avoiding crowds

Anıtkabir — the mausoleum of Atatürk — is the most visited monument of Ankara, and the crowds of the national memorial can be as impressive as its architecture.

The Chora Church — the Kariye — is one of the great monuments of the Byzantine art, and the visitors of the world come to the small church in the west of the old city to see its mosaics and its frescoes.

The Rumeli Fortress is one of the most visited monuments of the Bosphorus, and the crowds of the castle can be as impressive as its walls.

The Basilica Cistern is one of the most popular attractions in Istanbul, and at busy times its walkways are crowded, its railings are lined with photographers, and the queue can stretch down the street.

The Spice Bazaar is one of the most popular destinations in Istanbul, and at its busiest moments its narrow galleries are packed shoulder to shoulder.

The Grand Bazaar is one of the busiest places in Istanbul, and for much of the day its lanes are packed with shoppers, tour groups, and hawkers.

The Maiden’s Tower is a small site with a big reputation, and its crowds are limited by the water: only the people who take the boats can reach the islet, which keeps the visit intimate in a way that the city’s…

Galata Tower has a crowd problem, and it is entirely of its own making: one small elevator, one narrow gallery, and millions of visitors who all want the same sunset view.

Dolmabahce Palace is one of Istanbul’s busiest sights, and its guided-tour system means crowds are not just uncomfortable but limiting: you wait longer, move faster, and see less.

Topkapi Palace is one of the most visited museums in the world, and its crowds are legendary: queues at the ticket gates, a press of visitors in the treasury, and long waits for the harem.

The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne is one of the easiest great monuments in Turkey to visit peacefully.

The Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the quietest of Istanbul’s great monuments, but that does not mean it is never busy.