35 Things to See and Do in Istanbul

The famous city of Istanbul is quite literally East meets West as it bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally.  With a population of over 14 million, Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city as well as its cultural centre.  The city represents many contradictions- it’s ancient, yet modern; it’s eastern, yet western; and it’s secular, yet religious.

Istanbul is one of the greatest cities in the world, so it’s very easy to fall in love with it and it quickly became one of my favorite cities.  This magical and unique city is full of history and culture so you’re spoiled for choice with things to see and do, the people are friendly and hospitable, the food is amazing, and there are beautiful mosques and ancient ruins all over the city.

In no particular order…

 

35 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN ISTANBUL

 

ADMIRE THE AMAZING ROOFTOP VIEWS

Most of the hotels and hostels in Sultanahmet, the Old City, have rooftop terraces with unreal views of Istanbul.  This was the view of the Hagia Sophia from my hostel rooftop in Sultanahmet:

Then you can turn around and take in the view of the Bosphorus (the water):

Then come back at night:

I stayed at Best Island Hostel.  The facilities weren’t the best, but the location, the price (about €6 per night), the view, the included Turkish breakfast and the people I met were really great and unforgettable.  There are also many other hostels with views like this to pick from in the area.

EXPLORE SULTANAHMET (THE OLD CITY)

As the name suggests, this is the oldest part of Istanbul as it’s essentially the Constantinople of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.  Sultanahmet is where most of the city’s historical sights are conveniently concentrated, most of which are in or very near Sultanahmet Square- the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, the Hippodrome and many museums.

VISIT SULTANAHMET SQUARE AT NIGHT

Return at night for a different experience, when there is next to no one there and the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia are lit up.

VISIT INSIDE THE HAGIA SOPHIA (Ayasofya)

As one of the symbols of Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia is an impressive architectural beauty, which was far ahead of its time.  An important monument for both the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires, the Hagia Sophia (which means “Holy Wisdom”) is a well-deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It started as an Orthodox church, which was built by the Byzantine Emperor and completed in 537 A.D. after 5 years of construction.  When the city was conquered by the Ottomans, the church was converted into a mosque in 1453.  Then in 1935, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum by Atatürk to symbolize secularism and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.  The entrance fee is 40TL (€10).

 

GO ON A FREE WALKING TOUR

And learn about the history of the places you visit.

TAKE IN THE STREET CULTURE AND HAVE FUN WITH STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Istanbul is a very photogenic and bustling city that is full of culture and life everywhere you look.

TRY TURKISH DELIGHT (LOKUM)

And indulge yourself because you won’t find Turkish delight this amazing anywhere else.

GET YOUR BARGAIN ON IN THE GRAND BAZAAR

Built in 1461, the Grand Bazaar is the world’s oldest and largest market.  Today, the market is still very deserving of its name with more than 4,000 shops in a labyrinth of 61 streets.  Areas are organized by the products sold, which is a tradition dating back to Ottoman times, meaning you’ll find the jewelry shops grouped together, as well as the carpet shops grouped together, etc.  This may sound a little odd, but it’s really convenient as a buyer and it’ll give you an advantage for bargaining.

Other things you’ll find at the Grand Bazaar are leather goods, spices, tea, coffee, textiles, evil eyes, scarves, pillows, ceramics, dried fruit and nuts, household items, cheap clothes, trinkets, souvenirs, and lots of junk.  Parts of the Grand Bazaar are touristy and you’ll likely pay a little more for your purchases than elsewhere, but the selection is vast.

Know that walking into the Grand Bazaar is like walking into a lion’s den and you are the prey, so expect to be hassled relentlessly.  However, the salespeople can be good fun to banter and joke with.  The Grand Bazaar is open everyday, except for Sundays, and it’s within walking distance from Sultanahmet Square.

LOAD UP ON EDIBLE SOUVENIRS AT THE SPICE BAZAAR

Built 1664, the Spice Bazaar was the final stop for camel caravans completing the Silk Route.  It was, and still is, the centre for spice trade in Istanbul.  Now, you’ll find piles and piles of vibrant, inviting, colorful spices; as well as Turkish Delight (lokum), nuts, dried fruit, jams, tea, coffee, baklava, and fresh food, and, of course, tourist trinkets.

VISIT TOPKAPI PALACE

This luxurious palace was the political centre of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to 19th centuries.  Entrance is 40TL (€10), but if you want to visit the Harem, it’s an extra 25TL (€6).

GALATA BRIDGE

Walk around or hang out at one of the cafes or restaurants around the bridge and take in all the action- fishermen, ferries, commuters, street vendors selling fresh-baked simits (sesame-encrusted bread rings, which are like Turkish bagels) and more tourist trinkets .  The best time to walk across the bridge is for the beautiful views at sunset.

VISIT THE BLUE MOSQUE 

Another icon of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque was built between 1609-1616 by Sultan Ahmet I, who wanted a mosque that would compete with the Hagia Sophia, which is about 500m away.  Aside from being a tourist attraction, the Blue Mosque is still an active mosque, so it’s closed to non-worshippers during the five daily prayers.  When you visit the Blue Mosque, Muslim tradition requires everyone to take off their shoes and to put them in plastic bags provided at the entrance for free of charge.  Modest dress is also required to enter, but if you are not dressed appropriately, they will lend you a robe to cover up.  Entry is free.

 

RELAX AT HAMMAM (Turkish bath)

For what to expect, see here.

APPRECIATE THE CALL TO PRAYER

You’ll hear the call to prayer five times a day, wherever you are in Istanbul, which indicates that it’s time to pray.  Some travelers find the call to prayer annoying, which I find so sad because, while even though I’m not at all a religious person, I think it sounds so beautiful and it’s one of my favorite things in the world.  You’re going to hear the call to prayer 5 times per day whether you like it or not, so you might as well try to enjoy it.

You can even hear a call to prayer competition in Sultanahmet Square, as there are 2-3 mosques in a small area, all with their own call to prayer.  The first call to prayer is at dawn, so if you’re staying near Sultanahmet Square, it may wake you up every morning, so bring earplugs.

VISIT THE BASILICA CISTERN

Built in Byzantine times in 532 A.D, the Basilica Cistern is a massive underground artificial freshwater lake that is nearly the size of two football fields, making it the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul.  The Sunken Palace is supported by over 300 marble columns, two of which are adorned with Medusa’s head, which sparks a lot of intrigue.  The Basilica Cistern is great to visit on a hot day to escape the heat as it’s quite cool underground.  Entrance is 20TL (€5).

SMOKE HOOKAH (NARGILE)

Smoking flavored tobacco is an essential part of Turkish culture and it’s a great way to be social and chill out.  Many cafés and lounges offer it so you can sit back, smoke and relax while you sip on a cup of Turkish coffee or tea.

TAKE A BOAT CRUISE ON THE BOSPHORUS

The strait that separates Europe and Asia is lined with old palaces and mansions.  There are a few cruises to pick from- a short one, a long one to the Black Sea and back, and a sunset tour in the summer.

SHOP FOR BEAUTIFUL TEXTILES

Like colorful rugs, kilims, and pillows.  If you will be traveling around Turkey, wait to buy these things because the prices are the highest in Istanbul.

EXPLORE OUTSIDE OF THE OLD CITY

It’s easy to get stuck in Sultanahmet because there’s so much to see and do, but there’s also a lot of different things to see and experience in the other neighbourhoods:

• BEYOĞLU (Pera)  –  Connected to the Old City by the Galata Bridge, the Beyoğlu district is the heart of modern, cosmopolitan Istanbul as it’s the most active art, entertainment and nightlife centre of the city.  This is where you’ll find Istiklal Caddesi, Taksim Square and many western foreigners living there.
• ISTIKLAL CADDESI (Istiklal Street/Avenue or Independence Avenue)  –  Istanbul’s famous pedestrian street which runs from Galata Tower to Taksim Square.  Located in the Beyoğlu district, Istiklal Caddesi is a 1.4km long pedestrian street lined with boutiques, cafés, bakeries, restaurants, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, bars and night clubs.
• TAKSIM SQUARE  –  Located in Beyoğlu, this is the central square of Istanbul and it’s known for its restaurants, shops, and hotels.  Taksim Square is also an important hub for public transport in Istanbul as this is where you’ll find the central station of the Istanbul Metro network.

GALATA TOWER

One of the best spots in Istanbul to get a panoramic view of the city.

VISIT THE ANATOLIAN (ASIAN) SIDE

Hop on a simple 20 minute ferry from the European side of Istanbul to get to Kadıköy, the cosmopolitan district and cultural centre on the less-visited Anatolian side.  Kadıköy is a busy shopping district and where you’ll find Turkey’s biggest food market, along with many cafés, bars and restaurants.  Bahariye Caddesi is its famous pedestrian street, which is like the Istiklal of the Anatolian side.  Kadıköy is non-touristy and very Turkish middle class, which makes it more authentic and affordable.

EXPERIENCE THE NIGHTLIFE

The nightlife is where the western influence really comes out, as it’s very modern and you’ll see scantily clad women like you would in any western nightclub.  You’ll find most of the nightlife in Beyoğlu.

TAKE A DAY TRIP TO PRINCES’ ISLAND

An archipelago of nine islands off the coast of Istanbul, with no motor vehicles on the islands- only bicycles, horse-drawn carriages and foot traffic.  It’s a short ferry ride from Istanbul and a nice escape from the busy city.

WATCH THE WHIRLING DERVISHES

Sufi muslims seek a close relationship with God through chants, prayers, music and whirling/spinning themselves into a trance-like state.  It’s a very unique religious ceremony and you’ll wonder how they don’t get dizzy after spinning around for so long.

WATCH A FOOTBALL GAME

It’s the most popular sport in Turkey and the fans are very passionate.

STUMBLE UPON ANCIENT RUINS

Which is a regular occurrence in Istanbul, and throughout the rest of Turkey.

TRY TURKISH FOOD

Turkish food is amazing!  It’s a tasty mix of Mediterranean, Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan.

Some popular dishes to try:

• pide (which is like a pizza boat filled with many different ingredient choices like meat, cheese, veggies or eggs)
• kebab (which is grilled meat on a stick).  Iskender kebap (lamb) and Adana kebap (minced lamb) are popular in Istanbul.
• döner (lamb, beef, or chicken cooked on a spinning rotisserie and served in a pita with vegetables and sauces)
• balık-ekmek (fresh fish sandwiches you’ll find near the water)
• roasted chestnuts
• gözleme (Turkish pancake)
• simit (Turkish bagel)
• lahmacun (Turkish pizza)
• dondurma (Turkish ice cream)
• fresh squeezed orange and pomegranate juices

EAT TURKISH BREAD

I don’t care if you don’t eat bread at home.  You’re in Turkey and Turkish bread is ridiculously delicious and it needs to be eaten and appreciated.  I remember ordering hummus and pita and not wanting to eat the hummus, not because the hummus wasn’t good, but because the bread was so good that I didn’t want anything getting in the way of the taste of the bread.

WATCH A FRIENDLY LADY MAKE GÖZLEME

Which are Turkish pancakes with different savoury, or sometimes sweet, fillings.  And then eat the gözleme  😀

EXPERIENCE TURKISH HOSPITALITY AND MAKE TURKISH FRIENDS

Turks are known for their kind, warm and generous hospitality.  You will have offers to enjoy a tea or coffee with shopkeepers and maybe even receive an invite for a meal.  I was lucky to experience both.  The dinner invite was from one of the Turkish employees from my hostel in Istanbul.  I went over to his family’s home for dinner and it was one of my favorite experiences.  A few years later and his family and I still keep in touch.

DRINK TURKISH TEA (Çay, which is pronounced like “chai”)

While Turkey is known for its coffee, tea is their #1.  Having tea is a huge part of Turkish culture and an integral ritual in day-to-day social life in Turkey.  Black tea is traditional, taken with sugar, but never milk.  As a tourist, you’ll also come across apple tea, which is basically hot apple juice, but tasty nonetheless.  To turn down an offer for tea is considered rude.

DRINK TURKISH COFFEE (kahvesi)

Turkish coffee is famous because of the special brewing technique, how it’s served, the stronger taste and the social culture that accompanies it.  The coffee is prepared in a cezve, a special copper pot, and sugar is added while brewing (never after), along with cardamom.  It’s served in a small cup with thick foam at the top, while the fine grains settle at the bottom (which can later be used for fortune telling).  Turkish coffee is stronger, almost like espresso.  The rituals of brewing and serving Turkish coffee and the social culture that comes with it, made it into UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

TRY RAKI

Turkey’s national spirit, which is similar to ouzo and sambuca and it’s quite strong at 40-50% alcohol.

CHILL OUT AND RELAX

And if you need some downtime, the sea is always nearby.

 

WHEN TO GO

 

Istanbul has hot and humid summers, and cold, wet and occasionally snowy winters.  I was in Istanbul at the beginning of my Turkey trip in mid September, and then returned at the end of my trip in early October.  The weather was sometimes warm, but surprisingly cool and sometimes rainy in mid September, and cool and rainy in early October.  Outside of the hot summers, Istanbul is known for its rain, so it’s a good idea to bring an umbrella.

 

THE CULTURE

 

Turkey is secular, so the dress code is more relaxed than other muslim, Middle Eastern countries.   And Istanbul is especially more relaxed than the rest of Turkey (aside from the Mediterranean coast) and literally anything goes.  You’ll see many women wearing hijabs, a few wearing niqabs and the rest are fairly modestly dressed.   As a female traveler, you’ll feel more comfortable and attract less attention and harassment if you’re dressed more conservatively.  If you’re going to a nightclub, you don’t have to worry about dressing conservatively.

 

WHERE TO STAY

 

Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu, depending on what you want to experience more of- old or new.  If you have the time, experience both by staying in each neighbourhood.  I stayed at Best Island Hostel in Sultanahmet.  The facilities weren’t the best, but the location, the price (about €6/night), the incredible view, the included Turkish breakfast and the people I met were unforgettable.  There are also many other hostels with views like this to pick from in the area.

 

GET AROUND

 

Istanbul is a very walkable city and you’re spoiled for choice with many different transit options- buses, trams, metro, ferries, Dolmuş (shared taxi) and taxis.

 

SAFETY AND SCAMS

 

Overall, Turkey is safe enough if you’re aware of your surroundings, guard your things from pickpockets, and educate yourself on the popular scams.  I traveled to Istanbul, and around Turkey, as a solo, blonde, western female.  I was groped in the crowd at the Grand Bazaar and unfortunately this is not uncommon (this kind of thing has happened to me in many other parts of the world as well, including at home in Canada).  It’s certainly disgusting and violating, but it’s not dangerous and it shouldn’t stop you from traveling to Istanbul or Turkey.  If this happens to you, do not be afraid to yell at the man who does it and shame him.

• Beware of pickpockets, especially in touristy areas like the Grand Bazaar, Taksim Square, Istiklal Avenue and Sultanahmet Square.
• The most common scam is overpriced taxis, which is the most common scam in the world.
• As a male, beware of the “Let’s Have a Drink/Nightclub” scam where a well-dressed and English fluent local will befriend you and get you to go to a bar with overpriced drinks and underdressed women, where only a few drinks will cost you hundreds of Euros.  For more details on this scam, as well as other scams and how to avoid them, see here.

 

MORE REASONS TO TRAVEL TO TURKEY

 

8 Things I Love About Turkey

What to Know Before You Go to Turkey

18 Pictures That Will Make You Want To Travel to Turkey

Cappadocia – Turkey’s Magical Land of Fairy Chimneys

Ephesus – Turkey’s Ancient City

Pamukkale – Turkey’s Cotton Castle

Olympos – Treehouses, Ancient Ruins and Beaches in Turkey

Sailing Turkey’s Turquoise Coast