Istanbul is an enormous city spanning two continents with over a thousand years of history. Plus, there’s phenomenal Turkish Food and a whole lot of cats. But how long should you stay? Do you need to book tours and skip-the-line tickets in Istanbul? Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered!!
This is your ultimate guide for planning a trip to Istanbul!
How many days do you need to tour Istanbul?
Sure, you can see a lot in 24 hours! But ideally, you need at least three days to experience this amazing city. Honestly, you could stay weeks and still not see it all!
Istanbul is one of the world’s most visited cities, which means crowds and lineups. But you can have a wonderful time even during the summer tourist season.
This post and much of my Wandering Sophia Instagram are devoted to Istanbul, one of my favourite places in the world.
Best Neighbourhoods for First-Time Visitors
Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet is Istanbul’s historic peninsula, home to many of the city’s most famous attractions, such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. If this is your first visit to Istanbul, or you’re short on time, stay in Sultanahmet!
Sultanahmet is quite walkable, and the T1 tram runs through it. But be warned: the T1 tram line gets crowded, especially the stops near the Grand Bazaar.
The downside is that Sultanahmet is not really a neighbourhood but a tourist destination.
Hotel and restaurant prices tend to be a bit higher, but there are lots of rooftop restaurants with fabulous views. And there’s something magical about an after-dinner walk when the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are illuminated.
My favourite accommodation in Sultanahmet is the Hotel Sultania, a boutique hotel that makes you feel like you’re sleeping over at Topkapi Palace. The Celine Hotel – Ottoman Mansions is close to all the major sites in Sultanahmet, with simple yet elegant rooms and friendly staff. Arcadia Blue Hotel has a terrific location and an amazing rooftop restaurant.
Beyoğlu
Beyoğlu is also on the European side of Istanbul, and if you love shopping and restaurants, this might be the area for you.
Stroll through its narrow cobblestone streets or down the magnificent İstiklal Avenue, the city’s pedestrian street with turn-of-the-century architecture and a historic red tram.
In the evenings, the area is more lively but still convenient for sightseeing in Sultanahmet. Take the T1 tram or walk over the Galata Bridge.
Other places of interest include Taksim Square and the Galata Tower.
My favourite hotel in Beyoğlu is the Pera Palace Hotel. It opened in 1895, built for the passengers of the Orient Express. If you love historic hotels with old-time glamour, then the Pera Palace is for you!
Balat/Fener
Balat and Fener are two colourful neighbourhoods which were historically home to the Greek and Jewish communities. With the recent addition of the T5 tram, it is much easier to stay here, especially if you want a more local feel. Catch the T5 tram in Eminönü across from the Spice Bazaar.
Accommodations are mainly guesthouses and Airbnbs. The narrow streets are filled with cute cafes, antique shops, and quirky boutiques.
Most people visit to pose in front of all the colourful, Instagram-worthy houses on Kiremit Street. But other attractions include St. Stefan Bulgarian Orthodox Church, made entirely of cast iron. And the towering red-bricked Phanar Greek Orthodox College.
How to Navigate Istanbul
Whether you plan to sightsee on your own or take a tour in Istanbul, I highly recommend buying an Istanbulkart.
The Istabnulkart works for the tram, metro, ferry, and bus and can be purchased (and then reloaded) at the yellow vending machines at tram and subway stops. Use the buttons to get to the English instructions.
One Istanbulkart can be used for multiple people. While the machines take Turkish liras and credit cards, I’ve had more success reloading with cash than with a card.
The public transportation system is very good and easy to navigate on both continents. I would advise against using taxis.
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Sightseeing Tours in Istanbul
Having spent a lot of time in this amazing city, I’d highly recommend booking a few tours. But once you get the lay of the land, there are many places that you can discover on your own. Here are a few of my favourite tours in Istanbul.
On your first day, suggest you start with a Free Walking Tour of Istanbul. I love this one because it focuses on the historical peninsula.
This tour stops at the big sights, like the Hagia Sophia (outside visit only). This will help to get you oriented while the guide provides a good bit of history. The starting point is also easy to find: the Sultanahmet tram stop.
Guided Tours in Istanbul
You can take full-day or even multi-day guided tours of Istanbul. But if you’re short on time and want to see the biggest attractions in just a few hours, recommend this tour, which includes Hagia Sophia, Topaki Palace and the Basilica Cistern.
But the one major attraction that merits a guided tour is the Topkapı Palace.
Ottoman Sultans lived and ruled here for hundreds of years. The palace has three courtyards, multiple pavilions, and the harem, where the Sultan and his family lived.
Skip-The-Line Tours in Istanbul
For the Hagia Sophia, get the Skip-the-Line Ticket. It allows you to avoid the lineup at the ticket kiosk. But you’ll still need to pass through the security line at the entrance.
The ticket also includes an audio guide. If possible, avoid visiting on the weekends. In general, the lineups are the shortest after 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Remember, this is a mosque, so you need to dress modestly. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Shoes must be off, and women need a scarf to cover their heads.
The Skip-The-Line Ticket for the Basilica Cistern is also worth it. The lines during the day can be huge, so plan an evening visit. There are two lines. One to buy tickets and a shorter one if you already have a ticket or are part of a tour.
If you want to visit Fener and Balat, I loved this Fener, Balat, Old Greek and Jewish Quarter Tour. It starts at the Egyptian Spice Bazaar and the guide takes you via tram along the Golden Horn to Istanbul’s most colourful and unique neighbourhoods.
Food Tours in Istanbul
Taking a food tour is one of my favourite ways to discover a new city. I’ve taken quite a few food tours while in Istanbul because I adore Turkish Food!! Here are, in my opinion, the two best food tours in Istanbul.
The Taste of Istanbul Back Streets Tour is a free walking tour. While technically free, if you love it, you’re expected to tip the guide at the end. You also pay for your own food at each stop, which gives you the opportunity to decide exactly what you want to eat based on the guide’s suggestions. Most of the tour takes place around the Grand Bazaar, and you visit local spots that you would never discover on your own.
Taste of Two Continents Food Tour is a full-day tour that gives you a terrific overview of Turkish food. It starts on the European side, near the Spice Bazaar and includes a ferry ride to the Asian Side of Istanbul.
Come hungry! You’ll start with Turkish breakfast and then feast on everything from traditional sweets to recipes once made for the Ottoman Sultans to some of today’s most popular street foods.
Visiting an ancient cistern is just one of the many incredible things you can do in Istanbul. Check out my guide to visit Five Fabulous Cisterns in Istanbul.
