Istanbul Popular Hotels

The Blue Mosque contains 6 minarets, its number symbolizes the wealth of the sultan, but the fact that this number is equal with the number of minarets in the Grand Mosque in Mecca, made angry the Muscleman. The sultan solved this problem by adding the seventh minaret. Inside the mosque is decorated with 20 000 small blue, red and brown tiles, made in Isnik. The blue tiles can also be seen on some details in the yard. You should pay attention on the prayer niche, mihrab, that is carved in the wall facing Mecca. Don't forget that the mosque is closed for tourists five times a day during the praying.

The Galata Bridge. The world-famous Galata Bridge is a favourite place for fishing: every day there gather a lot of fishermen. The bridge connects the centre and the Sultanahmet district, where there are a lot of places of interest. Among them is Grand Bazaar, one of the biggest roofed markets in the world. The time of visiting it for many tourists becomes the greatest event in their trip to Istanbul. There one can find jewellery, spicery, carpets and fake brand clothes, in one word this market can satisfy the requirements of any customer. All in all there takes place more than 4 000 shops. Every day Grand Bazaar is visited by 250 – 400 thousands of people. The most popular entertainment there is smoking a hookah.
Read more: guide to Istanbul with maps, photos and weather conditions.

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