A warm, welcoming city full of energy and humor is where you need to be. Istanbul has plenty to offer. The streets are filled with life while the restaurants and bars are quite rejuvenating.
1.Isbank Tower 1
Established on August 2000, Isbank Tower stands as the fourth tallest skyscraper in Levent, Istanbul. The building has fifty two floors that can be toured easily by means of a lift. It has a magnificent outward appearance that is attractive especially during dusk. Isbank Tower 1 is a focal point in Istanbul connecting several people with Levent. There are plenty of things you can do within this small town. For instance, you can visit exciting tourist attractions such as the Isbank Museum.
Situated in Fatih town, the museum is focused on banking and finance issues only. The Isbank museum was started in 2007 and has been teaching tourists about banking. Within the building, there is sufficient display of documents, photographs and artifacts that provide background information on the Turkish system of banking. The color and design of Isbank museum is unbelievable. There are no entrance fees at the museum. There is a checkpoint at the gate hence providing top notch security. The best part of this destination is the corridor that has strobe lights likened to those of a marine sonar. Also, you are allowed to touch almost everything in the museum’s old depository.
2.The Diamond of Istanbul
The Diamond of Istanbul will be the tallest building in Istanbul, Turkey after its construction. This building will be the first steel skyscraper in the country. The structure has fifty three floors and three towers that will serve different purposes. The first wing is set to have rental apartments, the second one will house offices while the tallest tower will be a home to luxurious hotels and restaurants. These features point to the fact that the Diamond of Istanbul will be slightly taller than the Istanbul Sapphire skyscraper in Levent. We look forward to this development.
3.Istanbul Sapphire
Istanbul Sapphire is the tallest building in Istanbul. This is a shopping and luxury location where you can grab almost everything you need in a single day. This structure has been built in a special way with two glass shells that balance the movement of air in and out of Sapphire daily hence the term, Turkey’s first ecological building. When staying here, you are safe from the negative impacts of weather and the bustle hustle of the city.
4.Beylerbeyi Palace
Located in Uskudar lies a beautiful and attractive ancient architectural design; Beylerbeyi palace. This destination has an interesting history. Founded in 1860 by Sultan Abdulaziz, the place was built as a summer guest house for heads of states. During one of the trips, the Empress of France was slapped by the Sultan’s mother for trying to enter the palace in Abdulaziz arm. This in fact prompted her to request for a copy of the palace on her guest room window. The reception is the best part of Beylerbeyi palace. Here, you can see a gorgeous pool and fountain that is effective in cooling the heat and also responsible for the pleasant sound produced.
The summer palace overlooks the Asian shore. You can catch a glimpse of the beautiful blue waters all the time. The pleasant gardens are quiet and peaceful. You can relax, meditate and even enjoy reading a book if you have one. Most visitors flock the palace throughout the year. The weather is perfect no wonder the name, summer residence. There is less to worry about when it comes to food and culture. Turkish people are very respectful and thoughtful of what they do or say. The ‘palace of the Lords of Lords’ as it popularly known is an experience worth a lifetime.
5. Adile Sultan Palace
Opened since 1861, the Adile Sultan palace was home to Ottoman princess, Adile Sultan. The structure has been converted into a cultural center where visitors can tour and learn new things about Adile. The princess who lived here until her husband’s death decided to donate the building as a high school after her death. Adile Sultan is erected on a hill and has about fifty five rooms that face the Asian shore. You will be taken through a beautiful tour of some of the works done by Adile and the luxurious rooms where she spent most of her time.
This is the best place to enjoy vacations whether single, married or divorced. There are many gardens with plenty of parking lots where you can try out different things. The large garden is perfect for dinner and watching old Turkish comedy series movies any time any day. The food is traditionally prepared while the prices are fairly reasonable. There is no excuse for failing to visit the Adile Sultan Palace.
5.Hagia Sophia
The building has undergone tremendous change. From a Greek Orthodox church to an Ottoman Mosque and finally a museum, Hagia Sophia is a must visit. The structure has two levels, the gallery and ground floor. Initially, the decorations used in Hagia Sophia were pretty much simple with signs of the cross. This however changed when artistic mosaics were introduced. The introduction of the Ottoman empire did away with the artistic mosaics by hiding them under yellow paint except for the ‘Virgin Mary holding a child’ drawing. The conversion of the Ottoman mosque into a present-day museum is an ongoing process. This site has a lot to offer to visitors about the ancient and modern times on Turkish history.