Istanbul has announced itself as one of the top places to visit when enjoying solo holidays in Turkey after figures revealed that the top 2 places visited in the country were both located in the capital.
The most visited by tourists was Topkapı Palace, a site of great historical importance as it was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for around 400 years. Within its walls are some incredible Islamic holy relics, including Muhammad’s sword and cloak, so it comes as no surprise that more than 1.5 million travellers in the first half of 2012 made the Palace a must on their list.
The second most visited site in Turkey was the Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul, which also received more than 1.5 million visitors in 6 months. The huge structure was formerly a basilica, then a mosque and it is now a museum. The building itself is a wonder to behold, particularly its dome which perfectly encapsulates Byzantine culture.
Anyone enjoying a holiday in Istanbul would find that their time is well spent by exploring these wonderful cultural landmarks, so make sure that they’re high up on your list of things to see in the city, if not all of Turkey.
Image credit: David Spender
