Istanbul Turkey Visit, First Day, Turkey

Turkish İstanbul, formerly Constantinople, ancient Byzantium, largest city and principal seaport of Turkey. It was the capital of both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire.

Istanbul Turkey

I had three days of sightseeing in Istanbul. I started at the Dolmabahçe Palace because it was close from where I stayed. This blog shows what I have seen on the first day.

Dolmabahce Palace built in 19 th century is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire with the last of Ottoman Sultans was residing there.

Walking out of the palace.  Taking a photo of the inside was not permitted, so no photo of the palace’s interior.

Right out of the palace is this cafe beside the water.

I moved to Eminönü harbor by tram and took a sightseeing boat that took tours up and down the Bosphorus straits for an hour and a half.

The boat sails near the western side when it goes up the strait.  The west side of the Bosphorus

The boat goes up to Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge

Then comes back to the port by sailing near the east side of the Bosphorus

Back to the port

Then I took a bus to the Galata Tower

From Galata Tower, I walked to Taxim Square through Istikal Street.  This is about a mile-long walk.

The street has many narrow side streets which have eatery places.

Reached the Taxim Sqare