Istanbul Things to Do Tips by TomorrowsAngel

There are over 4000 shops located within the grand bazaar.
In times gone by, each trade had its own quarter: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers' street, the street of the skullcap makers.
You can buy everything there: turkish crafts, carpets, hand-painted ceramics, leather goods, copper and brass ware, gold and silver, and sheisha pipes.
The Old Bedesten, in the centre of the bazaar, has large collections of antiques.

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Address: old istanbul

Built between 1609 and 1616 by the famous architect Mehmet.
The sultanahment mosque is also known as the blue mosque because of its amazing blue Iznik tiles.
I couldn't believe how crowded the mosque was, and that you can take photographs inside.
When you leave, there is a 'compulsory' donation collector outside.

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Directions: located in the Hippodrome area (Old city)

Hagia Sophia church was built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned down in the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. during the reign of Justinian. Five years later, 537 AD, the current one was opened to the public.
The basilica's dome is 55.6m high and 30.8 - 31.88m in diameter, with 107 pillars.
In 1453, with the conquest of Istanbul, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror converted the church into a mosque.
Hagia Sophia Museum, the legacy of both Christian and Muslim culture, was opened for visits according to the order of Ataturk and decision of the Turkish Assembly of Ministers on the 1st of February, 1935.

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Phone: +90 212 5221750
Address: Sultanahmet
Other Contact: Fax: +90 212 5125474

The place where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period.
It is really just a big paved rectangle of concrete - I thought it would have a stadium or something kinda Roman looking.
The egyptian monuments are quite cool, and it is really close to some cool restaurants and the Ayasofia which makes it worth a look.

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Address: near Ayasofia

The residence of the Ottoman Sultans which house the accumulated riches of 700 years.
The monarch who lived in Topkapi's hundreds of rooms, shared them with hundreds of concubines, children, and servants.
The grounds are really big and divided into courtyards:
1st Courtyard - Hagia Eirene Church
2nd Courtyard - Divan, Harem, Porcelain Collection, Silverware and European Glass Collection
3rd Courtyard - Imperial Costumes Collection, Treasury, Holy Relics Section
4th Courtyard - Mecidiye Kiosk, Baghdad Kiosk, Circumcision Chamber
There is a great view of the Bosporus River from upstairs at the 4th courtyard.
The harem looked interesting but cost more money to see, so we missed it.
In a lot of the museums and all the religious-themed rooms, there are security guards which make sure you don't take any pictures.

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Address: Seraglio Point