ISTANBUL TRAVEL GUIDE
45 Things to do in Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is the most populous city in Turkey—behind its business is the rich history around every corner. It used to be Constantinople, and even further back—Byzantion. In 2015 alone, almost 13 million foreign tourists visited the city. The language of Istanbul, and of Turkey as a whole, is Turkish. Turkey Lira is the currency used in Turkey.
With regards to the weather, the hottest month in Istanbul is typically July, with an average temperature of 74°F (24°C). Occasionally it can get hotter than this. The coldest month is February—averaging 42°F (6°C). November to January has the highest rainfall—100 mm.
PLACES TO SEE IN ISTANBUL
HAGIA SOPHIA - AYASOFYA
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Ayasofya was built as a church and named Hagia Sophia Basilica in the 6th century by the order of Emperor Justinian. In 1453 Mehmed the Conqueror converted it to a mosque and changed its name to Aya Sofya— later turned into a museum by Ataturk in 1935. Some of the highlights at Ayasofya that you should not miss include the Floating Dome, Apse, Deesis (Last Judgement) Mosaic, Omphalion (coronation area) and Presentation Mosaic. The mosaic of Christ as Pantocrator (Ruler of All) is brilliant.
Attached Hagia Sophia there is a space for tombs of five Ottoman sultans. Nearby, in the same Sultanahmet area, other popular attractions are located in close vicinity—Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and Hippodrome. The nearest tram stop is Sultanahmet.
SULTAN AHMED MOSQUE - BLUE MOSQUE
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Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the blue mosque, is Istanbul's signature building built by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga at the order of Sultan Ahmet I. It features domes and minarets—inside the mosque, you will find blue tiles in their thousands hence the name 'blue mosque'. It is located on the far end of Sultanahmet Park—in close proximity to the must-see places in Istanbul.
BASILICA CISTERN
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Beneath the city of Istanbul, there lie hundreds of ancient cisterns, the largest being Basilica Cistern. It is open for viewing 9am to 5:30pm every day. Its architecture is a classic Byzantine style, closely resembling Greek architecture. 336 columns made of marble hold up the area, it is quite a spectacle. This cistern was used in the filming of the 1963 James Bond film “From Russia with Love”. It's massive entrance and the detailed etchings to the lights on the walls—are the beautiful additions to the attraction magnet.
TOPKAPI PALACE
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The Topkapi Palace is the largest museum in all of Istanbul. It is open 9am to 4:45pm every day. During the 15th Century, this building was constructed to house the Ottoman Sultans, who lived in it for over 400 years. In the early 1900’s, the palace turned into a museum by the government. Aside from its hundreds of chambers and various rooms, the collection inside includes clothing, weapons, armor, religious artifacts, and ancient manuscripts and scrolls. You can also enjoy the palace’s gardens.
GRAND BAZAAR
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This enormous market for various items such as shoes, bags, clothes and house ornaments, has been open since 1461. For over 500 hundred years, it has continued to offer quality goods to the Turkish people and the city’s foreign guests. The Grand Bazaar is just two stops on a tram from Sultanahmet (Beyazit-Kapali). You can also walk from Sultanahmet (where most attractions such as the blue mosque are).
HIPPODROME
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The Hippodrome of Constantinople used to be a circus in the capital of the Byzantine Empire— today it is an open air museum. Back then, they would have up to eight chariots at a time on the race track, with four horses on each. Today, this area has a large square presenting some of the original development still standing—from fragments to pillars. This Byzantine architecture is worth taking a peek at—just to imagine the vastness of competition that was held right there in the center of Istanbul.
GALATA TOWER
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Galata tower was constructed in 1348 and today is open from 9am to 8:30pm, every day. This giant nine-story structure is made up of stone and one of the largest buildings in the area—for sure taking your breath away. From up on top, you can have a full panoramic view of the entire city of Istanbul. Fitted for the modern age—there are two elevators placed within the tower. There is also a nightclub on the top floors of the building. The nearest tram stop is Karakoy.
GALATA BRIDGE
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Galata bridge can hold three lanes of car traffic, a tram line, and multiple sidewalks for pedestrians. This concrete monster was finished in 1994 and is an engineering marvel to not only Turkey but the world. The nearest tram stops are Eminonu or Karakoy— try to get close or travel on it for an optimum experience.
DOLMABAHCE PALACE
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This palace is open 9am to 4pm except on Thursdays. This palace has over 280 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths, and 68 toilets. It truly is a grand building—but its vast size won’t truly be understood until you see the palace for your own eyes. It served as an administrative center for the Ottoman Empire when it was constructed, and they definitely wanted it to be grand. It is detailed with gold and crystal and is sure to amaze all who step foot in the structure.
MAIDEN’S TOWER
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This tower was opened in 1110—making it almost a thousand years old. It is open from 9:15am to 6:45pm on Monday through Friday, 10am to 6:45pm on Saturdays, and 8:15am to 12:30pm on Sundays. It was restored by the Sultan Mahmud II in 1832. Inside the tower is a cafe and restaurant that provide an excellent view of Istanbul.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE IN ISTANBUL
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Rumelihisarı
Bosphorus Bridge
Büyükada
Beylerbeyi Palace
Ortaköy Mosque
Gülhane Park
Rüstem Pasha Mosque
Heybeliada Beach
Obelisk of Theodosius
Hagia Irene
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
Serpent Column
Yıldız Palace
Column of Constantine
Anadoluhisarı
German Fountain
Valens Aqueduct
Burgazada
Vialand
Küçüksu Palace
Yıldız Park
WHERE TO SHOP IN ISTANBUL
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TAKSIM SQUARE
Taksim Square is a popular center for dining, shopping, and nightlife. Trams line the streets of this area, along with 19th-century buildings, shopping chains, cafes, and movie theaters. The side roads contain even more hidden gems, such as bars, antique stores, and restaurants with rooftop seating. There is a wide array of entertainment— from traditional to modern.
ISTIKLAL AVENUE
On weekends, nearly three million people are visiting this street a day. Translating to “Independence Avenue”—this street is famous in Istanbul for its wide collection of boutiques, bookstores, music stores, cinemas, art galleries, cafes, pubs, clubs with live music, restaurants, and chocolate stores. There is always something to do here on Istiklal Avenue.
MALL OF ISTANBUL
This mall is open 10am to 10:30pm, Sunday through Thursday—10am to 10pm Friday and Saturday. There are many things to experience—from shopping to restaurants to theaters. Aside from large international brands, there are also local Istanbul companies operating in the mall.
CEVAHIR MALL
This mall in the district of Sisli in Istanbul is one of the beautiful malls in Istanbul. Also known as Şişli Kültür ve Ticaret Merkezi—the shopping area also has an entertainment center—you will have so much to do after shopping.
WHERE TO STAY IN ISTANBUL
5 Star: The House Hotel Karakoy - $151 a night
4 Star: Richmond Istanbul Taksim Hotel - $92 a night
3 Star: Star Hotel Istanbul - $52 a night
RESTAURANTS SERVING TRADITIONAL FOOD IN ISTANBUL
RESTAURANTS SERVING TRADITIONAL FOOD IN ISTANBUL
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Old Ottoman Cafe and Restaurant: This location is open 12pm to 10:30pm, except for Tuesdays as it is closed. A nice place to relax—visitors can just enjoy the classic Turkish atmosphere and eat all sorts of Turkish bread, meats, and desserts. Its coffee and beverages are quite popular—as are its friendly and homely staff.
Mikla: This restaurant has a rooftop terrace, so you can enjoy your delicious Turkish foods while watching the daily life of the city around you. It is open from 6pm to 2am every day, except for Sundays as it is closed. Tasting each of its food can take hours—but is encouraged. Perfect for those who wish to relax and really enjoy the foods and people of the places they visit.
Nicole: This place is open from 6:30pm to 9:30pm every day, except Sundays and Mondays as it is closed. The view from the restaurant in the city is well received by tourists and regulars alike. The staff and food are all well received, and the restaurant’s cocktails are its specialty.
LOCAL FOODS
Menemen: A Turkish traditional omelet, this dish has pepper and onion boiled with tomato. Then, eggs, pepper, and herbs are mixed in to create a delightful flavor for any time of the day.
Adana Kebab: Lamb meat is kneaded with green and red peppers and then placed on skewers. It is then grilled and served on pita with peppers and onions to accompany it.
Manti: This is often called “Turkish ravioli”. It is a hot dish containing garlic and yogurt with pieces of dough that are filled with meat. It can have lamb, beef, chicken, or even salmon.
TRANSPORTATION IN ISTANBUL
Airport: Both Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen airports are served by a shuttle bus called HAVATAS.
Taxis: Taxis are yellow in color and prices seem to vary. Some drivers use meters but some don\'t. If they don\'t use meters, they seem to charge more than the metered taxis. Our experiences with most taxi drivers were unpleasant—they were reckless—talking on their phones while driving—and overtaking other cars without conducting proper blind spots checks. One driver was drunk—it was unbelievable this was happening!
Metro: The Istanbul Metro is operated by a public organization of the government. Since 1989, the metro has given its riders a cheap and quick way to traverse the vast city. It is an efficient and safe way to travel to Istanbul.
Buses: The city government operates IETT buses for public transport. You will need a bus pass or to buy bus tokens beforehand. There are also private bus systems which may accept cash for the fare.
