Fish Sandwiches by the Golden Horn

Last week we were on holiday in Istanbul again - after two days there on our Turkish tour in May, we wanted to go back for a longer visit.  We went with a couple of friends and had a wonderful time.  The weather was perfect - warm and sunny, but not too hot. We went back to the Topkapı Palace and to the harem, and had a longer visit to the Archaeology museum.  (We only had an hour to spend there one lunchtime when we were in Istanbul in May, and then had to run to meet the rest of our party.)  We went to the Süleymaniye Mosque, and the church of St Saviour in Chora which has wonderful Byzantine frescoes and  mosaics, and several other museums and mosques.  And we walked miles, along the Golden Horn and through the little streets around the Grand Bazaar, and lots of other places. We had some good food too - the fish sandwich (balık ekmek) from a boat next to the Galata Bridge was a highlight.   Here are a small selection from the many photos taken while we were there. 

Aya Sofya from the roof terrace of the hotel

A momentarily quiet courtyard in the Harem

The Blue Mosque from the Hippodrome

Inside the Süleymaniye Mosque

 

Sponges for sale in the Spice Bazaar

Fire precautions at the Mosaic museum

Sandwich makers by the Galata Bridge