This year, not only the first Turkish astronaut went into space, but also prices for Istanbul attractions. Now tickets to the palaces of the Ottoman sultans cost more than the entrance to the Louvre, the Colosseum or the Acropolis. However, you can get to know the city for free. We tell you how.
Contents
- Instead of Hagia Sophia
- Instead of the Basilica Cistern
- Instead of the Galata Tower
- Instead of historical museums
- Instead of paid movie sessions
- Instead of Gulhane Park
- Instead of expensive walks along the Bosphorus
- Instead of tourist cable cars
Instead of Hagia Sophia
From 2024, the entrance to the famous Hagia Sophia costs 25 € (2,350 rubles). The price is fixed in euros and converted into lira at the current exchange rate. At the same time, they will be allowed only to the gallery of the second floor, where Christian frescoes are located. You will have to admire the main hall from the balcony.
But there is also good news: in the spring, after many years of restoration, the monastery of Chora, one of the Byzantine temples with perfectly preserved frescoes, was opened. The images here cover the walls from floor to ceiling. They are even more impressive than the frescoes of Hagia Sophia. In addition, the entrance here is free.
In the spring, after many years of restoration, the monastery of Hora was opened. Photo: Faraways/Shutterstock.com
On the way to the monastery, located in the historical part of the city in the Fatih district, visit several famous Istanbul mosques. For example, Sulemania, built in honor of the Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, familiar to many from the TV series “Magnificent Century”. The mausoleum of the Sultan himself and his wife, Hurrem Sultan, is located on the territory, and the local garden offers an amazing view of the city. Do not miss the Fatih Mosque and the mausoleum of Mehmed II, who once conquered Constantinople, located on its territory.
With the exception of Hagia Sophia, entrance to other mosques in Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque, is free. Do not forget to check the prayer time, when tourists may not be allowed into the main hall, and dress in accordance with the dress code (for men – covered legs and arms, for women — a headscarf).
With the exception of Hagia Sophia, entrance to other mosques in Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque, is free. Photo: muratart/Shutterstock.com
Instead of the Basilica Cistern
The underground reservoirs that preserved water for ancient Constantinople are considered one of the main attractions of the city. However, you can visit the most famous Basilica Cistern only for 800 lira (2,140 rubles). At the same time, there are free ancient reservoirs in Istanbul.
Cistern in Gulhane Park
In 2023, after restoration, a cistern was opened in Gulhane Park. The space here is quite small, but it is quite possible to feel the Roman architecture and the mystery of these ancient buildings.
Tank under the Nakkash store
Another small tank is located under the Nakkash carpet store. Admission is free, look for a sign inside and a staircase leading down. The space is much larger than in Gulhane Park. In addition, there is an interesting exhibition dedicated to the Constantinople Colosseum inside. By the way, the only wall left of it rises directly in front of the store.
A small cistern is located under the Nakkash carpet store. Photo: Alexander Efremov & Andrey/Yandex.Maps
Where to stay in Istanbul
Finding a place to live in a city of 16 million people, whose area is twice the size of Moscow, is still a challenge. To make the choice easier, we have taken Istanbul apart and examined each of its districts in this article.
Instead of the Galata Tower
One of the main observation decks of Istanbul is located in the Galata Tower, and admission there costs 30 € (2,822 rubles). Calmness, only calmness: The city is located on the hills, and there are plenty of free viewing platforms here. Most of the terraces belong to restaurants, but there are also several public spaces.
Bulgur Palace
If you want to get into an ancient tower similar to Galata and admire the city from the balcony, go to the newly opened Bulgur Palace. Inside there is a social cafe with low prices, a library and coworking, exhibition halls and, of course, a balcony overlooking the European part of Istanbul.
If you want to get into an ancient tower similar to Galata and admire the city from the balcony, go to the newly opened Bulgur Palace. Photo: EvrenKalinbacak/Shutterstock.com
Pierre Loti Hill
The best landscapes of the Golden Horn Bay and the old part of the city are to be found at the top of Pierre Loti Hill. Entrance to the observation deck is free. You can climb the hill by cable car or on foot through the ancient cemetery.
Chamlija Hill and Mosque
In the Asian part of Istanbul, the most popular observation deck is located in the futuristic TV tower of Chamlyja. The entrance ticket will cost 900 liras (2,400 rubles). But the views from the neighboring hill, on which the country’s largest mosque, Chamlija, is located, are no worse. There are also social cafes, libraries, exhibition halls and recreation areas on its territory.
In the Asian part of Istanbul, the most popular observation deck is located in the futuristic TV tower of Chamlyja. Photo: Ceyhun Marim/Shutterstock.com
Instead of historical museums
, most of Istanbul’s historical museums will cost the visitor a pretty penny. But fans of contemporary art have a place to roam. With the exception of the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, admission to other places is free.
Feshane Art Center
In the summer of 2023, Istanbul City Hall opened the Feshane art space in a former factory building near the historic Fatih district. It houses the world’s largest collection of Turkish contemporary art, including works by 300 artists and sculptors. Admission is free, inside you can relax in a very stylish cafe and work in the library with a coworking area.
The world’s largest collection of Turkish contemporary art is collected here. Photo: okanozdemir/Shutterstock.com
Pen Museum
The area between Taksim Square and Galata Bridge is a real center of Istanbul’s artistic life. On Fridays, from 18:00 to 22:00, they are allowed to visit the Pen Museum for free, where, in addition to contemporary artists, paintings by Osman Hamdi Bey, one of the most famous artists of the Ottoman Empire, are presented.
Casa Botter and the art gallery of Yapi Credit Bank
On the main pedestrian street Istiklal, go to Casa Botter, Istanbul’s first Art Nouveau building. There are exhibition halls, a chic bookstore, and from the balcony you can take pictures of Istiklal with its eternal crowds of passers-by. Don’t forget about the art gallery of Yapi Kredi Bank — there are always interesting exhibitions on history and archeology.
Exhibitions at the Minoa Pera coffee shop and SALT Galata Gallery
A little further on, near the Galata Tower, take a look at the bookstore with the Minoa Pera coffee shop, on the upper floors of which there are free exhibition spaces. Well, for gorgeous photos, go to the former building of the Ottoman Bank, where the SALT Galata Contemporary Art center now operates. It will be interesting not only to see various exhibitions, but also to walk around the historical building and take atmospheric photos in the halls with colorful glazing.
For gorgeous photos, go to the former building of the Ottoman Bank, where the SALT Galata Contemporary Art Center now operates. Photo: Stackers/Shutterstock.com
Instead of paid movie sessions
Perhaps everyone has heard about Turkish TV series. Cinema has always been one of the favorite pastimes of the locals. Therefore, from mid-spring to late autumn, free outdoor cinemas operate in city parks and art spaces. It should be noted that in Turkey, films are shown in the original language with subtitles. Even for free film screenings, they choose world classics or modern blockbusters that have recently won international awards.
Here are the most popular places with free film screenings: the Dekk art space near Taksim Square, the huge amphitheater in the Zorlu shopping center and the Gazhane open-air museum in the Asian part of the city.
Gazhane Open-air Museum in the Asian part of the city. Photo: gd_project/Shutterstock.com
What to see near Istanbul
If you have already traveled the length and breadth of the city, then catch a route for 3-4 days around it. The first capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa, and the center of Turkish ceramics in Iznik are waiting for you. You can move between them both by rented car and by public transport.
Instead of Gulhane Park
Istanbul is a city of numerous squares, gardens and parks with free entrance. On their territory, you can always find a social cafe with very pleasant prices and a simple menu, as well as equipped picnic areas. The most famous Gulhane Park is included in all city guides. However, there is nowhere to fall. But there are alternatives, which we will discuss below.
Yildiz Park
If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, we recommend going to the best park in the city — Yildiz, located in the Besiktas area on the European side. There are real forests with lakes, rivers and ravines, and in spring and autumn you can also see waterfalls.
Here are real forests with lakes, rivers and ravines. Photo: Resul Muslu/Shutterstock.com
Emirgan Park
In April, Istanbul residents travel north along the Bosphorus to Emirgan Park, where whole paintings of tulips are traditionally planted. The rest of the time, it’s nice to walk around the park and drink tea in local cafes. By the way, don’t forget to raise your head and admire the parrots that live here.
Belgrade Forest
The Belgrade Forest is located in the European part of the city. There are both gentrified and wild parts on its territory. The first ones have cafes and running tracks, and recreation areas with barbecues are equipped. In the wild, you can walk through the forests, pick plums and blackberries, and watch forest turtles. And, of course, it is worth going here to see several preserved Roman aqueducts.
The Belgrade Forest is located in the European part of the city. Photo: Resul Muslu/Shutterstock.com
Instead of expensive walks along the Bosphorus
Ferries in Istanbul are divided into two categories: expensive tourist and cheap public. To pay for a trip on the latter, you need an Istanbul Card, which is sold in vending machines at ferry piers, metro stations or tram stops.
To see the city in all its glory, choose ferries going up the strait. In the European part, this is the Eminönü–Rumeli Kavağı line from the Eminönü marina. The cost of the trip is 33.29 liras (88 rubles). On the way back, cross to the other side of the Bosphorus to the Anadolu Kavağı or Beykoz berths, and then sail to Yuskudar to see the Asian part of the city at the same time.
Lay down about two hours for a one-way trip. Don’t worry, there are free toilets on all ships, as well as small bars where you can grab a cup of tea and a fresh simit bagel. Please note that most ferries finish navigation after dark, and sometimes long before it.
In the European part, this is the Eminönü–Rumeli Kavağı line from the Eminönü marina. Photo: Lepneva Irina/Shutterstock.com
Instead of tourist cable cars
There are two very short cable cars in Istanbul, but it is still quite interesting to ride them. They relate to public transport and are paid for with an Istanbul Card. The price of the trip is 20 liras (53 rubles).
There are two very short cable cars in Istanbul, but it is still quite interesting to ride them. Photo: thomas koch/Shutterstock.com
The beauty of Istanbul does not fade even in the face of constantly rising prices. Besides, to fall in love with this beautiful city, you don’t have to spend all your savings on tickets to museums and attractions. It is enough just to book a place on the Island and enjoy art, history and nature for free, that is, for free.
Cover photo: Burak Budak/Shutterstock.com
