A Day in Istanbul: From Ancient Treasures to Evening Lights

This post is the part of Europe Travel Series. Catch up on the first part here. If you would like to read the previous post, please read here. 

On our third day, we visited the Istanbul Archaeology Museums. It is a complex made up of three buildings: the Archaeological Museum (Main Building), the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Tiled Kiosk Museum (Museum of Islamic Art). During our visit, only the main building was open, as the other two were under renovation.

The main building itself is a beautiful piece of history. Opened in 1891, it was one of the first museums built to display archaeological collections. Even the building’s architecture and the sculptures displayed outside were impressive.

Inside, the highlight of our visit was the famous Alexander Sarcophagus, one of the museum’s most important treasures. This beautifully carved marble sarcophagus dates back to the 4th century BCE and shows detailed scenes of battles and hunting. The craftsmanship and fine details were incredible to see. Another striking piece we noticed was one of the sarcophagi featuring women, where their expressions and emotions were delicately carved, reflecting a sense of grace, sorrow, and quiet strength. The craftsmanship and fine details throughout these works were incredible to see.

The museum also has a wonderful collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, including statues, carvings, and sarcophagi. The detailed carvings of women on the sarcophagi were especially fascinating, showcasing the beauty and skill of ancient artists.

We also saw artifacts from different civilizations—Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman—displayed in a way that shows how Istanbul has always been a meeting point of empires. There were pottery pieces, inscriptions, parts of buildings, and everyday objects that helped bring those ancient worlds to life. Even though some parts of the museum were closed for renovation, the sections we visited were enough to give us a strong sense of how rich and layered Istanbul’s history really is.

We also saw some beautiful large paintings depicting scenes from ancient Greek and Roman life, including men training and exercising, artists making and painting pottery, and everyday cultural activities. These artworks helped bring history to life and gave us a better understanding of how people lived, worked, and practiced their crafts thousands of years ago. Along with the ancient sculptures and artifacts, these paintings made our museum visit even more interesting and memorable.The museum gardens were also a peaceful space to walk through, with statues and artifacts displayed outdoors.

Due to ongoing renovations, we could not visit the other two buildings, so we missed the artifacts from ancient civilizations such as the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Hittites. We also missed the beautiful displays of Ottoman tiles, ceramics, and Islamic art housed in one of the oldest buildings in the complex.

From there, we headed to the Spice Bazaar and came across a unique honey shop offering different varieties of honey based on the flowers the bees collect nectar from. We had never seen a honey shop like this before. They sold honeycombs as well as fresh, pure honey in a variety of flavors.

We then visited the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, one of Istanbul’s oldest and most vibrant markets. Built in 1664 during the Ottoman era, it got its name because many of the spices were brought from Egypt, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. Walking through its colorful corridors filled with spices, teas, Turkish delight, and dried fruits felt like stepping back in time into a historic market that is still busy and full of life today.

The bazaar is famous for its traditional Turkish teas. You can find apple tea, which is light and slightly sweet, and is often offered to visitors. There is also pomegranate tea, which has a tangy, fruity taste, and strong black tea, which is part of everyday life in Turkey.

One of the special items sold here is saffron. It is a bright red-golden spice with a strong smell and is used in cooking, especially in rice dishes and desserts. It is very expensive because it takes a large number of flowers to produce even a small amount.

There are many different spices sold in the bazaar, including cinnamon, cumin, cloves, black pepper, paprika, sumac, turmeric, ginger, and cardamom. The smell of these spices fills the air, making the whole experience rich and memorable.

The market is also well known for Turkish delight in many flavors like rose, pistachio, and pomegranate. You can also find nuts like pistachios, almonds, and hazelnuts, as well as dried fruits such as apricots, figs, and mulberries. The smell of spices like cinnamon, cumin, and cloves fills the air, making the experience very special.

Unfortunately, we missed visiting the Grand Bazaar since it was closed on Sunday, but the Spice Bazaar more than made up for it.

For lunch, we stopped at a small local restaurant recommended by the “shawl shop guy,” and it turned out to be one of those hidden gems you don’t plan but always remember. The food was simple, fresh, and incredibly delicious, giving us a real taste of everyday Turkish home-style cooking.

After lunch, we enjoyed künefe at Hafız Mustafa, a historic restaurant that dates back to 1864. Künefe is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with thin shredded pastry (called kadayıf) layered with soft, melted cheese in the middle. It is cooked until golden and crispy on the outside, then soaked in sweet sugar syrup. It is usually served warm, often topped with crushed pistachios, giving it a rich, sweet, and slightly salty taste. The dessert was served warm with sweet syrup, and it was truly unforgettable.

There were many attractions around us that made the experience even more lively. We couldn’t help but stop and watch the iconic Turkish ice cream performance, where the vendor turned serving dondurma into a fun show of tricks and mischief, playfully teasing customers and making everyone laugh until the very end.

We also watched traditional Turkish coffee being prepared in a cezve over small cylindrical heating rods. The coffee was slowly brewed to a rich, strong, and aromatic finish, filling the air with its deep fragrance. Nearby, there were street vendors selling roasted corn and chestnuts, adding to the warm and bustling atmosphere of the area.

We visited small nursery shops where locals were browsing and buying plants, adding a quiet, everyday glimpse of Istanbul’s local life beyond the tourist streets.

 

We had an appointment at Hürrem Sultan Hamam for a Turkish bath at 7 p.m. Since we couldn’t visit the Grand Bazaar and had some free time, we requested to move our appointment to 4 p.m. They kindly agreed, which saved us from returning to the same area later.

A Turkish hamam is one of the oldest bathing traditions in the region, with roots in Roman and Byzantine bathhouses, later refined and popularized during the Ottoman era. More than just a place to bathe, it became a cultural ritual where people gathered to cleanse, relax, and socialize. Architecturally, hamams are known for their domed ceilings, marble interiors, and heated stone platforms that create a warm, steam-filled space for deep cleansing and relaxation.

Hürrem Sultan Hamamı is one of Istanbul’s most historic and beautifully restored hamams. Built in the 16th century by the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and commissioned by Hürrem Sultan, the wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, it is located between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Originally designed as a public bath with separate sections for men and women, it reflects the Ottoman emphasis on cleanliness, luxury, and community life.

Stepping inside, the experience was authentic and deeply rejuvenating, with warmth, steam, and gentle cleansing rituals creating a calm atmosphere and offering a glimpse into a centuries-old tradition still alive today.

In the evening, we visited Gülhane Park. It was once part of the outer gardens of the Ottoman imperial palace and was opened to the public in the early 20th century. Located next to Topkapı Palace, it was once used as a royal garden for the sultans. Today, it is one of the oldest and most loved public parks in Istanbul, known for its tree-lined walkways, flower gardens, and nearby views of the Bosphorus.

For us, it was a peaceful break from the busy city. The park felt calm and refreshing, with tall trees providing shade and wide paths perfect for a slow walk. It was beautiful to see locals enjoying their evening—families relaxing on benches, friends chatting, and children playing freely. The atmosphere felt warm and relaxed, giving the park a simple everyday charm that made us slow down and enjoy the moment.

We cannot tell the story of Istanbul without talking about its cats—the city’s most beloved unofficial residents. Cats are everywhere: resting on old steps, sleeping in café corners, and walking through busy streets as if they belong there.

There are so many cats in Istanbul because people have cared for them for a very long time. In Turkish culture and tradition, cats are seen as clean, gentle animals and are treated with kindness and respect. In Islam as well, cats are considered pure and are loved, which has encouraged people to feed and protect them.

Today, many locals continue to feed street cats, build small shelters for them, and leave water and food outside. Because of this care, cats have become a natural part of daily life in the city. They add warmth and charm to Istanbul’s streets, living peacefully alongside its people and history.

After walking through the streets and enjoying the city’s energy, we were ready to end the day around ten. But we decided not to miss Sultanahmet at night, so we quickly got ready and went back to the square.

It turned out to be magical. The mosques were softly lit, the fountains changed colors, and cats walked calmly across the square while birds flew above. Everything felt lively but peaceful at the same time. It was one of those unexpected, beautiful Istanbul nights that we will always remember.

The Egyptian Obelisk was shining under the night lights, standing tall in Sultanahmet Square as a quiet reminder of ancient empires. It was first carved in Egypt during the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III in the 15th century BC. Later, it was brought to Constantinople by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I in the 4th century AD and placed in the Hippodrome.

The obelisk is covered with hieroglyphs that celebrate the pharaoh’s victories. It has survived for thousands of years and many different civilizations. Today, it stands beautifully in Istanbul, surrounded by the modern life of the city.

That day was an unforgettable day, with a museum visit, the colorful Spice Bazaar, a unique hammam experience, and a peaceful night view of Sultanahmet to end the day. Each experience added another layer to our journey through Istanbul’s history and culture.

The journey doesn’t end here—there is still more to explore, and the story continues in my next post.