travel stories about istanbul

TURKEY TRAVEL DIARY

Istanbul has always been among the top on my list of cities I wanted to visit. And when I finally got the chance to go, I had to jump at the chance. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. From the ornate architecture to the historic culture, I was completely fascinated. I tried my best to capture my vacation, but for once in my life, I had the misfortune of leaving my camera behind and I broke my phone during my trip and basically only documented a portion of my trip. However, thinking back on my experience, it was probably for the best because I felt completely present for the beauty of this amazing city. Something so simple as exploring the street traffic and observing daily life in Istanbul was incredibly fascinating. From the food to the many different bazaars, I felt right at home and never wanted to leave. Istanbul just felt like the best mixture of people I’ve ever seen anywhere else. Everyone was so happy and kind. Except for a few shady cab drivers, the people were so kind. 

WHERE WE STAYED:

We stayed at the Conrad Hotel Istanbul Bosphorus. We chose this hotel because it is located in the lively Besikta area which is a 5 minute walk from the Bosphorus. Hotel is also beautiful with fully renovated guest rooms and suites and a stunning rooftop restaurant that offers an amazing view of the city. They also have indoor and outdoor pools which were great for my kids. For a full tour and view check out my Istanbul Vlog here .

OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS TO CHECK OUT:

BALAT: One of the most unique neighborhoods in Istanbul hands down. This areais filled with colorful homes and buildings. Very rich in history and yet the least amount of tourists in this area. Which is perfect because this is the perfect place to snap some of the best photos if you’re looking for great shots.

TAKSIM: This area is similar to Time Square in NYC. Very crowded with people at all hours of the day. Go here for great shopping, shopping and nightlife experience.  

SULTANAHMET: This area is filled with tourists and with that comes higher prices, lots of souvenir shops and over populated restaurants. While I do recommend visiting this area, I would opt to dine/shop elsewhere for convenience and lower prices. 

KADIKÖY: This area is very laid back and kind of gives me such hipster vibes. Lots of trendy restaurants and cafes.

OTAKÖY: considered to be one of the best neighborhoods in istanbul. This area features a picturesque view of the mosque on the bosphorus. This is the area we stayed in and trust me when I tell you, you will not run out of amazing views, restaurants, shops, and café options… all within walking distance.

SHOP THE POST

My favorite items to pack are maxi or midi dresses for a summer vacation. Its super breezy and flowy and just perfect for hot weather. I like that I can dress it down with sandals and sneakers during the day and dress it up with a pair of heels at night for dinner. Below are my favorite maxi and midi dresses currently available in stores. Click the images below to shop these dresses. 

6 THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL

HAGIA SOPHIA :This incredible church-turned-mosque-turned-museum is probably one of the most architectural landmarks I’ve ever witnessed. The lineups are super long on the weekends as tourists seem to always flock to its beauty. But, if you purchase the VIP tour, which is what I did, you can bypass the lineup and get in within minutes. There are usually ticket dealers outside who can give this access. Since I was travelling with my kids, I opted for this option because convenience was absolutely a priority for me.

THE BLUE MOSQUE : As a muslim, I LOVE to experience the different mosques around the world. So seeing The Blue Mosque was an absolute must for me. And this famous landmark definitely did not disappoint. So much detail and remarkable architectural in every square inch of this structure. It almost makes you wonder how they ever accomplished such thing. The only thing to remember is that this mosque is a functioning most so they do close down for 5 prayers a day. During this time, anyone who is praying is allowed in to pray and the rest of the tourists are politely asked to wait outside. 

THE GRAND BAZAAR : This had to be one of my favorite shopping experiences of all time. There were so many things I wanted to take home…ESPECIALLY the carpets. However, because I was traveling to Dubai for 7 more days before heading home…it was nearly impossible for me to take home as much as I did. The quality is amazing in Turkey. Whether it be jewelry, carpets or clothing, the quality was unmatched. I loved scouring for all sorts of gems. I’m not much of a hagler, but it’s an absolute must at the Grand Bazaar. Everything is negotiable so go in strong otherwise you will get GOT!

TURKISH BATH:  If you’re looking for a once in lifetime experience, you must go to a Turkish Bath. Getting a Turkish bath and a full body massage at Cagaloglu Hamami had me feeling like a Sultan’s wife. The staff is very experienced and super friendly. Beautiful atmosphere coupled with a wonderful experience all around. Turkish bath’s are among the many spa experiences in Istanbul. I highly recommend it. 

CURISE THE BOSPHORUS: If you’re visiting Istanbul during the warmer months, a cruise on the Bosphorus is always a great idea. This unforgettable experience will give you a remarkable overview of the city both on the European and the Asian side. There are many options from a short cruise to a full day and also from a public tour to a more private one. We did a private tour since we had kids and had such a beautiful time. 

GALATA TOWER : If you wanna see a 360 panoramic view of Istanbul, this is your best bet. The tower also has a restaurant/cafe on the 9th floor which is quite busy at all hours of the day. The Galata tower is also surrounded by many cute patios, shops and cafes. If you ever get the chance to visit the Galata Tower, be sure to schedule your trip around the sunset hours. 

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Istanbul travel blog — the fullest istanbul travel guide for a great budget trip for first-timers.

Ancient, mysterious but full of surprises will be your first impressions when visiting Istanbul, Turkey. The city of Istanbul is considered the heart of Turkey with more than 2,600 years of history, Istanbul has many churches, mosques and many attractive tourist attractions. Especially, The Historical Area of Istanbul has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Thanks to these historic architectural works, Istanbul has attracted millions of visitors each year. So, what to do and how to plan a budget perfect trip to Istanbul for the first-time? Let’s check out our Istanbul travel blog (Istanbul blog, Istanbul trip blog) with the fullest Istanbul travel guide (Istanbul guide, Istanbul tourist guide, Istanbul visitor guide) from how to get, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

• My trip to Istanbul — Explore the bridge city of Asia and Europe
• Istanbul travel tips — 9 things & what to know before going to Istanbul
• What to eat in Istanbul? — 19+ Famous, must try food in Istanbul & best food in Istanbul
• Where to go in Istanbul? — 10 must & best places to visit in Istanbul
• How to spend 12 hour layover in Istanbul perfectly?

Napoleon once said: “If the world were a country, Istanbul would be the capital!”. So, what prompted Napoleon to say that, this can be easily is explained by Istanbul’s unique location lying on the two continents of Asia and Europe. But that’s just the shell on the outside. Deep inside Istanbul also contains a rich culture and timeless historical values.

Istanbul travel blog: Overview of Istanbul

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey with an area of 5,343 km² and a population of more than 15 million people, located on two continents of Asia and Europe, stretching on the both sides of the Bosphorus Strait – an important waterway connecting the Sea of Marmara and Black Sea. Istanbul is also the center of economic, cultural and commercial of Turkey and the capital of the province of Istanbul.

Because of such strategic location, in the past Istanbul was once the capital of many powerful empires such as the Roman Empire (330-395), the Byzantine Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453) and the the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). Today, imprints of these empires still exist in Istanbul.

Istanbul travel blog: Is Istanbul the capital of Turkey?

Once the capital of many powerful empires in the past but today Istanbul is not the capital of Turkey, the capital of Turkey is Ankara. However, many people still mistake that Istanbul is the capital of Turkey (like mistaking Sydney as the capital of Australia).

Some fun facts about Istanbul

• The Istanbul’s population is more than 13 million people, more than the population of Belgium. And only a third of the population living in the Asia part of the city.
• Istanbul’s metro system is the 3rd oldest metro system in the world after London and New York.
• Istanbul is the city with the most mosques in Turkey with the number up to 3,113.

Istanbul travel blog: Which season should I travel to Istanbul?

You can go to Istanbul at anytime of year. But it is advisable to travel in spring and autumn. Because these two seasons have a cool climate, it is very pleasant to visit. Spring in Turkey starts from April to June while autumn lasts from September to November.

Note: In particular, if you travel to Istanbul in October, you need to pay special attention. Because October is Ramadan month of Muslim. The people of Istanbul in particular and Turkey in general will live in a completely different time compare with normal days. All banks and ATMs will stop working.

Istanbul travel guide: How to get to Istanbul?

Currently from Hanoi or Saigon (HCMC) has a direct flight to Istanbul with a flight time of 10-12 hours, which is very convenient operated by Turkish Airlines. This is Turkey’s airline with the widest flight network around the world. From Vietnam, the airline operating routes to Turkey and all European countries.

Turkish Airlines will land at Istanbul new airport – the world’s largest airport which has just come into operation since April 2019. Due to its massive scale, it takes time to move to the departure gates of the aircraft, so you also need to find out some information about this airport in advance to avoid missing flights.

Fares vary from time to time, ranging from 900 – 1,000 USD for round trip. Depending on the time of promotion or some agents have their own policy with the airline, you can hunt for cheap round-trip tickets from 650-700 USD. With a total flight time of ~ 10 hours from Hanoi and 12 hours from Saigon, you will be served 2 meals and free drinks. In-flight dishes are generally quite delicious, nutritious, often with bread, butter and a kind of thick sauce come together. Drinks including free tea, coffee and fruit juices are served with meals. Economy Class passengers have 8kg of carry-on baggage and 30kg of checked baggage. The airline does not limit the number of packages to bring. Its online booking website: https://www.turkishairlines.com .

There are also several airlines fly to Istanbul such as Emirate Airlines and Qatar Airways, but fly with these airlines you have to transit via Dubai or Doha airports.

Getting from the airport to the city center

There are 2 main airports in Istanbul: Istanbul (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW). Both of these airports are international airports, however Sabiha Gokcen mainly serving low-cost airlines.

You should choose fly to Istanbul Airport because it is located on the Europe part of the city and there are more types of public transport to travel to the city center. Specifically, how to get from the airports to the city center as follows:

From the new Istanbul Airport to city center (and vice versa)

Currently, this Istanbul new airport has just come into operation in April 2019 and is about 40km from the city center.

Bus: The most economical way to travel from Istanbul airport to the city center – Taksim district and vice versa is to take a bus of Havaist company .

The advantage of this type is convenient, cheap (only 30 lira / person / way), straight to Taksim square, but not directly to the Sultanahmet area (only to the nearby stop Beyazıt Meydan). Please visit this website to see its route, schedules and book tickets. ($1=7.46 Turkish lira (TL)).

Shared Istanbul Airport (IST) Transfer for City Center

Taxi: If you have a lot of luggage and have just traveled through a long journey, you should take a taxi. Taxi price from IST airport to city center is around 150 lira.

However, the price is not always fixed at 150 lira. For the trip from city center to the airport, the driver will prefer to bargain with customer than turn on the meter. If you ask them turn on the meter, they will take a detour to charge you more.

Metro: Metro is also an affordable option, but you will have have to carry your luggage, a bit tired. Specifically, you will have to change trains at Gayrettepe station to the Taksim line. And another downside is that you could not go straight to the Sultanahmet area (only to Veznecilar station nearby).

From Sabiha Gokcen Airport to city center (and vice versa)

There are fewer transport options available from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to the city center than from Istanbul Airport. The easiest way is to book airport transfer service . This service you can book directly with the hotel or travel agencies. The price for this trip is about €10 (90 lira).

Istanbul trip blog: Getting around Istanbul

In Istanbul city we mainly walk, because we stayed a hotel which close to some famous attractions. For a long distance, we use tram or taxi.

There is also a popular public transport, that’s ferry. However, the ferry is only needed when you want to go to the Asia coast of the city and it is not convenient way to access any tourist destinations at all.

NOTE: If you traveling a lot around the city, you should buy an Istanbul Kart card ( iOS , Android ). You will have to spend 10 TL for the card and 20 TL deposit to use all public transport with an unlimited number of people (as long as there is enough money in the card). However, after buying the card, it cannot be returned or withdrawn. One advantage is that the card can be used for many people. You can buy it at some major transit stops such as airports, Sultanahmet, and Eminönü. See more here .

• Istanbul Welcome Card

Istanbul travel blog: What to do and where to go?

Hagia sophia (aya sofya).

Used to be the largest Orthodox church in the world for 1000 years. After being invaded by the Ottoman Empire, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque. Visiting this place, you can easily find remnants of Orthodox on the walls. The main highlights of Hagia Sophia are its majestic domes and magnificent mosaics that amaze even the greatest architects. In just 6 years (532 to 537), the Turkish people built a remarkable architectural work of mankind in Byzantine style.

• Hagia Sophia Introduction Tour with Audio Guide

Address: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey Height: 56 m Opening hours: 9am – 5pm (winter) & 9am – 7pm (summer) Admission: TL 30

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)

Sultanahmet Camii was built in the early 17th century, it owns the largest scale and most beautiful among the mosques and is also a symbol of Istanbul. The reason for its name Blue Mosque is because the mosque is paved with 20,000 blue glazed tiles with more than 50 different tulip designs decorated throughout the mosque. Like many other mosques, inside the Blue Mosque there is also the tomb of Sultan (King) Ahmed I.

• Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque Small Group Tour

Free opening to visitors but the mosque still remains a sacred place of worshipping. So, before going inside the mosque, you will have to remove your shoes and women will have to wear a headscarf. For Muslims, they will clearly wash their hands, feet and face as a show of respect to their (God) Allah.

• Istanbul Classics Tour

It also free offer bags for visitors store their shoes and lend a headscarf to female guests (but this headscarf is not nice).

Address: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey Hours: 9AM–7PM Admission: Free

Topkapi Palace Museum

Located in the Sultanahmet District, Topkapi Palace is a witness to the historic ups and downs of the Ottoman Empire. Topkapi has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site because of its historical stature as well as its unique beauty. This palace was built in the 15th century and served as the residence of the sultans for more than 400 years during the most prosperous period of the Ottoman Empire (1465-1856). Because of that, this palace complex is extremely large.

Istanbul Topkapi Palace Tour with Skip-the-Line and Audio Guide

By the early 20th century, the Turkish government used it as an office before turning Topkapi into a museum. Tourists will not only be impressed by the scale of the palace, but also have the opportunity to witness first-hand historical artifacts such as the sultans’ weapons, the watch collections or precious jewelry from the Ottoman period.

Before it became an open museum to visitors, the palace used to be the residence of the Sultan and the queen, imperial concubines with hundreds of houses, mosques, entertainment areas and harem. In addition to keeping historical artifacts of the Ottoman Empire, this Istanbul tourist spot is also a beautiful place to enjoy a view of the Bosporus Strait.

• Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, & Basilica Cistern Combo Tour in Istanbul

Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey Hours: 10AM–4PM/Tuesday: Closed Construction started: 1465 Admission: Museum 40 TL + harem 25 TL

• The 3 tourist attractions of Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace are always crowded with tourists, so you take advantage of going from the early morning at around 8:30am.
• If possible, hire a guide to learn more about each place because the information inside each spot are not enough.

Dolmabahce Palace

Considered as “The Versailles of Istanbul” because of its extremely magnificent architecture. Dolmabahce will impress you from the moment you set foot in the Bosphorus where separates Istanbul into two parts in Europe and Asia.

If Topkapi Palace looks ancient, Dolmabahce Palace has a bit of modernity and elegance. Located right next to the Bosporus, the palace is like a shining jewel that adorns the city of Istanbul.

Because the palace only allows 5000 guests to visit a day, you should take advantage of early visiting. Visitors can freely visit the garden while wanting to go inside the palace will have to take a tour guide. Visitors are not allow to take pictures inside but when the guide and security do not pay attention you can still “take some photos”. When detected, the guide will remind guests but they will not be too strict.

Address: Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey Hours: 9AM–4PM/Monday, Thursday: Closed Construction started: 1843 Admission: 40 TL (visit the outside palace)

Galata Bridge

A historic bridge crossing Golden Horn Bay connects the old town of Sultanahmet with the modern northern part of Istanbul.

Galata Bridge does not have a monumental architecture like the Chain Bridge in Budapest or the Tower Bridge in London. But it has a more special meaning of all, the connection between the past and the present, the connection between cultures. If this side is a bustling street scene with modern buildings, then the Sultanahmet side has a ancient look. Therefore, it has a very special meaning, standing here to see the world of two separate cultures.

Strolling along the bridge you can easily encounter the idyllic life of the people of Istanbul. In particular, you will see many fishermen, they fish during the day and resell to the restaurants below or fish sandwiches boats.

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower was completed in 1348, once the tallest tower in Istanbul that many visitors want to come. Galata Tower is one of the prominent tourist spots in Istanbul. In the past, the tower was destroyed by two major fires in the 18th and 19th centuries and was restored to welcome visitors. Today, visitors can admire the 360-degree panoramic beauty of the city when reaching the top floor of the tower.

With a height of up to 67 m, Galata Tower is the ideal spot for visitors to admire the panoramic beauty of the whole city under shimmering lights at night. Guests can also enjoy a cozy and romantic evening at the top of the tower as there is a restaurant and cafe to serve visitors.

Address: Bereketzade, Galata Kulesi, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey Opening hours: 9am – 8:30pm Admission: 25 TL

Bosphorus Strait

It is the most beautiful sunset spot in the world. This narrowest strait in the world is the natural boundary separating the two parts of the Eurasian continent of Istanbul. In addition, this is also a political hot spot, which get countless papers and ink of the international media.

But contrary to the information in the newspaper, the Bosporus is a very poetic place. Visitors can take a cruise tour to enjoy scenery along the Bosporus, admiring the two continents of Asia – Europe of the city.

To catch the yacht you have to go to the Eminonu Pier to buy tours from the “hot boys” here. Before buying the tour you should go along the pier to aks tour prices but most of the prices that the “boys” offer are the same, 15 TL. After gathering enough guests, all will be invited to get on the bus to get to the pier, whoever gets on first will get a nice spot on the 2nd floor of the boat. As for my team who came up late, we had to sit in a decorated wedding cabin.

Honesty, this is one of my memorable experiences in Turkey. I was also quite surprised because I have never seen such a beautiful sunset, even much more beautiful than the sunset in Santorini.

Basilica Cistern

Known by various names such as the Underground Palace or the Sunken Palace. But in fact, this was once an underground water storage and a water filtration system providing drinking water for the people of Istanbul. Visiting this place you will be lost in a different world with columns created by the ancient Romans.

The Basilica Cistern is a famous underground structure in Turkey that has appeared in many TV series. Previously, it was a underground water lake for the people of Istanbul then forgotten for a few centuries and now becomes a tourist attraction in Istanbul.

Take the space of darkness as the main theme, it is lit by spaced lamps and 336 pillars built by the ancient Romans. This work will make visitors can not help admire by the talent of the ancient people. In particular, there is a stone pillar with an upside down Medusa head statue (which historians have yet to explain why the head of the statue was placed upside down).

Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey Opening hours: 9am – 5:30pm Admission: 20 TL

Maiden’s Tower (The Virgin’s Tower)

If you have ever seen pictures of Turkey, you will see a nearly 30 meter high tower alone in the middle of the Bosporus sea.

There are many legends surrounding this tower, but the most famous is the story of a rich father who wants to protect his beloved daughter from the dangers and he built this tower in the middle of the sea. It has also been used as an ancient watchtower and worshiped the god of fire since ancient Baku. From this tower, you will admire the peaceful sea scenery with the hillsides and surrounding nature.

Today the tower has become a restaurant. If you have an opportunity to travel to Istanbul, you should try to have a meal here to be able to see Istanbul scenery and hear more thrilling stories.

The most bustling neighborhood in Istanbul. Contrary to the timeless beauty of Sultanahmet neighborhood, the Taksim district brings the breath of modern life. When night falls, Taksim will become very crowded with shops and bars.

In the Istiklal pedestrian street, there is also an ancient system of tram that has existed for nearly a hundred years, creating something very unique for this neighborhood.

NOTE: The security of this Taksim area is a bit complicated, you should be a little bit more careful, especially at night. Because there are many restaurants and bars in this area, there are many risks.

Ortakoy Mosque

Ortakoy Mosque, also known by another name is Buyuk Mecidiye Camii. The mosque is both a symbol of the Ortaköy district and is known as the “jewel” of the Bosphorus. Buyuk Mecidiye Camii is built right next by the Bosphorus, located at the foot of the Bosphorus Bridge.

Among over 3000 mosques, Ortaköy is still one of the most beautiful structures in Istanbul. This mosque was built from 1854 to 1856 by order of Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid. Ortaköy was designed by great architects Garabet Amira Balyan and Nigoğayos Balyan.

Address: Mecidiye, Mecidiye Köprüsü Sk. No:1 D:1, 34347 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey Opened: 1856 Hours: 4AM–10PM

Istanbul travel blog: What and where to eat?

Due to a city located on two continents, that is why Istanbul there are many unique culinary features that are difficult to find anywhere else in the world. Among them are doner kebab, fish sandwich, stewed lamb, baklava… Below are famous dishes you should try.

Doner Kebab

Referring to Turkey can not help but to mention Doner Kebab – a famous traditional dish in Turkey. Previously, Turkey was a country of nomadic tribes, so they often roast meat to keep for a long time, sandwiches with bread and vegetables, quite similar to today’s doner kebab. In Turkey, Doner often sandwiches with lamb, beef and chicken … absolutely no pork because the Muslim Turks do not eat pork. The marinated chicken is delicious, soft, juicy. Beef is okay, while lamb is a bit too strong taste, maybe because I am not used to the taste of Turkey.

Turkish Ice Cream Tricks (Battered ice cream)

The reason for the name ice cream trick is because the sellers will use all kinds of tricks to fool you, not allowing you to get the ice cream. Note that this cream is only for virtual living, but it is boring to eat, a bit flexible so that the seller can playing with you.

Fish sandwich (balık ekmek) at Galata bridge

For a long time, I have read an article on a travel forum that this fish sandwich is so delicious, but the truth is it is not as delicious as I hoped. A fish sandwich only has a few lettuce and fried fish without any sauce, so it is bland. Only the fried fish show on the boats is attractive. You can come to Galata bridge and try it on boats.

Stewed lamb

Lamb is a familiar ingredient in Turkish meals, there are many dishes prepared from it, in which this attractive stewed lamb cannot be ignored. Lamb after being thoroughly stewed with spices will put in a ceramic jar. After that, the waiter will light the fire around and create a unique fire dance before you can enjoy it.

Tea and raki

These are the two most used drinks in Turkey. When entering someone’s home, you will definitely be invited to a cup of tea, showing the hospitality of the people here. Raki a alcoholic drink made of twice-distilled grapes and anise with a fairly high alcohol content (up to 48%). Therefore, if you cannot drink alcohol, you should consider before drink it!

Turkey is a country with high annual honey production in the world, honey prices are not cheap either. This is a commonly used ingredient in cuisine to make cakes, sweets, yogurt,…

Turkish Baklava

Baklava in Turkey is a layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, and filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. This is must-try food in Istanbul in particular and Turkey in general. It also was one of the most famous and popular sweet pastries of Ottoman cuisine.

Turkish Red Lentil Soup

This is also one of the indispensable dishes in the daily life of the people of this country that you should try. The dish is attractive and eye-catching with the main ingredient is lentil stewed with tomatoes, peppers, onions and a little cream to create fat.

Lahmacun cake

Turkish style pizza is known as signature street food but it is everywhere so you can buy to try it. Place on top of the cake is minced lamb stir-fried with spices, chopped chili, coriander and squeezed on a little lemon juice to enhence flavor. Then roll it up, wrap it in paper and cut it in half to eat, not bring it to bake, fast, neat, and quick.

Midye Dolma

This is a famous dealcoholized wine dish consisting of clams stuffed with a mixture of spicy rice. At restaurants in this country, they will not stop bringing this dish until you say stop and the shop owner will charge by counting clam shells.

Cig kofte (raw meat balls)

Cig kofte is one of the best raw meat dishes in the world with a very spicy taste. This raw meat dish is often served with flat bread, salad, pomegranate seed oil and spicy sauce.

Simit (Turkish sesame bagel)

This is a traditional Turkish cake and is often used for breakfast. A kind of soft and spongy bread is formed in a ring shape, sprinkled with white sesame seeds on top and then bake. You can buy them in street food vendors or pastry shops. Enjoying a hot cake with a cup of tea or served with cheese, salad brings delicious flavors.

Türk Kahvesi (Turkish Coffee)

Turkish coffee not to be mixed with boiling water as usual. They are incubated in a stove at a low temperature and served in large cups. Turkish coffee has a slightly sour taste, very strong and especially when you drink to the bottom of the cup you will see a layer of coffee paste due to coffee powder will settle down.

This is a famous Turkish ice cream and pastry chain of stores in Turkey. The desserts, ice cream, and juices were delicious. In addition, it also serves savory dishes, pizzas in large plates, a quite full for a meal of about 70 TL. Nice view, cozy, very nice service staff, nice dress.

Address: Alemdar, Divan Yolu Cd. No:24, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey Hours: 8AM–12AM

Turkish Delight Chain

Here is a collection of famous Turkish brands, Turkish traditional sweets, pastries, cakes, baklava… My favorite is Turkish Chocolate, which is very cheap and delicious. This is must-visit place in Istanbul.

Istanbul travel blog: What and where to buy?

When traveling to Istanbul, you can buy many interesting things as gifts such as apple tea, lokum (Turkish Delight candy) or hand-woven rugs, Nazars (charms against the evil eye), olive oil, traditional pottery handmade, leather products, refrigerator stickers with pictures of famous places, …

Grand Bazaar

One of the oldest markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar has more than 3,000 stalls, it can take many days to explore. The Turks are known for their skillful, careful and meticulous skills, so at Grand Bazaar you can find unique Hand-made items. Even basic items such as water bottles, pots, but under the talented hands of the Turks they turn into extremely beautiful home decorations. In addition, the Grand Bazaar is famous for the areas selling condiments, spices or chocolates. A note for visitors is to bargain when shopping here. The merchants in Turkey, especially in the Grand Bazzar always say overcharge. You have to bargain, usually 1/3 of the value of the item.

Address: Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey Opened: 1461 Hours: 10AM–6PM

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

Located next to the Bosphorus on the European coast of the city, this market sells many Turkish specialties: Nuts, apricots, tea, confectionery, cheese and unique handmade decorations. The experience of buying nuts is to buy at shops outside the market, I see the list price of these shops 10-20% lower than shops in the market.

Shopping Malls

Forum istanbul shopping center.

This is the largest shopping mall in Istanbul and is also one of the Metro stops, so travel is very convenient. This place can meet most of the shopping needs of customers, including all famous domestic as well as global clothing brands, cosmetic brands, supermarkets, fruit stalls and food courts. What I like the most is the food court here, the price is cheap and the taste is very easy to eat. If you cannot eat Turkish food, coming here will feel like being saved with delicious fried chicken, nutritious and cheap salmon.

Address: Kocatepe, Paşa Cd, 34045 Bayrampaşa/İstanbul, Turkey Hours: 10AM–8PM/Saturday, Sunday: Closed

Marmara Forum

This mall is located next to the Media Mart and the large mall of Decathlon Mall Of İstanbul and about 800m from Metro station. In addition to household items, clothes, food, and fruit, I really like the shops selling crockery, ceramics here: Fancy designs with very affordable prices.

Address: Osmaniye, Çobançeşme Koşuyolu Cd. No:3, 34100 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Turkey Hours: 10AM–8PM/Sunday: Closed

Aqua Florya Shopping and Life Center

This is also a pretty big shopping mall in Istanbul, but what I like most here is its location. This mall is close to the old airport, next to the beach road and a park where you can relax, entertain, cycle, sunbathe or watch the sea. You can also enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee at the outdoor restaurant overlooking the sea, or lie on the large rocks to sunbathe and watching seagulls.

Address: Şenlikköy, Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd. 93-93/1, 34153 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Turkey Hours: 10AM–8PM

Istanbul travel blog: Where to stay?

According to my Istanbul travel experience, you should stay in the Sultanahmet and Taksim neighbourhoods:

Sultanahmet

Old Quarter where famous tourist attractions of the city gather such as Sultanahmet Camii, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace …

If you want to feel the timeless beauty of Istanbul, you should book a room here. Get up early and walk around so you can feel the quaint beauty of each street.

Some hotels in the Sultanahmet area:

• Sirkeci Park Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Istiklal Terrace Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Sunlife Oldcity ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel Megaron ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Aldem Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

It is considered the heart of Istanbul with the square and bustling pedestrian street. Moreover, this is also the main hub of all traffic routes in the city.

You can easily find cheap buses to get to the airport from here. However, the security of this area is not very good, as I saw here.

Some hotels in Taksim area:

• Santa Ottoman Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• The Legend Platine Suites ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Mirrors Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Jakaranda Boutique Hotel Istanbul ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Gravis Suites Taksim ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

Istanbul travel blog: Some useful travel tips before you go

• Buying Istanbul Museum Pass to save money on entrance tickets to attractions. See more infornation and prices via the following link .
• Using Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour in case there is only a few hours of transit to visit the city. See more here.
• Preparing in advance the pocket WiFi device or buy a sim card in advance at home (or if it’s convenient to buy at the airport). Because if you buy at stores, the staff knows that you are a foreign tourist, so they will recommend very expensive sim packages.
• Turks speak English quite poorly, not as well as I imagined. The hotel staff who read number 4 as “five”, should I sad or happy?!
• For girls, you should choose beautiful headscarf in advance when entering the mosque, because the headscarfs that are borrowed at the tourist sites are not beautiful.
• Do not point your camera at people who are praying.
• Muslims do not eat pork, so when entering a restaurant, you should not order dishes with pork.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Istanbul you can refer to

• Istanbul Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)
• Hop-on Hop-off Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise
• 4G SIM Card (MY Delivery) for Turkey from joytel2u
• Istanbul Museum Pass
• [Sale] Sea Life Aquarium Ticket in Istanbul
• Round Trip Ferry Tickets between Prince’s Islands and Istanbul
• Princes’ Island Full Day Tour from Istanbul
• Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Tour
• Istanbul: Mevlevi Sema and the Whirling Dervishes Show
• Istanbul: Bosphorus Music and Dinner Cruise w/ Private Table
• Istanbul: Bosphorus Cruise with Audio App
• Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Small-Group Tour
• Best of Istanbul in 1 Day
• Istanbul: Topkapi Palace Guided Tour and Skip The Line
• Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxurious Yacht
• Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

Are you looking for more top things to do in Istanbul: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here . And My trip to Istanbul — Explore the bridge city of Asia and Europe. And Turkey travel guide here .

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Istanbul Travel Guide

Spread across two continents and between two seas, Istanbul is a city of empires past. The Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Galata Tower are just some of the many historic structures scattered throughout the city. Sip a Turkish tea as you float between Europe and Asia on a ferry and watch the palaces, mansions, and modern museums pass by. —Katie Nadworny

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3 Days in Istanbul – Itinerary for First Time Visitors

Last Modified: January 22, 2024 //  by  Anda //   19 Comments

Some may argue that 3 days in Istanbul is hardly enough time to explore this great city in depth. And I agree. It’s impossible to exhaust all the dazzling array of things to do in Istanbul in just 72 hours. However, if you just want to see the main historical sites, this 3 days in Istanbul itinerary is just perfect for you.

Table of Contents

How to Spend 3 Days in Istanbul

Istanbul first impressions, istanbul itinerary day 1, istanbul itinerary day 2, istanbul itinerary – day 3, where to stay in istanbul for 3 days, getting around in istanbul, is istanbul safe to visit, a final note.

3 days may seem like very little time for a city like Istanbul. There is so much to see and do in this great city, that it may take months to explore every inch of it. Having said that, I don’t think there is a set amount of time that would be optimal for visiting the city.

Some people storm in and out of Istanbul in a day, others complain thirty days were insufficient. The length of your visit depends on your interests and what you really want to see in the city.

We’ve spent a little over two weeks in Istanbul when we traveled to Turkey , and still can’t say we have exhausted it. Visiting Istanbul is not only about the main attractions, it’s also about the small things. Like walking the streets aimlessly. Or trying the food in Istanbul . Or simply play with the street cats (which by the way, are many!)

If you have only 3 days in Istanbul, you can still visit the major sites and go home in awe of this place. No matter how long or how short your visit will be, I’m sure you’ll like Istanbul.

Istanbul is not an easy place to sum up. With its impressive mosques, ornate palaces and tumultuous bazaars, Istanbul is undeniably a very unique city. An interesting mix of Oriental and Western civilization where the former tends to overshadow the latter. 

The cosmopolitan modernity of Istanbul is more obvious in Beyoglu district, around Istiklal Caddesi street. This area is home to many foreign consulates and is very popular for its restaurants and nightlife.

3 DAYS IN ISTANBUL ITINERARY

Below is a suggested 3-day itinerary that you can follow if you want to see the main attractions in Istanbul. You may choose to see these sites in a different order, or even skip some of them.

First Day: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Grand Bazaar, Old Wall of Constantinople Second Day : Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irene, Basilica Cistern, Suleymaniye Mosque, Chora Church Museum Third Day : Galata Bridge, Galata Tower, Taksim Square, Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Boat Tour

Hagia Sophia              

Hagia Sophia  is Istanbul’s most famous monument. What makes it unique is its troubled and unusual history. Hagia Sophia started as a Christian church built by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in 325 AD.

Sadly, nothing remains today of the original church that burned down completely a hundred years later. Hagia Sophia went through many adversities before Emperor Justinian I built it in its present form in 537. 

The story says that after completing it, Justinian exclaimed: “Solomon, I have outdone thee!” And indeed, when seeing its grandeur, you can only agree that this is one of the most majestic churches ever built.

Hagia Sophia remained a functioning Christian church until 1453, when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople. Amazed by its beauty, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror converted the church into his imperial mosque.

As the Islamic religion forbids the visual of human figures in mosques, he covered all the faces depicted in Hagia Sophia with plaster.

Hagia Sophia remained a mosque until 1934 when, under the Turkish president Kemal Atatürk, was secularized and turned into the Ayasofya Museum .

The Blue Mosque        

Just opposite the Hagia Sofia is the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. The Blue Mosque is the second most beautiful landmark in Istanbul. The mosque was built between 1609 – 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I.

The Sultan was determined to build a mosque that would surpass the Hagia Sophia (at the time the most respected mosque) and therefore he chose to build it opposite the Hagia Sophia. 

When you first look at the Blue Mosque you may wonder why do they it called blue when it’s not blue? But once you get inside and see the intricate tile design in all shades of blue, you understand why. 

At first glance, the Blue Mosque can indeed rival with Hagia Sophia. The elegant curves and grandiose domes and minarets make for a beautiful silhouette. But if you compare the interiors, the Blue Mosque isn’t as spectacular as Hagia Sophia.  

What sets the Blue Mosque apart are its six spearing minarets. The story says that Sultan Ahmed ordered a minaret made of gold. But the Turkish word for gold ( altin)  is very similar to number six ( alti), which confused the architect. He thought the sultan wanted six minarets and as such he built six, instead of just one made of gold.

Luckily, the Sultan liked the mistake as no other mosque in the world had six minarets. And so the architect didn’t have to pay with his dear life for this mistake.

Note:  Since the Blue Mosque is a functioning place of worship, a dress code is imposed. Men should wear long trousers, but can wear short-sleeved shirts. Women should cover their arms, legs and head.

The Hippodrome of Constantinople

Right next to the Blue Mosque is the Hippodrome, a large open-air square known dominated by two Egyptian obelisks. The Hippodrome was the sporting and social center of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. 

The construction of first Hippodrome dates back to the 3rd century and is attributed to the Emperor Septimius Severus. During the 4th century, Emperor Constantine the Great greatly enlarged the city. One of his major projects was the renovation of the Hippodrome.

Unfortunately, very little of this old structure remains today. Most of it was destroyed during the Crusades, in the early 13th century. The Hippodrome stopped being used and its spectacular monuments and art works were looted.

Today, 4 prominent monuments tower the hippodrome. At one end is the modern German fountain. The fountain was a gift from the German government in 1900 to commemorate the visit of Emperor Kaiser Whillem II to Istanbul. The other monuments are much older. They include the obelisk of Egyptian (nearly 3,500 years old), the old serpent column (2,500 years old) and the walled obelisk (about 1,100 years old).

The Grand Bazaar

If there is one thing that best reflects the spirit of Istanbul, that is the Grand Bazaar! This place is one of the world’s largest and liveliest markets, stretching over an area of 61 streets. A maze of alleys in which you can loose yourself for hours!

From stores, booths, workshops, and warehouses, to cafés, restaurants and exchange offices, you can find almost everything here. There is even a mosque, a police station and a post office in the Grand Bazaar, so one could righteously consider this place  a city within a city . 

Shopping at the Grand Bazaar is one of the best things to do in Istanbul. You can buy some of the best foods, deserts and spices here. The bazaar includes more than 4000 shops that attract hundreds of thousand of fascinated visitors every year.

The Grand Bazaar was founded over 500 years ago by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. The reason for concentrating the trade in one place was to provide security against theft. The gates were always closed at night and the bazaar was patrolled by guards paid by the merchants.

Bazaar’s merchants were organized in guilds. Being accepted in a guild was possible only by co-optation, as the son of a deceased member or after paying a large amount of money to a member who wanted to retire.

The bazaar has a long and tumultuous history. It has witnessed many historical incidents, survived earthquakes and fires but came back to life again and again. The 1980s restoration returned the place to its old glory.

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is not only a shopping oasis, but also a very interesting cultural experience. A great opportunity to discover the people of Istanbul.

Old Wall of Constantinople

The Old Wall of Constantinople is a must-see in Istanbul. The Old Wall can be seen in different parts of the city. We saw these walls from the taxi, on the way to our hotel. Of course, we knew about them but weren’t sure we would have time to visit this part of town.

On our last day in Istanbul, we hired a taxi and came to explore them in more detail. I’m glad we did, because they are quite impressive! You can really understand the defense they provided once you get to see them.

When you see these thick fortified walls and their towers you understand how Constantinople resisted the attacks for so many centuries. These walls have managed to keep out the crusaders, Bulgars, Turks, Russians and many others. The walls are now but a reminder of the greatness of Constantinople, but also of the Ottoman Empire.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi palaces was the royal residence of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, one of the greatest Ottoman military leaders. He didn’t spare any expense for the construction and used the most expensive and rare materials he could find. Over the centuries, the sultans who followed added more pavilions to the palace. The final version measured 700,000 square meters and was home to 4000 people at some point.

Topkapi Palace was the official residence of the Ottoman sultans since Mehmet the Conqueror until the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid in 1853, who moved the court to the Dolmabahçe Palace. In 1924, after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi became a museum. 

Arguably the most interesting part of the palace is the Harem, where the Sultan’s wives and their children lived. You can see how the Sultan family lived back in those days, and how the palace was a city within a city. 

There are very many other areas in the palace that are worth visiting, like the library, the museum and beautifully manicured gardens.

One of the things you shouldn’t miss when visiting the museum is the Spoonmaker’s Diamond.  This 86 carat diamond is the 5th biggest diamond of the world! The diamond  owes its name to a story that says that the fisherman who found it, swapped it at the market for three spoons, thinking it was glass.

The palace is definitely an interesting place to visit in Istanbul, although not my favorite one. The ticket line is huge no matter how early you arrive. Also, you have to pay extra to visit various sections of the palace. The good news is that except for the relics and jewelry, you can photograph almost everything else.

Hagia Irene (Eirene)      

Right outside Topkapi Palace you will find the beautiful church/museum of Hagia Irene (in translation the  Church of the Holy Peace) . This Greek Eastern Orthodox church dating back to the 4th century was the very first church built in Constantinople.

Despite the fact that the cross on top of the dome has been replaced by the crescent moon (the symbol of Islam) this church has never been converted into a mosque. 

When the Ottomans conquered Constantinople, Hagia Irene ended up enclosed by the outer walls of Topkapi Palace. The Sultan’s troops used the church as an arsenal until 1826 and later as a warehouse for military equipment. In 1726, during the reign of Sultan Ahmet III, the church became the National Military Museum.

Today Hagia Irene serves mainly as a venue for classical music performances, due to its extraordinary acoustic and impressive atmosphere.

The Basilica Cistern      

The Basilica Cistern is an ancient water reservoir built during the 5th century on the site of what used to be a famous basilica. Also known as the  Sunken Cistern,  the reservoir was built for the purpose of supplying water for the Great Palace.

The cistern’s roof is supported by 336 marble columns in Ionic and Corinthian styles. The columns that were recycled from an earlier pagan temple, made the cistern look a lot like a church. Hence the name  Basilica Cistern .

Among the columns there are two Medusa heads, one positioned upside down and the other tilted on the side. 

After fulfilling its function for many years, the cistern stopped being used and in time forgotten. In 1545 a Frenchman rediscovered the cistern after he began investigating the appearance of fresh fish in the wells of the houses above it.

Basilica Cistern is one of the hundreds of ancient cisterns hidden underneath the streets of Istanbul. Definitely the coolest spot in town during the hot summer months! 

Süleymaniye Mosque    

Although it’s the largest mosque and one of the best known landmarks of Istanbul, Süleymaniye Mosque is unfairly overshadowed by its famous sisters in Sultanahmet. The Mosque was built on the Third Hill on the Golden Horn at the order of Süleyman the Magnificent. It features four slender minarets and a large domed building in the style of Hagia Sophia.

Süleymaniye Mosque suffered many perils, among which a ravaging fire in 1660 and an earthquake in 1766. During World War I the courtyard functioned as a weapons depot and when some of the ammunition ignited, the mosque suffered another fire. In 1956 the mosque underwent its last restoration.

The main entrance to the mosque is from Professor Sıddık Sami Onar Caddesi. The buildings on this side are home to the Süleymaniye Library and some popular street-side restaurants that used to be teahouses. To the right of the main entrance is the cemetery, home to the octagonal tombs of Süleyman and his wife.  

Note: Since Süleymaniye is a functioning mosque, so there are dress requirements. Visitation is not possible during prayer times.   

Chora Church

Chances are you may have never heard of a church in Istanbul named Chora . Before traveling to Istanbul I had only read about it briefly in a magazine. But nothing you may read about Chora Church can prepare you for the revelation you’ll have when seeing it.

Although not as famous as its sister, Hagia Sophia, Chora Church is equally beautiful. And also like its sister, Chora Church suffered a crisis of identity, going from an Orthodox church, to a mosque and to a museum.

The church’s full name was the Church of the Holy Saviour in the Country  and it was built in the 4th century, as part of a monastery complex outside the city walls of Constantinople. Chora Church is one of the most beautiful examples of Byzantine architecture. But what sets it apart are the 50 fabulous mosaics dating back to the 14th century, most of which are still in excellent shape.     

The exterior of the church is rather modest compared with Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque. But once you step inside you won’t believe the splendor that surrounds you! Part of the church displays mosaics with scenes from the New Testament and the early life of Christ, while another part features beautifully colored frescoes. 

Chora Church is tucked away in the little-visited Edirnekapi District, which makes it difficult to reach. For more information on how to get to Chora Church , you can read my more detailed post about it.           

Galata Bridge

One of the most colorful places in Istanbul is Galata Bridge, which makes the connection between Beyoğlu and Eminönü. The bridge is constantly full of cars and pedestrians crossing in both directions.

The upper part of the bridge is a favorite spot for local fishermen trailing their lines into the waters below, surrounded by shrieking seagulls. Street vendors are also a fixture here selling everything, from fresh-baked simits (Turkish sesame pretzels) to Gucci replicas.

On the lower level of the bridge there is a bunch of restaurants and cafes that serve drinks and food all day and night. Galata Bridge is a nice to stroll if you want to see the local color . Or you can stop and enjoy a beer while watching the ferries crossing to and from Eminönü and Karaköy.

Galata Tower      

One of the most recognizable landmarks of Istanbul is Galata Tower, a medieval stone tower located in Galata quarter. The cylindrical tower rises 66 meters high and provides a superb panoramic view of the city. The tower was built in 1384 as Christea Turris (Tower of Christ) and was used for many centuries as an observation tower for spotting fires.

The access to Galata Tower is done by two elevators, but the lines are always long. We waited for a full hour! However, the view from the top was very rewarding.  

Taksim Square and Istiklal Caddesi

Start your 3rd day in Istanbul in Taksim Square, in the Beyoğlu district. This is the modern part of Istanbul, famous for its amazing restaurants and lively night clubs. From here you should make your way down İstiklal Caddesi, one of the most iconic and busiest streets in Istanbul.

This pedestrian avenue is the ideal place for shoppers, with famous Turkish and international brands at very affordable prices. There are countless places to shop around here, so walk around the many side streets lined up with small boutiques.

On Istiklal Caddesi you’ll notice quite a different atmosphere from the one you experienced in Sultanahmet. The street is full of tourists, street performers and food vendors. The entire area is a maze of restaurants, bistros, bars, fish markets, spice shops, flower shops, and much more! Don’t miss the cute, vintage tram that goes from Tünel to Taksim Square!

We’ve been here during the day and also returned in the evening for dinner, at one of the restaurants. Food was excellent and the atmosphere quite romantic.

The Dolmabahçe Palace      

Dolmabahçe is Turkey’s biggest and most extravagant palace and Istanbul’s first European-style palace. The Palace was commissioned in 1843 by Sultan Abdulmecit I, as a cover up for the declining Ottoman Empire. Therefore, to impress the world, he decorated the building lavishly with tons of gold and a large collection of Baccarat crystal chandeliers. 

The construction costed over five million Ottoman mecidiye gold coins, which would be the equivalent of around $1.8 billion dollars in today’s money.

The design is a mixture of Rococo, Neo-Classic and Baroque art. The palace stands on the European shore of the Bosphorus straight, in a beautiful garden. The visit will take you through the three main sections of the palace: the administrative apartments, the Ceremonial Hall, and Imperial Harem . 

The most impressive part of the Palace is Ceremonial Hall, where all the important state and religious ceremonies took place. This hall is absolutely huge, spreading over 2.000 square meters of area and and a 36 meters high ceiling.

A huge Hereke carpet adorns the Ceremonial Hall and a 4,5 tons crystal chandelier adorns the ceiling. The chandelier was a gift from  Queen Victoria of United Kingdom. It’s not every day that you can see so much opulence in one place.

If you have time, stroll through the beautiful gardens which right on the shore of the Bosphorus.

READ NEXT: The Cheapest (Yet Beautiful) Countries to Visit in Europe

Bosphorus Tour

One of the most exciting things to do in Istanbul is watch the city’s waterfront. The best way to do that is sail along the Bosphorus straight. The Bosphorus commuter ferry is one option.

The ferry goes north from Istanbul, up the Bosphorus, almost into the Black Sea, then back again. Along the way it stops at the small ports along the coast, letting you get off at whichever one you care to visit.

The tour lasts about 6 hours, but you don’t need to stay on the boat the entire time. Just hop on the ferry at Terminal 3 in Eminönü and go as long as you have time. You can get off at any of the stops, and then get back on the next boat with the same ticket.

There is also a shorter Bosphorus Cruise that lasts only two hours and goes from Eminönü to İstinye (and back). The cruise goes by a few small towns on the Asian side passing underneath both bridges in the meantime. The boat makes only one stop in Ortaköy to pick up more passengers.

This short cruise may be a better option if you only have 3 days in Istanbul. We took the long tour and stopped in one of the small villages across the bay to take a few pictures of Istanbul’s skyline.

Like in all my other European travel guides , I always recommend the most central location you can afford in a city. I can’t stress enough how important it is to be close to the tourist attractions, as well as have good restaurants, parks and shopping around. There are quite a few nice neighborhoods where you could rent a place for your 3-day stay in Istanbul.

Sultanahmet is the historic district of Istanbul and the best area area to stay as a first time visitor. Most tourist attractions are located in Sultanahmet, so you can practically walk anywhere if you are in a decent physical condition.  There are also many great places to eat traditional Turkish food this district.

Beyoğlu is one of the good neighborhoods to stay on the European side of Istanbul. In Beyoğlu are some of the most popular areas of istanbul, like Taksim Square, Pera, Galata, the trendy Karakoy and the pedestrian Istiklal Caddesi, famous for its shops and fancy restaurants.

Şişli is an upscale neighborhoods where you’ll find the banks, businesses, and shopping malls in Istanbul. If you stay you will need to use public transportation to reach the attractions.

Staying on the the Asian side of the strait doesn’t seem like a good idea, especially when you only have a few days in Istanbul. Getting to the tourist sites from here presumes taking the ferry every day to cross the river.

Public transportation works great in Istanbul. It includes boats, subways, buses, trams and funiculars. We used mainly the tram and occasionally a cab. Taxis in Istanbul have a bad reputation of ripping people off, so one of the first things to check is if they use a meter.

To use all public transit in Istanbul you will need the magnetic card ( Istanbul Kart ). You find it in the small kiosks near all metro stations, piers, and also bus stations. Istanbul Kart is a prepaid and is rechargeable.

   • How to Travel Between Ataturk Airport and the City Center

Ataturk airport is only 25 km away from the city center. The cheapest way to get to the city center is by shuttle bus (33 TL each way). The fastest and most convenient way is by taxi. (about 54 TL to Sultanahmet and 67 TL to Taksim Square).

There is also a metro line that will take you from the Ataturk Airport close to Taksim Square, but this is probably the least convenient way to travel from the airport if you’re traveling with luggage.

If you asked me this question before 2015, I would have wholeheartedly answered “yes”! But since Istanbul has been the scene of a failed military coup and some devastating terrorist attacks. In the years following the attack, the U.S. State Department was advising its citizens against traveling to Turkey.

However, the two-year state of emergency is now over and travelers are slowly returning to Istanbul. Would I return to Istanbul? I most likely would, but not with a light heart.

My advice to any traveler to this part of the world would be to exercise caution. While most visits to Istanbul go uneventful, you should always be alert to your surroundings and remain vigilant in crowded places.

Even before 2015, walking through Istanbul was a little intimidating for me. While I didn’t feel unsafe in most places we visited, there were some parts of the city where I would have never ventured alone. And some of these streets were right in the heart of Istanbul, on the tourist route. I must say however that most tourist areas seemed safe enough, although not all of them looked necessarily inviting.

You may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information contained in this post. If this 3 day itinerary seems too busy for you, remember you can always select what you what to see when you are in Istanbul.

We like to think of Istanbul as the one city in the world that encompasses two cultures: Western and Oriental. But in reality, its real heart lies in the division of the two that manage to coexist in an illusionary balance. The fascination of this place derives precisely form its diversity and energetic rhythm.

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Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

April 1, 2024 at 4:52 am

One of the best blogs for Istanbul, very well structured and great tips. thank you.

April 1, 2024 at 2:45 pm

Thank you, Anja.

Roseanne Lorenzana

December 19, 2022 at 1:07 pm

This is a wonderful 3 day itinerary. Thank you for posting. If my accommodations were in the Old City, it seems that each day could be accomplished by walking … is my impression correct? Would this be safe to do as a solo female traveler – of course, with being alert to surroundings and vigilant? Thanks for the added information.

December 21, 2022 at 1:37 am

Istanbul is as safe as any other big city in the world, despite the fact that in the past couple of months there were a couple of incidents. But you had such unhappy occurrences in Paris as well, a few years ago. Of course, you’ll have to exercise caution and not walk alone in dark alleys or late at night. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun in Istanbul.

May 8, 2019 at 4:24 pm

I’ve never been to Istanbul but anyone I know that has been sings it’s praises highly. I guess it’s that mix of Asian and European influences. I’d love to go someday and I’ll use this itinerary and guide if I do. Great post, Anda!

Anda Galffy

May 8, 2019 at 11:17 pm

Thanks, Jill. Istanbul is definitely a must. You should go if you have a chance.

Manjulika Pramod

May 6, 2019 at 11:18 am

The palace looks great and ofcourse all other places. I have heard a lot about Turkey and I learned a lot through your post too. I would love to do the major attractions as well as walk on the streets aimlessly. I would keep a few extra days for exploring the restaurants, bistros, bars, fish markets, spice shops, flower shops and more.

May 6, 2019 at 9:36 am

Thank you for your very interesting tour around Istanbul, a place I haven’t visited however I certainly like the look of the architecture here it’s rather gorgeous. Some really pretty colours and certainly a history there.

Thanks for sharing and especially like the church photography in particular the Hagia Irene church and museum as it’s fairly subtle in design and you can really get an authentic feel of the history and charm.

May 6, 2019 at 3:20 am

I visited Istanbul a few years ago and must say was taken back with the amount of history and culture the city and country has to offer. A very detailed guide I must say with some of the highlights mentioned clearly like the blue Mosque and the souks. I loved the Topkapi museum which has so much of relics and artefacts. The culinary delights of this country are another thing I liked. Thanks for sharing a great post which will be very helpful for any first timer.

Shreya Saha

May 5, 2019 at 7:39 pm

This blog has all the information you need to plan visiting Istanbul. That’s a great and extensive list of places to visit there in three days and also I agree how important it is to choose the location of the accommodation when you are going there for just a few days to visit. I would love to check out all the places you have listed here and probably stay in sultanahmet so that I am close to the historical sites of the country. Thanks for the share.

May 5, 2019 at 9:12 am

I would love to visit Istanbul someday. My sister went there a couple of months ago and she said it was really wonderful. Your post made me want to visit it more. The details and structural design of the Blue Mosque are fascinating. I would love to see it up close. Thank you for sharing this itinerary. Saving this for future reference.

May 5, 2019 at 11:02 am

Hope you will, Clarice.

Sandy N Vyjay

May 5, 2019 at 8:03 am

This is a very interesting and informative post, especially for us as Istanbul appears high on our bucket list. It is a dream destination for us, an exotic place straight out of Arabian Nights. But there is so much to see and experience here. Places like the Blue Mosque are of course iconic, but the other mosques too are really exquisite. Your post is has a wealth of information that is going to be invaluable to the first time visitor.

May 5, 2019 at 8:44 am

Thank you, Sandy. If you decide to visit Istanbul, you should try to stay longer than just 3 days.

Nikki Godwin

May 5, 2019 at 7:29 am

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Istanbul and this itinerary just confirms that. It sounds like a really vibrant place to visit. I may have to consider a stopover there one day when I return from Tanzania (I currently live here and believe Turkish Airlines fly from here to London with a stop there). Thanks for such a comprehensive guide.

May 5, 2019 at 8:51 am

You are welcome, Nikki. Hope you’ll have a chance to visit this great city someday.

Sinjana Ghosh

May 4, 2019 at 12:21 pm

Wow this is absolutely beautiful. I have never seen so many beautiful mosques. The architecture is so brilliant, and I especially love the use of blues in the interiors. This is the perfect 3- day itinerary that I would love to follow when I visit Istanbul.

May 4, 2019 at 9:00 am

Oh my gosh those mosques are just gorgeous! Especially the Blue Mosque. I just love the intricate detail on the interior. I only wish that we preserved older historic buildings in the US the same way that they do in Europe.

Arnav Mathur

May 3, 2019 at 10:23 pm

This is such an amazing writeup Anda ! I had Istanbul on my radar ever since my friend explored this amazing city during her layover. But going through this write up in detail, has convinced me of one thing, that one day is definitely not enough even get a glimpse of Istanbul. I have Istanbul on the cards for this year, and I’ll make it a point to keep at least a week to explore.

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Home > 70+ Epic Things To Do In Istanbul, Turkey – Istanbul Travel Blog

70+ Epic Things To Do In Istanbul, Turkey – Istanbul Travel Blog

Written by our local expert Nicky

Nicky, originally from the UK, is now a local in Turkey. She moved to Marmaris, Türkiye for love 12 years ago and is now your Turkey travel planner.

Istanbul, Türkiye’s sprawling metropolis, is a city of endless discovery, where every corner offers a new adventure and a unique story. With my annual weeks-long sojourns to this vibrant city, I’ve curated a comprehensive Istanbul guide, revealing over 70 things to do in the city of Istanbul that cater to every interest and passion.

Whether you’re marveling at the grandeur of ancient monuments, sampling exquisite Turkish cuisine, or wandering through bustling bazaars, my local guide ensures you’ll capture the true essence of Istanbul.

Istanbul is a HUGE city. There is far too much to see and do here over the space of just one break, and no matter how much you think you can zip your way around and see the main sights , you’ll still find yourself missing out on several things you had on your list.

This is a city that has more history than perhaps anywhere else in the world. Once part of Greece and known as Constantinople, the Ottoman Empire based itself here for centuries, fighting war after war, battle after battle.

The buildings here are dripping in history, the streets have echoes of the past, and it’s a beautiful blend of old and new that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else on the planet. Of course, Istanbul is also the only city in the world to straddle two continents; half sits in Asia, and the other half in Europe , divided by t he mighty Bosphorus Strait , considered one of the most dangerous shopping lanes in the world, thanks to its endless twists and turns.

If you want to get the most out of Istanbul , you need a plan. It would be best if you also made peace with the fact that there is no way on this Earth you’re going to see everything . Some people visit Istanbul several times a year and haven’t seen everything!

With that in mind, let’s check out sights and experiences you should have on your list of must-dos . If you have extra time (unlikely), you can carry on your exploration.

First, let’s start with a massive, quick list of things you’ll love in Istanbul:

Book yourself one of our favorite Istanbul hotels , and get started on your adventure with these Istanbul tourist attraction ideas:

1. Catch a ferry to see the best views of the city and Bosphorus

2. Visit the Grand Bazaar to find souvenir shops , authentic spices, jewelry, carpets, and more

3. Take a tour of the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque to appreciate their grandeur

4. Explore the Basilica Cistern for a unique underground experience

5. Visit Spice Market (one of my favorite things to do when I rent an apartment) for amazing aromas and plenty of shopping opportunities

6. Try Turkish coffee for an unforgettable caffeine experience

7. Take in a local show at one of Istanbul’s many theaters or cinemas

8. Stroll along Istiklal Caddesi Avenue for shopping, eating, drinking, music, and more

9. Go to Taksim Square to connect with locals and soak up Istanbul’s vibrant nightlife

10. Spend an evening dining at one of Istanbul’s rooftop restaurants with incredible views

11. Have a picnic in Gülhane Park to take in some nature in the middle of this bustling city

12. Take advantage of Istanbul’s public transportation system for easy access around the city

13. Get up early to watch fishermen selling their catches at Eminönü market near the Galata Bridge

14. Visit the Hippodrome for a taste of Istanbul’s ancient history

15. Take a Bosphorus night boat tour, it is the best way to see some of the city’s most iconic sights light up

16. Check out the Istanbul Modern Art Museum to admire contemporary Turkish art

17. Attend a religious ceremony at one of Istanbul’s many mosques to experience local traditions and culture

18. Explore the Topkapı Palace to learn more about Ottoman rule in Türkiye

19. Visit Sulaimaniye Mosque, one of Istanbul’s oldest and most beautiful buildings

20. Join a guided food tour around Karaköy and Balat to sample some delicious traditional Turkish dishes

21. Hit up the Fındıklı-Karaköy pier for incredible views of both sides of the city across the Bosphorus Strait

22. Take a traditional Turkish bath at one of Istanbul’s historic hammams for an unforgettable experience

23. Ride the nostalgic Funicular from Taksim to Kabataş for a unique way to get around town

24. Try the street food – kokoreç, çiğ köfte and simit are all must-tries

25. Visit one of Istanbul’s many parks , they are a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city

26. Explore Istanbul’s backstreets for hidden gems like vintage clothing stores and cozy cafes

27. Check out some of Istanbul’s lesser-known museums, such as The Rahmi M Koç Museum, Pera Museum, and Sakıp Sabancı Museum

28. Watch a Galatasaray football match to soak up some local sports culture

29. Admire the Chora Church, one of Istanbul’s oldest surviving Byzantine churches

30. Visit Eyüp Sultan Mosque, one of the most important Islamic religious sites in Turkey

31. Visit Yedikule fortress for amazing views of the old city walls

32. Enjoy a romantic sunset from Galata Bridge

33. Enjoy a delicious and authentic Turkish breakfast – try poğaça, gözleme, simit, and more!

34. Pass by Galata Tower for some great photo opportunities from the observation deck

35. Eat traditional Turkish ice cream – tastier than ever imagined!

36. Visit the Bebek district for stunning seaside views and an upscale dining experience

37. Experience an Islamic call to prayer at one of Istanbul’s many mosques

38. Check out one of Istanbul’s oldest synagogues, Neve Shalom

39. Go to the Maiden’s Tower for a postcard-perfect view of Istanbul

40. Enjoy a day at Ortaköy market, where you can find handmade crafts and souvenirs

41. Visit Karaköy Güllüoğlu Baklava shop for some of the best desserts in town

42. Try some delicious seafood at one of the city’s many fish restaurants

43. Take a ferry from Eminönü across the Bosphorus to explore the Asian side

44. Visit Çengelköy village on the Asian side for some fantastic views of Istanbul

45. Shop for unique Turkish rug designs at Cezayir Pasajı near Taksim Square

46. Check out the Balat district for a unique experience in one of Istanbul’s oldest neighborhoods

47. Explore the Beyoğlu neighborhood, home to galleries, best restaurants, and much more

48. Have some fun at Vialand Theme Park – there’s something for everyone!

49. Check out the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, home to some incredible artifacts

50. Spend an afternoon at Dolmabahçe Palace, one of Istanbul’s grandest places

51. Explore the Bosphorus and Golden Horn for fantastic views of the city

52. Visit the Süleymaniye Library for a peek into Istanbul’s rich literary culture

53. Try fresh fish sandwiches from the street stalls in Eminönü

54. Eat lahmacun (Turkish pizza) at one of the local restaurants in the Galata district

55. Browse through the old bookstores at Beyazıt Square for hidden gems and rare finds

56. Browse through Ağa Mosque, one of Istanbul’s most impressive Ottoman mosques

57. Walk along Galata Bridge for some fantastic views of both sides of the city

58. Pick up some authentic spices from one of Istanbul’s spice shops

59. Enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee with friends or family

60. Visit Çamlıca Hill for some great views over the city skyline

61. Visit Rumel ihisarı fortress to learn more about Istanbul’s history

62. Enjoy some live music at one of Istanbul’s many jazz clubs

63. Explore the city on foot – you never know what hidden gems you might find!

64. Go to Princes’ Islands (Adalar) for some picturesque views and great seafood restaurants

65. Take part in an old Ottoman tradition – smoking hookah in one

66. Eat Turkish delight – nom nom

67. Take a walking tour on the Asian side of Istanbul

Now, let’s dive into some of Istanbul’s best activities!

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

Feed The Seagulls On The Ferry

The ferry ride between the European and Asian sides (or vice versa) is a rite of passage, but as much fun as the journey is, feeding the seagulls is a major highlight.

They’re huge, plentiful, and hungry! Buy a simit from the small cafe downstairs and break it into pieces, throwing it into the air – they’ll definitely catch it.

Blue Mosque

Sultanahmet is considered the ancient part of Istanbul ; you’ll find many of the significant historical sights here.

The Blue Mosque is iconic and one of the most beautiful buildings you’ll ever set your eyes on. Built in 1609, the mosque has six minarets, while most mosques have 2 or 4. The design inside will take your breath away, for sure.

However, the Blue Mosque is a working mosque and, therefore, a place of worship. This means you need to adhere to mosque etiquette and be respectful of anyone praying inside. Never stand in front of or walk in across anyone praying. Always cover your shoulders and legs, and wear respectful clothes. When going inside, everyone will need to remove their shoes, and women will need to cover their heads .

The mosque is closed during prayer time , and on Fridays, you’ll find this happens more frequently, as this is the Muslim holy day. It’s free to go inside, but donations are always welcome and will go towards the upkeep of this beautiful and incredibly historic building.

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Walk along the promenade in bebek.

Take the bus from Besiktas to Bebek and get off the bus just after Rumeli Fortress. Not only will you be able to take photos of the castle, but you can walk along the waterside promenade for miles; it’s such a scenic walk, and it’s so quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of the city.

You’ll pass by people fishing, drinking coffee, or simply walking hand in hand.

Bebek is the upmarket part of Istanbul, and if you keep walking, you’ll reach Sariyer, another affluent neighborhood where many Turkish TV shows are filmed. There are some great restaurants around here, not to mention many seafood spots to try.

Hagia Sophia

If you visit Blue Mosque, you should head to Hagia Sophia next. Another Istanbul, a must-see landmark in Sultanahmet, is directly opposite and dates back to 537 AD when it was first built as a church.

When the Ottomans took over, they changed Hagia Sophia into a mosque, and nowadays, it stands as a place where both religions sit side by side, with relics and monuments of both shown. The museum is simply stunning and a truly beautiful place to visit .

The only downside is that it can become quite busy, and the queue to get inside can be very long. In addition, there are parts where you can’t use your camera flash, so adhere to signs shown in both English and Turkish.

As of January 15th, 2024, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque has introduced a distinct policy for tourists and worshippers. If you’re visiting for cultural exploration, there’s now a 25 euro entry fee . This ticket grants you access to the gallery floor, where you can admire the sanctuary’s stunning Ottoman and Byzantine features, including the historic mosaics.

This new policy is all about balancing the preservation of this iconic site and enhancing the visitor experience, while ensuring that daily worship remains undisturbed.

Handy QR codes offer insights in 23 languages, making your visit both informative and enjoyable. For the latest updates and details, it’s a good idea to check out their official website . 

Basilica Cistern

If you’re someone who likes weird and wonderful experiences, Basilica Cistern is the one for you! Once inside, you’re actually going under Istanbul’s streets , down to where the main water supply for the royal palace was held. This is one of the oldest sites in Istanbul and dates back to Emperor Justinian’s times during the 6th century Byzantine era.

You’ll see many columns in carefully arranged lines, stones carved in the face of Medusa, and a strange atmosphere that you really won’t be able to get enough of.

Galataport, Karakoy

 Galataport has , in recent years, opened its doors, and it’s a top place to visit. In fact, you should definitely plan to spend at least half a day here, a full day, if you want to enjoy dinner in the evening.

Galataport is a waterside entertainment center that’s expanding by the day. With incredible views over the Bosphorus , thanks to the fact that it’s literally lapping at the center’s shores, you can check out the sunset from here and get some fantastic photographs. Aside from that, there are countless stores, cafes, bars, and restaurants, including a new Salt Bae restaurant from the owner of Nus’ret.

Dolmabahce Palace

If you love opulence, prepare to have your mind blown! Sitting on the banks of the Bosphorus in Dolmabahce/Besiktas, this palace almost bankrupted the Ottoman Empire, thanks to its sheer beauty and intricate design!

You’ll need to pay to go inside, but you are given a guided tour. You’ll learn about the history of the palace, which was the Ottoman Empire’s living quarters towards the end of their rule, the summer holiday spot for many European rulers, and the spot where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk died.

You can’t take your camera inside with you, but you can take photos of the outside and the palace grounds .

Rumeli Fortress

Past Ortakoy and on the road toward Bebek, you will find a huge Rumeli castle. Built to defend Istanbul (then Constantinople) from attacks, this castle is extremely famous and has been the filming site of many movies.

If you look over the Bosphorus toward Asia, you’ll see another castle directly opposite – both built for the same purpose.

A visit to the fortress is a great idea, and as long as you don’t mind walking up steps and hills, the view from the top is a true delight.

Çırağan Sarayı Palace – Ciragan Palace Kempinski

Çırağan Palace is among the prettiest palaces in Istanbul. There are many reasons we recommend you visit this palace; the most interesting reason we recommend a trip to this Istanbul palace is that here you have the opportunity to stay in this palace.

Çırağan Palace allows you to travel in time . This palace was built at a time when every Sultan wanted to live in his own house instead of his parent’s home.

You can experience things that even the Sultan could not experience in this palace, built during Sultan Abdulaziz’s reign. Sultan Suite is ranked 14th on CNN’s list of “The 15 most expensive hotel suites in the world”. It comes then as no shock that Çırağan is the most expensive place for accommodation in Istanbul.

If you don’t want to spend the night here, reserve a spot at one of the four luxury restaurants or grab a drink at one of the bars or pop-up food venues. 

Topkapi Palace

If you want to see how the other half lived, Topkapi Palace in Sultanahmet will make your jaw drop! This was the royal residence of the Ottoman sultans from 1465 and is still in superb condition.

The gardens are simply beautiful, and they are free to go inside, named Gulhane Park. However, the palace itself will cost you to go inside, with the harem costing extra. However, it’s worth it for what you will see, and there are some of the oldest relics in the whole of the Middle East on display here, including shields and armor worn by Ottoman sultans, weapons, and old cooking equipment used by the staff within the palace.

During our visit in the winter of 2023, we found the palace was so huge that we needed a pit stop. So, we stopped at the on-site Topkapi Palace cafe. It was an outstanding place to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while looking out at the beautiful gardens. The cafe has a wide selection of coffees, teas, pastries, and snacks. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. 

Dripping in gold and offering some stunning views over the Bosphorus, enjoying the Topkapi Palace is an Istanbul must-do!

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Whirling Dervish

You can watch these captivating ceremonies at many locations throughout Istanbul. This iconic ceremony is a spiritual, meditative dance that has been declared a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity and is one of the best things to do in Istanbul at night, even with kids (over 6-7 years) . My two boys, aged five and ten, sat quietly and enjoyed it.

We saw the Whirling Dervish at the Hodjapasha Dance Theater, which is located in a converted 15th century Turkish bath within walking distance of Sirkeci train station .

During winter, while we visited, performances were held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (at 7 pm). Then, beginning in March, daily ceremonies were scheduled.

Though it may look like an art performance of sorts, it is still actually a religious ceremony. I was disappointed they asked us not to take any photos (even without a flash), but I understood why. You also can not talk or leave your seat at all while the Dervishes spin – so make sure the kids go to the restroom (on the lower floor) before the starting time.

• Istanbul Turkey’s Whirling Dervish Shows

Grand Bazaar

Visiting the Grand Bazaar without getting lost is impossible, but that’s half the fun! Dating back to 1461, this is the oldest covered bazaar globally, and it’s an authentic experience and an assault on the senses!

You’ll find hundreds of small stores selling everything you could think of. It’s loud, bright, quite hilarious at times, and a little confusing, but it’s something you have to do to get a real feel of the “old” Istanbul in Sultanahmet/Fetih.

Spice Bazaar

The bustling Spice Bazaar of Istanbul is one of the largest and best-known bazaars in the city, second only after the world-famous Grand Bazaar. This sprawling covered market is in the Eminönü quarter of the Fetih district and dates from 1660, with revenue coming from Egypt .

This is why it is/was also known as the “New Bazaar” or “Egyptian Bazaar.” Since its founding, the Spice Bazaar has been the focal point of Istanbul’s lucrative spice trade. Nowadays, there are still dozens and dozens of shops selling all kinds of spices and herbs, but you can also find things like coffee, sweets, dried fruit and nuts, jewelry, and Turkish souvenirs here.

Spending an afternoon browsing the Istanbul Spice Bazaar is one of the must-do things in Istanbul, particularly if you like cooking and shopping.

Ortakoy Mosque And Bosphorus Bridge

The massive Bosphorus Bridge is quite an impressive and imposing sight on its own, but sitting right next to it is one of the most stunningly beautiful mosques you’ll ever set eyes on. Situated in Ortakoy/Besiktas, it’s a literal old versus new picture, and it’s one that you will no doubt have seen on websites and photos across the world. See if you can snap the famous sight for your own collection.

Down by the waterside at this iconic place in Istanbul are countless cafes , restaurants, and even a Starbucks. You can grab a coffee and sit outside, watching the seagulls circling and the huge ships passing by.

If you want to enter the mosque built in 1856, remember that it is a working mosque, so you need to follow mosque etiquette, as we discussed when we mentioned the Blue Mosque earlier.

If you head into Besiktas and then follow the main road straight, you’ll come to a pretty seaside area called Bebek. This area is very affluent, so you’ll likely see a Turkish celebrity or two with huge houses decorating the hillside. It’s calm and pretty feel around here, a far cry from the center of Taksim or Besiktas on a regular day.

Grab a coffee and walk along the waterside, watching the huge ships pass by almost silently, or sit and enjoy a traditional Turkish cay or even breakfast at one of the many restaurants . This area also has some very high-quality steakhouses and seafood restaurants, but it is certainly not the cheapest area!

You can get the bus down to Bebek from Besiktas or Ortakoy, and it runs quite frequently, although you are likely to get stuck in the famous Istanbul traffic at some point!

Mosque Of Suleyman The Magnificent

While the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are more famous, the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent may just be the most beautiful of all mosques in Istanbul . Founded in 1550, this enormous mosque was the largest in Istanbul until 2019, when the Çamlica Mosque surpassed it.

Its bright and shiny interior is absolutely gorgeous, while the exterior boasts the classic dome and four tall minarets at each corner. You can admire this monumental religious building from the outside, but entering is also possible. This majestic mosque is genuinely one of the landmarks you must see in Istanbul, especially if it’s your first visit.

Additionally, don’t miss the Mausoleums of Sultan Suleyman I and his wife, Hurrem Sultan.

• 18 Best Mosques In Istanbul

Tea Overlooking Europe

One of the most popular low-cost activities in Istanbul is to head over to the Asian side and sit on the waterside in Uskudar.

Here, you can buy a glass of Turkish tea (cay) and sit on the cushions, watching the famous sunset over the Golden Horn of Europe. It’s a calming experience showing you this city’s true beauty.

This area is also home to a chill nightlife scene if that’s more your style.

Taksim Square

You can’t visit Istanbul and not go to Taksim Square . This is the busiest part of Istanbul, day and night. Seeing traffic and crowds on the famous Istiklal Street at 3 a.m. is not unusual!

Jump on the famous red tourist tram and make your way down i̇stiklal Caddesi without having to weave your way through the crowds, do some shopping, grab a coffee, eat a delicious meal, go to the cinema, go to a nightclub – the list goes on!

Taksim is a very international part of Istanbul, and you’ll see people here from all over the world . It’s a friendly vibe, for sure, but it’s also a very busy one, so follow your common sense and remember to keep your bag close to you and not flash your valuables. The same goes for any busy city in the world, of course. For more tips, check out our post on scams you may encounter in Istanbul .

• How To Get From Istanbul Airport To Taksim
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Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul, Türkiye. Standing at a whopping 984 feet (300 meters) tall, it offers breathtaking views of the cityscape below. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the tower and take in the stunning panoramic views. On a clear day, you can even see all the way across the Bosphorus Strait to Asia!

Also known as the Tower of Christ, the Galata Tower is a striking medieval tower in Istanbul’s Karakoy district. It stands just north where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus. Built by the Genoese, this magnificent tower was once the highest point in the city walls of Galata, a former Genoese colony in Turkey .

While most of the walls are gone nowadays, the Galata Tower survives. And it is also open to the public every day of the year. A visit to this fantastic view is one of the best things to see and do in Istanbul, Turkey .

Note: Many sites say a cafe/restaurant is on the top floor. During my visit in February 2023, there was no such option.  

Walls Of Constantinople

Another ancient fortification and fascinating place in Istanbul to see are the Walls of Constantinople. These mighty defensive walls were built after Constantine the Great made Constantinople the Roman Empire’s new capital in the 4 th century AD.

The Walls of Constantinople were the last great fortification system constructed during Antiquity. There are still among the grandest and most expansive systems of fortified walls and towers ever built. Once surrounding the city on all sides, both on land and on the shore, the most significant part of the system was the Theodosian Walls, a famous double defensive line.

Although most of this once-imposing system is now gone, sections of it still stand to this day. You can even walk on top of parts of the Istanbul City Walls! This is possible on your own self-guided visit or on guided tours. If you’d like to learn more about the city’s rich and long history, this is one of the best things to do in Istanbul, Türkiye, for you.

Rooftop Dinner Or Drinks

Rooftop bars and restaurants epitomize luxury, sophistication, and panoramic views . These sky-high oases offer a unique dining and drinking experience that elevates any evening to new heights. Whether looking for a romantic date night or a night out with friends , rooftop bars provide the perfect combination of breathtaking views, delicious cocktails, and gourmet cuisine.

Istanbul is home to many fantastic rooftop bars and restaurants, so be sure to add one to your city visit!

• Best Rooftop Bars & Restaurants In Istanbul

Sea taxis are one of the most recent additions to Istanbul’s transportation options. Out of commission for almost a decade, they’re now back in business. You can hire these sea taxis and go anywhere that has a shore.

They can anchor almost everywhere, which eliminates the need for more port space and, in return, provides virtually endless routes. This is a fantastic way to explore the Bosphorus Strait, Marmara Sea, Black Sea , and Golden Horn on your own schedule.

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show

An evening boat trip helps you see Istanbul from a different vantage point, with the glistening lights around you. A dinner cruise and night show is a great way to spend the evening, and you’ll undoubtedly get your money’s worth as you’ll be on board for four hours! During that time, you’ll enjoy a traditional dinner and travel along the Bosphorus, seeing two continents simultaneously.

After dinner, the entertainment begins with belly dancing, whirling dervishes , and folk dancing. You can also dance freely once the entertainment program has finished.

The tour price includes dinner, soft drinks, and limited local drinks; however, you’ll need to pay extra if you want imported drinks. If you stay  in the Sultanahmet and Sirkcei areas, you’ll get a free pick up and drop off.

Find more details and availability of this tour here.

• Shared & Private Bosphorus Cruise Tours
• Istanbul Nightlife

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Discover Colorful Fener & Balat

If you’re looking for a taste of the real Istanbul, away from tourist traps, then head to Balat. Step into this charming bohemian quarter of Istanbul, and you’ll be transported to a world where time seems to have stood still. This historic neighborhood is home to colorful tea houses, vibrant street art, and eclectic galleries that showcase local talent.

From sipping traditional Turkish tea with locals to exploring hidden alleys adorned with captivating murals, there’s no shortage of things to do in Balat. And with its central location on the European side of Istanbul, it’s easy to get to from anywhere in the city.

• Enjoy A Day In Colorful Balat

Eat Turkish Ice Cream

Turkish ice cream is a delicious and refreshing treat that can be enjoyed in Istanbul all year round. This type of ice cream is made with milk, sugar, and starch and often has a thick, creamy consistency.

One of the best places to enjoy Turkish ice cream in Istanbul is at one of the many street carts that can be found throughout the city. These carts generally have a wide selection of flavors to choose from, and the ice cream is usually served in a cone or cup. It is also typically flavored with vanilla, chocolate, or pistachio.

Another fantastic place to savor Turkish ice cream is at one of Istanbul’s many cafes or restaurants . Many of these establishments serve traditional Turkish desserts like baklava, which can be enjoyed alongside a scoop or two of ice cream. What better way to cool down on a hot summer day than by enjoying some delicious Turkish ice cream?

• Beyond Doner Kebabs – Lesser Known Istanbul Street Foods

Turkish Hammam

After a tiring day exploring Istanbul , you should know how to relax and rest your body. There are many options, yet none is as good as visiting the hammams of Istanbul.

Istanbul is home to many famous and historic hammams in the world. These historic bathhouses were once an integral part of daily life in the city and still play a significant role in the city’s culture and history.

The Cağaloğlu Hammam, erected in the 18th century by Ottoman architecture big wig, Mehmet Ağa, is one of Istanbul’s most famous and historic Hammams. This hammam is still in use today and is a must-see for anybody interested in experiencing Istanbul’s traditional culture and heritage.

The Galatasaray Hammam, built in 1481, is another old Hammam in Istanbul still in use. This hammam is well-known for its stunning tilework and elaborates architectural aspects, and it is an excellent choice for a classic Turkish Hamam experience.

In Istanbul, hammams are not merely a place for personal grooming but also a cultural and social activity. Visitors can enjoy the traditional Turkish hammam experience with friends and family.

Gulhane Park

Just behind Topkapi Palace, you’ll find a huge expanse of green and calm. You won’t feel like you’re in a huge city at all, and you can imagine yourself walking around with sultans, just like the Ottomans did back in the day.

I often refer to these gardens as ‘Narnia’ because, with the huge trees and open spaces, that’s exactly how it feels, especially when it has snowed in winter.

Walk up the hill, following the path, and you’ll find a tea garden with a stunning view over the Bosphorus.

Take Photos At Galataport

If you walk along the road from Kabatas to Galata and Karakoy, you’ll find a brand new shopping center and dining area called Galataport. However, this is far more than a mall as it has some of the best views over to the Asian side and over to the Blue Mosque.

Visit at sunset, and your jaw will drop – this is one of the best spots to take photographs.

While you’re here, you can dine, shop, and simply enjoy the ambiance of being directly by the waterside.

Nusr-et in Etiler

Everyone has heard of Salt Bae, either when he crashed the World Cup Final or from his meme with the salt. But have you ever tried one of his steaks? This restaurant is seriously in demand, and while it’s certainly not the cheapest, it’s a must-visit if you can.

The steaks here are huge, and if you want to splash the cash, there’s always the gold leaf steak to try. Alternatively, or perhaps as well as, go for the profiterole tower!

If you want to dine here, you need to book a table well ahead of time and still be prepared to wait. There are countless other people all booked in at the same time, and especially at weekends, the queue can be huge.

Walk Around Yildiz Park, Besiktas

Few people are aware of the sheer number of parks in central Istanbul, and once you’re in one, it’s almost like someone has muted the noise. Yildiz Park is somewhat of a hidden gem on the road between Besiktas and Ortakoy.

Look out for the brown side, which points up the street to your left; walk up the rather steep hill, and you’ll be rewarded with plentiful greenery, cute statues, and a river with ducks to feed.

• Turkish Hammam Tips Before You Go
• The Best Hammam In Istanbul

Is one day in Istanbul enough?

No! Even with a week, you’ll have difficulty fitting everything in. Aim for 3-4 days if your timing allows, knowing you can’t see it all.

What is the best area of Istanbul to stay in for first-time visitors?

Sultanahmet, Karaköy, & Taksim are all near main attractions and have east public transport available.

Do I need to cover my hair in Istanbul?

Istanbul is a relatively liberal city, so you only need to cover your hair at religious sites. Bringing a scarf, or buying one as a souvenir, is a good idea to always have one on hand.

Do they speak English in Istanbul?

Yes, you will find that most people, especially at main tourist sites and hotels, speak English.

These are some of the best experiences and attractions in Istanbul that you have to tick off your list, but the story isn’t finished, as Istanbul still has far more on offer!

• Cool Day Trips From Istanbul
• Relax & Rejuvenate At The Best Spa Hotels In Istanbul
• How To Get From Istanbul To Cappadocia
• Your Guide To Beyoglu, Istanbul
• Things To Do On The Asian Side Of Istanbul
• The Istanbul Museum Pass
• Guide To Best Places In Turkey To Visit

Comments (5)

After Reading this blog It’s all clear what to visit and what all things to do in Turkey. I have also read a blog where it says top places to get the best pictures, you might also want to consider writing that as another post.

Thank you for the information. Its good to know some important things to do and some special attractions in Istanbul that you must visit once.

thanks for sharing such great infos about Turkey we really helped.

You write a very informative article.

It was a great article, thanks for sharing🙌

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Wander-Lush

42 Things to Know Before You Visit Istanbul: Helpful Istanbul Travel Tips

Istanbul is a magnificent beast.

Thirty-nine districts, 15 million people, and 1700-plus years of history – it’s still difficult for me to wrap my head around a city of this scale.

I never know where to begin with Istanbul. And yet every time I arrive, I somehow feel instantly at ease. Turkey’s biggest metropolis has a way of encircling you, sweeping you up and taking you along for the ride. For me, it’s one of those places where it’s best to relinquish expectations and anxieties and just go with the flow.

That’s easier said than done, and there are countless tidbits I wish I had known before I visited Istanbul for the first time back in 2019. On my recent re-visit, there were many more things I noticed for the first time.

I struggled to whittle this list down to a digestible size – not because travelling in Istanbul is particularly complicated or difficult, but because when you’re dealing with a city of such incredible breadth and depth, there’s just so much to talk about.

Here are 42 Istanbul tips that I think every traveller will benefit from , including cultural quirks, itinerary planning tips, logistics hints, and common faux pas.

• Also read: The perfect itinerary for 4 days in Istanbul

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Istanbul quick links

• Istanbul airport transfer: Private transfer from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen (from $27)
• Where to stay in Istanbul: Hostel Le Banc (budget); 38 Hotel (mid-range); Hotel Empress Zoe (boutique); Ecole St. Pierre Hotel (luxury)
• Istanbul Official E-Pass: Pre-purchase online here
• Skip the line: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Small-Group Tour (from $40)
• Best Istanbul food tour: Taste of 2 Continents (from $100)
• Top-rated Istanbul city tour: Best of Istanbul in 1 Day (from $60)
• Turkey car hire: Find a low-cost rental on Local Rent (from 28€/day)

Essential Istanbul travel tips

Starting with the basics, here are answers to some of the burning questions I had before my first visit to Turkey (Türkiye) and Istanbul.

1. Avoid visiting in summer

Never underestimate Istanbul’s magnetism. The city pulled in more than 14 million tourists in 2019 (including me), and on my most recent trip in 2022, it felt just as crowded as it had been three years earlier.

I’m willing to bet that most people visit Istanbul during the summer months – June, July and August. This feels a bit hypocritical because I myself have visited Istanbul twice during summer – but because I did, I know what peak season is like.

Istanbul’s climate is quite mild relative to other cities in the region. Temperatures might not go too far beyond 30 degrees Celsius in the shade, but the sun is scorching hot, and it’s very dry.

Aside from the oppressive heat, there are the summer swarms to contend with. (You haven’t really experienced a queue until you’ve stood in line for the Hagia Sophia on an August afternoon.) There are crushing crowds at every landmark during summer, and that gets old pretty quickly. On top of that, accommodation prices are noticeably higher and it can be challenging to get a reservation.

The best time to visit Istanbul is during shoulder season, spring (April to early June) or autumn (mid-September to the start of November). For something different, consider visiting Turkey in winter , when snow covers Istanbul and the city’s charm-o-metre is off the charts.

Take note of the dates for the Holy Month of Ramadan (usually around March-April-May, but it changes every year), which influences the way the city operates.

2. You need at least three days to do Istanbul justice

However many days you give yourself in Istanbul, it will never be enough. You will always feel like you short-changed yourself – there’s always one more neighbourhood to explore, one more ferry trip to take, one more museum to visit, one more restaurant to try…

Three days is the bare minimum for a first-time visitor, but you could easily stay for a week or more.

I recently spent 10 days in Istanbul and found it was a good amount of time to see the city at a relaxed pace. I stayed in the centre for that entire time, though I did have a few ‘down’ days to work. There are dozens of day trip opportunities to break things up if the city gets to be too much.

One of the highlights of Istanbul is the food, so you’d do well to measure the duration of your stay in meals eaten rather than nights slept! Six square meals (and a couple of ‘spread breakfasts’) is ideal for indulging in the best of Istanbul’s food scene .

Plan your time with my 4-day Istanbul itinerary , which covers the must-sees and a few local gems.

3. Save time (and maybe money) by applying for an e-visa

Most nationalities require a tourist visa to enter Türkiye. The country’s e-visa scheme, which launched in 2013, is available to citizens of 40+ countries, including the States, Australia and Canada. (EU citizens do not need a visa.) A standard multiple-entry visa is valid for a stay of up to 90 days with 180 days validity from the date of issue.

Visa on arrival (VOA) is also available, but if you’re flying in, it requires queueing at the airport – and because of the high volume of flights arriving at IST particularly, it can be a long wait. For some nationalities, it’s also more expensive – 10 USD dearer on average compared to the e-visa according to the official fees (though for US passport holders, VOA is cheaper).

Applying for a Turkish e-visa requires completing a simple online form. The website has English-language support and international card payment, but be warned that sometimes it’s a bit glitchy. Both times I’ve applied, my visa has landed in my inbox almost instantly (within the hour). Be sure to print off the A4 piece of paper to show at immigration.

There are copycat sites out there – the official e-visa portal is located here .

I have never been asked for proof of onward travel or a hotel reservation when entering Turkey. If you want one or both for peace of mind without making an actual booking, then I suggest using OneWayFly .

4. Travel insurance is a must

Travel insurance is mandatory for all foreign visitors to Turkey. Again, you might not be asked to show proof of insurance if you’re travelling on an e-visa (I haven’t), but rules are rules nonetheless.

Istanbul is generally regarded as a safe city, but pickpocketing and crime do occur. More importantly, local health care can be expensive, so it pays to be covered in case of accident or unexpected illness.

For single-policy or annual trip insurance, I recommend HeyMondo. Get 5% off your policy when you sign up using this link .

Read up on these Istanbul safety tips before you go.

5. Use the Havabus (Havaist) shuttle to travel to/from the airport

Update: Since publishing this guide, both Istanbul airports now have an underground metro service. I would definitely look into this option – avoiding traffic could be a real time-saver. Here are more details .

Havabus is a terrific service for travelling between Istanbul’s airports (yes, there is more than one – see the next point) and the downtown area. Shuttles operate 24/7, with departures in both directions every 30-60 minutes.

Tip: At Sabiha Gokcen airport, the shuttle is called Havabus and at Istanbul Airport, it’s called Havaist. I have used both – they operate in much the same way, but they have separate websites for checking the schedule ( here for Havabus and here for Havaist).

When you land in Istanbul, look for the airport bus signage. At Sabiha Gokcen, the bus stand is located on the other side of the car park directly in front of the arrivals terminal. Tickets are purchased using cash on the bus and cost 37.50 TRY (around 2 USD) per person to go to Taksim.

If you prefer a private transfer, airport cars are very well priced (from $27 to/from either airport). Pre-book a door-to-door airport transfer online here .

Eventually the Istanbul metro will extend to IST Airport, but the line has not been completed yet.

6. There are multiple airports in Istanbul – don’t front up at the wrong one!

Istanbul Airport (IST) is the city’s largest and busiest international airport. Located on the European side in Arnavutkoy, 40km / 45 minutes’ drive from Taksim Square, it is sometimes referred to as ‘Istanbul Grand Airport’ or IGA. If you’re flying with Turkish Airlines or from Europe, there’s a high chance you will be landing at IST.

A second airport, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW), receives flights from the Middle East (Emirates, Qatar ) as well as Turkey’s own Pegasus Airlines. It is located on the Asian side, 40km / 60 minutes’ drive from Taksim Square.

A third airport, Ataturk Airport, closed in 2019.

The two airports are 80km apart and it takes at least 75-90 minutes to travel between them. There are shuttle buses, but if you show up at the wrong one for your flight, there’s a good chance you’ll be left high and dry. Triple-check your reservation and make sure you show up at the correct airport.

We got caught out with this on our first trip and rolled up at the wrong airport for our flight back to Australia. Luckily we had come a day early with the intention of staying the night at the airport hotel, so we still made our flight.

You can use Havabus/Havaist to get back to the airport from the city, too. Buses depart from Taksim Square. Take the metro to Taksim and follow the exit towards Taksim Gezi Park. From there, the station is a short walk (you will see the coaches waiting and two ticket booths on the footpath).

Buses to both airports depart from the same area, so again, triple-check you’re hopping on the right one!

7. Pre-book your accommodation

Hotel platform Booking.com doesn’t work in Turkey, so if this is your preferred way to find accommodation, you’ll need to do your browsing and booking before you arrive. (This can be overcome by using a VPN of course.)

Pre-booking is essential for peak-period travel as properties do fill up and prices can skyrocket for last-minute reservations.

I normally use Airbnb in Istanbul for the simple reason that I prefer to stay in local neighbourhoods. Sisli is my district of choice: It has great access to public transport, fantastic local restaurants, and a more relaxed vibe.

8. Card is widely accepted, but it helps to carry cash

Ninety-nine percent of venues and shops in Istanbul accept credit/debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, as well as contactless pay. For small markets and convenience stores, local restaurants, bars and taxis – and when dipping into the wonderful world of Istanbul street food – you’ll need cash.

Many smaller shops in Turkey have a primary limit set on card purchases, meaning you need to meet a certain threshold if you want to pay with a card. In these instances, cash is necessary. Small bills also come in handy for tipping (more on that later).

I suggest withdrawing cash when you first arrive and reserving it for smaller purchases and tips. Check out my Istanbul Travel Budget to learn more about budgeting for your trip and the cost of common items and services.

9. Most ATMs in Turkey charge a fee

ATMs are ubiquitous in Istanbul and most of the time, you’ll see half a dozen different cash machines clustered together. Majority charge a withdrawal fee – up to 5% for some banks – and have a transaction limit of between 3000-5000 TRY.

The only no-fee ATM we could find was Ziraat Bank. It’s red with a distinctive wheatear logo. We also used HalkBank, which did not charge us a withdrawal fee, but did hit us with a 13 TRY fee on Wise.

Banks change their fee structure regularly, so you might need to experiment with a few different machines. If the bank does charge a fee – either a flat fee or a percentage – this should always be displayed on the screen before you finalise the transaction.

On our first trip to Turkey, we had issues with our Australian bank cards not being accepted. This time around, I used my Wise card without any issues. I found the best method for withdrawing cash was to exchange stored currency to Turkish lira within the Wise app, then withdraw lira from the ATM.

Wise is great for international travel and offers very competitive exchange rates – if you don’t yet have an account, you can sign up here .

10. Buying a SIM card in Istanbul is easy, but your options are limited

Open WIFI is not readily accessible in Istanbul, which makes buying a local SIM card more or less a necessity.

If you’re not a Turkish citizen and you don’t hold a residency permit, you’ll find you have limited options when it comes to buying a SIM. Low-cost packages are not available to foreigners and most telcos only offer one standard tourist package.

After doing a bit of research, we settled on a Vodafone SIM. Vodafone only has one option for tourists, which includes 20GB of data, calls and texts, and unlimited access to Whatsapp. We paid 350 TRY (around 19 USD).

The process of buying a SIM is very straightforward and only took us about 15 minutes. You need a hard copy of your passport for registration, so make sure you’re carrying it with you. The tourist SIM automatically expires after 60 days.

11. The public transport system is phenomenal

If you’re considering hiring a car in Turkey to continue your travels beyond the city, make sure you pick it up on the outskirts of the city (possible when using a company such as Local Rent ). The traffic is maniacal and I would not recommend driving in the city centre.

There’s no reason to drive a car in Istanbul, anyway: The public transport system is affordable, easy to use and reliable. Between the metro, trams, buses, ferries, and my personal favourite, dolmus vans, you can get anywhere you need to go with ease. Google Maps works well for planning your route.

Dolmus minivans – Turkey’s answer to a marshrutka – are a fun experience. The name literally means ‘stuffed’ because passengers are squeezed in like sardines. Keep in mind that the entire transport network is very busy and squishy during peak hour, especially in the morning between about 8-9.30am.

When boarding a bus in Istanbul, enter through the front door and tap your IstanbulKart on the electronic reader. If the bus is very full, you can board through the back doors and pass your card down the line for someone at the front to swipe.

12. You need an IstanbulKart transport pass

On our first trip to Istanbul, we walked a lot and relied on buying single-journey metro tickets for longer trips. This time around, we re-learned that only certain ticket machines inside the metro dispense single tickets – and usually they are the ones with an obnoxiously long line of people.

An IstanbulKart is an essential purchase if you plan to use public transport. There are several different cards available – all are valid for the metro, buses, trams and ferries. The so-called Anonymous IstanbulKart is recommended for tourists and is sold at kiosks and newsstands and inside metro stations for 50 TRY (non-refundable). You can use one card for multiple people (up to five people).

A single IstanbulKart fare costs 7.67 TRY. Compared to the 15 TRY for a single-journey ticket, you’ll end up saving almost 50% on every trip.

Note that metrobus fares vary according to the number of stops travelled, but metro fares are flat. Transfers are charged at 5.49 TRY for the first transfer and 4.17 TRY for the second leg.

Find more information about the public transport system here .

13. Use an app for taxis in Istanbul

Istanbul’s cab system is similarly well organised, with three types of taxis at different price points. Yellow taxis are standard and have the lowest fares (6.3 TL/km plus a switch-on fee of 9.8 TL). Turquoise taxis are a premium service and cost 20% more, while black taxis (always luxury vehicles) are twice as expensive as yellow taxis.

Taxis are metered, so it’s generally considered safe for a tourist to hail a cab on the street. However, scams do happen , which is one of the reasons most people (including many locals) prefer to use an app.

After numerous legal battles, Uber re-launched in Turkey in 2021. We used it on several occasions and found the service to be good – short wait times, friendly drivers, and competitive fares (we always paid in cash rather than hooking up our credit card – make sure you are carrying small bills).

Uber alternatives include BiTaksi and Itaksi. The former has POS contactless payment, which is great for paying by card.

14. Tipping is standard

Tipping is customary in Turkey, with 10% being the standard mark for restaurants and bars. For taxi drivers, it’s normal to round up to the nearest lira when paying in cash.

Of course you should only tip if you’re satisfied with the service. We found the quality of customer service in Istanbul to be pretty good across the board, with the exception of one chain cafe where we had a terrible experience.

Tipping is slightly higher for other service providers: 10-20% goes to your tellak or natir at the Turkish baths, and to your hairdresser or barber.

15. Can you drink the tap water in Istanbul?

This is a rhetorical question, because I’m still not sure what the correct answer is! Locals will warn you off tap water while at the same time, the government is running campaigns to encourage more people to drink from the faucet.

From what I understand, Istanbul tap water was undrinkable a decade ago. Infrastructure improvements (and the addition of chlorine to the water stream) have made tap water safe to drink, but many people still prefer to drink bottled water.

If the building you’re staying in has old, rusty pipes, it might be best to give tap water a wide berth. Try a small quantity and see how it sits with you.

16. Don’t flush your loo paper

Istanbul’s pipes are a bit sensitive, thus most restaurants, cafes and hotels request you place toilet tissue in a bin rather than flushing it down the loo. If this is the case, you’ll likely see a sign and a strategically placed wastepaper bin. If in doubt, don’t flush it.

17. If you need a bathroom, head to the nearest mosque

After chasing after non-existent bathrooms in malls and metro stations, I finally cottoned onto this little Istanbul tip: There are public toilets attached to most mosques and in my experience, they are almost always cleaner than public bathrooms elsewhere. Pan toilets are common. Men’s rooms are marked with bay , and women’s with bayan .

Some bathrooms are free to use, while others charge a small (1-2 TRY) fee. Another good reason to carry some small bills or coins with you.

18. Sip ayran to keep your tummy happy

Ayran is a savoury yogurt drink that has its roots in Turkey, but is popular around the region (I developed my ayran addiction several years ago in Bosnia and Herzegovina and have been sipping it ever since). It’s not too creamy, not too watery, and has just a hint of salty effervescence.

Because it’s yogurt, it’s full of good bacteria that do wonders to keep your gut in balance. Just as you might drink lassis in India, you can drink ayran in Istanbul to help ward off any potential food or water-related bugs.

Food poisoning definitely does occur in Istanbul, so watch what you eat and try to consume street food earlier in the day when it’s fresher (especially fish wraps and seafood).

People drink ayran with breakfast, lunch or dinner, and it is served at virtually every restaurant in Istanbul – either in little plastic tubs or from a fountain. Always go for the fresh option when it’s available: It’s light and aerated and extra delicious, presented with a big scoop of yogurty foam on top.

19. Drinking is common, but alcohol is not ubiquitous

The most popular alcoholic drinks in Istanbul are beer, wine and raki , a powerful spirit distilled from grapes or other fruits. Not all restaurants serve alcohol, however, and when you make your way over to the Asian side of Istanbul (which is noticeably more conservative), you’ll find that only a handful of establishments are licensed.

If you prefer to BYO, tekels are Istanbul’s answer to bottle shops. They normally sell a selection of local bottled beers and Turkish wines along with soft drinks, snack foods and cigarettes. It’s illegal to sell alcohol within 100 metres of a mosque or a school, so you won’t find any tekels in some neighbourhoods.

Sales are restricted to certain times of day – you cannot purchase drinks from a bottle shop between 10am and 6am (there are no restrictions on restaurants and bars, though). Alcohol is served as normal during Ramadan.

Excessive drinking is taboo in Turkish culture. Raki, the national drink, is a social beverage consumed slowly with food. It has aniseed notes and is sometimes served over water and ice, which gives it a milky colour.

If you want to try raki, head to a meyhane (meze bar), where alcohol is served with small places of food (also see point #26 on this list). You can order a small 350 mL bottle or a shot (~40 mL). Start slow – some rakis are 80-90 proof.

20. English is widely spoken (sort of)

The number of Turkish people who speak English is somewhere between 15-20% . Of course the rate is much higher in Istanbul, but still, English is not as widespread as you might imagine.

We found a bit of a paradox here: In big shops and phone stores, very little English was spoken, while we encountered staff who spoke perfect English in small restaurants and humble bakeries.

The bottom line is that it’s a bit of a mixed bag, so be prepared to sign and mime your way through some situations. Of course it helps to have some simple Turkish under your belt – knowing a few basic phrases can help to smooth things over.

Istanbul quirks to know before you go

Here are a few unusual quirks that tripped us up in Istanbul.

21. Pharmacies are hard to find

Turkey differentiates between ‘pharmacies’ and ‘cosmetic stores’ in a way that I’ve not noticed in any other country. The latter sells beauty and health products, but there is no pharmacist on staff and nowhere to buy over-the-counter medications or prescription meds.

Chains such as Watsons, Rossmann and Gratis are classified as ‘cosmetics stores’. If you need anything more serious than paracetamol or a revitalising face mask, you need a pharmacy or eczane .

Eczanesi are more difficult to come by. That’s because there are no chain pharmacies in Turkey. All pharmacies are small and owner-operated by a pharmacist – essentially mom-and-pop shops. You won’t find them in malls, only on the streets. Look for the ‘eczanesi’ sign in the window, and when using Google Maps, search for ‘eczane’ rather than ‘pharmacy’.

Pharmacies are worth hunting down if you need them: Many medicines are freely available in Turkey without a prescription, and prices are almost always cheaper than elsewhere in Europe. You do have to ask around, though, as every pharmacy has different stock and different generic brands. My partner spent several days searching for his medication and after asking at a dozen eczanesi, he finally found what he was looking for at a quarter of the price it is in Georgia.

22. Hand cologne is a thing

Istanbulites were sanitising their hands long before it was cool. The first time we had our hands doused in hand cologne by a friendly waiter, we assumed it was hand sanitiser – but no, this tradition far predates the pandemic.

Kolonya harks back to the days of the Ottoman Empire when a pleasant smelling liquid was sprinkled on guests’ hands as they would enter or exit private homes, hotels or hospitals. Today it’s widely used in restaurants after you pay the check. Some places have a little bottle on the table next to the salt and pepper shakers.

Scented with jasmine, lemon, rosewater or dark spice, a dash of hand cologne leaves your paws smelling fragrant fresh. Unlike hand gel, kolonya is very thin and watery – a little bit goes a long way. And because it’s ethanol-based, it does act as a disinfectant as well.

23. Don’t be surprised if you get asked for your phone number

Grocery stores, cosmetic stores, clothing shops and pharmacies alike seem to ask customers for a local phone number – I assume for marketing purposes rather than to track or register anything. This happened to us on a daily basis, and the first few times, the language barrier made it very confusing.

If you don’t have a local SIM (and even if you do), you can always say no and the cashier will copy a random number off the back of an old receipt.

24. Don’t stay too close to a mosque if you like to sleep in

Istanbul has its own backing track, and that is the sound of the call to prayer ( ezan ). The rumble of minarets whispering to each other is incredibly stirring – but your opinion might be slightly different if you happen to be laying your head near a mosque’s speakerbox every night.

The call to prayer happens five times a day, starting with the pre-dawn İmsak ( Fajr ), which reverberates around the city some time between 4-6am depending on the time of year. In July, it can be as early as 3.30am, with a second Sunrise ( Güneş ) call around 2 hours later.

With well over 3,000 mosques, you’ll more than likely have at least one or two nearby. If you’re a light sleeper, it’s worth scoping out the local mosques and choosing accommodation that’s further than earshot from the nearest minaret.

25. Don’t linger too long at a lokanta

Lokanta are a specific type of Turkish restaurant that serve casual, home-style meals to workers and tradesmen. Every neighbourhood has them, and they are a terrific place to sample salt-of-the-earth Turkish cuisine and soak up a bit of local culture at the same time.

When you sit down at a lokanta, a waiter will come to take your order within seconds. Some are cafeteria style, others are a-la-carte. At the end of the meal, empty plates are spirited away and the table sprayed and wiped just as fast as the food came out. Usually you settle the bill at a cash desk rather than requesting a written check.

It’s easy to overstay your welcome at this type of establishment, where the imperative is to turn tables as quickly as possible. They are perfect when you need a quick bite, but if you want a leisurely meal, choose a different sort of restaurant. Sidewalk meyhanes , for example, are the complete opposite. Serving meze and raki, they are designed for long, lingering lunches.

26. Don’t assume those meze plates are free

It’s normal for wait staff at a meyhane to present you with an attractive tray of small plates before they take your order. Turkish meze includes grilled eggplant with yogurt, fava beans, artichoke, and many, many more delicious bites designed for sharing over a bottle of raki.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming these small side salads are free – they are not. (Sides of chopped onion, herbs and chilli served in smaller silver dishes with kebab, on the other hand, are usually included in the price.)

27. Brace yourself for lots of uphill walking

They don’t call Istanbul the ‘City on Seven Hills’ for nothing. After a few days walking the streets, you might think the ‘city of seven million hills’ is a more apt nickname.

Constantinople was laid out in the image of Rome, which was of course built over a septet of hills. On the ground, it feels like all of Istanbul is rippled, with steep streets and vertiginous staircases at almost every turn. There are many advantages to this city plan, the delightfully sloped houses in Balat for one, and the spectacular city views you get from the higher elevations for another.

Comfy shoes and a whole lot of patience are absolutely essential when exploring Istanbul on foot, where it can literally feel like an uphill battle to get from one place to the next.

There are ways to avoid the slog, including using the funicular railways: Taksim-Kabatas and the historic Tunel that links Karakoy and Beyoglu. The latter is the world’s second-oldest subterranean rail line (after the London Underground) and the oldest still-operating underground funicular in Europe.

Istanbul travel tips to feel like a local

While it takes more than a three or four-day stay to feel like a fully fledged Istanbulite, here are a few little tricks to help you fit in.

28. Dress modestly to blend in

Istanbul is a metropolis through and through, with a liberal dress code to match. Almost anything goes, but I still recommend you cover up for comfort and to fit in with the crowd. Women should try to avoid plunging necklines, revealing fabrics, and very short hemlines.

There are noticeable differences between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, with more modest dress and more hijabs worn in Uskudar compared to Eminonu, for example. Generally speaking, Turkey gets more conservative the further east you go, and this holds true even in the city centre. Keep it in mind if you’re travelling around the country.

One place you definitely must observe the dress code is mosques, where covered arms (to the elbow for men or the wrist for women) and legs (down to the ankles) is required. Women must also cover their hair. Majority of mosques have pull-over muumuus that you can borrow (for free) at the door to fully cover up. Note that there are no dress requirements for young kids.

It’s obligatory to remove your shoes when entering a mosque, so on days when you’re sightseeing, wear kicks that you can easily slip off and on. And if you prefer not to go barefoot, carry a pair of ankle socks in the bottom of your bag. Some mosques provide plastic bags, otherwise you can just leave your shoes outside.

29. Never skip breakfast…

Breakfast is certainly the most important meal of the day in Turkey. Sunday breakfast is the queen of the morning meals, when the famous kahvalti tabagi ‘spread breakfast’ comes into its own.

On a Sunday, some Istanbulites spend the better part of the day between mid-morning and late afternoon gathered around the breakfast table with friends or family, noshing on an extravagant spread of cheeses, olives, cut vegetables and eggs served with supple somun bread. Kahvalti is a daily occurrence in places like Besiktast ‘Breakfast Street’ and in gourmet cafes such as Van Kahvalti.

If you’re on a tight timeline or a budget, breakfast doesn’t have to be drawn-out or expensive: There are faster and more affordable options, such as a pick-and-choose breakfast at Cakmak Kahvalti Salonu, where small plates range from 2-8 TRY each. 

Borekcisi (borek bakeries) serve portions of steaming hot filled pastry and chai, or for a simple breakfast snack on the go, grab a simit bagel from a street vendor.

30. …But don’t order coffee first thing

Kahvalti means ‘before coffee’. Breakfast is traditionally accompanied by cay , strong black tea, rather than Turkish coffee. It’s normal to down half a dozen glasses of tea in a single sitting (though two or three is usually enough). Most sit-down kahvalti breakfasts come with two pots of tea.

If you want to do things like a local, save your Türk kahvesi for after lunch and start your morning with cay sade – strong and bitter tea with no sugar – instead.

31. Don’t be afraid to haggle at the bazaar

Haggling is customary and expected at markets in Istanbul and in other commercial settings. You’ll find that most items at the Grand Bazaar or Spice Bazaar have a price tag, but for those that don’t (and even for those that do), it’s quite normal to bargain for a better price. This is especially true if you’re buying more than one of something or multiple items from the same vendor. Rule of thumb is to aim for a 35-50% discount on the sticker price.

There are huge mark-ups at the Grand Bazaar, which seems to be almost exclusively the domain of tourists these days. There are local markets and street markets all over Istanbul where you’ll have a better chance of striking gold for a fair figure. Markets are held on different days of the week and following a rotating schedule, so you can always find something on. Popular food and flea markets take place in Karakoy (Tuesdays), Ortakoy (Thursdays), Uskudar (Fridays), and Besiktas (Saturdays).

If you do decide to brave the Grand Bazaar or another historic market in Istanbul, the best advice I’ve heard is to do your shopping in the mid-morning. It’s more likely that vendors have already made a few sales and met their daily commission targets, so there will be less pressure on you.

32. Don’t fall for the ‘shoe cleaner trick’

This one got us good.

One early morning we were walking down an alleyway in Besiktas when we heard a clack on the cobbles and noticed that someone had dropped a wooden shoe brush. Being the saint he is, my partner rushed to pick it up without a second thought and handed it back to the shoe cleaner whose caddy it had tumbled from.

Expressing his profound thanks, the guy promptly took a seat on the curb at our feet and insisted on shaking my husband’s hand in gratitude. That’s when he grabbed him by the wrist in a monkey grip and tried to pull him down for a coerced shoe cleaning. I should mention that he was wearing joggers, not leather shoes!

Neither of us were aware of this common scam at the time, so we thought the whole situation was quite hilarious. The man had a gorgeous smile and was very friendly – we actually gave him credit for this ingenious trick.

Only later when we heard about the scam did we realise what had (almost) happened to us. Ross managed to talk his way out of it, dirty shoes still intact.

We were not mad in the slightest, but it could have been a different story had we actually been talked into handing over cash. Keep an eye out for this trick, especially in touristy areas.

33. Embrace cat culture

There are up to a million cats and kittens living on the streets of Istanbul. Every cafe is a cat cafe, and every corner has its own posse of cute pusses. A picture-perfect clowder of cats lounging on fence posts and chairs like the princes and princesses they are awaits you at every turn.

Similar to street dogs in Georgia , the cats of Istanbul are regarded as community pets rather than strays and are fed and cared for by the locals. For the most part, they don’t bother people and keep to themselves. We definitely encountered a few fiercer felines on our travels – it’s pretty obvious which cats want pats and which ones need their personal space. They will let you know with a dagger stare or a hiss.

Cat culture can be traced back to Ottoman times, when tabbys helped to quash the city’s mice population. In this respect, cats are an inseparable part of the city’s social fabric.

If you’re an animal lover, it can be distressing to see so many cats living rough, especially when they’re not in the best shape. (Though I must say that every cat I met in Istanbul was plump and rosy.) It helps to know that Istanbul (and all of Turkey) has a no-kill, no capture policy.

34. Brush up on your basic hammam etiquette

Partaking in a traditional Turkish bath is a must-do in Istanbul. The hammams have aeons of history and custom attached to them – there are definite dos and don’ts, just as there are with the sulfur baths in Tbilisi . It helps to know how to handle things once the towels come out, lest you embarrass yourself.

Regarding nakedness, men normally strip down to nothing while women wear undies (single-use pairs are supplied by most bathhouses) then don a pestemal towel, which stays wrapped around you for the duration of your stay.

The Turkish-style skin peel/massage ( kese ) can be quite rough on the skin and muscles. The therapist, known as a natir or tellak , will always be of the same gender. It’s customary to tip them 10-20% after your treatment.

For more Turkish hammam hints, see this guide .

More helpful Istanbul tips to make the most of your visit

Finally, here are a handful of practical tips for planning your itinerary and getting the most out of your time in Istanbul.

35. Organise your Istanbul itinerary by neighbourhood/district

Istanbul has 39 districts, each with its own character and appeal. From the Instagrammable houses and antique shops in Balat, to the trendy cafes in Cihangir, the rambunctious fish market in Uskudar to the Ottoman-era mansions in Arnavutkoy , every corner of the city has something incredible up its sleeve.

A great way to organise your time in Istanbul is by planning your movements around the different neighbourhoods. Each one is quite discreet, so you can knock out a to-do list before moving onto the next.

Some neighbourhoods naturally pair together thanks to geography and transport logistics: Galata and Karakoy, Fener and Balat, Uskudar and Kadikoy, Cihangir and Cukurcuma. See my Istanbul 4-day itinerary for more ideas on how to plan your visit by district.

38. Consider signing up for a food tour

One thing every Istanbul neighbourhood has in common is its never-ending supply of cafes, restaurants and street food vendors. One of the best ways to discover the city – especially if you’re on a tight timeline – is by signing up for a food tour.

I was lucky enough to join Culinary Backstreets’ Born on the Bosphorus tour during my most recent visit to Istanbul. It was one of the highlights of my trip – not only because of the delicious food, but mainly thanks to our incredible guide, Benoit, who over the course of a full day taught me so much about Istanbul’s food and beyond.

The popular Taste of Two Continents tour, with 11 food stops and a Bosphorus ferry crossing, is a good alternative if you’re looking for a half-day experience.

37. Get an early start to beat the crowds

This is particularly important in summer, when the touristy parts of the city get extremely crowded. One of the best ways to avoid long waits at landmarks such as Galata Tower is by waking up early and arriving as doors open.

The metro starts running at 6am – and from Friday evening to Sunday morning public transport operates 24/7 – so there’s no excuse not to get out in the early AM.

38. Invest in a Museum Pass or Istanbul E-Pass

There is a gamut of different tourist cards and passes available for Istanbul. The 5-day Istanbul Museum Pass or the 2-7 day E-Pass is one of the best investments you can make if you plan on doing the rounds through the city’s best museums and big attractions.

The digital pass gives you skip-the-queue access to 10 of the city’s finest cultural institutions, including Galata Tower, Topkapi Palace and the Harem, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, and the Galata Mevlevihanesi Museum.

Available to purchase online before you arrive, it uses a simple QR code system. Just show your pass on your mobile – no need to print anything.

Only buy the pass if it makes sense for you, though: You have to visit multiple attractions for it to pay off, though the other perks – particularly the ability to skip the ticket line – are invaluable in a sense.

Purchase the official Istanbul E-Pass here via Viator .

39. Check prayer times in advance

The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are both active mosques, open to visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Except during prayer times, that is.

All of Istanbul’s mosques temporarily close to non-Muslim visitors five times a day for a period of about 90 minutes. For the duration of the Congregational Prayers, no tourists are permitted to enter.

It’s imperative to check prayer times in advance. If you show up while prayers are on, you will be met with a long wait outside. Times are signposted at the bigger mosques or you can check online .

The queue to enter the Hagia Sophia gets very long towards the end of the prayer session. The best time to visit is 30-40 minutes before the mosque is scheduled to close. Don’t try to visit on Fridays when the Jumu’ah prayer takes place – this is one of the busiest times, and it’s always crowded and chaotic.

If your Istanbul visit coincides with Ramadan or another Islamic holiday, prayer times might be different and mosques might be closed for longer periods during the day.

40. Skip the Bosphorus cruise – take advantage of local ferries instead

Some people opt to experience the Bosphorus on board a yacht at sunset with champagne and nibbles. If your budget won’t stretch that far, or you just prefer a local experience, then a ride on the public ferry offers the same ambiance and water views for a fraction of the price.

Hundreds of ferries criss-cross the strait, linking Istanbul’s Asian and European sides. The most scenic ferry routes include Besiktas to Kadikoy, Karakoy to Uskudar, and Karakoy to Kadikoy. Some boats go up the Bosphorus towards the Black Sea, and others head in the opposite direction towards the Princes’ Islands.

Bring a simit bagel to snack on (and to lure seagulls in for photos), or order a tulip-shaped glass of tea from one of the roving vendors on board.

41. Don’t miss the sunset from Galata Bridge

There is only one way to end a day in Istanbul in my opinion, and that’s by watching the sun go down from Galata Bridge. It might be touristy as heck, but there’s a good reason why this is such a popular spot. Views of the glittering water and intertwining boats, mosque minarets silhouetted against a dusky blue sky framed by fishermen casting their lines off the edge of the bridge, are absolute gold.

I recommend finding a spot to stand on the western side of the bridge, above the area where the Karakoy ferry docks. Aim to arrive about an hour before sunset for the best light.

For the perfect Istanbul photo, wait patiently for the garbage truck to come down the street and dump its load in the bins near the ferry terminal – this sends the seagulls into a frenzy, and they fill the skies with their spinning and diving for a good 15 minutes.

42. ‘Authentic’ Whirling Dervish ceremonies still exist – here’s how to find one

Speaking of Istanbul must-dos: A Whirling Dervish show is a bucket-list item for many. I was warned that all Mevlevi Sema ceremonies had become commercialised and ‘spoiled’ by tourists to the point where they just weren’t worth pursuing any more. So I made it my mission to find a real, ‘authentic’ Sema ritual in Istanbul, and I’m happy to say that I eventually did.

Get all the details about the best Whirling Dervish ceremony in Istanbul in this guide .

Where to stay in Istanbul

Budget: Hostel Le Banc (⭐ 9.5) – This popular hostel in Beyoglu is footsteps from the Galata Tower and Sishane metro station. It features air-conditioned rooms (private doubles and mixed/all-female 4 and 10-bed dorms), a shared lounge and a terrace.

Mid-range: 38 Hotel (⭐ 8.6) – Located in Sisli, close to Osmanbey metro station, this hotel has compact, tidy double rooms and suites.

Boutique: Hotel Empress Zoe (⭐ 9.2) – This gorgeous boutique hotel is decorated with heritage flourishes and boasts hammam-like ensuites and private internal terraces. The location in Fatih, minutes from Sultan Ahmet Mosque and the Blue Mosque, is very central yet the hotel still feels secluded.

Luxury: Ecole St. Pierre Hotel (⭐ 9.5) – Located in Beyoglu close to Galata Tower, this boutique-luxury hotel offers high-end suites with private courtyards and terraces. The building, an old Italian Dominican school with remnants of the 13th-century Galata walls inside its courtyard, is dripping with history.

Turkey essentials

Here are some of the websites and services I recommend for planning a trip to Turkey. Remember to check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.

FLIGHTS: Find affordable flights to Turkey using the Skyscanner website .

VISAS: Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Turkey and apply for an expedited visa online.

DOCUMENTATION: Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip to Turkey with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance.

CAR HIRE: Use the Local Rent platform to hire a car from a local agent. Prices start from as little as 18€ per day.

ACCOMMODATION: Find the best Turkey hotel deals on Booking.com .

CITY TOURS & DAY TRIPS: Browse the Viator website to find the best itineraries and prices for Istanbul food tours, Cappadocia balloon rides and more!

More Istanbul travel resources

• 1-4 day Istanbul itinerary
• Istanbul travel budget
• The ultimate guide to eating out in Istanbul
• Tips for visiting Galata Tower for Istanbul city views
• The best Whirling Dervishes ceremony in Istanbul
• Guide to Arnavutkoy, Istanbul’s most beautiful district
• The best places to visit in Turkey
• Turkey in winter: Where to go plus travel tips

12 Comments

Detailed tips are super helpful, especially about the best time to visit and the ins and outs of public transport.

Thank you. Right now in Turkey with wife and kids. Following your steps and recommendations. Just one thing: booking asked for a price but the hotel converted the price to Liras and charged me much more for exactly the same booking and service! Thank you again,

I love your travel blog! Your vivid descriptions and stunning photographs make me feel like I’m right there with you. It’s inspiring to see someone embracing adventure and exploring new cultures. Keep the travel stories coming!

Excellent article and links for further information. I am planning a trip to Turkey in September with my wife and your articles a great start and support. Great job! Alejandro

This is very, very helpful. Thank you so much.

Early in your article you indicated that Booking.com does not work in Turkey, yet in the section, entitled “Turkey Essentials”, you direct us to that site for Hotels. Maybe I am missing something, but that appears to be contradictory. I found the article very helpful…..Thanks for the information.

Hi JB – I still recommend using Booking, only you have to reserve from outside of Turkey ie. before you arrive.

Thanks so much, this was really helpful. Lots of good to know stuff that I didn’t find mentioned elsewhere

it was very helpful thank you

Ha, I made the same mistake again and didn’t read through your info thoroughly. In Georgia, I paid more than I needed to for a SIM at the airport and this time, I could have saved a few lira on a bank withdrawal in Istanbul.

Already appreciating the smiles and kindness in Istanbul very much.

Love your work Emily.

Perhaps it’s different for Australian passport holders, but I found the VOA to be a better deal than the eVisa for Americans. Our eVisas were fast and easy to get, but cost $50 plus a 2 dollar service fee. We got them before traveling to Turkey last year, but went twice to make them a better value. This past month we got VOA (no lines) and paid 25 euros each. Both are valid for 6 months. Plus you get a little visa stamp in your passport!

Thanks Owen for the info – you’re right, VOA is more affordable for US passport holders, but not for us Aussies unfortunately! I would have loved a visa stamp. I’ll update that now. Cheers!

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Istanbul Travel Guide

Katie Nadworny is an Istanbul-based writer who specializes in stories at the intersection of culture and politics in Turkey, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. She has lived in Turkey for nearly a decade and has traveled extensively around the region.

There is nowhere in the world quite like Istanbul. Spread across two continents, Istanbul is a city of layers and contrasts. With historical sights like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace brushing up against buzzing bars and lively cafes, with Ottoman-era mosques a short walk from contemporary art museums and galleries, with traditional carpet shops around the corner from trendy boutiques, Istanbul is a city of old and new coexisting. The city never stops moving.

Istanbul is the cultural capital of the country, with a plethora of independent galleries and inventive restaurants, as well as its transit hub, with flights going all over Turkey and all over the world. Each neighborhood has its own distinct identity and vibe, and it's easy to spend weeks in Istanbul without ever seeing everything. But that is what makes it so fascinating—there will always be something calling you back for more. So order a cup of Turkish coffee and a piece of pistachio baklava, and get ready to delve into this fascinating metropolis.

Turkey's time zone is GMT+3 year-round, and is also called TRT (Turkey Time). Turkey does not do daylight savings.

Best Time to Go

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are the perfect times to visit Istanbul, when the weather is bright and mild. During the month of April is the city-wide Tulip Festival, when the parks and green spaces in the city are bedazzled with the colorful bulbs. In the summer, the city becomes sticky and very hot, and most residents flee to the beaches in the south as soon as they can, but the streets are alive all night when the air cools off a little. Winter is gray and rainy, showing Istanbul at its most moody and evocative.

Things to Know

The main language in Istanbul is Turkish, though with a large international presence in the city, don't be surprised to hear chatter in English or Arabic or Farsi as you explore. Turkish people are generally quite helpful, even if you don't speak any Turkish, and shop owners (especially in Sultanahmet, the historic center) will often invite you to sit down and share a çay, a tiny tulip-shaped cup of strong black tea. Personal space is often a luxury in this crowded city, so don't be surprised if you feel someone is standing too close to you as you wait for a bus or in a line—it's normal here.

Don't mistake the water that bisects the city for a river. The Bosphorus Strait connects the Sea of Marmara (and, by extension, the Mediterranean) with the Black Sea, and is therefore a major global shipping route. It's not unusual to see massive container ships floating by your commuter ferry.

While Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, the capital city is actually Ankara, in central Anatolia. But the palaces that dot the Bosphorus, left over from Istanbul's status as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, might make you think otherwise. The politicians might do their business in Ankara, but Istanbul feels like the center of the world.

Currency: Turkish Lira (TL)

(Check the current exchange rate )

Language: Turkish I don't speak Turkish: Türkçe bilmiyorum. I'm lost: Kayboldum Can I have…?: …alabilirmiyim? Where is…?: ... nerede?

Calling Code: +90

Capital City: Ankara

How to Get Around

Intricate interlocking transportations—both official and informal—make it easy to navigate around Istanbul. There are multiple metro lines with clear signage and modern cars that connect to an above-ground tram line and two funiculars. The Marmaray, a cross-continent metro line that passes under the Bosphorus Strait, connects the metro system on the European and Asian sides of the city, and has recently expanded to run all the way into the suburbs on both sides of the city. Otherwise, the best way to cross from Europe to Asia and back is by ferry, with multiple ferry lines running between stations on a regular schedule all throughout the day.

The gaps are filled by city buses, which are paid for by the same IstanbulKart that gets you onto the metro, Marmaray, and ferries. And if there is no bus that runs to your destination, there might be a dolmuş , a yellow van that runs on a fixed route but stops whenever a passenger requests it and leaves whenever the van is full. There are also light blue minibuses that run on various routes throughout the city. Dolmuş and minibuses are paid in cash, with the price depending on the distance you go.

Taxis are plentiful, especially around touristed areas. Apps like BiTaksi can be useful to call taxis directly, and hotels are also usually happy to order a taxi if you can't flag one down.

Best Hotels

Ciragan palace kempinski.

Address: Ciragan Caddesi 32 34349 Istanbul Phone: +90 212 326 4646 Website

Housed in an ornate former Ottoman palace on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, the Ciragan Palace is the ultimate luxurious hotel in Istanbul. The Ciragan boasts an outdoor infinity pool, an exquisite spa with a Turkish hamam, and high-end restaurants. If you want to experience Istanbul like Ottoman royalty, the Ciragan is the place to do it.

Corinne Hotel

Address: Kuloğlu Mah., Turnacıbaşı Caddesi 41 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul Phone: +90 212 293 94 94 Website

Located in the heart of Beyoğlu, Istanbul's nightlife and entertainment district, the Corinne Hotel is an ideal base to experience the energy of the city. The boutique hotel is in a lovingly restored late-Ottoman neoclassical building, with trendy and contemporary amenities alongside a winding marble staircase. Don't miss out on its rooftop terrace, the perfect place to sip a cocktail and watch Istanbul sparkle below.

Sirkeci Mansion

Address: Taya Hatun Sokak 5 34120 Sirkeci/Istanbul Phone: +90 212 528 43 44 Website

Nestled in the heart of Sultanahmet, Sirkeci Mansion is walking distance from the Hagia Sophia, Gulhane Park, and Topkapi Palace. The hotel contains 32 spacious rooms, a spa, and an on-site restaurant. Relax at the hotel's Turkish hamam, or head up to the hotel's rooftop, with its sweeping views of the old city.

Pera Palace Hotel

Address: Mesrutiyet Caddesi 52 34430 Tepebasi/Istanbul Phone: +90 212 377 4000 Website

Modern luxury and Turkish history entwine at the Pera Palace hotel, a grand Art Nouveau beauty that was built for travelers on the Orient Express and over the years has hosted illustrious guests that include Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway, and Queen Elizabeth II. The Pera Palace is located close to Istiklal Caddesi, Istanbul's main thoroughfare. The five-star hotel has 115 rooms, multiple restaurants and bars, and a fully-equipped spa and fitness center.

The Bank Hotel

Address: Azapkapı, Bankalar Caddesi 5/1 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul Phone: +90 212 283 00 55 Website

Located in a reappropriated late-Ottoman-era bank in the Karakoy neighborhood, The Bank Hotel is a trendy boutique hotel located between the historic peninsula and the nightlife of Istiklal Caddesi. The eclectic design mixes the modern and the historic bones of the building throughout the hotel's 62 rooms. The restaurant on the rooftop offers splendid views of the city.

Splendid Palace Hotel

Address: Büyükada-nizam, Yirmiüç Nisan Caddesi 39 34970 Adalar/İstanbul Phone: +90 216 382 69 50 Website

This striking hotel on Istanbul's biggest island is full of early Republic charm, somehow both modern and nostalgically vintage. A highlight is the outdoor pool, where it's easy to while away the day in the sunshine. The 60 rooms and 9 suites are bright and breezy, perfect for an island escape in the middle of the city.

Best Restaurants

Address: The Marmara Pera Meşrutiyet Caddesi 15 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul Phone: +90 212 293 5656 Website

The creation of lauded Turkish-Scandinavian chef Mehmet Gurs, Mikla has long had a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Istanbul thanks to its creative twist on traditional cuisine. Located on the roof of the Marmara Pera Hotel, the views are as exquisite as the food. Try the tasting menu to get a sense of the scope of Mikla's creative culinary creations. Reservation is recommended. Indoor and outdoor dining is available.

Ciya Sofrasi

Address: Caferağa Mah. Güneşlibahçe Sokak 43 34710 Kadıköy/Istanbul, Phone: +90 216 330 3190 Website

This unassuming restaurant in the heart of the Kadikoy neighborhood's market street belies its reputation as an Istanbul powerhouse. With cuisine drawn from various regions across Anatolia, especially its diverse southeast region, the menu is constantly shifting and incorporating seasonal produce. In the summertime, try the cherry kebab; in the springtime, don't miss the lamb stewed with erik , Turkish sour plums. Indoor and outdoor dining is available.

Address: Azapkapı, Gümrük Han, Fermeneciler Caddesi 40/A 34420 Beyoğlu/İstanbul Phone: +90 212 244 97 76 Website

This seemingly ramshackle restaurant comes alive at night, glittering with strings of lights and lanterns. Perched right at the edge of the water in the Karakoy district, this is an evocative place to have the Turkish meyhane experience, with small plates of meze dotting the table and rakı (an anise liquor) flowing all night. Make sure to try the atom , thick yogurt mixed with hot dried peppers, and the catch of the day. Reservation is recommended, especially on weekends, and most dining is outdoors.

Address: Mesrutiyet Caddesi 107/F 34430 Beyoglu/Istanbul Phone: +90 212 243 2633 Website

This cozy bistro in the Pera neighborhood, walking distance from Istiklal Caddesi, combines Turkish, Persian, and Middle Eastern influences in its inventive cuisine. Make sure to try the dudi Persian rice speckled with ruby-red barberries. Reservation recommended, only indoor dining.

Things to Do

Hagia sophia.

Address: Ayasofya Meydanı 1 34122 Fatih/İstanbul Phone: +90212 522 17 50 Website

The Hagia Sophia is a building that has held many identities: from a Byzantine church to an Ottoman mosque to a secular museum, and now back to a mosque again. Visitors will need to respect the rules of the mosques in Turkey and dress appropriately , but there is no longer a fee to experience the ultimate palimpsest of a building. While some of the famous mosaics and frescoes are covered, many are still visible.

Topkapi Palace

Address: Cankurtaran Mah. 4122 Fatih/Istanbul Phone: +90 212 512 04 80 Website

Construction on Topkapi Palace began in 1453, when the Ottomans took Constantinople, and was the primary seat of imperial power for nearly four hundred years. The Harem requires an additional ticket, but it's worth it, with its magnificent blue-tiled walls and chambers.

Galata Tower

Address: Bereketzade, Galata kulesi 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul Phone: +90 212 245 4141 Website

Built by the Genoese in the 14th century, Galata Tower is an iconic part of the Istanbul skyline. Climb to the top for some of the best views of the city—especially at sunset.

Suleymaniye Mosque

Address: Süleymaniye Mah, Prof. Sıddık Sami Onar Caddesi 1 34116 Fatih/İstanbul Website

Suleymaniye Mosque is considered Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan's most splendid Istanbul mosque, and the architect himself is buried in a tomb on the site. With its intricate tiles, massive dome, and sweeping view of the city from its courtyard, Suleymaniye is a gem among Istanbul's imperial mosques.

Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam

Address: Kemankeş Mah. Hamam Sokak 1 34425 Tophane Karaköy/İstanbul Phone: +90 212 393 80 10 Website

The full hamam , or Turkish bath, experience is particularly luxurious at the Kili Ali Pasa Hamam. Sweat out on a marble slab in the elegantly restored historic building, and get scrubbed squeaky clean.

Best Shopping

Grand bazaar.

Address: Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Cd. 22 34126 Fatih/İstanbul Phone: +90 212 519 12 48

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, encompassing an entire buzzing hive of artisans and merchants spread across 60 streets and 4000 shops. Come for traditional Turkish carpets, gold and silver jewelry, leather goods, and more—and make sure to sit, share a tea, and haggle.

Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)

Address: Rüstem Paşa, Erzak Ambarı Sokak 92 34116 Fatih/İstanbul Phone: +90 212 513 65 97

Built in the 17th century, this fragrant covered market brims over with spices, from tangy sumac to smokey urfa pepper to Turkish saffron. Vendors also sell Turkish delight, ceramics, and other non-spice items.

Arasta Bazaar

Address: Kabasakal Caddesi 34122 Fatih/İstanbul

This market street in the heart of the Sultanahmet neighborhood historically housed shops whose rent helped pay for the maintenance of the nearby Blue Mosque. Now, vendors sell hand-woven pestamel (Turkish towels), ceramics, carpets, and more.

Souq Dukkan

Address: Büyükdere Caddesi 185 34330 Şişli/İstanbul Phone: +90 555 030 82 32 Website

Souq Dukkan began as an artisan's bazaar in the trendy Karakoy neighborhood before recently relocating to Kanyon in Levent. Featuring the work of local designers, creators, and artists, Souq Dukkan is the place to find unique Turkish items from some of the city's most creative minds.

Neighborhoods to Know

Sultanahmet : Seemingly every block in this neighborhood has something historical poking out. The central square is dominated by the twinned Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, and the streets hold other imperial Ottoman-era mosques, Byzantine cisterns, and the remains of a hippodrome. This is the main place visitors to Istanbul come, and with good reason—the layered empires that dominated Istanbul have all left their mark right here.

Kadıkӧy : Located on Istanbul's Asian shore, Kadıkӧy is the neighborhood of artists and creatives. Bright colorful murals decorate the walls of buildings, while the streets brim with vibrant bars, sleek third-wave coffee shops, trendy boutiques, and al fresco dining. Kadıkӧy has a long stretch of seaside that is filled on summer nights with locals enjoying a beer at sunset. Only a picturesque ferry ride away from the city center, Kadıkӧy is the neighborhood to visit to see how Istanbul's cool kids live.

Cihangir : This trendy neighborhood, just a few blocks from Taksim Square, is the place to see and be seen. With cutting-edge boutiques, moody bistros, colorful bars slinging cocktails, and stylish cafes, Cihangir has long been the scene where hip Turks and foreigners mingle.

Beşiktaş : Located on the European Bosphorus shore just a short walk from Dolmabahçe Palace, Beşiktaş is a rowdy neighborhood famed for its passionate support of the local football team and its plethora of pubs. Explore the rollicking side streets spilling over with people enjoying the night time energy.

Karakoy : Formerly a forlorn strip of shipping warehouses and camping shops, the Karakoy neighborhood has blossomed in the last decade into a colorful strip of restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries. One building houses five of Istanbul's premier private galleries, while mere steps away is the splendid Kılıc Ali Paşa Mosque and its luxurious hammam.

Nişantaşı : For luxury and high-end experiences, Istanbul's elite come to upscale Nişantaşı. Here's where you can find haute couture boutiques, luxury brands like Prada and Louis Vuitton, and elegant restaurants. Just nearby is Maçka Park, one of the few parks in central Istanbul and an ideal place to stroll.

The Princes Islands : The Princes Islands, called Adalar in Turkish, are nine islands in the sea of Marmara, with four open to the public. Cars are not allowed on the islands, so it's best to get around by bicycle, by foot, or by horse-drawn carriage. With its charming white wooden houses and lush bougainvillea, the islands are an escape from the city within the city. The four islands (Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kınalıada) can be reached by regular ferries from the mainland.

Balat : The twinned neighborhoods of Fener and Balat, historically home to large Greek and Jewish populations, are some of the most picturesque in Istanbul, with colorful wooden houses lining hilly cobblestone streets. Balat has erupted in recent years, easily claiming its place as one of Istanbul's most interesting up-and-coming neighborhoods. Explore the antique shops that dot the area or stop at one of the many cafes and new restaurants that line the streets.

Winter: Istanbul winters are gray and constantly rainy, with weather hovering around 45°-50°F. While it's not ideal weather, the city is evocative and somehow cozy, with vendors selling roasted chestnuts on the street corners and steaming tulip-shaped cups of tea on offer at every restaurant.

Spring: In the springtime, the sun comes out and the weather warms up to a comfortable 65°-70°F. Flowers bloom all over the city, from fragrant jasmine to hot pink petals bursting from Judas trees. The early end of spring can still be a little chilly, but everyone still sits outside to soak in the sun.

Summer: The long, sticky, crowded days of Istanbul's summer usually have temperatures around 85°F with 70% humidity. The saving grace is the water that surrounds the city—the breeze off the Bosphorus on a transcontinental ferry ride or a swim in the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul's islands takes the edge off the muggy heat. And the endless summer nights, often spent sitting around a long meyhane table sipping a cold glass of anise-flavored raki , make it all worth it.

Fall: Autumn in Istanbul is warm and comfortable. The humidity comes down, as does the temperature, lingering around a comfortable 65°F in the early autumn and slipping around to 60°F in the later part. This is the best time to come to Istanbul.

Apps to Download

BiTaksi: Local taxi-hailing app iOs | Android

Uber: International taxi-hailing app iOs | Android

Trafi: Live traffic updates iOs | Android

Moovit: Transportation schedule aggregator iOs | Android

Istanbul Itinerary: 3, 4, 5, or 7 Day Options

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Istanbul is a buzzing city with so much to see and do. As the once ancient capital of the Roman Empire, Constantinople, and the border between two continents, Europe and Asia, it’s a melting pot of history and diverse culture that cannot be found anywhere else on this planet.

While Istanbul is often visited as a stopover destination, being the largest transit hub in the world, anyone who just passes through this energetic city is really missing out.

From ancient landmarks to relaxing Turkish baths, serene nature, and world-class museums, there are tons of exciting attractions you could add to your Istanbul itinerary.

Whether you plan to stay for 3, 4, 5, or 7 days, these Istanbul itineraries will take you around some of the best sites in the city and tell you the best order in which to see them.

Planning a trip to Istanbul last-minute?

Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!

Here is our recommended airport transfer in Istanbul:

• Airport Shuttle From Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gocken International Airport (SAW) (Super affordable!)

Here are our recommended tours in Istanbul:

• Luxury Bosphorus Cruise At Sunset (A must-do In Istanbul)
• Whirling Dervishes Show (Unique experience!)
• Historical Turkish Bath Experience
• Istanbul Food And Culture Tour

Here are our recommended places to stay in Istanbul:

• Magnuara Palace Hotel (Gorgeous hotel in the historic centre!)
• Pera Palace Hotel
• Cheers Hostel (Budget hostel near the Blue Mosque!)

How many days is sufficient in Istanbul?

This is the age-old question we get asked the most. The amount of time you spend in Istanbul is usually dictated by how much time you have to spare. 

You could easily spend a week here and not get bored. We even spent two weeks there and didn’t run out of things to do.

We would say the optimal amount of time to spend in Istanbul is between three and five days. You could see all the highlights in three days, but if you have more time on your side, allow an extra couple of days for relaxation and to soak in the culture of the city.

After all, you don’t want to spend your time rushing from place to place and not take in the atmosphere. If you have time on your side, take it slow, don’t rush, and spend some time wandering the streets and take it all in.

📚 Read More: A Complete Istanbul, Cappadocia and Pamukkale Itinerary!

The Best Istanbul Itinerary for 3 Days

Most people visiting Istanbul only have a few days before they embark on a greater Turkey itinerary. After all, 3 days is the optimal amount of time to spend in the city.

Below is an Istanbul itinerary for 3 days, which takes you to all the top attractions and iconic landmarks in the city.

Day 1: Sultanahmet

Our itinerary begins in the enchanting city of Istanbul. This once capital of the Roman and Ottoman Empire, named then as Constantinople, is brimming with history and culture. It’s also the only city in the world to span two continents; Europe and Asia.

On the first day of your visit to Istanbul, you’re going to want to explore the neighborhood of Sultanahmet . This is where you’ll find the most iconic landmarks in the city, including the Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern.

This day will do a lot of walking but it’s all within the same area, so you won’t need to travel far today, you’re going to see exactly why Istanbul is a city worth visiting .

Stop 1: The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is the most beautiful work of architecture in Istanbul, so it makes sense to visit this attraction first. It was built between 1609- 1616 by Sultan Ahmed I. It became famous for its hand-painted blue tiles that you can see inside.

The mosque features more than 200 stained glass windows, as well as a stunning carved marble mihrab that’s worth checking out. It’s also the resting place of Sultan Ahmed I.

The Blue Mosque has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and is one of Turkey’s most famous sites.

Stop 2: Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia is just across the park from the Blue Mosque and is another one of the most important mosques in Turkey. It was built in 537 by the Roman Emperor Justinian. It was originally used as a cathedral for Constantinople, where it remained the largest Christian church in the Eastern Roman Empire for over 1000 years ago.

After Constantinople was seized by the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. It was a museum for a short time between 1935-2000 but was converted back into a mosque. It has some of the most stunning architecture, mosaics, and artistic coverings of all the mosques in the city.

Stop 3: Topkapi Palace

Around the corner from the Hagia Sophie is the Topkapi Palace. The palace was the former home of the Ottoman sultans in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Today, it is a large museum, showcasing artifacts from the Ottoman era. Not all rooms are open to the public, but the most beautiful ones are. The Ottoman Imperial Harem and the treasury are the main reasons to visit this palace in Istanbul .

The Topkapi Palace was also declared a UNESCO site in 1985 and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Stop 4: Basilica Cistern

During the Roman Empire, the Romans built several cisterns under the city as a water filtration system for the city’s palaces. The largest and best-preserved cistern in the city is the Basilica Cistern.

It is just 150 meters away from the Hagia Sophia, so it makes sense to see this historical landmark on the same day.

Stop 5: Istanbul Archeological Museums

The Istanbul Archeological Museums is a collection of three museums in the Sultanahmet district. They are made up of the Archeology Museum, The Ancient Orient Artifacts Museum, and the Tile Museum (Tile Kiosk).

They contain historic relics dating back to the early Ottoman period after it captured Constantinople from the Roman Empire.

One of the highlights of the museum is the Alexander Sarcophagus, which is the tomb of Alexander the Great, found in the Archeology Museum, and the Egyptian Grave with two coffins in the Ancient Orient Artifacts museum and the geometric tiles of the Tile Kiosk, one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Stop 6: Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar

Another one of the major landmarks in Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar. It is the largest and oldest covered market in the world, with 61 streets and over 4,000 shops. It began operating in 1455 after the Ottomans captured Constantinople.

The vibrant Grand Bazaar is the best place to pick up Turkish souvenirs , from Turkish delights, Turkish lamps, rugs, towels, and clothes.

Around the corner from Grand Bazaar is the Spice Bazaar. This is another souk market where you can shop for various teas and spices. The spices are said to help with certain medical conditions, from diabetes control to weight loss, and mood enhancers.

Stop 6: Evening Turkish Hamam

After all this walking around, you’re going to want to relax a little. We recommend finishing off the day in a Turkish Hamam, which is similar to a Roman Bath. It’s not just a public bathing space, but a spa where you can get massages and beauty treatments.

Located next to the Hagia Sophia is the Hurrem Sultan Hamam, which was built in the 16th century. It’s a little pricey, but if you’re going to enjoy a Turkish bath , you might as well go to an authentic one!

Day 2: Istanbul: Taksim

On the second day, we’re going to cross the Galata Bridge and explore the Kabataş neighborhood. This is still part of Europe, but also features many iconic attractions that should not be missed.

Stop 1: Galata Bridge

We’ll begin at Galata Bridge, a 19th-century bridge that crosses Istanbul’s Golden Horn channel. The bridge is famous because of the fishermen who cast their lines here, attracting hundreds of seagulls.

The bridge has two parts, the top part is where the cars cross the bridge and also where you’ll find the fishermen, and along the bottom part you’ll find many restaurants serving fresh seafood meals.

Stop 2: Galata Tower

Next, we’ll visit the iconic Galata Tower. By now you have probably noticed the tower in the skyline, given that it is the city’s watch tower.

It was built as a part of the Walls of Galata in 1348 by Roman Empire. The Galata Tower has had a tumultuous past, having caught fire in 1794 and 1831. It was also badly damaged in a storm in 1875.

The tower was renovated in the 1960s to look like the original but using concrete instead of wood. You can climb to the top of the tower and witness 360-degree panoramic views of the city. There is also a museum and exhibition hall in the tower.

Stop 3: Istiklal Street

Istiklal Street is the most famous street in Istanbul and is where you’ll find a blend of historic and modern. It was historically known as Grand Avenue of Pera, and is a pedestrian street made famous for its red tram that rides from one end to the other.

There are many high-street brands setting up shops here in the old buildings that were once apartments for the Romans. It’s a great place to pick up some street food or find a traditional Turkish restaurant down one of the side streets.

If you’re into nightlife, you’ll find vibrant bars in this area. There are also many things to do on Istiklal Street , including visiting some of the top museums in the city.

Stop 4: Pera Museum

The Pera Museum is a must-visit for art lovers. It was established in 2005 and is home to a large selection of iconic works from renowned Turkish artists such as Osman Hamdi Bey, Cihat Burak, and Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, as well as European artists such as Jean-Léon Gérôme and Jean-Baptiste van Mour.

The museum is a cutting-edge cultural space spanning over 5 floors and provides a fantastic space where history and art collide.

Pera has served as a hub for creative expression since it first opened its doors. Amongst its many fascinating collections, there is an art gallery hosting diverse works from across Turkey’s dynamic cultural heritage. Notable pieces include Orientalist paintings and rare photography pieces that explore the late 18th century through to modern-day times.

Stop 5: Bosphorus Cruise

If your legs are a little tired from all this walking, then a Bosphorus cruise is a great way to enjoy an afternoon or early evening.

The cruise takes you through Istanbul’s Golden Horn and out into the Bosphorus. It gives you a unique perspective of the city from the water, and it’s also the best way to see the palaces in Istanbul. Many of the palaces were built next to the water, and their beautiful decoration and architecture are best seen from the water.

You will see boats lined up on the waterfront in Eminönü, and there are plenty of cruises to choose from. They are all pretty much the same, but you do need to book your ticket in advance.

You can either head to the harbor early in the morning and book your ticket, or you can book your ticket online.

Day 3: The Asian Side

On the third day in Istanbul, you’re going to explore the Asian side. We’ll be visiting the largest mosque in Istanbul, the hip and vibrant area of Moda, and tasting delicious Istanbul street food .

Stop 1: Çamlıca Mosque

The first stop is Çamlıca Mosque, located at the top of Çamlıca Hill. To get here, you must first take the metro to Üsküdar and then change to the metro to Kısıklı. From here, you simply walk up the hill.

The Camlica Mosque is the largest mosque in Istanbul and measures at 72 m (236 ft). The six minarets measure even higher to 107.1 m (351 ft). This stunning mosque is a sprawling complex large enough to house 63,000 worshipers at one time.

There’s also an art gallery, library, and conference hall. It was designed by two female architects, Bahar Mızrak and Hayriye Gül Totu, and was said to have cost $110 million USD to make.

Stop 2: Kadikoy

After spending time admiring the mosque, head over to the area of Kadikoy, one of the biggest attractions in Istanbul’s Anatolian side . Here you’ll find bustling markets and fishermen on the waterfront. This is the perfect place to sample some street food. We highly recommend the balık ekmek (fish sandwich).

Stop 3: Moda

After wandering the neighborhood of Kadikoy, head further south to Moda. This is a hipster neighborhood with street art, boutique stores, cool coffee shops, and a relaxing park.

Stop 4: Whirling Dervishes Show

If you went for an afternoon Bosphorus cruise, then you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy a whirling dervishes show in the evening. This is a traditional Turkish dance where dancers look as though they are floating across the floor.

As well as being a dance, it’s an active meditation exercise, which originated from the Sufi tribes in the 13th century. This is one of our favorite things to do in Istanbul at night .

The Best Istanbul Itinerary for 4 Days

If you have an extra day to spend, you might want to spend it doing something more relaxing. Not many people know this, but Istanbul is surrounded by serene nature, and you don’t have to go far to find it.

In our Istanbul 4 day itinerary, we would suggest following the itinerary for 3 days, and on the fourth day, visit the Princes Islands…

Day 4: Princes Islands

On the fourth day, you’ll need to allow a full day to explore the Princes Islands , or Adalar as they are referred to in Turkish. There are nine islands in total, but only four are inhabited. Each island was once used as an exile home for the rich, famous and powerful, including members of the royal family (hence the name, Princes Islands).

There are no cars on the islands and they can only be explored on foot or by bike. You will notice several examples of luxurious, stunning architecture and 19th-century mansions as you explore each of the islands.

To get to these unique islands in Turkey , you must take a ferry from Kabatas or Kadikoy. The ferry stops at Kınalıada, Burgazadası, Heybeliada, and finally Büyükada, or “Big Island” as it’s often referred to.

It takes 75 minutes to reach the last island, Buyukada, and ferries operate every hour – this gives you an hour to explore each island, so you need to plan your trip accordingly.

You may wish to pick two out of the four islands we mention below if you want a more leisurely day.

Be sure to check out the ferry times here .

Stop 1: Kınalıada, Princes Islands

The first stop is Kınalıada, the smallest island in the Princes Island archipelago. It’s the nearest island to mainland Istanbul and its history dates back to the ancient Greeks.

The name Kinaliada means “Henna Island” in Turkish, and it is so named because of the red-color land you see here. This is made by iron and copper deposits which were once mined here.

The first settlers on the island were the Greeks, who used the island as a place of exile from the Byzantine rulers. The most famous exile to live here was Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes, who lived at the Monastery of the Transfiguration on Hristo Peak.

It won’t take you long to explore the small village on the island. Make sure to check out the former Greek Orthodox monastery, the Monastery of Christ, and wander along the small streets to check out the unique architecture. The old fire station and school are particularly beautiful.

After an hour, make your way back to the ferry pier to go on to the next island.

Stop 2: Burgazadası, Princes Islands

Burgazada, or Burgaz Adası, is the third largest in the group and was also an exile settlement for the Greeks. It was once called Antigoni, after Antigonus I Monophthalmus, father of one of the successors of Alexander the Great.

Antigoni built a fort on the island, which you can still see today. The island is small and has one single hill, so you can easily see all the main attractions in an hour.

Be sure to check out the Spanudis Mansion, which was the home to the famous Turkish short-story writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık. Then there is The Church of Iohannes Prodromos which was built in 1899. It was built on the site that was once a prison for St Methodius the Confessor, who was exiled here.

There are also a few monasteries to see, the Monastery of Hagios Georgios Garipi which was a refuge for White Russians fleeing the Russian Revolution, and the Monastery of the Transfiguration, which dates back to the Byzantine era.

Stop 3: Heybeliada, Princes Islands

The second largest island is Heybeliada, which was once used by the Turkish Navy. Each year, the island holds a few small open-air concerts in the summer, which attracts many visitors to the island.

Make sure to check out the Naval High School, which was founded in 1773 and has stunning architecture. It’s also the home of the only remaining Byzantine church on the island,  Kamariotissa , as well as the last church to be built before the conquest of Constantinople.

The grounds are where you’ll find the grave of Edward Barton, who was the second English Ambassador for Elizabeth I of England, who was sent to Constantinople and spent his last days on Heybeliada trying to escape the plague.

As with all the other islands, Heybeliada also has a monastery, named Hagios Georgios tou Kremnou, which was built in the 16th century. There are also the ruins of the Hagios Spyridon monastery which was built in the 19th century.

You can also visit the house of the second President of Turkey, Mavromatakis Köşkü, which is a museum, as well as several other beautiful 19th century mansions.

Stop 4: Büyükada, Princes Islands

The last island is the biggest island, Buyukada. If you only have time for one, make sure this is it. You can see many of the island’s notable landmarks, including the Merkez Eczanesi, a pharmacy from 1870, and the ruins of a villa where Trotsky lived during 1929-1933 on Hamlaci Street 4.

Since this island is much bigger than the rest, we recommend you rent a bike and cycle around the island, taking in the quietness and beauty of the island. See the Greek Orthodox Church, St. George Church, which sits on the highest point of the island with amazing views of the city.

Other notable landmarks on the island are the former Greek Orphanage, which was the largest wooden house in Europe.

You can also find a beach for swimming and relaxing on, as well as a huge green park. You could easily spend more than an hour here. Be sure to stay for sunset and try one of the top-rated restaurants on the waterfront.

The Best Istanbul Itinerary for 5 Days

For those blessed with five full days in the city, you might be wanting to see more off-the-beaten-path places in Istanbul. On our fifth day, we are going to explore the Fener district.

This is home to Balat, the Jewish district of Istanbul. Here you get to see the diverse cultures of Istanbul and see a unique side of the city in its architecture, history, and general way of life.

If you’re looking for a 5 day Istanbul itinerary, we suggest following the itinerary above and adding the following stops on your fifth day…

Day 5: Fener District

The Fener District is where you’ll find the remnants of Istanbul’s Jewish Population. In the late 15th century, Sultan Bayezid II offered citizenship to the Jews fleeing the Inquisition in Spain and Africa, and most of the immigrants ended up here.

The Fener District is part of the  UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Historic Areas of Istanbul . Fener has become a melting pot of culture, with ethnic minorities from places like Armenia, Bulgaria, and more.

The neighborhood also has a number of charming coffee shops and restaurants, as well as art galleries and boutique stores.

Stop 1: Balat District

Balat is the most famous neighborhood in Fener. It’s known for its colorful, narrow wooden houses and cobbled streets. Kiremit Caddesi (Kiremit Street), is the most famous place to find these buildings.

These pastel-colored buildings are some of the  most beautiful buildings in Istanbul . But this is not the only reason to visit Balat .

Nestled among the historic buildings and winding streets, are unique, cozy cafes, some of which are an artist’s playground, such as İncir Ağacı Kahvesi which is known for its umbrella installation and colorful huts where you can sip your coffee in.

You can also find many antique shops and vintage shops, if you enjoy thrift shopping. Be sure to check out the Phanar Greek Orthodox College, which you won’t miss as it’s a striking red building ontop of the hill.

Stop 2: Kariye Mosque

The Kariye Mosque, or The Chora Church as it’s also known, is one of the most historically significant mosques in Istanbul. It was built as a Greek Orthodox Church in the 4th century during the reign of Constantine the Great, at the time when the walls of Constantinople were being built.

It was part of a monastery complex outside the walls of the city and served as an Orthodox church until it was converted to a mosque in the 15th century by Ottoman Turks.

What makes this church unique is that it still has stunning mosaics depicting biblical stories and figures, some of which date back to the 14th century. It also hosts a number of incredible frescoes that showcase Ottoman artistry and engineering prowess.

The Kariye Mosque has been under renovation since 2005 and there has been no end date announced at present. We will update this guide as soon as we know of a re-opening date, and this is one site in Istanbul not to be missed.

Stop 3: The Walls of Constantinople

Have you ever wondered if the walls of Constantinople still stand? The answer is yes, but only in some areas. You can see the remains of the walls of Constantinople on Hoca Çakır Cd, this is where they are the most well-preserved.

The walls were built in the 4th century and were used as a defense against oncoming invasions, and they were withheld for many centuries before the great Mahmet II finally seized the city in 1453.

You can walk along the walls in some areas as well, which offer an incredible view of the Marmara Sea and the Golden Horn.

The Best Istanbul Itinerary for 7 Days

For those who have a full week at their disposal, you have time to truly experience the diversity and uniqueness of the city, but now you might be after a bit of adventure.

So on our sixth and seventh day, we plan to take you to the theme parks and on a day trip outside the city.

If you’re looking for a 7 day Istanbul itinerary, follow the itineraries above and add the following stops to day 6 and 7…

Day 6: Theme Park Day

Istanbul is also home to several exciting theme parks. If you are travelling with kids, you might want to have a theme park day!

Stop 1: Vialand Theme Park

If you only have time for one park, it should be Vialand. There is so much to see and do here, you should spend a full day here.

Vialand Theme Park has something for everyone – from its rollercoaster rides and other thrilling attractions such as Parkour land, mall, and Disney-inspired palace, to its interactive theaters and kid-friendly carnival games.

It opened in 2013 and was the first shopping, entertainment, and living complex in the world that combines a Theme Park and a shopping mall.

The park is spread over a huge 600,000 meters squared and features the world’s 4th biggest rollercoaster, the Nefeskesen, which accelerates to 110 kilometers in just 3 seconds. Don’t miss the “Justice Tower”, which descends from 50 meters, as well as the 7-D movie theatre.

If you’re looking for thrills and entertainment, Vialand has something for even the pickiest traveler!

Stop 2: LEGOLAND

If you have time for another theme park, then we recommend LEGOLAND. You can get a taxi here from Vialand and be here within less than 15 minutes.

Legoland is the perfect place for both grown-ups and children looking for an unforgettable day out. There’s so much to explore – from massive models, three incredible rides, and interactive activities, to 10 LEgo-build areas and Lego workshops.

Open since 2015, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey within a few years. It not only offers lots of fun to kids but adults can also enjoy themselves playing with large building sets made from genuine Lego bricks.

No matter how old you are, you’ll be sure to find the perfect way to have some incredible fun at Legoland.

Day 7: Day Trip to the City of Troy (Çanakkale)

By now you must be feeling you’ve seen a lot of Istanbul and would like to explore some other parts of Turkey. Located four hours away by car is the ancient city of Canakkale, which is most famous for being where the ancient city of Troy once was.

Stop 1: Troy National Park

Perhaps the most famous thing about Çanakkale is the nearby ancient ruins of Troy, located in the Historic Troy National Park, which can be visited by guided tours or independently.

This legendary city served as an important historical battleground between Greeks and Trojans in the 8th century BC. Visitors can explore the remains of Troy or take a tour through its open-air museum featuring archaeological finds from Hellenistic and Roman eras. 

According to archaeologists, the City of Troy is only one of nine cities that was built on top of each other, so the findings you see here are that of several civilizations. The oldest city is said to have dated back to 3000 BC.

As well as being historical, it’s also an area of outstanding natural beauty, so take a moment to look out for several species of bird and wildlife that make this park their home.

Stop 2: Cimenlik Castle

The city of Çanakkale is also worth stopping off at, since it has some notable historical attractions, such as the Cimenlik Castle.

It was built in 1462 by Mehmet the Conqueror to protect the Ottoman Empire in the Dardanelles. Just right across the Dardanelles, visitors will also find Kilitbahir Castle, another fortress built around the same time.

Both of these castles are now museums and offer spectacular sea views.

Stop 3: Troy Horse

Many have heard the legend of the Fall of Troy , which has been passed down through Greek mythology for centuries. The story was also featured in Homer’s  Iliad .

If you don’t know the story, the Trojan War  went on for years, in which the Greeks tried to break through the walls of the City of Troy but were unable to breach them.

To trick the Romans on the other side, they built a wooden trojan horse and gave it to them as a gift. Little did the Romans know, the Greeks had waited inside the horse until nightfall, and then attacked the Romans as they slept. And thus the war was won.

To remember the story, head to the waterfront of Canakkale, where you can see the huge steel and fiberglass statue of the horse that was used in the 2004 movie “Troy.”

Extend to 10 Days Istanbul Itinerary

If you have fallen in love with the city and want to spend more time here, you could easily extend it to 10 or more days. 

If you’re looking for some ideas for how to spend 10 days, we recommend you fill your time taking some day trips to the cities near Istanbul . 

Bursa, Kumköy, or Şile are three cities we would recommend adding to your Istanbul itinerary. If you plan your visit right, you could even spend time at the beach in Şile if beaches are your thing.

There are also some beaches closer to Istanbul, which would be the perfect place to spend your days in the summer. 

Aside from that, I would spend time wandering the city, shopping for souvenirs, stopping off at traditional cafes , and gorging on street food. 

Explore some of the parks in Istanbul or check out the museums . There is so much to see and do, we know you’ll find something fun to fill in your time on a 10 day Istanbul trip.

Getting Around The City

Istanbul is a very walkable city, as long as you have some comfortable shoes on. We have purposely organized the stops in our itineraries to allow you to be able to walk from place to place, without the need for public transportation.

However, sometimes taking public transportation is necessary, especially if you plan to visit the theme parks or head over to the Fener district.

We have written a complete guide on public transportation in Istanbul for those who are visiting for the first time. Read about how to get around Istanbul here .

Tips for Visiting Istanbul

To help you have the best trip to Istanbul, here are a few words of advice:

• Go slow and don’t try to pack it all in. I know these itineraries are jam-packed, but you’re going to exhaust yourself trying to see every museum and mosque. Take time to just wander the streets and soak in the atmosphere as well.
• Get the Istanbul E-Pass, this is a tourist pass that gives you free entrance to many of the city’s top attractions. You can save up to 70% by using this card.
• Download Offline Google Maps or MapsMe, so you don’t need to rely on data.
• Pick up a Turkish sim card, but not from the airport. Turkcell is our preferred operator, but you can read more about it here.
• Dress modestly . This is a Muslim country and even though it’s hot, respectful attire should be worn at all time. Leave the hot pants at home, and bring light clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.
• Bring a headscarf if you’re a woman. You will need to wear one when entering the mosques.
• Take out cash, as many places don’t accept credit cards.

Final Thoughts on Istanbul Itinerary

So there you have it, this is how you can spend your days in Istanbul, and as you can see, there is a LOT to see and do.

No matter how many days you plan to spend in Istanbul, we know you will have a great trip.

Do you have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments.

Co-Founder of The Turkey Traveler

Sean Lau is a professional travel blogger and writer with adoration for Turkey. Originally from the USA, Sean frequently travels to Turkey to explore every nook and cranny. From bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the tranquil beaches of Antalya, Sean has seen it all. He hopes to share his first-hand knowledge, insider insights, and personal anecdotes to inspire fellow travelers to visit Turkey, especially to his favorite destinations – Istanbul and Cappadocia.

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Best Hidden Gems Of Istanbul: 23 Secret Things To Do

Last Updated on December 5, 2023 by Soumya

Are you searching for the best hidden gems in Istanbul ? Looking for offbeat places to add to your Istanbul itinerary? Wondering what are the best secret things to do in Istanbul so that you don’t have to encounter hordes of tourists? I totally get you and that’s why I am here to help.

Istanbul is a really popular tourist destination and one of the best places to visit in Turkey. With a history dating back 5000 years and a location straddling two continents, one can hardly blame Istanbul for being so popular! What we can do, however, is find the best Istanbul hidden gems that’ll allow us to enjoy the city without the crowds.

Recently, I spent more than 3 weeks in Istanbul and ventured off the beaten path several times. From hidden restaurants in Istanbul to lesser-known mosques and underground cisterns, I explored and researched many different attractions, far from the prying eyes.

As a result, I have this exclusive Istanbul secret places and things guide that has 23 secret things to do in Istanbul including visiting a miniature wonderland, taking a coffee tour, and checking out some gorgeous neighborhoods and churches.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link on this post. This will be at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links help me keep this website up and running. Thanks for your support!

Table of Contents

Hidden gems in Istanbul

Great palace mosaics museum.

One of Istanbul’s hidden gems and my favorite secret place to visit is the Great Palace Mosaics Museum . The museum is located on what we know as the ruins of the Great Palace of Constantinople and hosts a collection of magnificent Byzantine mosaics preserved in situ. Some of the best mosaics depict birds, animals, and humans from the Roman era. They talk volumes about local life and culture in those times.

I love this small museum not only because of its exotic mosaics but also because of the fact that it is one of the very few places where we can see a portion of the Royal Palace of the Byzantine Empire. Much of the palace is, otherwise, destroyed.

The Great Palace Mosaics Museum is right behind the Blue Mosque but not many people know of it. You’ll always find it empty – a calm oasis in the middle of the busy Sultanahmet area. The exit is in the middle of Arasta Bazaar. So, you can explore two Istanbul hidden gems together.

Unfortunately, the Great Palace Mosaics Museum is temporarily closed now due to ongoing restoration work. Please check for opening dates on the official website here before visiting.

Entrance to the Great Palace Mosaics Museum is included in the Istanbul Museum Pass .

Arasta Bazaar

Here’s a secret place in Istanbul for the shopaholics – the Arasta Bazaar.

While everyone throngs to the more famous Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, people barely know about the Arasta Bazaar that is located right behind the Blue Mosque. We stumbled upon it while casually strolling through the Sultanahmet neighborhood.

Arasta Bazaar is a historic marketplace dating to the 17th century. It is located at the site of the Great Byzantine Palace and is therefore right next to the Great Palace Mosaics Museum.

Arasta Bazaar is a nice place to buy Turkish souvenirs such as carpets, ceramics, towels, spices, and Turkish delights. Since it is not as crowded as the other Istanbul markets, it is best for people who are looking for a quieter shopping experience .

Hagia Irene

The lesser-known cousin of Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene stands right opposite Topkapi Palace in the same courtyard. Yet, very few travelers know of it. In my opinion, this is one of the best hidden gems in Istanbul because it is hidden in absolute plain sight.

Hagia Irene is actually older than Hagia Sophia and is probably one of Istanbul’s oldest standing Byzantine era monuments.

Another interesting Istanbul fact is that this old church was never converted into a mosque. But it became a military arsenal for a while. Nowadays, it plays host to music festivals and a few tourists during the day.

Nakilbent Cistern

You may have heard of the famous Basilica Cistern that everyone asks you to visit even if you are in Istanbul for one day ! But have you heard of this pretty hidden gem that’ll also show you underground Istanbul, albeit without the crowds – the Nakilbent Cistern?

We stumbled upon the lesser-known Nakilbent Cistern while strolling through the secret alleyways of Sultanahmet district. It is a Byzantine cistern dating back to the 6th century and has 18 marble columns. Once upon a time, the cistern served as a water reservoir for the Great Palace of Constantinople but today, it features a photo exhibition of life in Istanbul.

Interestingly, the Nakilbent Cistern is located under a functional carpet store called Nakkas that takes good care of it. The best part is you can enter and explore the cistern for free . Just show up at the carpet store and they’ll direct you downstairs.

Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts

The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum is one of the best kept secrets of Istanbul. It is one of the best Islamic arts museums that I have visited anywhere in the world.

The expansive displays of the museum house a beautiful collection of Islamic paintings, calligraphy, carpets, and Seljuk tiles and wood carvings. An amazing collection of Ottoman carpets dating to the 15th century and metal and ceramic artifacts from medieval times are the highlights. The building that houses the museum was once the residence of an important vizier of the Sultan, making a visit here even more interesting.

Admission is included in the Istanbul Museum Pass .

Turkish coffee tour

A unique and unusual foodie thing to do in Istanbul is to join a coffee tasting tour in Istanbul .

Coffee is Turkey’s national drink and embarking on a coffee adventure is possibly one of the most interesting experiences in Turkey. Turkey does its coffee differently – the brewing, the serving, and the process of having coffee are unique – so much so that Turkish coffee culture finds a place in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage .

On this highest-rated coffee tour in Istanbul , you’ll learn all about Turkey’s coffee culture, taste coffee in historic cafes, and master the art of Turkish coffee making.

Beylerbei Palace

Istanbul is full of palaces. Be it the majestic Topkapi Palace (a staple on every Istanbul itinerary ), the very European Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus, or the stunning Ciragan Palace where you can stay and feel like royalty, Istanbul is literally oozing with palaces.

One of the lesser-known or lesser-visited palaces of Istanbul is the Beylerbei Palace. The palace is an exquisite example of French Baroque architecture implemented in a traditional Ottoman house plan. It is spread over 2 stories and has 24 opulent state rooms & 6 beautiful halls . Other highlights include the palace gardens, a marble kiosk, and the marine kiosks.

The Beylerbei Palace was built in the late 19th century as a summer palace and came to host many royal visitors including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Empress Eugenie of France. There’s a story that Empress Eugenie was totally taken by the architecture of the palace and she got herself a copy of the guest room window made in the Tuileries Palace .

Find all information about Beylerbei Palace on the Directorate of National Palaces website here .

Secret things to do in Istanbul

Pertevniyal valide sultan mosque.

If you wish to see a bit of offbeat Istanbul , head to Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque in Aksaray neighborhood.

Built in the late 19th century by the Sultan’s mother, the Aksaray Valide Mosque is considered to be one of the most eclectic mosques in Turkey . It features several architectural styles and is a harmonious mix of Ottoman, Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish styles. Ornate stonework on the mosque’s facade is an absolute must-see.

The Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque dominates the skyline in Aksaray, which is a great place to try ethnic cuisines from all around the world in Istanbul. Aksaray was our favorite place for Yemeni, Arabic, and Uighur food when in Istanbul. It is still the kind of melting pot that it used to be hundreds of years ago.

Church of St. Anthony of Padua

Locally known as Sent Antuan Kilisesi, the Catholic Church of St. Anthony of Padua is the largest in Istanbul . What’s interesting is that the church is located right in the bustling heart of Istanbul, on the Istiklal Avenue. Yet, it is often missed by visitors.

Built in the early 20th century, the Church of St. Anthony of Padua sports a beautiful Gothic Revival style of architecture . It is built on the site of the original church of St. Anthony that was built by the Italians in the 1700s. The beautiful red facade and the gorgeous interiors make this place a must-have on your Istanbul itinerary .

Christmas is a great time to visit the church when it is all decked up. Otherwise, it is open from 9:00am – 7:00pm every day.

Pandeli Restaurant

I am letting you on my secret find in Istanbul – a beautiful, blue-tile-clad restaurant inside the Egyptian Bazaar that serves some unique and authentic Turkish delicacies in Istanbul . This is the Michelin-starred Pandeli Restaurant which has hosted the likes of Queen Elizabeth, Audrey Hepburn, and Robert de Niro.

Be sure to try the exceptional eggplant pie with doner kebab on top at Pandeli. Their lamb stew and oven-baked quince are delicious too.

St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church

One of the most amazing but secret things to do in Istanbul is to visit the stunning Bulgarian St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church in the Balat neighborhood.

Now, this church is special because it is the only Orthodox church ever built entirely of cast iron. It was built in the shape of a cross in the Byzantine style and is more than a 100 years old. It is still used by the Bulgarian Christian community in Istanbul for praying.

Both the exteriors and the interiors of the church are stunning. Therefore, it makes for a wonderful Instagram spot in Istanbul. However, more than that, it speaks to the melting pot culture of Istanbul, a place that has been on the crossroads of civilizations for ages.

Sehzade Mosque

One of Istanbul’s mosques that is exquisitely beautiful yet lesser-known is the Sehzade Mosque . Suleiman, the Magnificent commissioned the mosque to be built in memory of his dead son, Sehzade Mehmed. Therefore, this 16th-century mosque is called the Prince’s Mosque (prince = sehzade in Turkish).

Famous architect, Mimar Sinan built the beautiful Sehzade Mosque. Even though the exterior looks similar to any other Turkish mosque, the interiors are stunning. I especially loved the details on the ceiling (see the featured image of the post) which are quite dramatic. The mosque is home to Prince Mehmed’s tomb, a public kitchen, a caravanserai, and two madrasahs.

Turbes Museum

Want to see where the famous sultans of Ottoman Empire and their families are buried? Head to Turbes Museum located between Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. It is a tad difficult to locate (you won’t even find it on Google Maps but look out for the sign “Turbe Muzesi”) but well worth visiting because it is home to several tombs including the Tomb of Suleiman, the Magnificent. The museum is free to enter and has some interesting ceiling designs apart from the tombs, of course.

Underground art tour

Istanbul has an extensive underground metro system that carries nearly 2 million people everyday. Interestingly, many Istanbul metro stations have amazing art work adorning the walls. Most are made of glazed tiles and give you a picture of life and culture of Istanbul and Turkey.

I later found that Istanbul had a policy to make art more accessible to everyone by using the station walls as museums. You can find more here .

Here’s (pictured above) a beautiful tiled wall that I captured on one of numerous transits through Istanbul. There were so many more!

Camlica Tower

A modern addition to my list of hidden gems in Istanbul , the Camlica Tower is Istanbul’s tallest building as well as the TV and Radio tower. It is more than 1200 ft tall which makes it a great place to go up and check out some stunning views of Istanbul. Watching the twinkling night lights of the city from the Camlica Tower is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.

Camlica Tower is located on the Camlica Hill in Uskudar district which requires time and planning to get to from the historic center. So, I would recommend adding the Camlica Tower in your itinerary only if you’re staying in Istanbul for 3 days or more.

You can visit the tower from 10:00am – 9:00pm, Monday – Saturday. You can go all the way up to the observation decks on the 33rd and 34th floors. The tower also has a restaurant on the 39-40th floors – but this one needs a reservation. Be sure to check out their interactive 3D experience which gives you an interesting aerial view of the city. Find more details and book your tickets on the official website here .

Istanbul off the beaten path

Fener & balat.

Two of my favorite neighborhoods in Istanbul that are also hidden gems (at least, till now!) are Fener and Balat.

Fener and Balat are the prettiest areas of Istanbul , filled with quaint, pastel-colored buildings, cobbled & hilly streets, and an eclectic collection of religious buildings including pretty churches and synagogues. Roaming through the charming streets and clicking pictures is an amazing way to pass time in these neighborhoods.

Both Fener and Balat have interesting histories. While Fener was mostly settled in by Greeks, Balat was occupied by Jewish people. That’s why we have such an all-embracing group of religious institutions here. Both Fener and Balat are on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

The best way to explore Fener and Balat is by joining a guided tour like this one so that your local tour guide can show you the best of these neighborhoods.

Kucuksu Pavilion

The name Kucuksu Pavilion literally translates to “little water pavilion”.

The Kucuksu Pavilion is a small Ottoman pavilion that was used as a summer palace and hunting lodge. It was built in the 19th century in the neo-Baroque style.

The pavilion is spread over 2 floors and has a gorgeously detailed exterior and a beautifully embellished and gilded interior. It is so beautiful that visitors often refer to Kucuksu Pavilion as mini-Dolmabahce.

The Kucuksu Pavilion is a favorite wedding venue for locals . So, if you’re visiting on a wedding day, you may be able to catch a few glimpses of a traditional Turkish wedding.

One of the most common ways of seeing the Kucuksu Pavilion is by passing by it on this Bosphorus Strait and Palaces Tour .

This cute little palace definitely deserves an hour of your time so that you can appreciate the architecture and the ornate designs of the staterooms.

You will want to sign up for this Bosphorus cruise to closely appreciate the beauty of Kucuksu Pavilion.

Ashkenazi Synagogue

Istanbul has had a long Jewish history since the times of the Byzantine Empire. The area around Galata Tower was predominantly Jewish which is why you’ll find several synagogues here.

Many of Galata’s synagogues require getting prior permission for visiting but we found one that we could visit without a permission. It was the Neve Shalom synagogue which had an impressive museum chalking out Jewish history and culture in Istanbul.

Check out the synagogue opening hours here and be sure to get an id because you’ll need that for verification. We carried our passports.

Travelers who really wish to venture off the beaten path in Istanbul can head to Miniaturk, a miniature wonderland that is an amazing representation of Turkey’s architecture and history.

Miniaturk is a open-air museum-cum-park featuring 100+ models of the best architectural landmarks in Turkey. The models are 1/25th in scale and spread over more than 40,000 sq. ft. From the famous fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and the cotton castle of Pamukkale to the lesser-known ancient world wonders Artemis Temple and Halicarnassus Mausoleum, you’ll find the miniatures of all popular tourist attractions in Turkey here. It is a great place to visit with your family , especially if you have small kids.

Miniaturk is open 9:00am – 6:00pm, every day of the week. Find all visiting information on the official website here .

Rahmi M. Koc Museum

Another special but hidden place to visit in Istanbul is the Rahmi Koc Industrial Museum .

It is Turkey’s first industrial museum and houses a wonderful collection of vintage cars , race cars, motorbikes, old Istanbul trams, carriages for kings, ferry boats, aircrafts, and so much more. Their tram section is adorable. This place is an absolute haven for car lovers and transport enthusiasts.

If you are not too much into transport, then don’t worry. There’s a wonderful cafe and restaurant within the museum premises where you can enjoy a nice lunch by the sea. You can also book a short motorboat ride that’ll take you on an exciting ride through the Golden Horn. I totally loved this bit.

Aqueduct of Valens

I had no idea that Istanbul had an aqueduct dating back to the times of the Byzantine Empire.

Also known as the Bodzogan Kemeri, the Aqueduct of Valens is nearly 1700 years old and an impressive example of Roman engineering . The aqueduct was more than 160 miles long (that makes it the longest water supply route of antiquity) and over 90 ft high. The aqueduct was once used to transport water to the Byzantine city of Constantinople.

Even though you cannot climb the aqueduct (the only aqueduct I ever climbed was in Lisbon ; my husband and son climbed the one near Safranbolu also; do you know of others?), you can get some great shots from the two parks that flank both sides of the Attaturk Boulevard. Check out our Istanbul hidden gems map below to find directions the spot.

Uskudar Mihrimah Sultan Mosque

One of Istanbul’s most imposing landmarks is the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in the Uskudar neighborhood. Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent, commissioned this mosque and Mimar Sinan built it in the 16th century.

The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque has impressive Ottoman architecture featuring slender minarets and a high vaulted dome that is surrounded by half-domes on three sides. This mosque is easy to get to because it is located right next to the Uskudar Ferry Terminal and is often called the “Iskele Camii” or the “dockyard mosque”.

Rumeli Hisari Fortress

The Ottomans built a fortress in 1452 across the Bosphorus to siege control of Constantinople and cut off necessary supplies to the Byzantine capital. This was the Rumeli Hisari fortress.

Rumeli Hisari went on to be used as a prison and checkpoint until the 19th century. Now, it functions as a museum and a venue for concerts and musicals. You can visit and hike up to the walls of the fort. Entrance is covered by the Istanbul Museum Pass .

Map of hidden gems in Istanbul

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A local’s guide to Istanbul: mosques, slow-cooked kebabs and the magnificent Bosphorus

The author celebrates new open spaces along the Golden Horn, and picks the best places to eat, shop and be inspired by the city’s rich history

Lisa Morrow has lived in the city since 2010 and blogs at Inside Out In Istanbul

The types of food available in Istanbul reflect its diverse population. Ficcin Erra Goppa , in the backstreets of the busy Taksim district, serves particularly good ficcin , a flat pastry meat pie introduced by the Circassians, a people originating from the North Caucasus region (now modern-day Russia), across the Black Sea.

For a heartier meal I usually head over to Siirt Şeref Büryan Kebap Salonu , near the Valens Aqueduct, across Haliç, (the Golden Horn) in Fatih. Named after Siirt, a city in south-east Turkey, it specialises in buryan kebab , mouth-watering lamb slow-cooked in a tand ir (tandoor) oven. I’ll combine that with a plate of mumbar , lamb intestines stuffed with rice, parsley, onion and pepper.

Inspiration

I love Istanbul’s waterways. I regularly catch the ferry up the Bosphorus to Emirgan to take in the air and art at Sakip Sabanci Museum . Turkish businessman Sabanci’s former family home now puts on a variety of local and international exhibitions. The large terrace overlooking the water is a great place to daydream. Or I’ll take a ferry along the Golden Horn to Eyüp. There I gaze at the stunningly beautiful tiles in the Eyüp Sultan mosque complex, sit for a while under centuries-old plane trees and then meander through elaborate Ottoman graveyards thinking about what I’m going to write next.

Neighbourhood

The words Üsküdar and conservative often go hand-in-hand, but this mosque-filled neighbourhood offers a lot more. I marvel at the extraordinary glass dome roof in Nevmekan Sahil, a former registry office turned library. Lunch is at nearby Filizler Köftecisi .

Its handmade köfte are extremely good, and the view from the first-floor tables is fabulous. Kiz Kulesi (the Maiden’s Tower) is directly opposite, and some days you see people swimming past. Afterwards, I go to Kadim Kahve for the thrill of drinking a coffee in a former hamam, then to Tabi Tasarım Dükkan to see if they have a new scarf to add to my collection.

Green space

Outdoor space is precious in Istanbul, and much of it vertiginous. Yildiz Park, not far from Dolmabahçe Palace, cascades down the banks of the Bosphorus, offering a leafy retreat from the traffic. I enjoy Turkish breakfast here with friends in Malta Köşkü – which was built for Sultan Abdülaziz as a hunting pavilion – or pack a picnic to eat on one of the grassy terraces.

Recently I have taken to walking the paths along Haliç. Broad tracts of flat land have been created on either side of the estuary using the sludge removed from the waterway. The gardens are a work in progress but it’s great to see them take shape.

Evenings out in Istanbul usually revolve around meeting up with friends for dinner, to eat and talk over a glass of wine or two. For that I like to go to Viktor Levi Şarap Evi , a long-established wine house in Kadiköy. It produces its own wine, with bottles labelled by the number. The interior is like a gentlemen’s club, with cosy banquettes, and there’s alfresco dining in the garden.

When I want to dance, I go to Babylon . It’s a club where everyone focuses on the music and having a good time so it’s like being at a party full of friends. They have live acts as well as DJs from around the world.

The charming and quirky Hotel Empress Zoe (doubles from £42 B&B) has a labyrinth-like layout that mirrors the complexity of the city’s history. The reception area is down a short set of stairs and incorporates part of the wall of a Byzantine Palace. From there, a spiral staircase winds up to rooms ornamented with timber detailing and handwoven rugs, and a garden lush with palm trees and other exotic plants. It’s within easy walking distance of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

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Travel tips Istanbul in Turkey: Our experiences + highlights of Istanbul!

In this blog you can read more about our time in Istanbul, Turkey. I also share some useful tips for Istanbul and I select the best hotels and hostels when you go backpacking and get through Istanbul!

We are in Turkey! After two wonderful weeks in the Netherlands (we could have easily stayed a week longer, it was so nice to be back after four months of travelling in Africa), we packed our backpacks again. They are very heavy this time: we have party clothes for a wedding with us and warm clothes for the Annapurna hike in Nepal. But first: Istanbul!

Four days of sightseeing and eating in Istanbul!

After a long travel day (something with strikes of the Dutch farmers and the Dutch railway system which couldn’t handle this) we arrive exhausted at Sabiha airport in Istanbul.

An hour later we are at our hostel. The coming nights we will sleep in the Jumba Hostel , a nice, quirky hostel in the middle of the central Taksim district. Everywhere around us are trendy restaurants and a few hours later we sit in one of them with our friends Willemijn and Jiri. Willemijn is a friend of mine from Maastricht. As a digital nomad, she and her friend Jiri travel the world full-time. Coincidentally they were now in Istanbul, we have not seen each other for almost two years so when she sent me a message for some drinks, that was quickly arranged. We have a lot to talk about and with four of us, it is a very pleasant evening!

Must read before visiting Cappadocia: highlights Cappadocia blog!

Sleepwalking through the old city of Istanbul

With a lot of effort, we get up the next morning. During our last days in the Netherlands we didn’t sleep much, add to that a tiring travel day + two wines yesterday … we are actually still very tired. But we don’t have much time here in Istanbul so after breakfast we head out. Well… we head our for four times … I forget plasters, Ries forgets his sunglasses, and I forget to take my wedding outfit along to bring it to the dry cleaner. It’s clear: we are not really awake yet.

Sunset in Istanbul

And so we relax in our room during the hottest part of the day while watching The Big Bang Theory. At the end of the day, we have enough energy to go out and so we watch the sunset from a beautiful park and then eat the tastiest fish wraps ever!

Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia

After a wonderful night of sleep, we are much more rested! Time for a second attempt to visit the Blue Mosque. We are early and walk around through the beautiful building. Unfortunately, almost the entire inside is under construction, so, to be honest, this is a bit disappointing.

An hour later we arrive at the equally impressive Hagia Sofia. Hagia Sofia was originally a Christian church, was then converted into a mosque and got turned into a museum in the early twentieth century when there was disagreement among Muslims and Christians about its purpose destination. The structure is at least as beautiful on the inside as on the outside, with age-old mosaics, murals and stained glass. Furthermore, it’s so amazing to walk around in a building that is almost 1500 years old!

Tip: we bought our tickets for Hagia Sofia online in advance. This saves a lot of waiting time in line! Click here to also book tickets and a tour.

Hot air balloons in Cappadocia : The best locations to spot them!

Having a fight about Little Hagia Sofia

At noon, outside again on the large square where the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia are located, Ries proposes to take a short walk that is in the Lonely Planet and leads past the small Hagia Sofia. I agree although I notice that it is hot and I am starting to get a bit hungry … And whoever knows me a bit sees the ingredients for a cranky Charlotte in the above sentence.

And yes, there we go: Ries loses his way because the Lonely Planet does not describe the route well (and because looking at the map is not his strongest side). I feel the sweat dripping down my spine, my appetite has turned into hunger and after an hour of wandering around, I grab the phone from Ries’ hands and start walking also in the wrong direction angrily. Ries, in his turn, is insulted and so we wander through Istanbul for another hour while no restaurant is good enough …

Recognizable to someone? Those moments are also part of travelling. However, you hardly ever read about this because hey, who likes to air his dirty laundry outside? However, when I read these kinds of stories in other blogs I appreciate it too. It gives a better perspective of travelling in general. It is not always fun. That is why I share this too.

Read all about our Turkey itinerary in this blog!

The Grand Bazaar

After a baguette with feta and honey, the fight is settled quickly and the hunger satisfied. We do find out, however, that in we have some trouble with a cancelled pin transaction at a Turkish bank called Akbank. Although we cancelled it, the transaction is nevertheless debited and most likely the machined spewed our money out when we already left. Unfortunately, we get zero response from Akbank to our complaint.

One advantage: we literally have no money to be tempted to buy something in the grand bazaar. And believe me, that temptation is great because there are a lot of nice things. The grand bazaar surprises us a lot: it is much less crowded and chaotic than we expected and most sellers leave us alone. We stroll around, look around with big eyes and then go back to our hostel to cool off with a cold shower. In the evening we visit a local yoga school and take part in a very nice but hard yoga session.

Visiting Akbank and buying a new Fujifilm camera filter

Unfortunately, our problem with the Akbank ATM has not been resolved. And, so we have to visit the office. After waiting an hour and a half we are told that they cannot do anything for us. Pretty annoying and we definitly can advise against ever using this bank. Fortunately, at our next stop, Ries finds the perfect polarizing filter for his Fujifilm camera. A polarizing filter is often used in front of the camera lens in order to darken skies, manage reflections, or suppress glare from the surface of lakes of the sea. This allows him to take even better photos, especially in the mountains of Cappadocia and the Himalaya.

The rest of the day we take it easy, we do some shopping on the Kalverstraat of Istanbul: the Istiklal C.D. where the H&M, Zara and Decathlon are located. I need new sport shirts, some jewellery for the wedding of Axel and Gokce where we are going next week and Ries is looking for new slippers. Along the way, we stop for a cold lemonade on the terrace (it’s 30 degrees outside). It’s nice people watching and enjoying the beautiful weather. At the dry cleaner we pick up my wedding outfit and in the evening we eat traditional Turkish with a vegetarian twist.

Drinks with a view of Istanbul: a classic rooftop bar

We celebrate our last evening in Istanbul with a drink in the rooftop bar of hotel Marmara Pera . This hotel has a beautiful roof terrace from where you can see the entire city. Visiting roof terraces for a drink is something that we try to do when we visit big cities every now and then. It’s a way of getting away from the budget hotels and budget meals, dress up nicely and then chat with a glass of wine and cocktail about what the future will bring us. A very nice end to our wonderful time in Istanbul.

The next day we fly on to Cappadocia, a great place that will soon have a travel guide online. And then we enjoy the spectacular wedding of Axel and Gokce in Antalya for four days.

My top tips for Istanbul:

Four days is actually far too little to see this huge city. I have received many tips from readers about what we really should not miss in Istanbul, far too many to do unfortunately but here is a small selection of things that we really should not miss during a trip to Istanbul!

Eat fish wraps at the port

Every day there are dozens of fishermen on the Galata Köprüsü (Istanbul’s most famous bridge). You can eat their catch in the evening at one of the small street barbecues where the fish is grilled and then wrapped in a delicious wrap. Perhaps the tastiest food I ate in all of Istanbul!

See the sunset with a view of the Istanbul skyline

The Asian part of Istanbul is located across the Bosphorus. On day two we went by ferry to the hilly park Buyuksehir Belediyesi Fethipasa . After a steep climb to the top of the hill, we looked out at the Istanbul skyline during sunset. Recommended! Also nice to sail a bit over the Bosphorus by ferry (and a good budget tip, only € 0.60 round trip!)

Travel budget Turkey: What does a trip through Turkey cost?

Havabus: the shuttle bus from the airports to the city

Upon arrival in Istanbul, we took a way too expensive taxi to the city. It turned out that we could have travelled to the centre with Havabus just as quickly and considerably cheaper. So we did for the following flights. Havabus runs from both Istanbul airport and Sabiha for 18 TL per person to the centre.

Roasted corn cobs and Simit on the street

The Turkish version of the pretzel stand: everywhere in Istanbul you will find small stands where corn cobs and Simit, the Turkish pretzel, are sold. Delicious!

Buy an Istanbul Kart for public transportation!

Buy an Istanbul Kart for less than € 1.50, with which you can travel by public transport for much less money. You can buy this card at small kiosks on the street. If you hand in the card, you will also receive the purchase amount back.

Nice hotels in Istanbul

Hereby some good ho(s)tels for Istanbul that we visited ourselves or that we spoke to other travellers about!

Tip: book your ho(s)tels for Istanbul on time. Because booking.com is currently being blocked in Turkey, you cannot book accommodation if you are already in Turkey. So book from another country, then everything will go well!

Jumba hostel  €

We slept in this cozy hostel. Right in the center with a very nice atmosphere, a small roof terrace and both private rooms and dorms. From € 10 per person.

Eternity hotel €€

This modern hotel is located in the old center, within walking distance of all sights. The rooms are sleek and there is a roof terrace. From € 64 per person.

Galata 12 €

This nice apartment is located in the center of Istanbul, close to the metro and the Galata tower. It is in a quiet street and has good facilities. From € 38 for two people.

More blogs about Turkey

Must read before visiting cappadocia turkey: travel guide cappadocia, itinerary turkey: the ultimate itinerary for 2 weeks of traveling around in turkey, travel budget turkey: how expensive is backpacking and a trip in turkey, the best locations to view hot air balloons in cappadocia (turkey).

Istanbul is a really beautiful city, thank you for this article.

Hi Charlotte. Congratulations on the article. But I had a bad experience in Istanbul and I don't recommend a trip to this city. I don’t recommend Istanbul for a trip. I landed on the night of 10/17/2022 at Istanbul Airport (IST). Before the flight, I purchased a transfer service through Booking.com for the transfer from the airport to the hotel, for 32 pounds sterling. Upon arrival at the airport, I did not meet the driver at the agreed location (exit 13) and spoke with a driver who was there. I showed him the name and phone number of the person who was supposed to pick me up. He called then and on the other end of the line someone impersonated the driver who was supposed to pick me up, saying that there was a mistake and that I should make the ride with the one I had found. A price of 3590.00 Turkish Lira was placed and payment would be accepted by credit card. As I was very tired, it was late at night and I didn’t know the rate of the Turkish lira, I accepted it. On leaving the airport, the local called a colleague to accompany the trip. On the way, they stopped at the first ATM and I was forced to withdraw the money. At that moment, I saw that it was a coup and that my life was in danger. Upon arriving at the hotel, I took a photo of the license plate and asked the receptionists for help. I couldn’t sleep that night. The next morning I went to the tourist police station. I told him what had happened and the police officer only said that he would contact the owner of the vehicle and talk to him about returning the money. On the night of 10/19/2022, a representative of the vehicle owner went to the hotel and the hotel manager brokered the contact and negotiation. The two, representative and manager, said it would only fit me 85.00 euros as there would be fees to cover. I paid the equivalent of 225.00 euros for the criminal race and received only 85 euros at the end. No policial report was registered. I was coerced and robbed. This is all completely absurd. Crime and impunity prevail here. I hired a guide for a walking tour of the historic center, but he didn’t show up. I paid for a laundry at the hotel to deliver clean and ironed clothes but they only delivered clean ones. Anyway… a very negative experience. Tourism is done with transparency, honesty and trust. I leave Istanbul sad and very disappointed. I don’t recommend this city to anyone.

Hi Igor, Sorry to hear this but I think you might have just had really bad luck. I don't believe that since you had a lot of bad experiences, all toursim is done with transparency, honesty and trust. Also not in Istanbul. Again, very sorry to hear about your experience but I really don't think is the case for everyone going to Istanbul. Kind regards, Charlotte

Hi Charlotte, Thanks for sharing. I believe that such blog posts are very helpful especially for the first time visitors. Istanbul is very complicated, huge and crowded. Careful planning is needed. Reading Igor's comment, yes, bad experiences might happen but again, they can be avoided with good planning. Best regards,

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• What It’s Like to Stay at the Peninsula Istanbul, One of Turkey’s Buzziest New Luxe Hotels

The 177-room property has since settled into its routine since its opening last year.

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Peninsula Istanbul

Describe the hotel in 3 words : Majestic waterfront location

What’s the deal?

The Rundown

Does the hotel have a standout perk?

The hotel has its own pier, making it easy to enjoy an obligatory cruise along the Bosphorus. For wellness aficionados, however, it’s got to be the spa and wellness center downstairs, which includes a 269-foot indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, two hammams, and eight private treatment rooms.

Did they greet you by name at check-in?

Yes—from the moment I stepped off the plane at Istanbul International Airport. A young man was there to greet me. He escorted me to a private buggy, then whisked me through the sprawling airport and through customs before walking me to the parking lot, where my Peninsula driver awaited me. When I arrived at the hotel some 40 minutes later, a greeter welcomed me by name the second the door opened.

Welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived? Bonus point if it wasn’t just fruit juice.

Shortly after I checked into my room, a waiter came by to pour tea into a classic tulip-shaped glass. It was the perfect complement to the selection of Turkish delights that awaited me on a side table.

Private butler for every room?

Yes—on request. But that’s not all; the hotel offers an array of special services. Use PenChat, a 24-hour private messaging service, for everything from dinner reservations, spa bookings, and boat trips. (Dockage for guests is at that private boat pier.) You can also access special excursions, classes, and cultural events through the Peninsula Academy. There’s even a pet-friendly program to boot!

Is there a private pool for the room’s exclusive use?

Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?

The sheets are made of 300 thread count 100 percent Egyptian and Indian cotton, comfy as can be. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, complete with armchairs, desks, and wall hangings by local artists, all of which fade away the moment you open the curtains and admire that jaw-dropping view.

Is there a heated floor in the bathroom? What about a bidet?

Yes. And Toto toilets, complete with heated seats and bidets, for the win. My bathroom had two vanities and a luxurious standalone tub. The Turkish cotton bathrobe came home with me.

Are the toiletries full sized?

They’re medium-sized. The hotel commissioned local perfumers Mert Güzel and Murat Katran to create a signature fragrance for the line of in-room bath products.

Is the restaurant worth its salt?

Oh yes, quite literally. Inspired by the flavors of the historic Silk Road, whose western terminus was Istanbul, Gallada is one of the buzziest restaurants to have opened in the city over the past year. Located on the rooftop of the Peninsula’s central building, the dining room serves Turk-Asian cuisine by renowned Turkish chef Fatih Tutak as well as spectacular views of the old city across the Bosphorus.

Is there caviar on the room service menu? If so, what kind?

The hotel is just an hour away from the Black Sea; caviar is  de riguer . The menu features Ossetra and Fine Beluga. But don’t overlook the delicious Turkish options on the menu—from Çılbır (pronouned chil-bir), a breakfast dish of poached eggs served over a bed of thick, garlicy yogurt, to platters of tasty grilled kebabs.

Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?

Absolutely—except it’s not a lobby bar. The Topside Bar is located in an elegant rooftop space that borrows its nautical theme from the cruise ship passenger hall that used to occupy the hotel’s central building.

I’d have to wrestle the property away from Michael Kadoorie, the Hong Kong–based billionaire businessman who has a controlling interest in the Peninsula Hotels, but I would certainly try.

The Verdict

I can think of no better way to experience the magnificent city of Istanbul than as a guest of the Peninsula. The property combines comforts with historic and cultural design elements that pay homage to the city’s centuries-old heritage. Plus, if you’re a sucker for a good view, the one you’ll see from your room here will spoil you forever.

Rate : For suites during the winter period (December-February), the starting price is 1,800 euros (about $1,972).

Score : 9

What Our Score Means:

1-3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here. 4-6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch. 7-8: Very good. We’d stay here again and recommend it without qualms. 9-10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?

Victoria Gomelsky is editor-in-chief of the jewelry trade publication JCK and a frequent contributor to the New York Times and Robb Report. Her freelance work has appeared in AFAR, WSJ Magazine, The…

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3 perfect days in Istanbul

From bazaar shopping to buttery baklava, and more..

Istanbul—a sprawling and crowded ancient city—can be overwhelming on your first trip. I've been visiting for nearly 15 years for both work and personal travel, and it remains a destination that can light up my senses like no other and also still confuse me.

I've found that the best way to explore a place of this scale (one that straddles two continents) is to focus your visit around specific neighborhoods. You explore, soak it all in, and then leave for the next district. The unexpected upside of concentrating on one area at a time is that you can avoid dealing with the exhausting traffic that Istanbul has become famous for.

Like many cities around the Mediterranean, Istanbul is rich with history. But modern-day Istanbul is as cosmopolitan and dynamic as any global metropolis.

No trip to Istanbul is complete unless you're bouncing back and forth between Europe and Asia, but also between past, present, and future. The following three-day guide will make sure you don’t miss a thing.

MORNING: Getting to the heart of it

For visitors, the heart of Istanbul is Sultanahmet , the city's Old Town, where some of its most recognizable archaeological and cultural attractions are located. Many world-class attractions are within easy walking distance of each other, making Sultanahmet a one-stop shop for iconic sights. The Hagia Sophia , Basilica Cistern , Blue Mosque , and Topkapı Palace are all stationed around the Hippodrome, which was built in 203 AD, so you can certainly hit all four in one day.

It's not impossible to plan this on your own, but it's probably best to book a Sultanahmet tour with a knowledgeable guide who can build an efficient schedule around the venues' various opening rules.

Both the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are working places of worship that close at certain times of the day to accommodate prayer. It's also important to note that you can't use skip-the-line benefits at mosques.

The Basilica Cistern , which only reopened to visitors in 2023 following extensive upgrades, requires advance booking; otherwise, you must wait in a very long line. It is worth it, though. Of the hundreds of Byzantine-era cisterns under Istanbul, this is the largest, and it's also been beautifully decorated with lights and art installations. About 336 marble columns are holding up the cistern; most were sourced from ancient ruins around the former empire. The most famous of these columns are the ones that feature the head of Medusa as their base. Because you are following a walkway, the visit to the cistern is fairly quick and easy; you should get through the whole thing in 30 minutes.

You also need to invest plenty of time to see all of Topkapı Palace , which was first built as the court of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. It's ornate, it's grand, and it's full of stories. The harem, tucked underneath the Tower of Justice, was initially created as the sultan's private chamber, where he could engage in whatever he pleased with whomever he pleased. Its 300 rooms spread across six floors require a separate ticket for entry, but it is definitely worth it.

Travelers say: "Take your time, but dress in layers as it's hot and humid inside. The light show and artworks on display definitely add to the experience."—@apictaker

SULTANAHMET TOUR OPTIONS

• The Best of Istanbul: 1, 2, or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour can organize full-day itineraries to the city's most important sights.
• Neon Tours' popular Small-Group Tour, Including Topkapi Palace, Underground Cistern and Hagia Sophia includes an entrance fee to Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace.
• If you'd like to immerse yourself in the Topkapı Palace experience, opt for Walks in Istanbuls' three-hour Topkapi Palace and Harem guided tour with a skip-the-line ticket , which comes with precious skip-the-line tickets to both the palace and the harem.
• Before Travel's full-day, eight-hour Historic Areas of Istanbul tour doesn't just include entry to some of the attractions (Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace), but it bundles in lunch, too!

AFTERNOON: Shop it out, then take a bath

The great thing about Sultanahmet is that it concentrates a lot of activities in a small area. Some of the tours listed above include the Grand Bazaar , which is just over a 10-minute walk from the Hagia Sophia. A guided visit through this mammoth shopping destination (there are about 4,000 stalls) can help make sense of its scale. You can likely find anything you could think of buying (from silk textiles to opulent jewelry to enormous carpets). You just have to commit to the time.

Jennifer's Hamam is located just outside the Blue Mosque if you'd prefer your shopping to be more targeted. The shop works directly with family-owned weavers to sell beautiful carpets, linens, and scarves. Fast-drying Turkish towels make for great souvenirs.

You can also use this time to visit a local hamam. They're everywhere in the city, of course, but following a big day of sightseeing, a couple of hours of relaxation at a nearby hamam is the perfect afternoon cooldown. The Sultanahmet area has plenty to choose from, but Hurrem Sultan Hammam that has been operating since the 16th century is among the best. Its marble surfaces and soaring domed ceilings evoke grandeur typical of the best hammams in the city. This was the site of Istanbul's first bathhouse before the space became a prison and then a rug store. It's since been restored into one of the prettiest spas in town. You can choose from various treatments, from traditional exfoliating scrubs to more elaborate body masks. All of it will leave your skin softer than ever.

EVENING: Whirl before dinner

About a 15-minute walk north of the hamam, you'll reach Hodjapasha , a cultural center in what was once a former hamam. Every night at 7 p.m., it hosts a Whirling Dervish ceremony, a mystical, meditative Sufi ritual that has been practiced for centuries. Seeing dervishes dressed in traditional full-skirt white robes spin in rhythm can evoke an almost trance-like reaction. Then, close out a full day in the neighborhood with a traditional Turkish dinner (from vine leaves stuffed with rice and minced meat to oven-baked chicken with almonds, honey, cinnamon, and lemon juice) at Matbah , located near Hagia Sophia.

Worthy detours along the way

MORNING: Straddle the continents

You can't come to Istanbul without seeing both the European and Asian sides of the city. Most big-name attractions are on the European side, so unless you make a concerted effort to cross the Bosphorus, you might miss the Asian side altogether. And because things to see and do there aren't as well-known, exploring the neighborhoods in Asia will also be much easier if you do it with a tour guide.

To go from the European side to the Asian side you will have to cross the Bosphorus on a ferry (Beşiktaş, Karaköy, and Eminönü are the major ferry terminals, where you can purchase tickets). On the boat, you'll get fantastic skyline views, but also keep an eye out for locals fishing along the banks of the water. It's genuinely one of the most emblematic scenes of the city.

Immediately, you'll notice that the Asian side has fewer tourists. There, you get a more relaxed and local POV of what Istanbul is like away from its tourist attractions. Thriving seaside neighborhoods like Kadıköy and Moda are always bustling with restaurants, shops, wine bars, markets, and cultural centers. If you have time, the district of Üsküdar , one of the city's oldest, is further inland but well worth the detour. This diverse neighborhood has historic palaces, mosques, churches, synagogues, and dervish houses. Here, you can see the various cultures that have helped shape Istanbul over the centuries.

Before returning to the European side, pop into Çiya Sofrası for lunch. This popular restaurant, located about a 10-minute walk from the Kadıköy ferry station, is known for its wide assortment of Anatolian cuisine. Think rich aubergine stews, many preparations of lamb offals, perfectly seasoned kebabs, and much more.

Travelers say: "Kadiköy is my favorite place in Istanbul. From the waterfront of Bosphor, you have a fantastic view of the historic center of Istanbul on the European site, especially during sunset."—@romanshorner

ASIAN SIDE TOUR OPTIONS

• Popular tour operator Culinary Backstreets' Istanbul Market Tour: Two Markets, Two Continents is an immersive full-day adventure between both the European and Asian sides of the city, with a focus on the culinary heritage on both continents. The tour includes both breakfast and lunch.
• On the half-day Asian Side of Istanbul Tour , you'll get to tour Beylerbeyi Palace, where Ottoman sultans stayed in the 19th century, and Bağdat Avenue, one of the most important thoroughfares in the city.
• Istanbul Walks' Asian Side of Istanbul: Uskudar and Kadikoy Full Day Tour provides a comprehensive experience. The eight-hour tour includes: lunch, a visit to the fish market, and a walk around the stunning old-world buildings of Üsküdar.

AFTERNOON: See a city transformed

Take the ferry back to Europe's Karaköy , one of Istanbul's historic business centers that fell into disrepair over the past several decades but is now gaining popularity with tourists. Given all the development here, Karaköy has become one of the most exciting pockets of the city. Less than a 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal is one of the pioneers of the district's most recent transformation.

When the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art opened in 2004, it was touted as the first of its kind in Turkey. Exhibitions span not just disciplines (from paintings to photography to digital art) but provenance, too; artists on display are both local and foreign.

If you feel like your energy level is dropping, pop into Karaköy Güllüoğlu for a much-needed sugar hit. This iconic pastry shop sells some of the most delectable baklava. A long line that snakes outside the storefront will tell you where it is. If you can’t find it, follow the scent of butter. The business has been treating locals and foreigners alike since 1848, so you know this baklava recipe (flakey, rich with honey, and crunchy with pistachio) has withstood the test of time. Another (fancier) mid-day snack option is the afternoon tea experience at the recently opened Peninsula Istanbul . Its Bauhaus lobby—previously the customs hall of the old cruise terminal—is a thoroughly location for an hour of finger sandwiches and Turkish coffee. Seconds away from the hotel, along the water, you'll also find Galataport , the new cruise terminal. There is a mini-mall attached, where you can peruse a dozen or so boutiques selling everything from of-the-moment clothing to ornate locally-made jewelry.

EVENING: A trendy night out

When the sun sets, stay in the neighborhood to get a better sense of how bustling Karaköy is. For dinner, Karaköy Lokantası has long been a popular choice. They serve dozens and dozens of perfect-for-sharing mezzes, from pillowy yogurt-soaked meat dumplings to zesty salads. Don't forget to pair your meal with the equally robust menu of Turkish wines. If you want to continue to make a night of it, take the five-minute walk to Finn Karaköy , a stylish restaurant and bar where you can pick up a potent nightcap.

MORNING: An early feast

Start the day with a fortifying Turkish breakfast, a meal to be taken seriously in this part of the world. The national cuisine is full of unique dishes that make the first meal of the day not just hearty but culturally relevant, too. Any of the top hotels in the city (particularly the expansive ​​ Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul ) will offer an enormous breakfast service.

But in the hip neighborhood of Cihangir, tuck into a veritable feast at Van Kahvalti Evi , known for its seriously generous breakfast spread of herbaceous local cheese, honey from the Van region (by the border with Iran), and menemen , eggs scrambled with veggies and tomatoes. In nearby Çukurcuma, there's a more global array of breakfast options (from eggs baked with local sausages to fluffy pancakes) at Cuma , a cozy yet stylish dining room with outdoor seating and vintage furniture.

Afterward, you can spend the rest of the morning exploring these two neighborhoods (they're right next to each other), where you'll spot modern art galleries, curated vintage stores, and some of the most sought-after bars and restaurants in town. Not far from Cuma, you can visit the Museum of Innocence , a moody gallery modeled after the best-selling novel of the same name by Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk. You can also spend hours getting lost at Alaturcahouse , a four-story treasure trove of art, antique furniture, handmade rugs, and much more.

About a 10-minute walk away is one of Istanbul's busiest thoroughfares: Istiklal Caddesi , which runs from Taksim Square (the city center) to the emblematic Galata Tower . Strolling this mile-long cobblestone pedestrian street is excellent for people-watching. You can also stop to snack on simit (a circular bread crusted with sesame seeds), roasted chestnuts, and corn.

AFTERNOON: Shopping of all kinds

If your visit to Istanbul falls on a Sunday, take advantage of the Ferikoy Flea Market in Bomonti (a residential neighborhood about two miles north of Taksim Square.) There are 450 stalls of vendors here, so you can easily spend a whole day finding a blast from the past worth taking home, including collectible toys, mid-century modern furniture, jewelry, artworks, first-edition books, and vinyl records.

Travelers say: "Be ready to bargain with vendors. If you are looking for an interesting shopping experience on Sunday, this is the place to visit."—@sitem2_e

Bomonti is next to Istanbul's ritziest district, so if you'd prefer your shopping to be more high-end designer and less pre-loved, make your way over to Nişantaşı. Here, you'll find international labels (from Zara to Prada) as well as local brands that you'll struggle to source outside Turkey, like womenswear designer Arzu Kaprol , who has a gorgeous flagship in the neighborhood.

It might be the most luxurious pocket of the city now, but Nişantaşı has a colorful past. It used to be the site of 18th-century archery competitions, and you'll find inscribed target stones all over.

If you'd rather skip the shopping for more cultural exploration, you can peruse the 1,000 years of history and artifacts displayed at the Harbiye Military Museum and Cultural Site Command .

SHOPPING TOUR OPTIONS

• Seyhan Bardakçi's Full-Day Private Shopping Tour will get you up close and personal with not just the best brands and boutiques in Istanbul but even more under-the-radar secret stops, like where to find incredible rugs and baubles.
• Shopping lovers will get the complete treatment on this Istanbul City Private Shopping Tour , which stops in classic markets and storefronts and the nearby outlet mall.
• Unscripted Istanbul's three-hour Explore Istanbul's Markets, Bazaars & Artisans Private and Personalized Tour will be tailored to your interests. So, an itinerary can focus on the city's most exciting markets, or you can change things up and have your guide take you to designer ateliers.

EVENING: A once-in-a-lifetime meal

Given the luxe atmosphere in Nişantaşı, you won't lack for upscale dining options in the neighborhood. But you should call an Uber back to Bomonti for an unforgettable tasting meal at Turk Fatih Tutak , the country's only two-Michelin-star restaurant. The intimate dining room is Chef Tutak's playground, where he pays homage to Turkish ingredients and flavors. The most exciting parts of the meal are the courses where Tutak transforms classic Turkish street food into moments of fine-dining genius. I’m a fan of his take on the dolma mussels.

Know Before You Go

Like most places in Europe, the peak travel season to Istanbul is June through August, when the weather is hottest. Conversely, it does get very cold and can snow here during the winter, so we think the best months to plan a trip here are April and May, as well as September and October when the weather should be at its most comfortable, and the city is not as busy with tourism. However, if you decide to come in the off-season, you can expect to find more favorable airfare and hotel prices.

Though secular, Türkiye is a Muslim-majority country. So, during the 40 days of Ramadan, some businesses (including restaurants and shops) may adjust their schedules accordingly. But many will operate as usual. And there is no expectation for visitors to observe.

Any day is a good day to be in Istanbul because there isn't one day that you can expect a city-wide closure of tourist attractions. Most are open every day. But you do want to check the venues you want to visit for exceptions. Two popular ones are the Grand Bazaar, which is closed on Sundays, and the Topkapi Palace Museum, which is closed on Tuesdays. Sunday is also when you can expect to see Turkish families out and about, so the most popular venues (like Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern) will likely be busier than usual then.

Museum and attraction hours vary. The Basilica Cistern, for example, is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Topkapi Palace Museum operates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You'll also want to be very mindful when you visit Istanbul's mosques because nearly every single one of them is still used by locals, and many have rules in place that prevent non-Muslims from being inside during prayer time.

The most significant examples here are Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Islamic prayer times change daily because they follow the position of the sun. On average, mosques are closed for about an hour around prayer time. (The Hagia Sophia is closed for 90 minutes.) And many of them are closed until 2:30 p.m. on Fridays for Friday prayer, an essential congregational tradition in Islam.

Also, depending on when you visit, business hours could be different. Some of the major tourist attractions will remain open later during the peak summer travel season.

Nişantaşı: If you want to be surrounded by the city's best shopping but still be within easy striking distance of more cultural districts, Nişantaşı is where you want to stay. The 44-room Stay Nişantaşı , from a local hospitality mini-chain, offers a stylish stay thanks to interiors by renowned designers Autoban. The 118 spacious rooms and suites stuffed inside the Art Deco building of The St. Regis Istanbul are more extensive, glamorous, and luxurious. With butler service and a local outpost of Wolfgang Puck's Spago, it is all about having an indulgent stay at this luxury hotel.

Sultanahmet : There are plenty of lodging options in the Old City, spanning budget-friendly hostels and modest guesthouses to grand five-star properties. Try Dersaadet Hotel Istanbul and The And Hotel for charming value options. But if you are up for a splurge, the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet , which occupies a former prison from 1918, is considered one of the city's very best hotels.

Karaköy : This hip enclave has recently welcomed some of Istanbul's most exciting hotel projects, most notably The Peninsula Istanbul , a luxurious waterfront property that uses four beautiful buildings, three of which are historic. The rooftop restaurant, Gallada, doesn't just boast incredible views of the Bosphorus but an enticing menu from award-winning chef Fatih Tutak. Fama Boutique Hotel is a smaller, more minimalist and pocket-friendly choice but is still in a fabulous location.

Üsküdar : On the Asian side, hotels tend to be quieter and more intimate. The best example of this is Sumahan on the Water , a cozy hideaway right on the Bosphorus. Its owners meticulously transformed a former rakı (a type of local spirit) factory into an elegant hotel where all 20 water-facing rooms feel like home.

Public transportation: Getting around Istanbul can be tricky. The traffic is a nuisance for most of the day. Public transportation is robust, with buses, trams, ferries, and subways.

Travelers must familiarize themselves with tram line T1, which passes through Sultanahmet. The bus routes are also pretty extensive, but you must pay attention to your stops as drivers rarely announce them.

If you're bouncing between the Asian and European sides, you'll need to get on the ferries, which are pretty straightforward to use. All of this can be paid for with the Istanbul Card, which you can purchase and refill at most major transportation hubs (like a ferry terminal). There are also machines at the airport's arrival hall.

Bikes: Istanbul is a pretty hilly city, so be mindful of the toll bike riding will take on your quads and lungs. However, there is a local bike-sharing program called Isbike . Most of the pick-up and drop-off stations are on the European side, but plenty can still be found across the Bosphorus. The cost is about 0.2 Turkish lira per minute. There are also rentable scooters and segways from brands like Marti and BinBin . You'll need to download apps on your phone to use these services.

Taxis: There are plenty of taxis to be flagged down all over Istanbul, but just as many are the tales of passengers getting scammed. Most locals would advise against taking them. Uber is widely available in Istanbul.

Airport transfer: You're most likely arriving through Istanbul International Airport (IST), the newer and bigger of the city's two airports. Like any major airport, there are many options for getting to the city center or your hotel from the arrivals terminal. From the second floor of the arrivals hall, you can take a bus into town for a reasonable fare. (The fare for Taksim is 139 TL.) The ride can take over 90 minutes. You can grab a taxi or Uber, and depending on traffic, you should get to most of the city-center hotels in an hour. The most affordable and, likely, fastest choice, however, is to take the metro (the M11), but you'll need the Istanbul Card for that.

Travel Tips and Stories of Istanbul in Turkey

Find inspiration with pictures, tips and stories of Istanbul from travelers sharing their experiences

Book your trip to Istanbul and remunerate who inspired you

Skyline in Istanbul, Turkey

Sunrise from the Asian side of Istanbul

Landmark in Istanbul, Turkey

Galata, Istanbul

Town in Istanbul, Turkey

I took this shot when we were running to catch the plain in Istanbul , Turkey . Because we were a bit late but fortunately the plane got delayed. In all of that chaos, I noticed this beautiful street and didn’t miss the chance to take a shot.

Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey

These fishermen are working daily on the Galata Bridge and taking the fish they catch to the market on the lower level of the walk. It’s beautiful to contemplate their camaraderie and just enjoy a moment of serenity in the middle of the buzz from the 15 million citizens of Istanbul .

Galata Tower, built in 528.

Galata Tower. Shot on iPhone.

A beautiful Galata Tower at sunset under the clear blue sky

Suspension bridge in Istanbul, Turkey

The bridge of Istanbul connecting Asia and Europe.

Waterway in Istanbul, Turkey

The magnificence of Galata Tower peeping through the old buildings of Galata Kulessi.

Karakoy,Galata Tower- Istanbul , Turkey

Forest in Istanbul, Turkey

Sunset in the forest

Full moon in Istanbul 😍

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Best Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey: An Inspired Itinerary for the Curious Traveler

Today we call the city Istanbul. Yet it has had many names through the ages: Constantinople, New Rome, Byzantion/Byzantium, Queen of Cities, City of the Sultans, and more.

For more than two millennia, Istanbul stood at the center of events that shaped the history of the West. It was a seat of wealth and power, a den of intrigue and betrayal, a place of vibrant commerce and enduring faith. Istanbul is often thought of as a “middle eastern” city, yet it is in every way a daughter of the West – born a Greek, raised a Roman and converting to Islam in its middle age. For centuries it was the largest and most powerful city in the Christian world before transforming itself in the sixteenth century into the capital of the Muslim East. It remains a city in both worlds - perched at the very tip of Europe, gazing across at the shores of Asia.

With a  fully planned 7-day Context itinerary ,  Thomas F. Madden , a leading scholar in medieval Mediterranean history, brings us back in time as we contextualize landmarks and hidden gems of this city’s legendary past – from its foundation as Constantinople to its grandeur under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

DAY 1: Arrival & Getting Settled

Enjoy an introductory narrative timeline of Istanbul’s history as we mingle at the hotel over drinks and dinner, followed by an evening of leisure.

At a glance:

• Arrive from the airport and check in to the hotel in historic Sultanahmet
• Meet likeminded travelers and Dr. Madden for an orientation lecture on Istanbul
• Enjoy a dinner group dinner to mix and mingle with other travelers

DAY 2: Introduction to Istanbul and Sultanahmet

We’ll kick things off with private tours of Istanbul's must-see landmarks such as Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome followed by a visit to the Mosaic Museum in the afternoon.

At a Glance:

• We'll enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we begin our deep dive into the history of Istanbul
• We'll start our private walking tour of the Sultanahmet area including Hippodrome
• We'll continue our day with a private guided tour of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
• We'll take a break for a traditional group lunch in Sultanahmet area
• Participate in an evening lecture with Dr. Madden to prepare for a planned visit to Chora and Tefkur Saray Palace for the next day
• Explore a new restaurant in Istanbul - recommendations will be provided or you can check out Eater's  list of 38 essential restaurants in Istanbul.

DAY 3: Chora Church and an Evening Bosphorus Cruise through the Bosphorous Strait

We’ll start the day exploring the history of the Chora Church and Tefkur Saray Palace before our evening Bosphorus cruise with cocktails to recap the day’s explorations. We’ll have a narrated ride through the European and Asian sides of the city and discover the connections across the Bosphorous Strait – while cruising in a private yacht accompanied by Dr. Madden.

• A privately guided morning tour of Chora Church and Tefkur Saray Palace
• Take the afternoon off to rest, enjoy lunch, explore, and shop in Istanbul
• Reunite with the group in the late afternoon for a sunset Bosphorus cruise departing from the Karakoy neighborhood
• Enjoy drinks and Hors d'oeuvres onboard the yacht alongside an evening lecture
• Dinner on our own: tailored recommendations will be provided for local cuisine nearby

DAY 4: Experiencing Topkapi Palace and A Taste of Istanbul

Today will include a guided tour of Topkapi Palace followed by an annotated lunch with an expert. We’ll learn about the history of Turkish regional cuisine and the origin story of spices such as saffron.

In the morning, we'll have a privately guided tour of Topkapi Palace - home of the Ottoman Sultans

We'll cross the Bosphorus Strait by ferry for lunch on the Asian side of Istanbul, specifically in the picturesque Kadikoy neighborhood

Evening lecture with Dr. Madden

Venture out for dinner on our own - recommendations will be provided

    - #ContextTip: enjoy dinner at  Divella Bistro Restaurant

DAY 5: Sinan the Architect, Suleymaniye Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar

On Day 5, our learnings, tours, and discussions will focus on the larger role of mosques and sultans within Turkish society and religious education. We'll visit the Suleymaniye Mosque in the company of a leading local guide.  In the afternoon, those who wish to can join a tour of the Grand Bazaar.

• After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Suleymaniye Mosque to see the architectural masterpiece of Sinan
• Lunch together in central Istanbul, and either venture off to explore independently or visit the Grand Bazaar
• Spend the evening in a lecture with Dr. Madden to prepare us for the next day's continuing narrative
• Dinner independently – tailored recommendations will be provided #WithContext

DAY 6: History and Continuity in Istanbul

On our final day together, we’ll tour the Fener and Balat districts of Istanbul to learn about the complex layers of religious history in Istanbul over the centuries.

• We’ll have a guided visit to the Greek Patriarchate Church
• We'll get to live like the locals and experience local life in the Fener and Balat districts
• Enjoy a free afternoon for exploring independently and last-minute shopping
• Final lecture with Dr. Madden to coalesce each day’s narrative into the broader context of Turkish culture
• Concluding with a grand farewell dinner as a group

DAY 7: Departure

Travelers depart for flights home – or their next adventure - with memories and knowledge to last a lifetime.

Here's what our clients are saying about Context's Online Lectures about Istanbul: 

"I cannot keep count of the number of courses by Prof Madden that I've attended. Here is an unassuming guy who takes you by the hand and Takes You There, on the spot, in the seats in the Hippodrome. Forget the Room Where It Happens. How about the city, the fortified walls of Istanbul, the triple-headed snake column? Constantine to Suleiman the Magnificent parade before your eyes, crowns to towering turbans. Madden places you there, not only in locale but in time and in character. A master storyteller. If you're thinking about taking his series on Istanbul, do it. And then take it again. Wow. And I thought the history of Venice was good. Istanbul is wicked fine."

Read more about Istanbul, Turkey here:

• Expert Spotlight: a Q+A with Dr. Thomas Madden 
• Istanbul's Best-Kept Secret: the Colorful Neighborhood of Balat
• When is the Best Time to Visit Istanbul, Turkey? 

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Video: A journey to the past through Istanbul

Travel & tourism.

History lies at every step in Turkey's biggest city, and capital of Ottoman Empire

History and culture remain entwined in Istanbul, and every step is a journey into the past. Istanbul was Constantinople, and Turkey was Anatolia and Asia Minor: that’s history. Today, the signature of the Ottoman Empire is visible in the palaces and mosques that lie on the banks of the Bosphorus Sea. Have a look.

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• Travel to Istanbul: Stepping into a treasure trove of history
• Istanbul: A cruise through the Bosphorus Sea
• Istanbul diary: A journey to the heart of the Turkish TV series Dirilis Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman
• My close encounter with Turkish culinary delights in Istanbul

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7 of the best cities to visit in Turkey

F ew countries so close to home can tick off as many travel essentials as Turkey , with flights from the UK taking around four hours, or about four days if you take the train.

The country has warm weather in both summer and winter, while being home to beautiful coastal areas , renowned historic sights, buoyant party resorts and an eclectic range of cities.

It’s no secret that Turkey is an excellent holiday destination. But less well known is the variety on show within its cities, a surprising number of which will keep you busy over a weekend or even longer.

Istanbul is many visitors’ first taste of the country, with its high-octane way of life and excellent range of things to do providing a memorable introduction to Turkish culture, history, cuisine and nightlife.

In Turkey’s south west, the Turquoise Coast – also known as the Turkish Riviera – is home to cities such as Bodrum and Antalya . They combine distinct heritage with striking coastal beauty, the perfect spots to visit in the midst of a beach holiday in this laid-back part of the world.

In the capital, Ankara , meanwhile, a vibrant energy attracts Turkish and foreign visitors alike.

But in a country so large, and so blessed with captivating cities, it can be difficult to know where to begin. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best cities in Turkey to help you plan your next adventure , whether it’s history, nightlife or culture that gets you going.

With a population of around 16 million people, Istanbul is a city that seemingly never sleeps. Bisected by the emerald waters of the Bosphorous Strait (which you can tour by boat for marvelous views), this is the place where two continents meet, and this fusion of distinct cultures has created a vibrant city whose energetic way of life often borders on chaotic.

A city steeped in the history of both Europe and Asia, Istanbul has been the home of three different empires over almost three millennia, and today still preserves some remnants of these vastly different cultures. Ottoman and Byzantine influences dominate, particularly in the Sultanahmet district, home to many of the city’s must-see sights.

Prime among these are the Blue Mosque, with its towering minarets, and the Hagia Sophia, a mosque that was originally constructed as a church, reflecting the changing influences that the city has been subject to. Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern are the district’s other main attractions, though it pays to explore further afield in areas like Balat, originally the city’s Greek Orthodox and Armenian neighbourhood, and Fener.

For a more contemporary taste of Istanbul, Arnavutköy is the heart of the city’s nightlife scene, while SALT Beyoğlu hosts art exhibitions and film screenings.

Read more on Turkey travel :

• Best Turkey holiday destinations
• All aboard the night train to Istanbul: the reality of one of the ‘world’s best’ rail journeys
• Turkey’s best winter sun spots to visit

Most years, Antalya competes with Istanbul for the title of ‘most visited Turkish city’. Though just a fraction of the size, Antalya, the capital of the country’s Turquoise Coast, punches above its weight in the tourism stakes thanks to a characterful old town, a beautiful harbour and dozens of beautiful surrounding beaches.

Some of the best nearby beaches include Cirali, Konyaalti and Patara, and while many choose to stay in one of the various beachfront resorts that populate the surrounding coastline, exploring Antalya itself is certainly worth leaving your sun lounger for.

Its charming old town, known as Kaleiçi, consists of labyrinthine streets housing a series of mosques, ancient walls, russet-roofed stone buildings and parks that attest to the influence of Ottoman culture and architecture. These narrow alleys snake down to the equally idyllic harbour, where a slew of cafes and restaurants welcome revellers throughout the day and night.

Bodrum is best known as an ideal spot for a Turkish summer holiday. Set among rolling green hills, it has an enviable coastal location, pristine beaches like Yahsi and Aspat, a variety of tourist sites and lively nightlife for those who seek it.

A range of resorts, from the dazzling high-end to the more affordable and family-friendly, cater to all sorts of tourists, whether you’re looking for parties on the marina or want to delve into the region’s history. There’s plenty of Bodrum’s past to explore; once known as Halicarnassus, it still contains a mausoleum, ancient ruins, a Roman theatre and the 700-year-old Bodrum Castle.

Like any coastal tourist city, there’s plenty more to see and do in Bodrum away from ruins and sun loungers. Scuba diving is a popular activity in nearby Gokova Bay, while boat trips around the peninsula or the Dalyan River are a good way to spend an afternoon, as is wine tasting at Karnas Vineyards . The town’s proximity to Kos means that tourists and locals alike will often spend the day in Greece too.

Turkey’s capital city may be overshadowed by world-renowned Istanbul, but Ankara offers visitors an experience of Turkey’s ‘other’ side, away from chaotic cities and party-centric coastal resorts. This is a youthful, exciting city that fuses the old and the new. It is fuelled by its relatively new status as a major city, and vibrant modern areas such as studenty Kizilay and more upmarket Kavaklidere.

But Ankara has been careful not to forget its past. High above the city sits the Anit Kabir, the vast mausoleum of the father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who led the War of Independence and bestowed the city’s status as capital. Down below in Hisar, Roman monuments like those at Ulus sit alongside Byzantine citadel walls that enclose Ottoman-era mini villages. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Museum of the War of Independence are two more historical highlights, while the parks of Kugulu and Genclik provide some much-needed green space.

Izmir is sometimes overlooked in favour of nearby Bodrum or Marmaris, but Turkey’s third largest city is home to plenty of arts, culture and a rich heritage, as well as the idyllic coastal resorts of Cesme, Alacati and Urla.

While the city’s past was characterised by activity around the Bay of Izmir, Konak Pier and the impressive city promenade (known as Kordon), the modern-day symbol of the city is its 20th-century Clock Tower.

It is located in the middle of Konak Square, in the district of the same name, which is also the gateway of the maze-like 17 th -century Kemeralti Market. This Turkish bazaar stretches across the city into the Roman agora, with the ancient Kadifekale fort being the other main historic site.

Located on the border with Greece and Bulgaria , Edirne is a city with a more European feel than other Turkish counterparts, but one whose architecture, mosques, bazaars and palace provide a constant reminder that you are in a former Ottoman capital.

Edirne sits along the banks of both the Maritza and Tunca rivers, surrounded by verdant plains and with much of the same white-washed, russet-roofed building styles as Antalya. The city’s main landmark is the 16th-century Selimiye Mosque, an impressive Unesco-listed structure that has become a symbol of Edirne. Other mosques, such as Muradiye, Old Mosque and the Sultan Beyezid II Complex, adorn the city skyline, while a series of bridges over the Tunca also hark back to Ottoman times, and provide a base for summer relaxation and mild swims.

Marmaris is a popular coastal town, welcoming thousands of tourists every summer despite its modest size. It benefits from a striking location on the Aegean Sea and surrounded by dense forest and towering hills, with a coastline that is home to golden sand lapped by azure waters along beaches like Urban or Long Beach.

Like Antalya, the town begins in its yacht-filled marina, with a maze of narrow streets slowly snaking back into the old town, itself a sea of red roofs and white-washed buildings. Marmaris Castle, the museum, the bazaar and Jinan Gardens are worth exploring to take in history, a spot of shopping and a pleasant stroll, before ending the day on aptly named Bar Street, the centre of the city’s often raucous nightlife.

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The Touching Lesson Behind Istanbul's Love for Its Many — MANY — Cats

To become nomads, we had to give up having cats. but in istanbul, we found that felines are loved by all..

For Brent’s thirtieth birthday, I surprised him with two kittens — despite the fact that we were living in a tiny, one-bedroom apartment at the time.

On one hand, Brent — the walking embodiment of a cat lover — adored the kittens.

On the other much more annoyed hand, he wanted to kill me for springing such an impractical surprise on him.

In the end, it worked out, and life without Hugh and Thibodeau, as we named them, is now unimaginable.

But many years later, when both cats had died, we decided not to replace them, because we hoped to do some extended travel at some point.

Little did we know we would soon become digital nomads and leave the U.S. for a life of indefinite travel.

There haven’t been many things we’ve missed about our old lives, except seeing friends and family on a more regular basis.

And having cats in our lives.

Especially Brent, who never met a stray-cat that was too scraggly, flea-bitten, and possibly rabid that he didn’t want to stop and pet it.

I’m serious about that. I have literally intervened and told him not to touch certain very scary-looking animals. Sad, but scary-looking.

Thankfully, there are cats all over the world, and I think Brent has now petted and cuddled at least ten percent of them.

So when we recently moved to Istanbul and saw stray cats everywhere, Brent was ecstatic.

In fact, the city is famous for its many — many! — stray cats. They’re literally everywhere, peering down from fence posts and lounging on steps.

People do keep cats as pets, but the ones you see outdoors are almost invariably strays.

And the most beautiful thing in this magical city may be the locals’ unique relationship with these felines. We’ve never seen anything quite like it.

On one hand, the Istanbullular — the fantastic word for people who live in Istanbul — clearly love these animals. Throughout the city, they leave out bowls of water and containers of food. Or they simply put out scraps of food, often from their own meals.

They also build “cat houses,” which are everywhere: in parks, alleys, vacant lots, and tucked under stairwells. Some are simple affairs, plastic containers or cardboard boxes.

But others are very elaborate, constructed of wood. We’ve seen entire cat condominiums, which the cats love, because it gives them a place to sleep and also a vantage point from which to view the passing world.

In fact, cats are given almost complete free reign in this city of sixteen million humans. They go wherever they want, flopping down in the middle of sidewalks and plazas where people have learned to simply step around them.

Cats are also allowed inside buildings, even cafés and restaurants, where they often occupy chairs — and once again, no one dares to bother them. In stores, the unwritten rule is that you never disturb a cat, even if it’s sitting on the merchandise!

Once we even saw a rug merchant place a tiny rug over a sleeping cat. (Naturally, I whipped out my camera and snapped a photo.)

They even wander into mosques in the middle of prayers.

The Turkish government and local community groups also work to vaccinate, neuter, and spay these stray cats.

This all seems oddly selfless on the part of the Turks. After all, these aren’t cats that will purr in your lap or curl up in bed with you.

Yes, occasionally you’ll see a Turk stop to pet a stray cat — though tourists are far more likely to do such a thing. And, yes, if you’re sitting on a bench, a cat might approach, purring as it wends its way between your legs.

But for the most part, humans do all these things for the cats, and the animals largely ignore them. Or sit and judge them in that uniquely feline way.

This couldn’t seem more different than the relationship Americans have with their pets.

In America, we have Dog Dads and Cat Moms. People consider cats and dogs to be members of their families. They buy them treats and Christmas gifts, talk to them, and constantly lavish attention and affection.

And in exchange, Americans expect companionship and affection back from their charges, if not slavish devotion.

The relationship is undeniably quid pro quo: you follow my rules, adore me — or at least purr on my lap — and I’ll keep taking care of you.

So why such selfless behavior on the part of the Istanbullular?

It began as a question of religion. Islam places a high value on cleanliness.

Cats are understandably admired for being very clean animals — even “ritually clean,” as outlined in the Quran. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was said to be very fond of cats. In fact, according to one story, he cut off the sleeve of his shirt rather than disturb the cat sleeping on it.

Islam also commands that people treat all living creatures with respect. (We’d argue that many Muslims, like many Christians, should treat LGBTQ people with more respect. But that’s the subject of another column.)

But the relationship between the Istanbullar and these cats seems like it’s based on more than just religious obligation. It feels as much about kindness, and decency, and doing the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do.

That’s part of what makes it so beautiful.

What of Istanbul’s many stray dogs? In fact, in Islam dogs are considered dirty — perhaps accurately, at least compared to cats — and possibly even “impure.”

But because of Islam’s teachings, the city still takes good care of its some hundred thousand stray canines.

Dogs definitely aren’t allowed inside cafes, shops, or mosques — perish the thought! — and no one ever builds houses for them. But they’re given medical care and even shelter when it’s especially cold. People also provide them with plenty of scraps to eat.

The truth is, the dogs all seem kind of sad, glumly sleeping their lonely lives away in the parks and alleys, as if they recognize their obviously inferior status compared to the city’s cats. But at least they’re rarely abused.

We’re visitors here in Türkiye, and as in all the places we travel, we try to reserve judgment as much as possible, trying to understand local customs and meet people where they are.

But we absolutely see a great beauty in the relationship between Istanbullular and their cats.

Most of us could probably stand to be more selfless like this.

We're Brent and Michael — a longtime couple — who decided in 2017 to sell our house in Seattle and travel the world as “digital nomads.” Subscribe to our newsletter to come along to the places we’re going next!

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29 Killed in Fire at Istanbul Nightclub

The fire took place at Masquerade, a popular club that was closed to the public and undergoing renovations. Six people were arrested.

By Safak Timur

Reporting from Istanbul

A fire Tuesday at a popular Istanbul nightclub that was undergoing renovations killed 29 people and injured one, the governor’s office said.

The authorities said the renovation work at the club, Masquerade , may have caused the fire, which took place while the club was closed to the public. The dead and injured included construction workers, the governor of Istanbul, Davut Gul, said in televised remarks.

The police arrested six people in connection with the fire, including two partners of the club, two managers, a person who was in charge of renovation work and an accountant, the governor’s office said, but no charges were immediately disclosed. The justice ministry assigned three prosecutors to investigate the case.

The nightclub is on the two basement floors of a 16-story residential building in downtown Istanbul, raising questions about whether it was following fire regulations including those requiring proper evacuation routes and the use of fire-retardant material.

The nightclub management did not have a permit to conduct the renovations, the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, said in televised remarks. Inside the club, construction material was heaped together “in a very irregular manner,” Mr. Imamoglu said, making the rescue work harder for firefighters.

Firefighters carried at least three people from the scene on stretchers, two of them covered with black and gray smoke, according to footage from the Demiroren news agency.

The nightclub has long been a popular site in Istanbul, hosting concerts of hip-hop and R&B stars like 50 Cent, Tyga and Ciara.

When is the best time to visit Istanbul?

Feb 3, 2023 • 4 min read

Istanbul bustles throughout the year, though its mood can change dramatically with the seasons © Getty Images/ EyeEm

There’s rarely a dull moment in vibrant Istanbul . The city's historic attractions can be appreciated any time of year, but its vibe does change dramatically with the seasons, from wet and moody winters to sunny and sticky summers – and accommodation prices vary accordingly.

When planning a trip, it’s worth noting the upcoming dates of the two biggest Muslim holidays, Ramazan Bayramı (Ramadan, or Eid Al Fitr) and Kurban Bayramı (Eid Al Adha), which shift by about 10 days each year. Both are big travel periods in Turkey, comparable to Thanksgiving or Christmas in the United States, with corresponding effects on costs, crowds and vacation-related closures. Here are our picks for the best times to enjoy Turkey’s largest city.

June to August is best for outdoor dining and concerts in Istanbul

Summer is peak tourism season in Istanbul. Many residents decamp for vacation or family homes elsewhere in Turkey, so costs for accommodations can be high and lines long at major attractions. The weather is hot and humid, but the sun sparkling off the Bosphorus is glorious, and a slew of outdoor seating at cafes, restaurants and bars makes for a lively urban scene. Concerts, festivals and other events are staged in the open air too.

The shoulder season is best for sightseeing and cultural events

The long, mostly pleasant spring and fall seasons (March to May and September to November ) are ideal for seeing the sights and wandering the neighborhoods of Istanbul, a city that rewards exploration by foot. There's a drop off in tourist crowds, and local urban life is in full swing, including a busy calendar of arts and cultural events.

Istanbul in December? Winter is ideal for travel on a budget

The gray, rainy and surprisingly chilly winter months aren’t the most appealing time to visit Istanbul, though they do lend the city a certain romantically melancholy mood. On the plus side, it won’t be difficult or expensive to find accommodations, and Istanbul’s many museums, mosques and other sights provide plenty of indoor activities.

Istanbul by month

The start of the year in Istanbul is usually quiet and cold with a chance of snow, though there’s always plenty of hot tea around to warm you up. Keep an eye out for salep , a creamy, cinnamon-topped hot drink served mainly in winter.

Key events: Greek Orthodox Epiphany

The winds off the Bosphorus are still bracing, but the meyhanes (taverns) are cozy, and their tables continue to be filled with the winter’s bounty of fresh fish.

Key events: Baklahorani (Tatavla Festivali)

The Newroz festival marks the beginning of spring and the Kurdish (and Persian) new year, and indeed, things are starting to wake up in Istanbul in March, with warmer days and livelier nights.

Key events: Newroz (Nevruz), 19th Akbank Short Film Festival

Tulips planted in parks across the city come into bloom, and the fair weather starts luring people outside, while the annual film festival draws them into cinemas as well.

Key events: Tulip Festival (Lale Festivali), 42nd Istanbul Film Festival, Sonar Istanbul

Warm and sunny but not yet sweltering, May is an ideal time to visit Istanbul, with outdoor eating and drinking coming into full swing.

Key events: Hıdrellez, Chill-Out Festival

The summer festival season begins with the classical-heavy Istanbul Music Festival. Weekends see droves of locals heading to the Princes’ Islands, the Belgrad Forest, and parks and picnic areas around the city.

Key events: Istanbul Music Festival

As the temperatures rise, those who can escape the city while the tourists pour in. Music festivals are still kicking, and rooftop bars and Bosphorus-side cafes are the place to be.

Key events: Istanbul Jazz Festival, Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race, Istanbul Opera Festival

A ferry ride is the best – and cheapest – way to get a reprieve from Istanbul’s heat and humidity, which are starting to feel oppressive.

The start of the school year is also when Istanbul’s cultural calendar begins to get crowded again, especially in the alternating years when the Istanbul Biennial is held. Just about every gallery, museum and arts organization in the city takes that as an opportunity to open its own new exhibits and events as well.

Key events: Istanbul Biennial, XJazz Festival, Bosphorus Cup Istanbul Regatta

October’s still generally clement weather, with cooler evenings, means it’s the last hurrah of the year for most outdoor activities.

Key events: Akbank Jazz Festival, Istanbul Design Biennial, Filmekimi, Republic Day, Mamut Art Project, 212 Photography Festival

November in Istanbul is not totally devoid of nice days, but you may be happy to see the ever-present şemsiye (umbrella) sellers who pop up – seemingly out of nowhere – at the first sign of rain.

Key events: Istanbul Marathon, Istanbul Theater Festival, Istanbul Puppet Festival

Istanbul’s many museums welcome visitors in from the cold, as do evenings by the hot grill of an ocakbaşı , a traditional type of restaurant serving hearty plates of grilled meats. Winter is also a great time of year for a visit to a steamy hammam, or Turkish bath.

This article was first published October 2021 and updated February 2023

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A trip to the last Blockbuster on Earth

Visiting the bend, ore., store is like stepping back in time.

BEND, Ore. — My family used to go to Blockbuster every Friday. Walking to the store on 19th Street and First Avenue in Manhattan, we’d wander through the aisles of DVDs, negotiating what to rent for our weekly ritual of making pizzas and watching movies, and I’d try to sweet-talk my way into a Nerds Rope or a box of watermelon Sour Patch Kids.

We cycled through countless discs before my parents signed up for Netflix’s DVD service. Our local store closed in 2010 — the year Blockbuster corporate filed for bankruptcy protection — and less than a decade later, almost all of Blockbuster’s 9,000 stores had followed suit.

These days, there’s only one Blockbuster left on Earth . It’s in Bend, Ore., about 820 miles from my home in Los Angeles.

But I’ve traveled farther for stupider reasons.

So I took a trip to Bend with my partner, Reanna (who loves DVDs even more than I do). Our journey there involved an extensive delay that stretched into 13 hours of travel — via cab, bus, plane and rental car — but it all felt worth it when we caught a glimpse of the glowing yellow Blockbuster sign in the distance.

‘A huge movie town’

Most of the tourism in Bend revolves around the city’s outdoor wonders, attracting people who love hiking, skiing, canoeing and exploring the local terrain.

But the city has always been filled with movie lovers, according to Ken Tisher, who owns the Blockbuster on Revere Avenue with his wife, Debbie.

“For those who don’t know, Bend is a huge movie town,” Ken said in the 2020 documentary “ The Last Blockbuster .”

The Tishers opened their first video rental store as Pacific Video in the early 1990s. With business booming, they launched two more locations, but when Blockbuster moved into town they had one option for survival: They made the store on Revere Ave into a Blockbuster franchise in 2000.

As a chain, Blockbuster peaked in 2004, when there were 9,000 locations worldwide. The company has shut down thousands of locations over the years, making the Bend Blockbuster the last Blockbuster in the United States in 2018 (after two stores in Alaska closed), and the only one in the world by April 2019 (after the second-to-last Blockbuster in a suburb of Perth, Australia, shut down).

Sandi Harding, the general manager of the Bend Blockbuster, has been working there since 2004. She watched the franchise’s decline from the front lines, giving countless interviews and figuring out how to keep the store stocked and relevant.

Since there’s no corporate supplier left, Harding buys candy and snacks in bulk from Costco and has figured out how to print and laminate new membership cards. Most of the DVD vendors that they have worked with have closed over the years, and the ones that are still open have minimum orders that are far too big for her store.

“I can’t afford to purchase movies through them, so I’m back to buying 100 percent of everything at Walmart and Target,” Harding told me.

The staff’s DIY efforts pay off: Harding estimates that they still get 500 to 1,000 customers over the course of a weekend.

“It’s all tourism driven now, where before it was all rental driven,” Harding said. “So it’s totally a different experience.”

The last on Earth

We made it to Bend a little before 7:30 p.m., exhausted but relieved that we didn’t miss our chance to indulge in some retro movie magic. It was a sleepy Sunday evening, so the store was nearly empty.

“The winter months used to be our bread and butter, like, that’s when we were the busiest: when people couldn’t go outside or travel,” Harding said. “Now it’s the opposite, the winter is quiet. So this time of year we get lots of projects done. We all take vacations, and we do things, because the summer is when we’re just crazy busy.”

Most of the store is straight out of the early 2000s: The walls are lined with DVDs and VHS tapes to purchase or rent; the location’s original triangular checkout counter has endured the test of time; and the staffers still wear blue and yellow shirts (though they’re not forced to don the retro polos ).

“The ticket tee that we have out there is the T-shirt we’ve always had here at the store for our employees,” Harding said, referring to the ticket stub design on the shirts that her employees wear. “But on the back of it used to say ‘your ticket to the movies,’ and then it went to ‘last one in America,’ and now it’s ‘last one on the planet.’”

The rentals are still reasonably priced: New releases cost $3.99 and older DVDs are just 99 cents. And these days, nobody complains about late fees.

“Now everybody is like, ‘Aw man, we miss it,’ which is always funny,” Harding said. “You’d be surprised how many people insist on paying their late fees now to support the store.”

Unsurprisingly, rentals and late fees aren’t enough to keep the store afloat. Harding estimates that 80 percent of its business comes from selling merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, postcards, keychains and popcorn-scented candles.

Most of that merch is made by local artisans, since Harding wants to support her fellow Oregonians.

“We’re proud of the fact that we’re able to source as much as we can here in town,” she said. “If we can’t have them made in Bend, we buy them through another small business.”

“People come in and see [the merch] and then I remember why we’ve got it, because people smell the candle or they see the T-shirt and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, this so brings me back,’” she added.

A blast from the past

As I browsed the aisles of Blockbuster, it felt like I stepped into a memory. The space was still warm and comforting, the snack and drink options were abundant, and the staff clearly had great taste.

There are a few things in the store that bring visitors back to 2024: Some of Russell Crowe’s costumes — passed along from the closed Anchorage store — sit next to a wall of Blockbuster memorabilia and letters that have been sent to the store. A modest living room occupies one corner, reminiscent of the Airbnb experience the store offered in 2020. The checkout counter also has a guest book, so visitors can sign their names and leave sentimental notes.

“I opened up an account the other day for somebody from Seattle, and she was like, ‘We’re on our way home, but we had to stop and rent a movie. I’m going to mail it back to you.’” — Sandi Harding, general manager of the Bend Blockbuster

“We have almost 30 of those little guest books signed,” Harding said. “I’m actually looking forward to the day when I can sit down and just go through them all.”

The store has welcomed visitors from all six habitable continents, and Harding can rattle off plenty of states and countries that people have traveled from. She tries to be as accommodating as possible for those who are passing through town and want the full rental experience.

“I opened up an account the other day for somebody from Seattle, and she was like, ‘We’re on our way home, but we had to stop and rent a movie. I’m going to mail it back to you,’” Harding said. “Sometimes people just do it and walk around outside and put it back in the drop box, just because they want to have that experience of renting the movie and returning it.”

Reanna and I had one night in Bend at an Airbnb with a DVD player , so we took our time perusing the shelves. Instead of doom scrolling through a streaming app on my TV, or trusting an algorithm to pick something out, I looked at a wall of the staff’s Valentine’s Day picks, feeling a kinship with Santana, who recommended the 2018 remake of “A Star is Born,” and Aidan, whose picks included “Moonlight” and “Knocked Up.”

That sense of connection is really what we’re looking for when we visit an old school video store.

“Video stores and movie theaters have always kind of felt like my church,” Jared Rasic, a local critic, said in “The Last Blockbuster” documentary. “They’ve always felt like the place where I go to feel the most like the calm, normal human being that I’ve always wanted to be.”

Reanna and I eventually settled on renting “Gentlemen Broncos,” a sci-fi comedy directed by the man who made “Napoleon Dynamite,” and “Vanilla Sky,” a thriller starring Tom Cruise. After grabbing some merch, a locally brewed Blockbuster beer and a respectable assortment of candy and microwave popcorn, we were ready to check out.

We also got two membership cards along with our wares; small yellow and blue reminders that sit in our wallets and remind us that we might get the chance to go back one day.

Julia Carmel is a Los Angeles-based writer. You can follow them on X: @julcarm .

A photo caption incorrectly said a visitor was from Cambi, Ore. They are from Canby, Ore. This article has been corrected.

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights ..

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.

Passengers face travel chaos as train drivers strike for third time in four days

Members of the Aslef union are walking out in an almost two-year dispute over pay with no sign of a breakthrough.

News reporter @niamhielynch

Monday 8 April 2024 00:14, UK

Passengers on some of the UK's busiest rail routes will face travel chaos on Monday as train drivers are set to strike for the third time in four days.

Members of Aslef will walk out resulting in significant reductions in services, especially in East Anglia and the South East.

Aslef is embroiled in a near two-year long dispute over pay, with no sign of a breakthrough and no talks planned.

The strike will hit c2c, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway, Great Northern and Thameslink.

What train operators are affected?

No c2c trains will run on Monday, with its managing director Rob Mullen saying he was "really disappointed" an agreement hadn't been reached.

"The impact of this ongoing action is significant for our customers and colleagues," he said.

"I'm hopeful that further meetings with the unions are productive and see progress made toward concluding this challenging time for the railway."

Gatwick Express

There will be no Gatwick Express services but Gatwick Airport will continue to be served by the limited non-stop Southern shuttle.

Great Northern

There will be no Great Northern services on Monday.

Greater Anglia

Greater Anglia said its first trains of the day will start later and last trains finish earlier than normal, excluding the Stansted Express.

An hourly train service will operate on the following Greater Anglia routes: Norwich/Colchester and London Liverpool Street, Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street, and Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street

A bi-hourly train service will run between Cambridge and London.

No other Greater Anglia services will operate on any other routes.

Southeastern

The operator said most of its routes and stations will be closed. There will be an extremely limited service where trains are running and the operator advised customers not to travel.

A statement said: "If you do travel, expect severe disruption, plan ahead and allow much more time for your journey.

"Trains that are running will be extremely busy, they start later and finish early.

"You may be unable to board trains at some stations, and we estimate that there could be queues for up to two hours due to the very limited service.

"Only 29 out of 165 Southeastern stations will be open. No rail replacement buses will serve stations that are closed."

Southern said there will be no trains running across the vast majority of its network, with a limited shuttle service running non-stop between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.

South Western Railway

South Western Railway said a significantly reduced service will operate on a small number of lines, while the rest of its network will be closed.

Trains will only run between 7am and 7pm.

There will be no Thameslink services running, except for a limited shuttle service calling at Luton, Luton Airport Parkway and London St Pancras and another limited non-stop shuttle service between London Kings Cross and Cambridge.

The union says the dispute has cost the industry over £2bn, far more than it would have cost to resolve the conflict.

Aslef members at 16 train companies are also banning overtime on Monday and Tuesday which will further disrupt services.

Picket lines will be mounted outside the railway stations of operators affected by the strike.

More on Rail Strikes

Train strikes in April and May 2024: Full list of dates and lines affected

Train drivers at five companies vote to continue strike action for another six months - ASLEF

Rail strikes: LNER train drivers to walk out for five extra days in February

Related Topics:

• Rail strikes

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said his members remained solidly behind the industrial action and criticised the government and rail companies for the lack of contact over the past year.

The government introduced a new law last year aimed at ensuring minimum levels of service during strikes, but none of the train companies have opted to use it.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: "Train companies are working through plans to manage the unnecessary disruption to our passengers caused by this damaging industrial action.

"Minimum service levels are one potential tool for that but they are not a silver bullet.

"In the meantime, we remain committed to resolving this dispute and our offer, which would take average driver salaries to £65,000 for a four-day week without overtime, remains on the table."

Read more from Sky News: Man wanted over fatal stabbing of woman with pram 'Hardest Geezer' runs length of Africa Man arrested after human torso found

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Aslef is the only rail union continuing to strike, targeting passengers and preventing their own members from voting on the pay offer that remains on the table.

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"Having resolved disputes with all other rail unions, the transport secretary and rail minister have ensured that a pay offer is on the table - taking train drivers' average salaries from £60,000 up to £65,000."

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Here's how fast the eclipse's shadow could move on Monday, April 8

The 2024 solar eclipse, set for April 8, is a few days away, and with the next total solar eclipse taking place in 20 years, you won't want to miss it. Many Indiana viewers will have a front row seat to watch the rare phenomenon.

Can you guess how fast a solar eclipse shadow travels? Here's what we know about the upcoming event:

Anxiety and the eclipse: What is 'eclipse sickness?' How to manage stress, anxiety on April 8

How fast does an eclipse shadow travel?

According to a post from the National Weather Service of Indianapolis on X, formerly Twitter, an eclipse shadow travels at speeds between 1,100 and 5,000 mph. Near the equator, it travels at around 1,100 mph. and increases in speed as it approaches the poles.

2024 eclipse path

How much of the eclipse will i see in indiana cities.