A city of contrasts, a city of cultural encounters, and the symbolic point where Europe and Asia shake hands, Istanbul offers a fascinating chance to delve into the secrets of not one, but three cultures: ancient Byzantium, Constantinople, and modern-day Turkey. There are fabulous things to see in Istanbul in one day; and here are the top 10:
3) The port and the Galata bridge, lined with peculiar restaurants, offer not only a fascinating view of the Galata Tower, but also the best fried fish in town.
6) Get off the ferry on the Asian side and climb Anadolu Kavagi, where you will be able to catch a breathtaking glimpse of the Black Sea.
8) Enter Aya Sophia. A Byzantine masterpiece built by Emperor Justinian in 537, it became a Mosque after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Today, the Byzantine mosques still stand as the backdrop of beautiful Islamic calligraphy, symbolizing religious coexistence as no other building can.
9) Walk along the picturesque Yerebatan street in Sultanahmet, where colorful houses and restaurants seem to submerge you into a world of fantasy.
10) No visit to Istanbul is complete without a view of the sunset from the Galata Tower, as you hear the Adhan (call to prayer) sound like a mesmerizing song.
Photos by Valentina Primo