Istanbul: A City That Never Loses Its Magic

I’ve visited Istanbul multiple times over the years, and no matter how often I return, the city never ceases to fascinate me. It has become one of my favorite cities in the world, a place where history feels alive in every street and skyline.

As someone obsessed with history, Istanbul is like an endless book with layers upon layers of stories. It was once Constantinople, the heart of the Byzantine Empire, the first great Christian empire. Then, with the Ottoman conquest, it transformed into the seat of one of the most powerful empires in history. Few cities have shaped the world as profoundly as Istanbul.

Whenever I visit, I usually stay in the heart of the city’s historical district—Sultanahmet. Yes, it’s filled with tourists, but it still manages to transport me to another time. I love wandering its streets, stumbling upon new historical details with each visit.

One of my favorite rituals in Istanbul is getting a haircut. It’s always affordable, and the barbers here take their craft seriously—offering not just a cut, but also a scalp massage, a shave, and even a nose and ear hair trim. It’s a small but unforgettable part of the Istanbul experience.

Another highlight is taking the public ferry across the Bosphorus, crossing from Asian Istanbul to European Istanbul for just a few lira. It’s a simple pleasure, but sailing between two continents never gets old.

These are just a few snapshots of my experiences in this timeless city, a place I’ll keep returning to for years to come.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia: The Most Awe-Inspiring Building I’ve Ever Seen

Of all the places I’ve traveled, Hagia Sophia stands out as the most awe-inspiring building I have ever stepped foot in. From the outside, its massive dome and towering minarets are striking, but it’s inside where the true magic unfolds. Standing beneath its soaring ceiling, surrounded by nearly 1,500 years of history, I was overwhelmed.

Built in 537 AD by the Eastern Roman Empire, when Istanbul was still Constantinople, Hagia Sophia was the crown jewel of the Byzantine Empire—the largest church in the world at the time. It stood as a symbol of Christian dominance until the Ottomans rose to power in the 15th century. Despite multiple sieges, Constantinople remained unconquered—until Sultan Mehmed II led one of the greatest battles in world history to take the city in 1453.

According to accounts, as the city fell, flames were seen around the dome of Hagia Sophia. Yet, the structure never burned. Sultan Mehmed II sealed his victory by stepping inside the legendary church, and from that moment, its fate changed forever. The Ottomans converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque, covering its grand Christian mosaics with Islamic calligraphy.

Centuries later, in the 20th century, General Atatürk transformed it into a museum, allowing the layers of its history to be seen once more. When I visited, it was in this state—a place where Byzantine and Ottoman history coexisted under one vast, breathtaking dome.

Hagia Sophia is not just a building—it is a living testament to the rise and fall of empires, an architectural wonder that has stood the test of time. No place has ever made me feel so small, yet so connected to history.

Stone hallways of Hagia Sophia

Domed ceilings

Christian murals covered up for centuries under Muslim Ottoman Rule

Christian murals covered up for centuries under Muslim Ottoman Rule

Massive Interior of Hagia Sophia with Ottoman era Islamic Caligraphy

Massive Interior of Hagia Sophia with Ottoman era Islamic Caligraphy

The Blue Mosque: The Ottoman Answer to Hagia Sophia

The second most imposing building in historic Istanbul, standing adjacent to Hagia Sophia, is the Blue Mosque, built in the early 1600s by the Ottomans. By that time, they had long been using Hagia Sophia as a mosque, but it remained a Byzantine creation. Seeking to leave their own mark, they built the Blue Mosque, a grand architectural statement of Ottoman power.

Unlike Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque remains a working place of worship. When I entered, I saw people praying, a reminder that this wasn’t just a historic site but a living religious space.

The most enchanting experience, however, is the call to prayer, bellowing from its minarets five times a day, echoing across Istanbul. It adds to the city’s exotic and timeless atmosphere, making every visit feel truly immersive.

Blue Mosque

Inside Blue Mosque

Man praying in the corner of the Blue Mosque

The Basilica Cistern: A Subterranean World of Mystery

Hidden beneath the streets of Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern is one of the city’s most mysterious and atmospheric sites. Built in the 200s AD by the Roman Empire, it was designed to store water, yet today, it feels more like an ancient underworld.

Descending into the cool, shadowy depths, I was met with towering marble pillars, dim lighting, and the eerie reflection of water below. Unlike the bustling streets above, the cistern has always been quiet and uncrowded during my visits—a welcome escape from the city’s chaos.

The most intriguing feature is the two massive Medusa heads, their origins and purpose still unknown. Standing among the ancient columns, crossing stone pathways over still waters, I couldn’t help but imagine Perseus himself stepping into this labyrinth, preparing to battle Medusa. The Basilica Cistern isn’t just a historical site—it’s a place where myth and reality merge.

Man standing next to a giant Medusa head 

The Bosphorus Ferry: A Ride Between Continents

The public ferry across the Bosphorus Strait, connecting European and Asian Istanbul, is one of the city’s best and most affordable experiences. Used daily by locals, it’s also incredibly easy for visitors to navigate.

For just a few lira, you get a front-row seat to Istanbul’s skyline, passing iconic landmarks while sailing between two continents. The ferry also extends to parts of the Black Sea, offering a scenic escape from the city’s crowds.

It’s more than just transportation—it’s a must-do experience that captures the essence of Istanbul.

Public ferry across Straits of Bosphorus