Carried on the winds of Istanbul is more than just the scent of savory Turkish kebab; listen carefully and you will hear the echoes of civilization itself.
In one gust of wind, you may hear the shouts of Constantine the Great as he established this city as the capital of the Roman Empire. Or maybe the whispers of children from the city's numerous Byzantine Empires. Or even the zealous commands of the short-lived Latin Empire's Christian crusaders.
Every cobblestone, mosque, aging relic, or marketplace in Istanbul bears the textured footprint of world history, and those traveling to Istanbul inadvertently join that epic tapestry.
Nicknamed the "European Capital of Culture," the city is bespeckled with ancient palaces, religious mainstays such as churches and mosques, fortresses, and innumerable museums that just about capture the city's grandeur.
Those seeking to best capture Istanbul in souvenir form should visit the city's epic covered bazaars and open marketplaces. The Grand Bazaar comprises 61 covered streets, over 3,000 unique shops, and over 250,000 visitors each day. Can't find your heart's desire there? Check out the Mahmut Pasha Bazaar and Egyptian Bazaar to take home a piece of history.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Sultanahmet District
Rahmi M. Koc Museum
Rustem Pasha Mosque
Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya)
Kariye Museum (The Chora Church)
Basilica Cistern
Sakip Sabanci Museum
Giycek Old Time Photo Studio
Bosphorus Strait
Blue Mosque
Istrapped
Kucuk Ayasofya Camii (Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus)
Dogancay Museum
Eyup Sultan Mosque (Eyup Sultan Camii)
Rumeli Fortress
Turkey
Netherlands
Thailand
Spain
China