{"id":62815,"date":"2026-08-12T18:03:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T15:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/stambul-tri-lnya-5-nestandartnyh-idey\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T18:03:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T15:03:36","slug":"stambul-tri-lnya-5-nestandartnyh-idey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/en\/stambul-tri-lnya-5-nestandartnyh-idey\/","title":{"rendered":"TOP things to do in Istanbul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Things to do in Istanbul: museums, observation decks, walking routes, vintage trams, must-see mosques, street food, drinks, and breakfasts.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Istanbul<\/strong> is a multifaceted city with its own rhythm, sounds, smells, and even a special pink color. This city leaves you no chance: either you fall in love with Istanbul<\/strong> or hate it from the very first time. We understood each other immediately: stepping onto the Emin\u00f6n\u00fc<\/strong> waterfront, I felt – this is my city, with all its noise, dust, and bustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn’t matter if you want to delve into Ottoman Empire history or the Byzantine past, Turkish cuisine or modern restaurants and culture. Or maybe you just want to immerse yourself in its street life or gaze at the sparkling waters of the Bosphorus \u2013 this is a city that can offer almost everything to a traveler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the main things worth doing in Istanbul to experience the different stories and faces of this city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Descend into the Basilica Cistern<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Istanbul\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The extraordinary underground Basilica Cistern, located opposite the Hagia Sophia, has the atmosphere of a secret forest created by 336 columns. You’ll definitely enjoy the vaulted brick ceilings, mysterious carved capitals in the shape of Medusa’s head, and ghostly carp swimming in the dark waters of the reservoir. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This incredible engineering structure often appears in countless films and is now one of the city’s favorite tourist attractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip:<\/strong> buy entrance tickets to the cistern  online in advance to move to the front of the line, avoiding the long queue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n