Istanbul Day 2: From Ancient Mosques to a Bosphorus Cruise
This post is the part of Europe Travel Series. Catch up on the first part here.
During our visit, both the inside and outside of Hagia Sophia were covered with scaffolding because of restoration work. It was a little disappointing because it was difficult to see the monument in its full beauty, but it's incredible history and architecture were still impressive.
We also had an interesting experience inside. Since the upper gallery is part of an active worship area, I had to cover my hair with a scarf. Unfortunately, the scarf I carried was silky and kept slipping, so I had to adjust it many times while walking around.
After taking a few photos, one of the security guards came to us and asked to check the pictures on our phone. At first, I was confused because I didn’t know what was wrong. He explained that visitors should not take photos unless their head covering was properly in place. Luckily, all our photos showed my head covered. We think he may have been concerned because he saw me fixing my scarf often and thought it might have been uncovered while taking pictures. The interaction felt a little awkward at the time, but we understood that the staff were simply carrying out their duties and ensuring that visitors followed the rules of the site.
After visiting Hagia Sophia, we headed to the Blue Mosque, which stands right across the square. Another name for the Blue Mosque is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It was built in the early 1600s during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. It is famous for its six minarets, and The Blue Mosque is famous for its beautiful blue İznik tiles, which give it its popular name. Built to match the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, it remains one of Istanbul’s most important landmarks today.
From Sultanahmet Square, we walked toward the Suleymaniye Mosque. The walk itself was enjoyable, passing through busy streets lined with souvenir shops selling carpets, lanterns, spices, and ceramics. The weather was pleasantly cloudy, which made the uphill walk more comfortable.
The Suleymaniye Mosque was built in the 16th century by the famous architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. It is part of a large complex that once included schools, baths, a hospital, and kitchens for the poor. Within the peaceful grounds are the tombs of Sultan Suleiman and Hürrem Sultan. The mosque also offers beautiful panoramic views of Istanbul and the Golden Horn.
Compared to some of Istanbul’s more famous attractions, the mosque was much less crowded. It has the same rich history and impressive architecture, but with a calmer atmosphere and some of the best city views we experienced during our visit.
After the visit, we stopped for lunch at Sefa Restaurant, a local recommendation from our hotel owner. It was a simple, no-frills place with a homely feel, where dishes were chosen directly from the counter. We had fish, rice pilaf, and beans—comforting, flavorful, and very similar to simple home-style food. We also tried ayran, a traditional Turkish yogurt drink, similar to buttermilk.
After lunch, we returned to the hotel for a short rest. That evening, we went to the Basilica Cistern, one of Istanbul’s most interesting underground landmarks. Although we had already purchased timed-entry tickets, we still had to wait in line for about twenty minutes to enter.
It was built in the 6th century during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It was designed to store and supply water for the Great Palace and nearby buildings in Constantinople, especially during times of siege or drought. The cistern is impressive in size, supported by 336 marble columns, many of which were reused from earlier Roman structures.
Once we went inside the Basilica Cistern, we were immediately struck by the atmosphere. The dim lighting, shallow water, and echoing sounds created a quiet, almost mysterious feeling. Rows of ancient marble columns stretched into the darkness, and their reflections in the water made the space feel almost otherworldly.
Today, the Basilica Cistern is no longer used to store water, but it remains one of Istanbul’s most impressive historical sites. It offers a unique look at the engineering skill and creativity of the Byzantine era.
The next attraction for us that evening was the Bosphorus cruise. We had been looking forward to it since we planned our trip. From the Basilica Cistern, we made our way to Karaköy, on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait, where we were supposed to meet our cruise guide.
The waterfront there was very pleasant, with views of the Bosphorus, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. We stopped at a restaurant and tried a simple appetizer called atom, along with Turkish tea. It was served with bread and chili oil, and it tasted really good.
As we glided across the water, we passed Dolmabahçe Palace, a grand palace built for the Ottoman royal family. We then sailed under two famous bridges—the 15 July Martyrs Bridge (Bosphorus Bridge) and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. These bridges connect Europe and Asia, showing how Istanbul sits between two continents. Passing underneath, them felt special, as it reflected how history, culture, and geography come together in this amazing city.
As the cruise continued, the evening turned cooler, and warm blankets were provided on board. Although the sky was cloudy and we didn’t get a sunset, the soft evening light and the city’s glowing waterfront still created a beautiful atmosphere as we watched Istanbul slowly light up for the night.
By around 9 p.m., we returned to shore and took a leisurely walk along the Bosphorus. The roadside restaurants were lively, with stalls selling balik dürüm—fresh fish wraps made with fish caught right from the Bosphorus that day. The aroma of grilled fish and the bustling evening energy made the waterfront feel even more vibrant. We then took a tram back to our hotel and wrapped up a truly memorable second day in Istanbul—one that seamlessly blended history, culture, food, and the unforgettable experience of sailing between two continents.
Our second day in Istanbul began with a relaxing breakfast at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. It was a quiet and relaxed Turkish breakfast featuring a selection of cheeses, eggs, bread, fresh vegetables, spreads, and freshly made cappuccinos. One of the highlights was the honeycomb, from which we could squeeze fresh honey directly onto our plates. There were also four or five varieties of olives, along with an impressive assortment of pastries. Combined with the rooftop setting and views of the city, it made for a memorable start to the day.
After breakfast, we walked to Hagia Sophia in the heart of Istanbul. To avoid the large crowds, we had booked early-entry tickets for 8:30 a.m., which allowed us to explore the landmark in a calmer atmosphere. Originally built as a church in the 6th century, it later became a mosque, then a museum, and today it is a mosque again. Before entering, we had to follow the dress rules, which included removing our shoes and women covering their hair.
We also had an interesting experience inside. Since the upper gallery is part of an active worship area, I had to cover my hair with a scarf. Unfortunately, the scarf I carried was silky and kept slipping, so I had to adjust it many times while walking around.
After taking a few photos, one of the security guards came to us and asked to check the pictures on our phone. At first, I was confused because I didn’t know what was wrong. He explained that visitors should not take photos unless their head covering was properly in place. Luckily, all our photos showed my head covered. We think he may have been concerned because he saw me fixing my scarf often and thought it might have been uncovered while taking pictures. The interaction felt a little awkward at the time, but we understood that the staff were simply carrying out their duties and ensuring that visitors followed the rules of the site.
After visiting Hagia Sophia, we headed to the Blue Mosque, which stands right across the square. Another name for the Blue Mosque is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It was built in the early 1600s during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. It is famous for its six minarets, and The Blue Mosque is famous for its beautiful blue İznik tiles, which give it its popular name. Built to match the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, it remains one of Istanbul’s most important landmarks today.
When we arrived, we thought there was no line, but soon realized we had entered from the wrong side. After finding the main entrance, we joined a long queue. As we approached the gate, we noticed a chain hanging across it and wondered why it was there. Later, we learned that it was placed so that people entering on horseback would have to bow their heads, symbolizing humility and leaving their ego behind before entering.
While waiting in line, we met a young British couple who were also visiting Istanbul. We chatted about the places they had seen and shared our own experiences. It was an enjoyable and informative conversation. Once inside, we admired the beautiful interior and spent some quiet time there before continuing our exploration of the city.
While waiting in line, we met a young British couple who were also visiting Istanbul. We chatted about the places they had seen and shared our own experiences. It was an enjoyable and informative conversation. Once inside, we admired the beautiful interior and spent some quiet time there before continuing our exploration of the city.
From Sultanahmet Square, we walked toward the Suleymaniye Mosque. The walk itself was enjoyable, passing through busy streets lined with souvenir shops selling carpets, lanterns, spices, and ceramics. The weather was pleasantly cloudy, which made the uphill walk more comfortable.
The Suleymaniye Mosque was built in the 16th century by the famous architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. It is part of a large complex that once included schools, baths, a hospital, and kitchens for the poor. Within the peaceful grounds are the tombs of Sultan Suleiman and Hürrem Sultan. The mosque also offers beautiful panoramic views of Istanbul and the Golden Horn.
Compared to some of Istanbul’s more famous attractions, the mosque was much less crowded. It has the same rich history and impressive architecture, but with a calmer atmosphere and some of the best city views we experienced during our visit.
After lunch, we returned to the hotel for a short rest. That evening, we went to the Basilica Cistern, one of Istanbul’s most interesting underground landmarks. Although we had already purchased timed-entry tickets, we still had to wait in line for about twenty minutes to enter.
Once we went inside the Basilica Cistern, we were immediately struck by the atmosphere. The dim lighting, shallow water, and echoing sounds created a quiet, almost mysterious feeling. Rows of ancient marble columns stretched into the darkness, and their reflections in the water made the space feel almost otherworldly.
One of the most famous highlights inside is the pair of Medusa head carvings, placed sideways and upside down at the base of two columns. Their exact origin is not known, but they are believed to have been taken from older Roman structures. They add to the cistern’s mysterious and ancient atmosphere.
There is also a popular legend about Medusa being a beautiful woman who was cursed so that anyone who looked directly at her would turn to stone. This is often linked to why her face is not shown upright.
There is also a popular legend about Medusa being a beautiful woman who was cursed so that anyone who looked directly at her would turn to stone. This is often linked to why her face is not shown upright.
Another interesting feature is the “Pillar of Tears.” It is said to represent the hard work and suffering of the workers who built the cistern, and over time it became a symbolic element of the structure. We were also surprised to notice initials carved into some of the pillars, possibly marking the people who worked on them.
Today, the Basilica Cistern is no longer used to store water, but it remains one of Istanbul’s most impressive historical sites. It offers a unique look at the engineering skill and creativity of the Byzantine era.
The next attraction for us that evening was the Bosphorus cruise. We had been looking forward to it since we planned our trip. From the Basilica Cistern, we made our way to Karaköy, on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait, where we were supposed to meet our cruise guide.
The waterfront there was very pleasant, with views of the Bosphorus, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. We stopped at a restaurant and tried a simple appetizer called atom, along with Turkish tea. It was served with bread and chili oil, and it tasted really good.
The riverside area felt lively, with locals walking around, cruise boats passing by, and musicians adding to the atmosphere. We met the tour guide at the riverfront, and after a short wait our private yacht arrived. We hopped on and settled on the bow—it felt like such a privilege to sit there, open air around us, as we watched the water gently ripple past and the city slowly unfold from a completely new perspective. They served us fresh fruits, dried nuts, bakalawa and turkish tea.
We also passed the famous Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi), which stands alone on a small islet in the Bosphorus. It is well known for its beautiful location and the stories connected to it. One popular legend says a princess was sent to the tower by her father to protect her from a prophecy that she would die from a snake bite. Even so, the prophecy came true, which makes the tower feel mysterious and romantic. Today, it is one of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks.
The journey continues in the next post, you can read those details here.
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