Fener and Balat: Istanbul’s Timeless Neighborhoods Fener and Balat are two of Istanbul's most enchanting and historically rich neighborhoods, nestled along the banks of the Golden Horn. These adjacent districts offer a vibrant tapestry of the city’s multicultural past and present, where we will see churches, synagogus and mosques side by side.

Sirkeci Train Station is located in Sirkeci, on the tip of Istanbul's historic peninsula, right next to the Golden Horn and close to the Gülhane Park and the Topkapı Palace. The station was built in 1890 by the Oriental Railway as the eastern terminus of the world-famous Orient Express that once operated between Paris and Istanbul in the period between 1883 and 2009, Sirkeci Terminal has become a symbol of the city.

Gülhane is a public park near to Topkapı Palace and Sultanahmet Square. Initially, the park was the outer gardens of the Sultan's Topkapi Palace. Today, Gulhane Park is accessible to everyone, it is an ennobled territory with a "forest" area with trees dating back to the 1800s.

It was called Hippodrome in Constantinople during the Byzantine Empire, and Atmeydanı during the Ottoman Empire. In the area is one of the most important squares of the city. The Blue Mosque is located in the east of the square, and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum and the İbrahim Pasha Palace are located in the west. There are structures such as the Knitted Obelisk, Serpent Column, Theodosius Obelisk and the German Fountain in the middle of the wide two-way walkways closed to traffic.

Beyazıt Square is one of the most important political and historical places of Istanbul. It was built by Emperor Theodosius in 393 AD as the largest square in the city. At that time, the square was known as "Form Tauri Square" because of the bronze bull heads on the giant triumphal arch in the middle.

The Süleymaniye Mosque, which was built by the world-famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan between 1551 and 1558 by the order of the Ottoman sultan of the time, Suleiman the Magnificent, is an architectural masterpiece. The general opinion is that this mosque is the work of Sinan's journeyman period, and its main mastery is the Selimiye Mosque located in Edirne, the border city of Turkey in Europe. Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the most important examples of Classical Ottoman architecture. The dome of the mosque, which has 4 minarets, each 75 meters high, with 3 balconies, is 53 meters high. It would be beneficial for you to visit another mosque close to this mosque, which creates feelings of admiration in the beholder.

Vefa is renowned for its deep-rooted historical and cultural significance. It’s home to the famous Vefa Bozacısı, a centuries-old establishment where you can savor boza, a traditional Turkish fermented drink. The district also houses the Vefa Kilise Mosque, a former Byzantine church, showcasing Istanbul’s layered past. Walking through Vefa’s narrow streets, you’ll discover a mix of charming old houses and local shops that reflect the authentic spirit of old Istanbul.