Last Updated on 5 August, 2023
The old walled city of Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is the largest city in Turkey. It stands on a triangular peninsula between Europe and Asia which means that in less than half an hour you can visit two continents! How cool is that?
Most of the time, you’ll find yourself wandering between the Historical Peninsula and the modern part of Istanbul. This magical city is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and simply oozes with history: from the glittering gold mosaics of the Hagia Sophia to the cascading domes of the Blue Mosque, and from the vast depths of the Basilica Cistern to the Topkapi Palace’s mysterious harem.
Day 1
The Historical Peninsula of Istanbul is where you’ll be spending most of your time, simply because it’s home to the must-see and famous sights. The area consists of boroughs such as Beyazฤฑt, Eminรถnรผ, Fatih, Kumkapฤฑ, Sirkeci, Sรผleymaniye, Sultanahmet, and Tahtakale.
Sultanahmet is by far the most important borough of the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul. It was the heart of the Byzantine, Constantine and Ottoman empires. Today people still refer to Sultanahmet as the historical heart of Istanbul. It has the highest concentration of tourist attractions, all well within walking distance from each other. And this is where you will be spending your first day!
Visit The Blue Mosque
Also known as the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, it’s Istanbul’s most photogenic building constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Hand-painted blue tiles (hence the name) decorate the mosqueโs interior walls, and at night the mosque is bathed in blue as lights frame the mosqueโs five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes.
It’s a fully functioning mosque, but visitors are allowed inside though only worshippers are admitted through the main door. Visitors must use the south door (there are be signs). The mosque is closed to non-worshippers for 30min or so during the five daily prayer times: two hours before dawn, dawn, midday, mid-afternoon, sunset and right before the last light of the day โ and is also closed for cleaning on Friday mornings.
Women have to cover their head and legs and will be given scarves and ‘maxi skirts’ to cover themselves. Men should also wear long trousers and not have their knees exposed.
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If you’re lucky, a random (I must add, professional) photographer will approach you and snap a beautiful pic of you too!
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Visit Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque
Located only 4min walk from the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia has been recognised as a unique architectural masterpiece of Byzantine and Ottoman periods and therefore is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built as a Christian church in the 6th century under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In subsequent centuries it became a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again. The building reflects the religious changes that have played out in the region over the centuries, with the minarets and inscriptions of Islam as well as the lavish mosaics of Christianity.
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Have Lunch at En La Luna Terrace
Located just right next to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, this restaurant has one of the best views in Sultanahmet. Opt for delicious fresh seafood, mezze, pottery kebab, or simply sit down and sip on the Turkish tea.
- Cankurtaran, Seyit Hasan Sk. no:8, 34122 Fatih/ฤฐstanbul, Turkey
- Daily 10am – 11.45pm
Visit Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace, nowadays, is a large museum, but in the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. The palace complex consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. Female members of the Sultan’s family lived in the harem, and leading state officials held meetings in the Imperial Council building. There are hundreds of rooms and chambers, but only the most important are accessible to the public as of 2020.
When visiting, make sure to go to the harem, which was designed by famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and decorated with vibrantly colored Iznik tiles. Donโt forget to take in the panoramic views of the Bosphorus Strait from the Grand Pavilion (also known as Grand Kiosk).
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Visit Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns built in the 6th century that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. The enlarged cistern provided a water filtration system for the Great Palace of Constantinople and other buildings on the First Hill. It continued to provide water to the Topkapi Palace after the Ottoman victory in 1453 and into modern times. Today it is kept with little water, for public access inside the space.
Interesting facts:
- The cistern was used as a location for the 1963 James Bond film From Russia with Love.
- Ancient texts indicated that the basilica contained gardens, surrounded by a colonnade and facing the Hagia Sophia.
- Historical texts claim that 7,000 slaves were involved in the construction of the cistern
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Check Out Colourful Houses on the Yerebatan Street
On the same street where Basilica Cistern is located, you can find some artsy and colourful houses. A perfect photo opportunity!
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Have Dinner at Sultanat Fish & Kebab House
Since you’re in Turkey, you might as well enjoy good, delicious and traditional Turkish cuisine as much as you can!
- Alemdar, Catalcesme Sk. NO19/1A Fatih
- Daily 11.30am – 11.45pm
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Day 2
On your second day, you will be further exploring the historical peninsula of Istanbul, but venturing into different boroughs.
Visit Balat Area
Balat is the traditional Jewish quarter in the Fatih borough. It’s a down-to-earth neighbourhood of narrow cobbled streets and colourful houses. There you will find hip cafรฉs, vintage clothing stores, cutting-edge galleries, and an eclectic mix of churches, mosques and synagogues.
Shop at Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with an area 30,700 square meters with over 60 streets and alleys and 4,000 shops! The original historical core of the bazaar, ฤฐรง Bedesten, was completed by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1461. In the bazaar, you will find unlimited amounts of pottery, jewellery, antiques, carpets & kilims, textiles as well as restaurants and cafรฉs.
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Shop at Spice Bazaar
Another famous, covered shopping complex in Istanbul with a total of 85 shops selling spices, Turkish delight and other sweets, dried fruit and nuts.
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Have Lunch on a Rooftop at Kubbe-i Aลk
For lunch (and shisha, if you fancy) with a view head to Kubbe-i Aลk Cafe located about 10min walk from the Spice Bazaar.
- Sรผleymaniye Mh. Fetva Yokuลu. Gรผneล Han No:3 Kat 3/4/5 Sรผleymaniye
- Daily 9am – 1am
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Visit Sรผleymaniye Mosque
The Sรผleymaniye Mosque is an Ottoman imperial mosque located on the Third Hill of Istanbul. Though it’s not the largest of the Ottoman mosques, it is certainly one of the grandest and most beautiful. Inside, the building is breathtaking in its size and pleasing in its simplicity. Much less busy than the Blue Mosque, Sรผleymaniye Mosque is perfect for photo opportunities.
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Have Dinner at Last Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant
Once you’re rested from all day’s wanderings, head to Last Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant for some freshly prepared comfort (Turkish, of course) food. Think grilled meat and fish, pottery kebabs, casseroles, and pasta to name a few!
- Hoca Paลa, Darรผssaade Sokak No 10
- Daily 10am-10pm
Day 3
On day three you will finally cross the Galata Bridge and step your foot into the modern part of Istanbul. Although this part of town has less historical landmarks than the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul, neglecting the modern part of Istanbul would be a shame. It still has a fair amount of must-see sightseeing spots and is the place to be if youโre in for shopping, wining and dining or a great night out.
Take a Boat Tour
To see this incredible city from a different angle and to witness some of the most stunning views of both European and Asian sides of Istanbul, hop on the Bosphorus cruise. It starts at Eminonu Pier and lasts around 2.5 hours.
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Go souvenir shopping on Serdar-ฤฑ Ekrem Street
If you go up this small, steep cobblestoned street passing the Galata Tower (you’ll come back to it at the sunset), you’ll find lots of quirky shops, designer boutiques, and some cafรฉs. It’s a perfect place for souvenir shopping.
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Have lunch at Bilice Kebap
This little place is so lovely with the most friendly staff and delicious food. It gives a bit more of a local vibe as nobody really speaks English there and it seems like it’s a family run business. Worry not, you won’t have problems communicating and ordering food!
- Asmali Mescit Mahallesi, Asmali Mescit Caddesi No: 8 Beyoglu, Istanbul Turkey
- Daily 12pm-2am
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Stroll the Istiklal Avenue
Historically known as the Grand Avenue of Pera, it’s an elegant pedestrian street 1.4 km long. Istiklal Avenue houses boutiques, music stores, bookstores, art galleries, cinemas, theatres, libraries, cafรฉs, pubs, nightclubs with live music, historical patisseries, chocolateries and restaurants. The street is the busiest in Istanbul, and is comparable to Fifth Avenue or Oxford Street!
Watch the Sunset From the Galata Tower
It’s time to come back to the tower you would have passed earlier in the day to watch the sun gow down. Make sure to get there a bit early, not just right before the sunset as there will be a lot of people queuing up.
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Check Out Galata Bridge
Although less impressive views than from the Galata Tower, Galata Bridge still has some views to offer and with no pressure of others waiting behind you. It’s also interesting to observe hundreds of fishermen catch fish as well as to check out cafรฉs and restaurants located underneath the bridge.
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Have Dinner at Guney Restaurant
Located next to the Galata Tower, Guney Restaurant is a lively place with friendly staff and delicious food such as cheese platters, pizzas, and wine, and is a perfect spot for people-watching.
- Kuledibi No:2 Beyoglu, Istanbul 34682 Turkey
- Daily 6am-1.30am
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Finish Off the Night at Leb-I Derya
This true hidden gem (lucky for you I have shared its address and a screenshot of the entrance) is a rooftop bar and restaurant located on the 7th floor with the very best views of Bosphorus. For the drinks, it offers a long wine and raki (a sweetened, often anise-flavoured, alcoholic drink made in Turkey) list, along with well crafted cocktails.
When trying to find it, don’t walk away when the Google maps take you this plain grey door with no sign on it and which looks like a door to the blocks of flats. Climb up the stairs until you find Leb-I Derya.
- ลahkulu, Kumbaracฤฑ Ykล. No:57, 34425 Tรผnel/Beyoฤlu/Beyoฤlu/ฤฐstanbul, Turkey
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How to get there
Istanbul Airport (Istanbul Havalimani) is the main international airport in Istanbul located on the European side of the city, around 45km from Sultanahmet area. To find the best flights to Istanbul, go to Skyscanner.
You can travel between New Istanbul Airport (IST) and city center directly by:
There is no direct Metro operating between New Istanbul Airport and city centre. However, the construction of a new Metro line (M11 from Gayrettepe) for New Istanbul Airport is still in progress. The line is currently planned to open in August 2021.
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Check out my Youtube video about exploring Istanbul and Cappadocia
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