History is at the center of the reasons to visit Istanbul, but the city has so much to offer including natural beauty and location, great museums, excellent food, fantastic bazaars, and super hospitable people.
Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, is the largest city in Turkey. It is uniquely positioned on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait and it has parts in Europe and Asia. The city has 15 million residents and is considered the most populous in Europe. Istanbul is huge and can feel overwhelming if one does not have a plan of where to go and what to do.
Here is our list of favorite sites and things to do while visiting beautiful Istanbul.
Of note is that Istanbul has two airports, each connected to the city via the metro system. You can purchase an IstanbulKart for the metro at major stations. Uber is also available.
Where to stay in Istanbul
We recommend staying on the European side of Istanbul. It is where most of the sites of interest are and is more convenient if you plan to explore by foot.
Our favorite area to stay
The cosmopolitan Nişantaşı district, home to many great hotels, restaurants and parks is our favorite are to stay while in Istanbul. Some of our personal recommendations in the area include:
- Park Hyatt Istanbul – tucked away on a quiet street, this hotel is beautiful and its rooms are very comfortable. The location is perfect, and the views of the city are just breathtaking.
- St. Regis Istanbul – located at the edge of the beautiful Maçka Demokrasi Park, this hotel is modern, beautiful and very close to great shops and restaurants.
- There are also plenty of better priced hotel options in this area, including the Gallery Residencies and Hotel, The Stay Nişantaşı, Glens Palas Istanbul, and many more.
Other great neighborhoods
Consider staying in one of the following areas:
- Sultanahmed – this is the historic center of town. You can walk to many of the local sites of interest, including the Hagia Sophia and The Blue Mosques. There are many beautiful squares and streets in this area as well as many restaurants. It is a bit more touristy, but the location is great.
- Beşiktaş – home to some of the best hotels in the city, as well as many restaurants and great shopping. Here you can stay at an Ottoman Palace turned luxury hotel right on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait – Ciragan Palace Kempinski. Also located in this neighborhood are the Four Seasons Istanbul as well as the Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul – two very fancy and beautiful hotels.
- Galata – this charming and very walkable neighborhood is centered around the Galata Tower. You will be able to walk among the locals and enjoy many great restaurants and shops.
- Karaköy – a very lively neighborhood full of great restaurants and bars, Karaköy is located right off the Galata bridge.
- Kadıköy – located on the Asian side of Istanbul, Kadıköy is a beautiful and very calm neighborhood with many shops and restaurants. It is best reached by a ferry.
What to do in Istanbul
Day 1 in Istanbul
Visit the Topkapi Palace
To appreciate Istanbul, you must look into its past. A great way to start your visit is by spending time at the Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı). Built in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed II, Topkapi Palace was the center of Ottoman government, education and art up until the 19th century.
The palace overlooks the Golden Horn, where the Bosphorus Strait and the Marmara Sea meet.
Topkapi Palace became a museum in 1923 and later a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take your time as there is so much to see – the Imperial Council Chambers, Tower of Justice, theImperial Treasury, Audience Chamber, Felicity Gate, porcelain collections, Imperial kitchens, Harem buildings, and more. The time of Ottoman glory is imprinted everywhere in the museum. A must see.
You can buy tickets at the main entrance to the palace.
Bring comfortable shoes as there is quite a bit of walking on the palace grounds.
Visit the Grand Bazar
Known as Kapalı Çarşı in Turkish, the Grand Bazar is a historic market and one of the largest covered markets in the world. It consists of many indoor souks and numerous stores selling jewelry, leather goods, spices and more – over 4,000 stores and 2,000 ateliers, 18 fountains, and 12 mosques. The bazar is very popular with tourists, but it is a must visit site when traveling to Istanbul and is an avenue to experience a very unique way of selling and shopping. You can try your haggling skills and buy goods and souvenirs at good prices.
Try to remember where you enter the Grand Bazar as you can easily lose orientation and get lost.
Day 2 in Istanbul
Visit the Hagia Sophia
A museum since 1935, the Hagia Sophia Mosque was originally the center of the Greek Orthodox church. After the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottoman empire in 1453, it became an active mosque all the way until it was turned into a museum. It is a must-see historic site in Istanbul. The mosque is free to visit and quite popular with tourists, but if there are lines to see it don’t be discouraged as they do move very quickly. Also, women do not need to cover their hair in this museum.
Visit the Blue Mosque
Right across the street from the Hagia Sophia Mosque is the Blue Mosque, another must see site. Built in the early 17th century by Ahmed I, this mosque is known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles on the interior walls. Once you enter you will be amazed at the architecture and beauty of this historic building. The Blue Mosque is a functioning mosque and a very popular tourist site. It is free to visit; however, be aware that there are a few rules you must follow.
Blue Mosque rules
- The mosque is closed during each of the five daily prayers, so you need to plan accordingly
- Follow the signs to enter, based on your faith
- Women need to cover their hair and shoulders so it is best to bring a scarf; you can also get one for free onsite
- You will need to remove your shoes while in the mosque; plastic bags are provided for you to store your shoes
- Men need to wear long pants, no shorts
- Inside, remain quiet and no flash photography
Despite all the rules you must follow, the Blue Mosque’s beauty makes it well worth any hassle.
Spend time in the Sultanahmet neighborhood
Following the visits to the two major mosques, take the rest of the day to wander the streets of the Sultanahmet neighborhood, surrounding the areas of the two mosques. This is the historic center of Istanbul. Just take any of the winding streets and wander around until you run into one of the many beautiful city squares. Stop at any of the restaurants for some Turkish food and (of course) some Turkish coffee or tea.
Day 3 in Istanbul
Visit the Galata Neighborhood and Tower
Take a trip to the Galata neighborhood, home to many excellent restaurants and shops. If you are staying nearby, take a walk across the Galata Bridge and enjoy watching the fishermen catching fish right off the bridge. Pause and appreciate the beautiful surroundings of this area.
Visit the Galata Tower
Considered among the oldest towers in the world, the Galata Tower was built in the early 6th century as a long-range fire watchtower. It is an iconic building and a symbol of the city of Istanbul. Get up to the top for an unbelievable 360-degree view of the city. Keep in mind that this is a very popular attraction and as such the lines to get to the top are sometimes long.
Take a Boat Across the Bosphorus Canal
Find the closest Ferryboat terminal and take a boat across to Kadıköy – a neighborhood on the Asian side of Istanbul. This is the most cost-efficient way to cross the canal and a great way to observe the natural beauty of the area.
Kadıköy is a very calm and artsy neighborhood. You will step into Asia and leave the tourists and crowds behind. You can also do some shopping while in this neighborhood, as the stores are plenty and one can easily find well priced items. Also, take time to visit the Kadıköy market where you can find just about everything a pantry needs. If you consider yourself a foodie, this market is a must stop when in the area.
Take a walk to one of the many parks along the sea. A favorite of ours is Kadıköy Moda Sahil Parkı ve Yürüyüş Yolu – where you can grab a cup of Turkish tea while you sit and enjoy the fantastic city and sunset views. This is a very popular activity for the local residents, and you will definitely enjoy getting a sense of what local life is like while taking in the city and sea views.
What to eat and drink in Istanbul
This is going to sound really strange, but we do not have specific recommendations for where to eat and drink in Istanbul simply because every place we tried, with no exception, had great food and service. So, our recommendation is to pick a neighborhood, walk around and pick any place that looks good to you; you will not be disappointed.
Wherever you end up eating, be sure to try some of the local specialties:
- Mezze – Turkish appetizers
- Kebabs, Durum (Turkish barbecued meat), and Lahmacun (flatbread topped with minced meat, most commonly beef or lamb, and vegetables)
- Börek (savory crunchy pastry filled with different fillings) 😋
- Simit (a type of Turkish bagel often sesame crusted) 😋
- Ayran (a yogurt-based beverage that is mixed with salt and ice)
- Tulumba (a syrupy dough fritter) 😋
- Baklava 😋
- Turkish coffee (Turkish coffee has a strong taste and is very rich; its method of preparation originated in the Ottoman empire)
- Turkish tea (Turkey has the highest consumption of tea in the world; it is by far the most consumed drink in the country)
- Lokum (known as Turkish Delight; comes in many flavors, try them all) 😋
- Dondurma (local version of ice cream which includes the starchy root of wild orchids called salep and which makes the ice cream stretchy and chewy) 😋
- Turkish Raki (a strong alcoholic drink made of twice distilled grapes, very unique taste)
- Turkish Wines (red, white, rose; the wines are mostly dry and oh, so good)
If you have more time in Istanbul
Because there is so much to see and do in Istanbul, if you find yourself with more time, enjoy and consider visiting some of the following:
- Visit the Dolmabahçe Palace
- See the stunning Mevlevei Sema ceremony and the whirling dervishes
- Visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museum
- Visit the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum
- Learn about Islam Science and Technology at the Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam
- If you enjoy modern art, be sure to visit the Istanbul Modern
What we loved about Istanbul
- A beautiful city in an equally beautiful natural setting
- A mix of historical and modern architecture that works wonderfully together
- Interesting history surrounds just about anywhere you go
- Wonderful and very hospitable people
- Great food, excellent coffee and tea
- A modern metropolis with great transportation options; easy access from two different airports
What to bring
Istanbul is a modern European city with a very diverse population. However, there is a certain level of modesty that can be observed in the way people dress. So be sure to bring:
- Stylish but not too revealing clothes
- Comfortable shoes as you will do quite a bit of walking
- A few stylish scarves
- A purse that can carry your daily necessities as well as your scarf
- Sunglasses as there is plenty of sunshine any time of the year
- Your favorite sunscreen: we like this one or this one
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
Check out our list of travel essentials on what to take and how to maximize your packing.
Additional resources and inspirations
Here are some links to additional resources you might find useful and inspirational for your trip to Istanbul:
- National Geographic Istanbul Travel Guide
- Travel and Leisure Istanbul Travel Guide
- Food Fun and Travel What to Eat in Istanbul Guide
- Inspired by Map’s list of movies that will get you excited to visit Turkey
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