"Down Istanbul's hills and through its backstreets, you'll find neighborhoods that feel local and authentic-where shopkeepers greet passersby by name, laundry sways between windows, and the scent of home cooking drifts through open doorways. These are the parts of Istanbul that offer a more grounded perspective-not just what the city looks like, but how it lives. Bebek, Çukurcuma, and Cihangir are among the most rewarding to explore, especially for solo travelers, though anyone who makes the time will likely be drawn in."
"From the outside, the Hagia Sophia is undeniably majestic-a seemingly floating central dome is flanked by four spear-like minarets and a buttress of weathered, pastel pink colored stone. It is only once you venture inside, however, that you are truly able to grasp the complicated history of the mosque. Originally built in 537 AD under Emperor Justinian, the site was once home to the world's largest cathedral."
Istanbul is carved in two by the Bosphorus and sits where East meets West. The city hosts nearly 16 million people and a skyline that ranges from modern towers to centuries-old domes. Major landmarks such as the Grand Bazaar and Hagia Sophia merit hours of attention but coexist with quieter corners worth exploring. Backstreets and hillside neighborhoods offer local, authentic experiences where shopkeepers greet passersby, laundry sways between windows, and the scent of home cooking drifts through open doorways. Neighborhoods like Bebek, Çukurcuma, and Cihangir reward exploration, and the Hagia Sophia dates to 537 AD with notable Byzantine mosaics.
Read at Conde Nast Traveler
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