The Famous Istanbul Tunnel

In addition to natural beauty and historical attractions from the distant past, Istanbul has some attractions, such as the "Famous Istanbul Tunnel" from the late 19th century. This tunnel, crossed by a short railway track, is the oldest part of the underground and the European side of Istanbul and is considered the second oldest train in the world after the London subway. This rail track will help you climb a steep hill in 90 seconds.

The History of Istanbul Tunnel Construction

In the middle of the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire entered the international trade market, and many Europeans in this country lived in the "Pera" neighborhood, now known as "Beyoglu (Beyoğlu)". Besides being a short distance from the ports in the "Golden Horn (Haliç)," this neighborhood has residences, luxury hotels, and embassies on top of a steep hill. Also, it is close to many banks, warehouses, and exchanges where Europeans were employed.

In 1867, when a French engineer named "Eugène-Henry Gavand" came to Istanbul for the first time, he was surprised to see several people walking up or down a steep hill on "Yuksek Kaldirim Street" every day. This made him think of building a railway for easy transportation. Gavand returned to France to implement his project and, in 1869, presented his plan to "Sultan Abdelaziz".

Construction of the Famous Istanbul Tunnel

Despite being approved, this project was delayed for several years due to the start of the "Franco-Prussian" war. Construction resumed with the war's end, and the train tunnel was opened for public use in January 1875. At that time, the train only consisted of a steam engine and two wooden wagons that pulled them along; accordingly, the first wagon was used for carrying passengers, and the second was used for moving goods.

In 1968, the railway track was closed for renovation and reopened in 1971 with an electric motor and two metal wagons. This train, which continues to operate today, is known by the people as "Tünel"; also, it is part of the urban and historical transportation network of Istanbul, which carries about 12,000 people daily between "Karakoy and Beyoglu" stations. This train moves between the two stations of Karkoy and Beyoğlu, and its Karkoy station is near the "Galata Bridge" and passes through the "Golden Horn".

Other Historical Attractions of Istanbul

As you know, Istanbul has long been an important and influential city in important civilizations, and its history dates back to ancient Greece and Roma; for this reason, in addition to the beautiful buildings and architecture related to the periods of the Ottoman Empire in all parts of the city, there are also many other works related to the ancient and Byzantine periods in its different districts. This feature has made Istanbul one of the best cities in the world for exploring the city and seeing amazing historical and architectural attractions.

In this way, it can be said that a trip to Istanbul for vacation includes various natural, cultural, food, and even modern options, as well as historical attractions; so, on a "trip on tour to Istanbul," do not miss visiting the following famous historical attractions, which are among the most popular options; the most popular historical attractions in Istanbul are:

·         Hagia Sophia Mosque (Ayasofya Camii)

·         Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)

·         Suleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii)

·         Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)

·         Ibrahim Pasa Palace (İbrahim Paşa Sarayı)

·         Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı)

·         Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayı)

·         Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi)

·         Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi)

·         Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı)

·         Istanbul Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)

·         Egyptian Spice Bazaar (Misir Çarşısı)

·         Kadikoy Bazaar (Kadıköy Çarşısı)

·         Bosphorus Bridge (Boğaziçi Köprüsü)

·         Taksim Square (Taksim Meydanı)

·         Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)

·         Chora Church (Kariye Camii)

·         Hippodrome of Constantinople (Sultanahmet Meydanı)

·         Hurrem Sultan Bathhouse (Hurrem Sultan Hammam)

·         Buyukada Island (Büyükada)

An important point that is recommended in this regard and for easier transportation is to "rent a car in Istanbul" instead of using public transportation; because the fare of taxis in Istanbul is very high, and most tourists are not fully familiar with the bus and metro routes and stations. For this reason, you can rent a car for a whole day and go to several places with the same cost of taking a taxi from "Sabiha Airport" to "Taksim Square"; this method will greatly reduce your costs.

The Best Entertainment Places in Istanbul

Usually, on a family trip to Istanbul or with friends, travelers like visiting famous tourist attractions and Istanbul's entertainment places to have a more fun time together. The good news is that, in this regard, Istanbul has been able to provide tourists with many different options to make their trip more memorable; in this regard, among the best entertainment places in Istanbul that are suitable for all ages, we can mention the following:

·         Legoland Amusement Park

·         Luna Park Bostanci (Bostanci Amusement Park)

·         Vialand Theme Park

·         Dolphinarium

·         Marina Aquapark

·         Forestanbul Macera Park

·         Emirgan Park (Emirgan Grove)

·         Miniature Park

·         Fateh Family Park

·         Torium Snowpark

It should be noted that all the mentioned places, especially Bostanci and Vialand Games City, Aqua Marine Water Park, and Torium Snow Park, are among the most popular entertainment centers for young people in Istanbul. Therefore, if you travel to this historic and fantastic city with your friends, don't forget to visit these places to have an exciting day.

Sights of Istanbul Near Taksim

You have undoubtedly heard that "Taksim Square" is one of the most famous areas in Istanbul. It is very popular due to its easy access to other districts of the city and its closeness to some popular places. This central part of the city, which most travelers know because of the famous hotels and various shopping centers in this district, has interesting places that can increase the attractiveness of your trip; therefore, regarding the sightseeing places of Istanbul near Taksim, we can refer to these places:

·         Arter Modern Art Museum

·         Pilot Gallery

·         French Cultural Center

·         Japan Cultural Center

·         Cheeky Club

·         Tekyon Club

·         Panpan Cafe

·         Pera Andon Restaurant

·         Taksim Mosque

·         St. Anthony of Padua Church

Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church

Now, if you are still looking for more places to visit in Istanbul, especially at night, this city can easily offer you various options. Among the places of interest in Istanbul at night that exist at its ends, we can mention the cafes and clubs located on the edge of the Bosphorus Strait; because in addition to listening to live music in these places, you can also enjoy watching the reflection of the stars, moonlight and city lights in the waters of the Sea of ​​Marmara.

The important thing is that, instead of booking a hotel, if you "rent a suite in Istanbul," which in terms of features and facilities are completely equal to luxury and 5-star hotels, you will enjoy more privileges; for example, because these suites are in the city center, not only do you have easier access to different places in the city, but you will also pay less for your traffic.

On the other hand, these furnished houses have all the necessary facilities and equipment, such as kitchen utensils, washing machine, iron, hair dryers, etc., and also you no longer need to pay extra for eating outside in restaurants (with lower costs, you can buy food ingredients). Also, you can use the pool and yard exclusively because you have more dedicated space and privacy.

Sightseeing Places in Istanbul in Summer

Summer is one of the most common times to travel to Istanbul and have a fun and great vacation; therefore, to enjoy such a vacation more, it is better to prepare a list of places to visit that can make your trip more enjoyable. These places which have a lot of variety, some of them are more recommended than others; the following places can be considered the most popular places to visit in Istanbul in the summer to avoid the heat:

·         The edge of the Bosphorus Strait for walking or drinking tea and coffee (especially at the end of the day)

·         Aqua Marine Water Park

·         Basilica Cistern

·         Prince Island

·         Sakli Gol Lake

·         Pierre Loti Hill

·         Polonezkoy Natural Park

·         Fun Lab Istanbul

·         Mall of Istanbul

·         Forum Istanbul shopping center

·         The colorful neighborhood of Balat

·         Besiktas Bazaar

·         Bakircilar Bazaar

·         Cevahir Mall

·         Istanbul Outlet Park

·         Belgrade Forest

So, if you also intend to travel to this beautiful city and, for example, want to "book your flight ticket to Istanbul" at a more reasonable price, it is better to consider a valid website. In this regard, it is suggested that you consider websites offering flights from different airlines and the option to compare prices and features. Also, 24-hour support services, answering your questions, and free advice, like what GoToSafar provides to its customers, can increase your comfort and confidence.