You ask yourself what to see in Istanbul during your next visit? If it is your first time in this fascinating city, a trip full of adventure awaits you. surprises and especially contrasts. But beware! Istanbul, the jewel of Türkiye, It is very big and rich in history. Therefore, if you are not organized well you could miss out on its greatest treasures. We recommend at least 3 full days to discover the essentials and enjoy the city. Below, we give you the complete list of the best places to visit in istanbul and at the end of the post we leave you with the video of the trip. Here we go!

In this article, you will find our list of essential things to visit to organize your getaway to istanbul for free.
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Topkapi Palace, which can be visited in Istanbul
- Basilica Cistern, places to see in Istanbul
- Hippodrome of Constantinople and Egyptian Obelisk
- Grand Bazaar, where to shop in Istanbul
- Spice Bazaar
- Rüstem Pasha Mosque
- new mosque
- Galata Bridge, authentic places in Istanbul
- Galata Tower, which can be seen in Istanbul
- Karakoy what to see
- Istiklal Caddesi Street and Taksim Square
- Istanbul Bosphorus Trip
- What to do in Balat
- Sehzade Mosque
- Istanbul Suleiman Mosque
- Turkish bath, things to do in Istanbul
- Dolmabahce Palace, places to see in Istanbul
- Atatürk Bridge, what you can do in Istanbul at night
- Ortakoy neighborhood and mosque
- Kadikoy neighborhood, what to see in Asian Istanbul
- Üsküdar and the Maiden Tower (Asia)
- Whirling Dervishes Show, things to see in Istanbul
- Where to eat in Istanbul and typical food
- Map of places to see in Istanbul
- Where to STAY in ISTANBUL
- Tours from Istanbul
- Tips for traveling to Istanbul and transportation
- 5% DISCOUNT on your eSIM with UNLIMITED data
- Video: what to do in Istanbul in three days
25 essential things to see and do in Istanbul, Türkiye
As we said, travel to istanbul will take you to know history, culture and beauty. Although it would be ideal to have all the time in the world to explore it, we think you should set aside a few days to discover what to see near Istanbul, such as the destinations of Pamukkale and Cappadocia. For example, our trip to turkey We split it into 4 nights in Istanbul and 2 in Cappadocia. You can read our recommendations on what to see in Cappadocia. On the other hand, before starting with our Istanbul guide and things to do in the city, we would like to warn you that To visit the mosques you must take into account the following:
- You must take off your shoes, so wear shoes that are easy to put on and take off, but without forgetting that they are comfortable to explore the city, since the city is huge.
- You cannot enter with pants above the knee, not even with bare shoulders. This applies to boys and girls.
- Women should cover their hair with a scarf. In all the mosques we visited they lent you a handkerchief and/or tunic, except in Hagia Sophia where you could only buy it.
- Another thing what to know about Istanbul is that the access is free to all of them.

Now, let's go with the list of 25 places to see in Istanbul and that, depending on the number of days you have to visit the city, you will be able to complete it or not. To make it easier for you to organize your route, we will mention the tourist attractions by area/proximity. In the end we will give you our Istanbul recommendations with tips and more important details to keep in mind.
1. Santa Sofia or Hagia Sophie, a must see in Istanbul
We start our list with one of the Istanbul essentials. This majestic structure has witnessed the evolution of the city since its construction in the year 537. Initially it was an Orthodox cathedral, then a mosque, then a museum and since 2020 again a mosque. Its impressive dome and golden mosaics are a testament to Byzantine art and architecture. Inside we can see some mosaics with human representations, although many have been covered. He access to the mosque is free (for now) and it is the only mosque we visited where you have to buy the scarf to cover your hair and/or a tunic to cover you if you are wearing shorts and suspenders.
- ⏰ Hagia Sophia Schedule: from 9:00 a.m. to 23:00 p.m., except during prayers (5 times a day). You can consult them this article, since they are changing. He Friday afternoon the mosque closes, as it is the holy day for the Muslim religion. This mosque in Istanbul is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city, so we recommend going first thing in the morning, there is usually a queue from 9:30.
- ⭐ Visit Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is a must visit. If you wish, you can hire a tour, something we recommend if you want to know all the details.
- 💵 Entry: Since January 15, 2024, access to Hagia Sophia is paid for tourists. The price is €25 per person.
2. Blue Mosque, another place to visit in Istanbul
You will soon realize that one of the free things to do in istanbul is to visit their mosques, and the Blue Mosque It is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic. With their six minarets and thousands of blue tiles that decorate it, this place will transport you to another time. We were also surprised by their more than 200 stained glass windows, something that differentiates it from the rest of the mosques in Istanbul. At the time of its construction, controversy arose, since it had the same number of minarets as Mecca.. To calm the believers, a seventh minaret was added in Mecca.

It is located next to Hagia Sophia and both are separated by the Sultanhamet park. The name of the park comes from Sultan Ahmet Mosque, that is, the name of this mosque in Turkish. If you want to know what to see in Istanbul in 1 day, write down these two essentials.
- ⏰ Blue Mosque Hours: from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m., except during prayers (5 times a day). This essential visit to Istanbul is a great attraction, so there are usually queues from first thing in the morning.
- ⭐ If you are going to visit more mosques in the city, we recommend this tour of the Istanbul main mosques.
3. Topkapi Palace, what to do in Istanbul, Türkiye
Topkapi Palace was the former residence of the Ottoman sultans. Today it is one of the places to see in Istanbul Most visited. Here you can explore luxurious courtyards, discover different Islamic artifacts, observe some relics of Muhammad and see some of the most valuable objects in the world. From the gardens you can get a panoramic view of the Bosphorus, Istanbul river that divides the city into two parts (Asian side and European side) and connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. You have more cool images about the palace in the video on our YouTube channel that we share at the end!

- ⏰ Topkapi Palace hours: 9: 00 to 18: 00 h
- 💵 Entry: Approx. €12 per person, prices from September 2023. You can buy only access to the palace and its gardens or add the extra to visit the Harem. The entrance includes audio guides (smartphones) and to pick them up there is usually a queue, since they ask for an identity document (a driver's license is fine).
- ⭐ You can buy your Skip-the-line Topkapi Palace entrance here.
✔️ Gülhane Park and Archaeological Museum, what to see in Istanbul 5 days or more
If you're looking for what to see in Istanbul in a week (or more than 5 days), very close to the Palace you can visit Gülhane Park and the Istanbul Archaeological Museum with a large collection of artifacts ranging from antiquity to the Ottoman Empire.
4. Basilica Cistern, beautiful places in Istanbul
This ancient underground cistern, built to supply water to the city, is one of those places to visit in Istanbul that will leave you speechless. Its 336 columns 9 meters high, arranged in 12 rows, create a mystical and fresh atmosphere. It is ideal to escape the heat and also one of the things what to do in Istanbul in the rain. Is built with remains of monuments, where we highlight the heads of jellyfish and the column engraved with tears, chicken eye y remaining inclined. This place is also known for the "submerged palace" and we are not surprised, since it is impressive. Its lighting creates unique reflections on the water that you can see below.

- ⏰ Basilica Cistern or Yerebatan Sarnıcı Schedule (In turkish): 9:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m., the schedule may vary, but you can always check it in the museum's official website.
- Entry: 💵 Approximately €15 per person (prices for September 2023)
- ⭐ If you prefer to be accompanied by a specialist guide, you can book your visit with a guide this article.
5. Hippodrome of Constantinople and Egyptian Obelisk
A few steps from the Basilica Cistern you can take the opportunity to visit the remains of the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople (built in 200 AD), a place full of history where chariot races were held in ancient times. Although much of its original structure has disappeared, you can still admire some parts. On the same esplanade you will find more places to visit in Istanbul such as Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, the Column of Constantine and the German fountain.

Very close you can also walk to the Arasta bazaar, in case you want to take advantage of the fact that you are in the area and go shopping around for things to buy in Istanbul. If you want to know what to see in Istanbul in one day and visit the previous ones tourist places in istanbul that we have mentioned (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Square, Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern, we recommend a FREE TOUR in Spanish with a professional guide. As you can see, this activity is highly rated by other travelers and is the best way to take advantage of your vacation in istanbul.
6. Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, essential tourist places
Another fun thing What to do in Istanbul is haggle in the Grand Bazaar. More than 500 years old (built in 1455), it is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. And, as we see it, one of the most beautiful we have been to. In its more than 3.600 stalls and 64 streets you will find all kinds of souvenirs, spices, Turkish sweets, jewelry, carpets, Arabic lamps, hookahs, clothing y accessories. One of the main attractions of the Grand Bazaar is the number of fakes you can buy (for those who like them), from bags and footwear from luxury brands, to copies of the most expensive watches. We have read that it is more expensive to buy here than in other stores, we bought in a nice craft store, it did not seem that expensive to us.

- ⏰ Grand Bazaar Schedule. Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 19:00 p.m., Sundays closed. It can be accessed through up to 22 different doors and at the entrances you must pass a security check.
- ⭐ Please note that outside opening hoursIf you want to go through one of its doors to go to another place, Google maps can confuse you by suggesting a route that passes through here, but the steps will be closed.
- ???? ️ Nusr-Et Steakhouse Sandal Bedesteni: Very close to one of the doors of the Grand Bazaar we have another of the essential things to visit in Istanbul to foodies. This is one of the grills of the Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe, known for Salt Bae. Food is a authentic show and worth paying €60 per person. We recommend the Beef carpaccio, Nusr-Et special (butter sirloin) with fried onion and roast potato (order separately) and for dessert the baklava with ice cream. You can book online, but be careful, since you will automatically get one of their restaurants in Beverly Hills and they also have more restaurants in Istanbul. We show it to you in the video at the end!

7. Spice Bazaar, the Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbul what to see
This is less overwhelming than the Grand Bazaar, but still one of the things to see in Istanbul. The Spice Bazaar o Misir Carsisi in Turkish, it is the perfect place to walk among the aromas and flavors of Türkiye. Here you can buy a wide variety of spices, baklavas, teas, nuts, olives, cheeses and traditional sweets. In many places they let you try their Turkish delicacies, so take the opportunity to do a tasting hehe. It is also known as the Egyptian Bazaar and you will find it in the Eminönü neighborhood, very close to the Grand Bazaar.

- ⏰ Spice Bazaar Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m., Saturdays until 19:30 p.m. and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. Please note that it is closed on Islamic holidays and on October 29 (Republic Day).
8. Rüstem Paşa Mosque, Istanbul tourism for its temples
Located in the heart of Eminönü and very close to the Spice Bazaar you can visit the Rüstem Pasha Mosque, an authentic treasure of Ottoman architecture. She is especially famous for her impressive Iznik tile mosaics. Being so close to the bazaar, you can include this mosque as a stop on your visit to Istanbul. Although the mosques from the outside may all look the same, once inside you realize that each one has its own charm. As access is free to all of them, we think it doesn't hurt to stop by if you happen to be passing through.

- ⏰ Schedule Rustem Pasha: 10:00 to 18:00, although some sources indicate from 9:00.
9. New Mosque or Yeni Camii, tourist attractions in Istanbul
Before crossing the Galata Bridge, on the horizon of Eminonu and next to Golden horn, you can also come and see the New Mosque. With its twin domes and sharp minarets, Yeni Camii (its name in Turkish), is an architectural gem dating back to the 17th century. Although its name means "New Mosque", its history and tradition have consolidated it as one of the most emblematic religious structures to visit in Istanbul. Both inside and outside, its blue mozaics will make you fall in love.

- ⏰ New Mosque Schedule: 9:00 a.m. to 18:30 p.m.
10. Galata Bridge, tourist sites in Istanbul
The Galata Bridge is not just a passage between Eminönü and Karaköy, it is an emblem of Istanbul. Under its structure, you will find restaurants with panoramic views of the Bosphorus and Golden horn. On this bridge we can highlight the line of fishermen (including children) who come here every day to earn a living. On the other hand, as for restaurants, it is very typical Eat the typical fish sandwich or enjoy a shisha or hookah.

And here comes our list of 10 things to do in IstanbulDepending on your pace, you could concentrate them all in one day, it all depends on the time you dedicate to Topkapi Palace.
11. Galata Tower, best places to visit in Istanbul, Türkiye
This medieval tower is one of the oldest in the world and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore, this is one of the symbols what to see in Istanbul. Once you reach the top, you will encounter a 360 degree view of the city, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. In addition, the Gálata neighborhood, where the tower is located, is ideal for walking and enjoying its bohemian atmosphere. As we tell you in the video (at the end of the article), there is usually quite a queue to go up to its viewpoint. Below we share the times when you can visit.

- ⏰ Galata Tower Schedule: 8:30 a.m. to 22:00 p.m., so this is one of the things What to do in Istanbul at night. As you can see in our photo, we went up during the day and we loved it.
- 💵 Entry: Approx. €22 per person, prices for September 2023
- ⭐ You can hire a guided tour of the Galata neighborhood which includes climbing to the top of the tower.
12. What to see in Karaköy, nightlife and bohemian life
Another of the plans what to do at night in Istanbul It's a walk and a drink in the Karaköy neighborhood. This neighborhood, with its bohemian and artistic atmosphere, is the epicenter of nightlife and has a variety of bars and terraces overlooking the Bosphorus. You will love the views from Karaköy towards ancient Constantinople with the Golden Horn in the middle. From here We will also see the Suleiman and Rustem Pasha Mosque, something that at night seems like a fairy tale. Eating a fish sandwich is one of the experiences in Istanbul that many blogs recommend and that you can also do in Karaköy. It didn't fit us.

You can also walk along the promenade that leads from Karaköy to Atatürk Bridge and that we will mention to you later.
13. Istiklal Caddesi Street and Taksim, what to see and do in Istanbul
Another of the places to visit in Istanbul is Istiklal Avenue, with its historic tram and diversity of shops that end at the emblematic Taksim Square. This is the modern artery of the city, ideal for those looking for a contrast between ancient and contemporary. We found it curious watching children get on the Istanbul tram while it was moving along this pedestrian street. We assume they were “doing a simpa” (without paying). Here you will find some of the typical fashion stores (in case you need something), such as Zara, Mango and H&M. You will also see in every corner thes baklava and coffee franchises from Hafiz Mustafa 1864.

On this same street, don't miss the Las Flores passage (Çiçek Pasajı) built in 1876, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to see in Istanbul.
14. Bosphorus cruise, what to do in Istanbul, Türkiye
If you are at least three days in Istanbul, like us, a Bosphorus boat touror it cannot be missing from your itinerary. As you may know, this strait separates Europe from Asia and is one of the main arteries of the city. We got lost and couldn't find places to reserve a Bosphorus and Golden Horn Cruise. This is an economical and non-tiring way to see the city from a different point of view. What we did do was go on a public transport boat that took us to Ortaköy, going through different places of interest in Istanbul such as palaces (such as Dolmabahce), fortresses and beautiful mansions on the water's edge. This option is not guided, nor does it pass through the Golden Horn.

15. Balat neighborhood, one of the most picturesque to see in Istanbul
With its colorful houses and cobblestone streets, Balat is one of the neighborhoods to see in Istanbul in 3 days and also one of the most photogenic. It is an ideal place to get lost, discover art galleries, bohemian cafes and feel the most authentic atmosphere of the city. As we see it, it is not one of the essential places to see in Istanbul, that's why we would include it only for itineraries of at least three days around the city. Write down the places what to see in Balat if this is your case: Kiremit Caddesi (the street you can see in the next photo), its main Street (Vodina Caddesi), the Antik Cafe (where we had a super Turkish breakfast) and right next to it you have the mythical colorful stairs of Istanbul. This last point is the one that many only visit to take an Instagram photo.

🍽️ Antik Balat Café: one things to do in Balat is enjoy an authentic Turkish breakfast, although it is more of a brunch. Here, keep in mind that the waiter begged us to pay in cash, we are telling you just in case. Don't order anything other than breakfast, since the rest of the dishes look very touristy. As for the quantity, we went overboard, since we also ordered some and you will end up about to explode.

16. Sehzade Mosque, essential mosques in Istanbul
Another of the mosques what to see in Istanbul The Sehzade Mosque, also known as the Prince's Mosque, is a masterful example of Ottoman Renaissance architecture. Its serene atmosphere and sophisticated architecture make it a must-see if you are looking to discover all the mosques to see in Istanbul. We skipped this one, since there really is a lot to see.
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17. Soliman or Süleymaniye Mosque, one of the most beautiful to see in Istanbul
The Suleiman Mosque, also known as Suleymaniye Mosque, is one of the most impressive and majestic in the city. In fact, it was the largest in Istanbul until 2019. It dates back to the 16th century, when Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ordered its construction. Being on a hill, from here you will have unparalleled panoramic views of the Bosphorus and the city of Istanbul. As you can see, there are infinite important places in istanbul to see and you may have to leave something for your next visit. It is less than half an hour's walk from the previous mosque.

The best You will have a panoramic view of the Süleymaniye Mosque from the other side of the city. It is also spectacular to see from the Galata Tower.
18. Turkish bath, activities to do in Istanbul
Another of the A must-see in Istanbul is to relax and enjoy the experience of a Turkish bath in their traditional hammams. If you are lucky enough to be able to choose what to see in Istanbul in 4 days or more, we recommend you relax in its vapors and let yourself be carried away by a tradition that has endured through the centuries. You can book your experience in advance this article. This option is quite close to the old town, in the Fatih district.
19. Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul, essential next to the Bosphorus
Dolmabahce Palace is a mix of European and Ottoman architectural styles of no more and no less than 15.000 square meters. Being only three days visiting Istanbul, we were not able to tour its interior, but we could we walk past the clock tower of its gardens. Very close to the palace you can visit the Beşiktaş neighborhood. We really liked the atmosphere full of shops and restaurants, so we stopped here to enjoy a super Turkish breakfast. We tell you about it below in the Turkish food section. For a panoramic view of the palace (largest building in the city), we recommend a boat ride on the Bosphorus, just as we did and we told you about before. You can see the route we took in the video, at the end of this post.

- ⏰ Dolmabahçe Palace Schedule: from 9 to 16: 00 hours
- ⭐ This is one of the Istanbul attractions to visit and, if you want guided information, take a look at this guided tour.
- 💵 Entry: Approximately €12 per person.
20. Atatürk Bridge, what to see in Istanbul at night
El Atatürk Bridge, with its twinkling lights, it is one of the best Things to do in Istanbul at night. It offers a panoramic view of the illuminated city, reflecting the magic of the Bosphorus in the dark. It seems that you are contemplating a scene from the Aladdin movie, but live. You can include it in your route places to see in Istanbul if you go to Karakoy.
21. Ortaköy Neighborhood and Mosque, what to see in Istanbul by boat
This picturesque neighborhood on the banks of the Bosphorus is famous for its neobaroque mosque and its views of the Bosphorus Bridge. It is an ideal place to enjoy a relaxed walk and try Turkish food such as the famous “kumpir” (stuffed roast potato) and take iconic photographs of the city. Without a doubt, the best of our vacation in istanbul It was its gastronomy. That is why soon we will have an article only about where to eat in Istanbul and what are their typical dishes.

22. Kadikoy, what to see in Istanbul, the Asian part
One of the places What to see in the Asian area of Istanbul It is the Kadıköy neighborhood. Here you will find a more relaxed and local atmosphere. Although it is a visit that we only recommend if your trip to Istanbul is 5 days or more, your fish market where you will also find local products such as Turkish pizza, olives, mussels, etc. It also has numerous restaurants, shops, cafes and streets full of life. In short, walking through Kadiköy is one of the things to do in Istanbul If you want to visit a residential neighborhood on the Asian side, but you must have several days to explore the city, since, as you can see, the list of plans is long.
23. Üsküdar and the Maiden's Tower, things to see on the Asian side of Istanbul
This is one of the oldest districts of Istanbul and where you can find vestiges of Ottoman history. It is on the Asian side and to get here you can take a ferry from Eminönü. One of the places to see in Üsküdar is the iconic Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi). This tower, which stands alone in the middle of the Bosphorus, is surrounded by numerous legends and romantic stories. To appreciate it and enjoy a beautiful sunset in istanbul we recommend you Carpet Coffee. It's a must on your list places to see in Istanbul in a week.

And since you've come this far, you can take a walk through the neighborhood to appreciate the Ottoman-style buildings and the Yeni Valide Mosque, among others. Likewise, very close there are more things to do in Istanbul on the Asian side, such as visiting the Beylerbeyi Palace. There's a tour in Spanish that takes you through the Asian part of Istanbul which includes a visit to Beylerbey Palace, the Basilica Cistern and afternoon visit to EyupKnown as Istanbul Mecca (these two already on the European side). By the way, if you are going to Hey, there's a cafe famous for its views of the Golden Horn. Take note of his name: Pierre Loti.
24. Whirling Dervishes, Istanbul, essential tourist attractions
Another of the Istanbul tourist sites It is a spectacle of the Whirling Dervishes or Mevlevíes. These monks Sufis practice a mystical dance known as Sema, where they spin around themselves in a kind of meditative trance seeking connection with the divine. Sufi dance, originally from Konya, is a true way to get to know another leg of Turkish culture. Although there is a ceremony every day, we recommend you book in advance, as They are very popular both among locals and visitors. You can book the show and see all the reviews from other travelers at this page.

25. Turkish gastronomy, one of the tourist attractions of Istanbul
What we liked most about travel to Istanbul and Türkiye has been its gastronomy, so write down the typical Turkish dishes and those that for us were the best restaurants in istanbul.
Typical Turkish food and drinks | Recommended restaurants |
---|---|
Turkish breakfast with Patty (phyllo pasta with Turkish cheese), turkish bread and Menemen (scrambled eggs). You will also taste different types of olives, cheese y local honeys. | Anyone from the neighborhood of Besiktas (we went to Bi Kahvalti) and also Antik Balat Cafe. |
Kebab | Şehzade Cağ Kebap |
Kumpir (stuffed roast potatoes) | Street stalls in the Ortaköy neighborhood. |
Baklava (phyllo dough with pistachio or walnut paste), Lökum (Turkish delight) and Künefe | Hafız Mustafa Markets and Shops 1864 |
Dolma (grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat and seasoned with lemon) | We ate it in the Hanzade Terrace restaurant. |
Fish sandwich | Street stalls of the Galata Bridge and Karaköy neighborhood |
Köfte (beef or lamb meatballs) | You can find it in practically any typical restaurant. |
Observation (stuffed grilled Turkish bread) | The one of spinach with feta cheese It's very rich. You can try it at Antik Balat Café and many street stalls. |
Ayran (salted yogurt) | They offer it to you on board Turkish airlines as a drink, but you can buy it at any supermarket. |
Turkish ice cream o Ice cream | This is a tourist show that you will see on every corner. Turkish ice creams are based on goat's milk and ointment (flour with orchid roots). |
turkish tea o tea | It is a (black) tea that you will see locals enjoying on every corner. You can taste it in a Turkish breakfast! |
Turkish coffee | It is enough bitter and strongIn addition, it usually has a grainy texture. |
Lahmacun (Turkish pizza) | You can find it in practically any typical restaurant. |
Corba (red lentil soup) | in the restaurant of Kebab Sehzade and in the Hanzade Terrace restaurant. |
Meze (Turkish pickled and roasted appetizers) | You can find it in practically any typical restaurant, we ate it at Hanzade Terrace restaurant. |
Nusr-Et meat grill (Salt Bae restaurant chain). | A gastronomic show from the Turkish Salt Bae where absolutely everything we ate was spectacular, including their Baklava. |
Well these are some of the restaurants and turkish dishes that we think you should take into account for your next stay in Istanbul. Now we leave you with a photo enjoying the award-winning kebab from Sehzade Cag Kebap where you can also try the lentil soup and baklava for dessert. Their menu is only 4 things and we love that, there is nothing better than specialization.

We hope that our Istanbul guide has given you an idea of everything you can see and do on your next trip to this magical metropolis. As you have seen, the city of Istanbul combines tradition and modernity. It seemed to us that it iscontrasts and, without a doubt, you will experience some cultural shocks We will soon share other articles like the one about tips for traveling to Istanbul and Türkiye in general.
Map of Istanbul tourist places
Next we share the map with the locations of all the places we mentioned to see in Istanbul throughout this article.
Where to stay in Istanbul
Tras travel to Istanbul in 2023 and, as we see it, the ideal is to stay in Istanbul near tourist attractions, whether in the neighborhood of Sultanahmet, Fatih or Eminönü (in the old town or very close) and Karakoy or Galata. In all cases, a few steps from the main tourist attractions of Istanbul. This way, you will save time traveling. We stay in the Miro Mansion hotel, near Hagia Sophia. The price-quality ratio was great, since we paid less than €100/night. There are also Spanish hotel chains such as Barceló Istanbul, in case you want to play it safe. If you are looking for luxury, you should know that in Istanbul there are several Four Seasons like the one next to the Bosphorus. If you don't like any, we invite you to look at the offers below.
Tours from Istanbul
If you are interested in visiting more places in Turkey, we share some of the destinations to see in Istanbul and surroundings. The following Turkey tours from Istanbul They can all be done from the city, such as, travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia. You can obtain more information about each one by clicking on each route.
- 7-day tour from Istanbul (Ankara, Cappadocia, Troy, Pamukkale, Ephesus…)
- 4-Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul
- Express trip to Cappadocia from Istanbul
- 6-day tour to Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus
- Excursion to the Prince Islands (round trip)

Istanbul Tips and FAQs
Below we give you some tips for your trip to Istanbul that we would have liked to know before.
How many days to see Istanbul?
According to our experience, it takes at least 3 days to visit Istanbul, but if you have 4 or 5 days in Istanbul, we are sure that you will be able to complete this list of 25 essentials.
Best time to travel to Istanbul
We choose travel to Istanbul in September 2023. The weather was pleasant, neither cold nor hot. If you want to escape the heat, September is without a doubt the best month to go to Istanbul. In July and August temperatures are around 40 degrees and hotel prices rise. In the same way, If you want to go before summer, the Best month to travel to Istanbul is en June, since the heat has not arrived yet and it is still the school period. If you are looking for better prices, but without freezing or suffocating from the heat, try looking at travel prices to Istanbul for October or May. Finally, traveling to Istanbul in December and other winter months is much colder, but just as beautiful and less crowded. Plus, you'll probably get better Istanbul travel deals in the cold months.
How to get around Istanbul?
The best option is public transportation, it is very economical and efficient. We recommend you take the Istanbulkart card as soon as you arrive at the airport and this It will serve for bus, tram, metro and ferry. One thing what not to do in Istanbul is to get around by taxi. If you can, avoid it or leave the price agreed in writing with your hotel or taxi driver before starting the trip. If not, then they will invent anything to charge you more (it happened to us to go from Istanbul center to the airport). Likewise, traffic in the city is a bit chaotic, so the subway and the ferry will always be the fastest.

How many airports are there in Istanbul?
You can reach Istanbul through two airports, the main one of Istanbul or Istanbul, which is an hour's drive from the center and Sabiha Gokcen, which is 1 hour and a half away. Which airport does Turkish Airlines arrive in Istanbul? The one from Istanbul. We did the Barcelona Istanbul trip with the Pegasus airline landing in Sabiha. Then we returned from the main one, since there are plane tickets Barcelona – Istanbul from both airports. There are also direct flights Madrid – Istanbul in case you come from Latin America and this connection is better for you.
How to get to the center of Istanbul from the airport?
As we said, the two airports are quite far from the historic center of Istanbul. If you don't want to be stumbling around on the day of your arrival (as happened to us), or haggling or fighting with taxi drivers (as also happened to us), you We recommend booking a transfer from Istanbul Airport. You can reserve it at this page and remember to book the transfer well in advance, as there may be more traffic. Another option is to make do with the Istanbulkart and the metro, it all depends on where your hotel is in Istanbul.
Is Istanbul cheap?
Istanbul can be very expensive in certain tourist areas and restaurants with views, even with prices very similar to European cities like Paris. However, there are certain things that are still cheap such as street food, public transport o take a taxi (if you haggle well). According to our experience, in Türkiye they want squeeze tourists by even charging to take a photo at a viewpoint or simply witness the mythical ice cream man's show. Therefore, in addition to haggling for everything you buy, have four eyes on every step you take. Finally, If you want to save money and plan to visit several museums in Istanbul, we recommend purchasing the Museum Pass.
UNLIMITED data in Türkiye with Holafly eSIM
Yes, in addition to knowing what places to visit in Istanbul, you want to be able to access Google maps, search for nearby restaurants and opening times. tourist attractions in Istanbul We recommend you hire an eSIM. Travel Istanbul on your own It's easier thanks to Holafly which offers unlimited data in Türkiye. With this virtual SIM you keep your Whatsapp number and your card on your mobile and you just have to scan a QR code to activate your eSIM. It's super simple. We have a 5% discount for all our readers and you can see all plans per day this article. The discount will be applied to you at the end. In any case, keep in mind that the Vodafone company does have Roaming, as far as I know it is the only one.

Video about what to see in Istanbul in 3 days
Next, we leave you with the video of the places to see in Istanbul in three days. We include restaurants, dishes typical turkish food what to try and Important tips to avoid scams. You Subscribe here to our YouTube channel to find out when we publish the following videos about our trip to Türkiye, Gran Canaria and other places in the world.

Hello! I am Ruth, Canarian with a traveling soul. With training and experience in the tourism and digital marketing sector. In this blog I tell you all the tips you need to get to know the most authentic side of Gran Canaria on your own. I also share my travel guides to all the places in the world that I am visiting so that you can discover the destinations like a local and save time planning. In addition to traveling, I love gastronomy and sports. I run and hike in the mountains with my “dog-children” (Silver and Plata). In all these adventures my partner accompanies me, Jorge, which you will also see a lot on this blog.
What route would you recommend for five days in Istanbul? Thank you and best regards.
Hi! I recommend you check this list and even the map at the end to organize your route 😉
Great videos and blog. I wanted to ask you, to make an approximate calculation, how many days you rented the car in Cappadocia and how much it cost you. Thank you!!!
Hello Gustavo!! Thank you so much!! We spent 2 nights in Cappadocia and the car cost €100. For us who love to travel on our own, it was very worth it, it is another thing to pay for the tours and go with a guide, but you are already tied to schedules and groups... I hope it helps you! a hug
Good afternoon Ruth. My name is Beatriz. Thank you for all the information about your trips. I am thinking of going to Turkey next September with a friend, my 18-year-old niece and my 11-year-old daughter. The idea is to go on our own and stay for about 4 nights like you in Istanbul and then go to Cappadocia because we want to go up in the balloon. How did you get there? I think you rented a car. Can you give me information about how you got there and how you rented it and when you got back, where did you return it? And about the driver's license, what do we need to bring? Thank you.
Good afternoon Beatriz!! Thank you very much for your comment!
We flew from Istanbul to Cappadocia (Nevsehir airport is the closest airport). Here we rented a car from Avis to visit all the towns in Cappadocia, there are many towns to visit. We reserve the car online, pick up and return at the airport that I indicate to you. Then we flew to Istanbul again and from there to Spain!
We recommend you take a look at the Turkey videos on the YouTube channel, they will surely help you.
Greetings and what pleases you!