Istanbul is a fantastic city. It’s a vibrant city, it has a rich history, and amazing food. There are so many historical landmarks to explore, you will never get bored in Istanbul. I created this blog post with the ultimate Istanbul bucket list activities to help you plan your trip. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.
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Climb to the top of Galata Tower
Galata Tower is one Istanbul’s most recognizable landmarks. It’s an old Genoese tower initially built as a watchtower at the highest point of the Walls of Galata. Nowadays it is a museum and viewpoint of Istanbul. It offers one of the best panoramic views of the city from the top of the tower. When I visited, a couple got engaged in the Galata Tower since it’s such a romantic spot.
You can get tickets from the ticket office right outside of the tower. When I visited tickets were 200 TL per person. They only accept cash. As of February 2024 Galata Tower is temporarily closed to visitors due to earthquake strengthening and exterior repair works.
Visit Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce is one of my favorite buildings in the world. It served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and from 1909 to 1922. I never thought I would fall in love so much with a palace. First, it’s located right on the Bosphorus strait, so the views are magical.
Second, the gates to the Bosphorus are so beautifully designed. They feel like a portal to an amazing world. I could have spent an eternity just sitting by one of the gates and staring at the Bosphorus. One of the best views in Istanbul!
Third, the inside of the palace is equally impressive. The lavish decor, the interesting facts you learn about Ottoman Sultans, the artworks. Everything is fascinating. I highly recommend you visit Dolmabahce Palace. You can buy tickets online or in person from their ticket booth where you can pay with credit cards or cash.
Walk across the Galata Bridge
Galata Bridge is the most famous bridge in Istanbul. What I like most about it is all the fisherman who catch fish from the Bosphorus straight from this bridge. They then sell the fish to local restaurants. I wasn’t expecting this to happen in central Istanbul, but it was so cool to see this part of their culture too.
Visit Besiktas Stadium
Across the street from Dolmabahce you can find Besiktas’ soccer stadium. I grew up in Romania, where everyone watches soccer. I was familiar with Besiktas, so I had to visit. Unfortunately I couldn’t go on the field since the team was preparing for a game that night, but I could see the exhibits and I was able to learn more about the team’s history. If you’re a soccer fan, you shouldn’t skip this spot.
Buy something at the Spice Bazaar
I had the best time at the Spice Market. You can find everything here: sweets, dried fruit, nuts, tea, spices. The best part is that almost every vendor is offering free samples. So I sampled everything haha. I probably spent way more time than I should have there, but it’s such a cool place.
I ended up buying some tea. Make sure to haggle when you buy something from the bazaar. At first, they will throw some very high price at you because you’re a tourist, so you have to negotiate. If you negotiate you always lower the price. I know it might feel weird to do this, but trust me, it’s part of the culture and everyone does it.
Visit Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is an Ottoman era mosque that was built in the early 1600’s. It’s one of the landmarks of Istanbul and it’s definitely worth a visit. Make sure to pack a scarf so you can cover your head if you plan on visiting religious sites.
Get lost in the Grand Bazaar
I loved the Spice Bazaar way more than the Grand Bazaar. At the Grand Bazaar you will mostly find clothes, jewelry, lamps. It becomes a maze pretty quickly after you enter, and everyone is trying to sell you something. It’s a pretty overwhelming experience. Plus, there are no sweets to sample like in the Spice Bazaar. Worth a quick visit, but I probably wouldn’t go here again.
Visit Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is the other impressive mosque in Istanbul that has a very rich history. It used to be an Eastern Orthodox church, then a catholic church, then an Eastern Orthodox church again. Once the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453 it became a mosque.
Visit Basilica Cistern
Along with Dolmabahce and the day cruise on the Bosphorus, Basilica Cistern was also one of my favorite attractions in Istanbul. It is the largest cistern that lies beneath Istanbul and it was built in the 6th century. It is very close to Hagia Sophia.
They did a great job turning this place into a tourist attraction. Besides the water in the Basilica Cistern, there are different color lights, many columns (inclusing Medusa column bases), and sculptures. It’s really fun to walk around, admire everything, and take pictures.
Walk around in Taksim Square
Taksim is one of the most famous squares in Istanbul. It’s a busy area where you can find a lot of dining, shopping, and nightlife options. Istiklal Street, the famous pedestrian street full of shops, ends at Taksim. There is also an old, red tram running down Istiklal Street. I found Istiklal Street to be too busy. There were so many people that it was difficult to enjoy the moment. It’s definitely worth checking it out, but once was enough. I wouldn’t go there again.
A few months before I visited Istanbul there was a terrorist attack in Taksim Square. Things like this don’t scare me and I will still visit the place. My mentality is that if something bad is going to happen to me it will happen no matter of where I am.
Visit Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace was the main residence for sultans from the 1460s until the completion of Dolmabahce Palace in 1856. It’s very close to the Mosques and Basilica Cistern. Unfortunately it was closed the day I visited, but I plan on going next time I’m in Istanbul.
Take a day cruise on the Bosphorus
This was one of my favorite activities I’ve done in Turkey. The cruise departs at 10:35am from Eminönü and you return to Istanbul around 5pm. You will go up the Bosphorus and you will have the chance to see all the major attractions from the water.
After you cruise for a few hours you stop at a fishing village called Anadolu Kavagi. Here you have a couple of hours to get lunch and you can also hike to Yoros Castle, an old Genoese fortress. The fish you’ll have here is caught from the Bosphorus that same day. It’s so fresh and delicious! There are a few restaurants by the water and they all try to compete for tourists and offer discounts or free tea and dessert. You can’t go wrong with any of them, so pick whichever looks best to you.
The entire trip costs only 65 TL or about $3 (lunch is not included in the price). You can buy the ticket the morning of the departure from the Sehir Hatlari ticket booth in Eminönü starting at 10am.
There are a lot of tour guides in that area trying to convince you to go on their Bosphorus tour for 20 euros. Make sure you don’t accept their offer and stick with this Sehir Hatlari day trip instead. It’s going to be such an amazing experience and you can’t beat the price.
FAQs about Istanbul
Where should I stay in Istanbul?
Mid-budget hotels
I stayed at the Sheraton Istanbul City Center. It’s a bit far from most tourist attractions – about a 30 min walk. But the good news is that they have a daily free shuttle to Taksim Square, so once you go there it will be much easier to make your way to most other attractions.
The hotel room was spacious, the breakfast food was delicious, and staff was very welcoming. I think this is true for most hotels in Istanbul, but you will hear the call to prayer from the closest mosque, so if you’re a light sleeper that will wake you up.
If I were to visit Istanbul again, I would pick a hotel that’s closer to attractions such as Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel Istanbul, The Galata Istanbul Hotel – MGallery, or Radisson Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet.
Luxury hotels
If you want to splurge and experience top notch service and amenities, any of these three luxury hotel options are great: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At The Bosphorus, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet, Raffles Istanbul.
Hostels
Unfortunately, I am not the right person to recommend you any hostels. I am in my 30s and I value comfort, so I will always choose to stay at a hotel vs a hostel. I can see how a hostel is a great option for younger people, but I’m at a different stage in life, so I prefer hotels.
Airbnb
I also tend to pick hotels over Airbnbs because I feel like it’s less of a risk and it’s a more reliable option. One time when I visited Miami with my friends we booked an Airbnb that looked great in pictures but looked really bad in reality. We ended up going to a hotel instead. After that experience I tend to avoid Airbnbs altogether.
What should I eat in Istanbul?
Kebab
Turkish food is delicious and it’s prepared from fresh and (mostly) healthy ingredients. If you go to Istanbul, eating kebab is a must. It’s a staple of Turkish cuisine. There are so many kinds of kebabs.
One of the most unique kebabs I ate in Istanbul was pistachio kebab. I had it at Hamdi Restaurant. If you visit Istanbul do yourself a favor and book a table at Hamdi online, in advance of your trip. This way you will get a window table and you will be able to enjoy the best dinner view in Istanbul: Galata Bridge, the Galata Tower, and the Bosphorus. The food is amazing and it is not overpriced despite the location.
Simit
Simit is probably the most popular street food in Istanbul. It is basically a smaller version of a bagel and it’s usually made with just sesame. The perfect snack in between exploring different attractions.
Fresh fish or Balik Ekmek
Istanbul is such a great city is you like fish because you will find fresh fish from the Bosphorus at every restaurant and even food carts. You can get fish and sides. I opted for fries. Those chunky, hand-cut fries. So delicious!
Or you can try their famous street food fish sandwich, called Balik Ekmek. It’s basically fish with some vegetables on Turkish bread. You can find it around Eminönü.
Lahmacun
Lahmacun is the Turkish version of pizza. The crust is very thin and it comes with a nice meat topping and fresh herbs. It’s very different compared to an Italian pizza, but it’s delicious.
Turkish delight
Turkish delight is so good. I never knew it comes in so many different flavors and colors until I traveled to Istanbul. I got some as souvenirs from Osmanlizadeler and I highly recommend this shop. Their traditional Turkish delight was amazing.
Kunefe
I still dream of the kunefe and ice cream I had in Istanbul. It’s one of my favorite things I ate in Istanbul. Kunefe is a warm dessert and it goes so well with vanilla ice cream. It’s made from kataifi pastry soaked in a sweet syrup, cheese, and pistachios. The combination is absolutely delicious.
Baklava and Turkish ice cream
One of my taxi drivers recommended Hafiz Mustafa as the spot for sweets in Istanbul. When Turkish people recommend a spot, you go. So I went there and I tried baklava, Turkish ice cream, and tea. Everything was so good! I highly recommend you get some dessert there. They have multiple locations throughout the city of Istanbul.
San Sebastian cheesecake
San Sebastian cheesecake is very popular in Istanbul. Now you might be very confused. Why is a type of cheesecake from the Basque Country popular in Turkey of all places?
Because of influencers. They started posting on social media about eating this cheesecake with a chocolate sauce while in Istanbul, so everyone wanted to try this dessert when they traveled to Istanbul. Pretty crazy, right? You can find San Sebastian cheesecake at most dessert shops in Istanbul. It’s delicious. Super creamy inside, but it’s brown and a bit burnt on the outside. If you haven’t had a slice before, you need to try it.
Turkish coffee
Ok, this one is a drink, not food, but you have to try it while in Istanbul. It’s strong and has a different taste compared to espresso since it’s made in a different way. Try it black, like the locals drink it.
Is Istanbul safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, Istanbul is a safe destination, but I don’t recommend it as a destination for traveling solo for the first time. I’ll explain why. If you’re from the US of Europe, you’ll find the culture in Istanbul to be very different and it will take you a few days to learn how to navigate it.
First, you need to learn how to haggle. Taxi drivers, people who sell in bazaars, literally anyone who is selling something to foreign tourists will try to get as much money from you as possible. They usually give you a much higher price and you’ll have to negotiate so you don’t get scammed.
Second, English is not as widely spoken in Istanbul as it is in other countries. So you’ll have to navigate the language barriers on top of having to haggle. Google maps and Google translate will be your best friends.
Third, Turkish men can be a bit much at times. You might get stares and the occasional catcall. It’s best to avoid eye contact and wear more modest clothing to avoid unwanted attention.
That being said, the petty crime level is probably lower than in Western Europe, but it can still happen in crowded tourist areas. As always when you travel solo to a foreign country, you should exert a high degree of caution. You can have a safe trip and an enjoyable experience in Istanbul (I did!), but I don’t think it’s the best place for beginner solo travelers.
How to get cell phone data when visiting from abroad?
The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.
I use Nomad eSIM (use code IOAN43TM for 25% off your first purchase). You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.
You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.
What is the best time for a solo Istanbul trip?
I visited in December and it was perfect. The weather was pretty warm, around 10 degrees Celsius, and it was mostly sunny. There were fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months, so I enjoyed my experience a lot more.
I tend to avoid summer travel because it gets so hot and there are so many tourists everywhere that it takes away from the experience for me. I’d rather wait a few months and go in the fall so I can properly enjoy the destinations I’m visiting.
Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?
I highly recommend you book tickets online in advance of your trip. If you visit during the peak summer months it’s a must to book in advance.
Do people speak English in Istanbul?
It’s a mixed bag. Some people speak English and some people don’t. If I were to put a percent based on my experience I would say over 50% of people don’t speak English. So I recommend you use Google translate to communicate with them.
That’s what I did with a taxi driver. I showed him my destination on Google. Then when we were trying to chit chat in the car we were both using Google translate and playing what we were trying to say to each other. It was a pretty funny way of communicating, but it worked. In this day and age, technology is your best friend and it can help reduce the language barriers no matter where you travel.
Do I need cash?
Yes, you need cash in Istanbul. Their currency is the Turkish Lira, so you’ll need to exchange money. Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the airport instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.
Turkey is still a pretty cash heavy country, especially when it comes to souvenirs, small merchants, and taxi drivers. You can pay by card in most restaurants though.
How many days do I need in Istanbul?
I spent 4 days in Istanbul and I was able to see most main attractions and take a day cruise on the Bosphorus. If you want to explore some hidden gems as well, I recommend you stay for a week.
Alternatively, if you want to stay in Turkey for a week, you can visit another place besides Istanbul. You could go to Cappadocia to go on a hot air balloon ride. Or maybe to Ankara or Antalya.
How can I get to the city center from Istanbul airport?
Subway
You can take Metro Line M11 from the airport to Gayrettepe Station and then transfer to Line M2 to Vezneciler Station, which is a 15-20-minute walk from Sultanahmet Square. The subway operates from 6 am to midnight. A ticket costs $0.9 and the ride takes 40-50 min. This is the cheapest option to get into the city, but it’s a bit inconvenient since you have to switch lines and then drag your luggage from the station to your hotel.
Bus
There are two bus companies with stops at the airport: Havaist and IETT. Only Havaist buses offer a direct connection to Sultanahmet, while IETT buses serve mostly less popular parts of Istanbul. A ticket costs $3.6 and the ride takes about 90-100 min due to high traffic in Istanbul. Taking the bus is another cheap option, but equally inconvenient since you spend a lot of time in traffic and you still have to drag your luggage from the bus stop to your hotel.
Taxi or private transfer
I recommend taking a taxi instead of using public transport. It’s convenient since it drops you off at your destination and it costs only around $20. You can get a taxi when you exit the airport or you can order one through the Uber app.
If you don’t want to deal with taxis on your first day in Istanbul (it can be a challenge due to language barriers and drivers trying to ask for higher prices), you can schedule a private transfer.
Can I use Uber in Istanbul?
You can use the Uber app to call a taxi at the airport. That’s what I did and it worked great. However, even though you use the Uber app, you will get a taxi. So the app is basically just a taxi hailing app in Istanbul.
I got an amazing taxi driver who was so patient with me and explained how I need to get out of the airport so I can get to him and waited a good 5 minutes for me without charging me extra. He was super friendly and warned me that taxi drivers in Istanbul are 50/50. Half of them are nice and friendly towards tourists and don’t try to charge you extra. The other half will always try to get as much money as possible out of you.
I found his warning to be true as I interacted with both types of taxi drivers. My advice is to always haggle taxi prices before you hop in the car. If they won’t reduce the price let them go and hail another taxi. By the end of your trip to Istanbul you will be a pro at haggling.
If you’re in the city and want to call a taxi through the Uber app it rarely works. I tried to get a taxi through the Uber app at Dolmabahce Palace to take me to Taksim and it kept telling me that there are no cars available. So while the app works great at the airport, it rarely works in the city, so be mindful of that. You can find a taxi parking spot instead or just hail one, NYC style.
How can I get around Istanbul?
One thing that you need to know about Istanbul is that it’s built on hills, similar to Lisbon. Unlike Lisbon, it does not have trams to take you up the hill. So you’ll either have to hike some really steep streets or you’ll have to take a taxi.
I chose to walk uphill most of the time and it’s a workout. My cardio level improved after that trip haha. When you walk anywhere in Istanbul be mindful of cars and motorcycles. The sidewalks are very narrow in Istanbul and they mostly have stairs, so if you want to walk uphill instead of climbing stairs (what most people end up doing) you have to do it at the edge of the road. So you’ll share the road with cars and motorcycles and you need to be careful.
You can also take public transportation. I’m going to be honest and tell you that I didn’t try it because taxis are quite cheap in Istanbul. So I always grabbed a taxi if I didn’t feel like walking since it was so convenient.
Do I have to tip in Istanbul?
Tipping is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. I usually leave the equivalent of 1-2 euros as tip when I eat out. They highly appreciate it when you do this.
Do you recommend Istanbul as a destination for solo female travelers?
I recommend Istanbul as a solo travel destination if you’re a seasoned solo traveler. I do not recommend Istanbul for a first solo trip because I think it will be too overwhelming an experience.
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