Staying home gives us a chance to reminisce about all the beautiful places we want to visit, and that includes Istanbul, a Muslim-friendly destination that is a favourite among international travellers. There are many things we wish to do in Turkey once it's safe to travel and experiencing winter definitely ranks high on our bucket list!
At the time of writing, the cold winter has arrived in Turkey, which began in mid-December and will last until mid-March. Like most travellers, we set our sights on the beautiful Hagia Sophia and The Blue Mosque in Istanbul and wish we're there to admire it in person!
Hagia Sophia
Spring may be one of the best seasons to visit Istanbul, but it looks equally mesmerising in winter. With snow blanketing the central dome and tall minarets of Hagia Sophia, this scenery is worth braving the cold for.
Hagia Sophia is a historical gem dating back to over 2000 years ago. Once known as the greatest church of the Byzantine Empire, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque when the Ottomans conquered Istanbul. It was turned into a museum in 1934 and recently, back into a mosque. In July 2020, the first Muslim prayer was made inside the building! As one of the greatest landmarks of Turkey, it's truly fascinating to step inside and spot the names of Allah and Prophet Muhammad alongside murals of Jesus Christ.
Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
The Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) looks absolutely captivating during winter! Backed by a snowy landscape, we sure miss admiring the stunning architecture and soaking in the magnificence of this iconic mosque in Turkey.
Built in the 1600s, it's the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets and its courtyard is the largest among all the Ottoman-era mosques. Once you step into the mosque, you will be mesmerised by its stunning architecture ? You'd also want to join fellow travellers and locals and take a leisurely stroll at the park facing the mosque. That's because when the azan (call to prayer) is recited, it's truly a beautiful and hair-raising experience.
It may take a while before we can visit Istanbul again, but we hope these stunning winter photos will inspire you to add this destination to your travel bucket list.