Coisas para fazer em Istanbul

Awesome ferry ride. Was not expecting this level of awesomeness from just a simple boat ride. For those who wish to experience both Europe and Asia side, this ride is for you. But bring a jacket though as it gets very windy. Overall, POWEEEEER!

The Basilica Cistern offered me an astonishing experience; it's hard to imagine such a magnificent ancient reservoir hidden beneath the city. The skip-the-line ticket was incredibly convenient, saving me from long waits under the scorching sun, and the entry process was smooth. With the audio guide, I learned about the history of its construction and the stories behind it. Tall stone columns are neatly arranged, and the lights reflect on the water, creating an incredibly atmospheric ambiance. The Medusa column is a classic highlight here, mysterious and very distinctive. Walking through the damp corridors, a profound sense of ancient history washes over you. The overall pace of the visit was comfortable, magical yet stunning, and full of mystery. It's an unmissable attraction when visiting Istanbul.

Dolmabahçe Palace is truly stunning, living up to its reputation as the New Palace. The entire palace stands by the water, with its snow-white marble architecture facing the Bosphorus Strait. Its exterior is grand and magnificent, making every photo a masterpiece. The skip-the-line ticket saved us from long queues, and entry was smooth. With the audio guide, we could understand the historical stories behind it. Inside, the palace is opulent, with giant crystal chandeliers dazzling brightly and abundant gold decorations adding to its splendor, creating a powerful visual impact. Strolling along the corridors, one can experience the luxury of late Ottoman European court life while also enjoying views of the strait. The overall experience was excellent, the pace of the visit was comfortable, and the architectural aesthetics were impressive. It's definitely a must-visit when in Istanbul.

Visiting Hagia Sophia was the main purpose of this trip. It was a shame that both the exterior and interior were under renovation. Nevertheless, it was truly wonderful to feel the profound historical weight of this cultural heritage, with its murals from its time as an Orthodox church and even graffiti remaining as they were. Although there is a mobile Japanese guide, it seemed to be AI-generated audio, and many sentences were incomprehensible in Japanese, so I enjoyed it by inferring a lot. The speaking speed was also slow, so when I listened at 1.5x speed, it became just right. Still, I felt that one cannot talk about sightseeing in Istanbul without seeing Hagia Sophia. I'm glad I went.

We enjoyed a beautiful view of the Bosphorus Strait from a wonderful location until sunset. We could clearly see Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Hisarı, and the Maiden's Tower from the sea as we passed under the bridge. Chef Ahmet served warm tea and distributed blankets. The fruit and cookie platter, along with the additional french fries and toast, were also very delicious. With drink service included, this tour offers great value for money and is highly recommended. Please do order drinks and additional food! Thank you for the lovely magnet gift! This is my third time in Turkey, but this cruise was the best, allowing me to relax and enjoy the music at a leisurely pace. Thank you for excellent service, Chef Ahmet!

Purchasing the Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern combo ticket this time was very convenient. Buying in advance on Klook saved time from waiting in line on-site. Both attractions are definitely worth visiting, especially the Basilica Cistern with its unique lighting and overall atmosphere; walking through it in person is even more breathtaking than in photos. The Hagia Sophia is also magnificent, making it great for first-time travelers to Istanbul. Booking in advance is highly recommended!

Since it was peak season and I was traveling with my mother, I booked a fast-track ticket for convenience. I usually explore museums and palaces thoroughly with audio guides even when traveling alone, so I booked the fast-track option (including an audio guide). However, I later found out that this didn't include the Harem section. To add the Harem, it would cost an additional 1040 Lira, which is about 35,000 won, if purchased at the internal ticket office. In hindsight, it would have been better to buy a ticket that included a guided tour from the start. The palace is so vast with so much to see that it took us 3 hours just to look around on our own. We visited on a Sunday, and there were long queues at each section. So, I thought it would have been more efficient if a guide had pointed out the key locations and must-see items. Also, the audio guide included with this ticket is not the official palace commentary but a much more concise version. While the official version might be better for those eager to learn when exploring alone, on a day like today when we were just enjoying the beautiful and rare artifacts, we didn't really listen to the commentary anyway. So, it wasn't an issue. The ticket is exchanged inside the meeting point (Bistro), and at the designated time, the host personally escorts you into the palace. It was nice to arrive a bit early, have a drink, and wait comfortably. The host spoke English clearly and distinctly, which made me think it would have been even better to have an English guided tour. Anyway, the conclusion is that even a simple guided tour is better than none, and if you're going, I recommend a tour that includes the Harem section. However, I don't regret exploring freely, and I was truly happy because Topkapi Palace was so magnificent. With its panoramic views, architecture, and the artifacts and jewels inside, despite the expensive entrance fee, it's a must-visit tourist destination that I highly recommend!

Balena and the entire crew of golden city tour did a fantastic job off arranging and guiding the tour. They served us well, taken good care of us. Multiple spot coverage with little bit of history and facts put across really well. Great recommendations and hospitality!

We first met at a pub and then headed to Topkapi Palace together, which was a fun and unique way to start the tour! 😆 It was raining, so walking around and exploring the palace was a little difficult, but somehow that made the experience even more memorable and fun. ☔️🇹🇷 We joined the 3 PM tour, but it felt a little rushed toward the end. If you want to explore Topkapi Palace more comfortably and have enough time to see everything, I’d definitely recommend choosing an earlier tour!