestic mosque stands directly opposite Hagia Sophia and clearly rivals it in beauty and scale.

3. Topkapi Palace – the main residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire. This is where unique relics of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are kept: Moses' staff, the hand of John the Baptist, and hairs from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad.

4. Grand Bazaar – a true eastern market that has existed since 1461. It is a noisy city within a city, with room for 4,400 shops, 40 inns, countless cafés, several hammams, and even a school.

5. Basilica Cistern – an ancient underground reservoir whose vaults are supported by 336 columns brought over from other countries at different times.

6. Galata Bridge. This two-level crossing links the Old City with the modern part of Istanbul. Hundreds of fishermen are an essential part of any photo of this bridge :)

7. Dolmabahçe Palace, built and lavishly decorated in the style of eastern Baroque, was intended for the last Turkish sultan but ended up becoming the residence of Kemal Atatürk.

8. Galata Tower. One of the oldest towers in the world – it was built from wood as far back as 528! Today it is perhaps the most popular viewpoint in Istanbul.

9. In Gülhane Park, which surrounds Topkapi Palace, ancient structures and buildings from the Ottoman era have survived. But the real adornment of the park is its flowers: thousands of tulips and roses are planted here.

10. Princes' Islands – a small archipelago in the Sea of Marmara. Once a place where claimants to the Byzantine throne were imprisoned, they later became a popular getaway for locals and visitors alike.