10 Best Things to Do in Istanbul

Few people are not impressed by the capital of Turkey. Its culture, customs, food, mosques... everything is unique and special in Istanbul.

Once you've arranged your transfer between the airport and the city, the first thing you need to know is that Istanbul is a big city with lots of things worth seeing. You could spend weeks walking its streets and still not see everything. The second thing you will realise during these walks is that in Istanbul everything is different and everything has a meaning; from the names of the streets to the beautiful monuments, to the gestures you will see people making in the bazaar. The best way to decipher all this is to take a guided walking tour of the different areas of the Turkish capital.

On any of the tours and excursions you can take in Istanbul, a local guide will accompany you for two or three hours and show you the city's main monuments while explaining their significance, going beyond the standard information you can find in any guidebook, all at a very affordable price.

There are different options depending on the neighbourhoods of Istanbul you want to visit and also depending on the part of history that interests you most. You can see the best mosques in the city, whether you visit the Turkish capital in summer or winter, as any time of year is ideal for visiting.

You will also find tours in several languages, some of which include hotel pick-up or bus transfers. Regardless of the option you choose, the experience will be one of discovering the city from a different perspective than that of the typical tourist.

This option is recommended whether you have one day to see Istanbul or three days or more. It will help you get to know its peculiarities from the inside.

The Bosphorus River divides the city of Istanbul into two areas: the European side and the Asian side. The same river also enters the European side in a section known as "The Golden Horn", dividing it between the old city and the Galata district. In short, the Bosphorus is not only an emblem of Istanbul, but sailing along it allows you to see the different areas of the city; this is why the option of taking a boat trip on the Bosphorus is so popular among visitors to the city.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy this experience. For a very reasonable price, you can find a tour that, in addition to cruising the Bosphorus River with a guide, offers you the chance to see the city from a chairlift and a bus, giving you every possible perspective on the beauty of Istanbul. I'll tell you all about it in this article on the best excursions to the Bosphorus Strait.

In addition to travelling by boat, the Bosphorus should be admired from the shore, specifically at dusk, when the hustle and bustle of the city subsides and you hear the call to prayer. This will be one of the images of the city that will remain etched in your mind and become a symbol of your trip.

If there is a time of year when this excursion is most recommended, it is undoubtedly summer. That's why you should add it to your list of things to do in July, as well as your list of activities for August.

What you will see from the boat

Another tip I'd like to give you for travelling to Istanbul is to make sure you try the tasty Turkish food on one of the food tours offered by this fantastic city.

Turkish cuisine is famous all over the world, and when you travel to Istanbul, you realise that it goes far beyond the well-known kebab that has reached many other countries. Turkey has flavours that are worth discovering, and one way to do this is by taking a food tour of Istanbul.

On a food tour of the city, an expert guide will take you to typical places in the capital to try the main dishes while you learn details about how they are made and how food becomes another ritual in this country. This experience will also help you get to know the city from a different perspective, away from the tourist trails.

If you decide on this type of tour, don't hesitate to ask your guide for recommendations that may be useful during your trip. Some of the dishes you will try include Turkish pizza, simit, dolma and baklava. You can book online and choose the day and time that suits you best; I recommend doing so on the second or third day of your trip, once you have explored the city on your own.

If you can find enough time during your trip, I highly recommend visiting other cities in Turkey, even if your main destination is Istanbul. This is not always easy if you are travelling on your own, as finding your way around the country can be difficult if you are not familiar with it. To solve this problem, there are excursions around Istanbul that will take you to places such as Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale.

These types of organised excursions allow you to forget about schedules and transport, as they include all travel, plane tickets and accommodation if you are staying overnight. Although you can visit these cities on a day trip, my advice is to take a longer excursion so that you can discover them in depth and at your own pace.

Most recommended places in Turkey

Istanbul is a city full of mosques and temples that you will see as soon as you land in the city. It is practically impossible to visit them all, but you cannot miss the two main ones: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, located a few metres from each other.

These two mosques are two of the most famous and visited works of art in the city. To enter the Blue Mosque, women must cover their hair, so it is always advisable to carry a scarf in your backpack for this purpose. You must enter these places of worship barefoot, and although plastic bags are provided at the entrance, it is advisable to bring an extra pair of socks for comfort.

Although it is essential to visit the interior, the exterior of both buildings will impress you in itself, so do not hesitate to enjoy exploring the surroundings and looking for the best perspective for what will be one of the most iconic photographs of your trip. Take your time for this visit because it will be one of the most memorable of all your visits in Istanbul.

A very practical way to see both mosques is to hop on the tourist bus. Throughout the tour, and thanks to its open-top second floor, you can enjoy panoramic views of the unique Turkish architecture. If you are travelling in the colder months, such as January or February, it may be better to travel in the covered part of the bus, as the humidity and wind typical of Istanbul can get to you as the bus travels through the streets.

Topkapi Palace is the symbol of the power that the region of Constantinople achieved as the seat of the Ottoman Empire. It is a must-see, so here's how to visit this special palace, highlighting its wonderful gardens, the Harem room and the Treasury room.

The most important thing to know is that access to the complex can be overwhelming. You can buy tickets at the gate or online at the ticket machines or at the ticket office. Once you have your tickets, you will need to go through the turnstiles.

Since admission is at specific times, the queues can be quite long, especially if you go during the middle of the day. Added to this is the fact that queues in Istanbul are not orderly lines as you might expect in other European countries; you may have to push your way in to enter the palace... However, once inside, the crowds disappear and the experience is well worth it; there are incredible places to photograph.

One of the most enjoyable experiences you will have in Istanbul is shopping in the Grand Bazaar. Important: take your time and don't plan your schedule, because although it's easy to get there, getting out can be a real maze. Most of the stalls in the Grand Bazaar are inside, where the crowds are less intense, although there will always be people wherever you look. The real hive of activity is in the outdoor stalls, so be patient if you feel like you're going round in circles.

What's in the Grand Bazaar? Everything: spices, crafts, food... and the best imitation handbags and shoes you've ever seen in a street market. Haggling is the norm when buying any item, and they will always offer you a higher price at the outset; don't be surprised if the seller literally chases you around the bazaar when you refuse to offer a price lower than their first offer.

If your trip coincides with the month of December, here's an important tip: leave room in your suitcase, because with the Christmas season upon us, you'll want to bring gifts for everyone. There are few places where you can find more authentic purchases than here, so include this plan as a "must-do" among the things to see in Istanbul at Christmas.

A short distance from Topkapi Palace is one of Istanbul's main attractions: the Basilica Cistern. This is a water reservoir with 336 columns and a height of nine metres that will leave you speechless as soon as you cross the threshold. Be prepared to queue at the entrance and always bring something warm to wear inside due to the humidity.

The best way to describe this place would be as an optical illusion in which the columns envelop you and the water acts as a mirror. No matter how many photos you take inside, you will not capture its true essence: you have to live it and experience it, so enjoy the experience and forget about your camera.

I recommend this plan if you are travelling to Istanbul with children, they will love it!

Personally, I always say that every city has a mythical spot that you have to climb to enjoy the aerial views. Of all the ones you'll find in Istanbul, I recommend choosing the Galata Tower, located in the wonderful neighbourhood that gives it its name.

Although it is only 61 metres high, it stands out for its enormous diameter and the views are perfect for appreciating the details of the famous Golden Horn area. The tower is located in one of the most cosmopolitan neighbourhoods of Istanbul, so after your visit, you can explore it and try the Turkish delicacies you will find in its cafés.

The Galata Tower's opening hours allow you to visit it at night, as you can go up until midnight. But if you want to know about other options for exploring the city after sunset, here is a guide to discovering Istanbul by night.

If you're travelling to Istanbul in October or taking a few days off in November to escape to this city, climbing the Galata Tower and contemplating the city with its autumn colours without the crowds will be a magnificent plan that you won't forget.

The pace of life in Istanbul can be stressful. When this happens, try one of the city's sure-fire remedies for combating fatigue, which is also a cultural icon: Turkish baths.

In this post, I'll show you the 10 best Turkish baths. This is a must-do that you should include in your 4-day trip to Istanbul, and also if you have five days or are lucky enough to be travelling to the Turkish capital for 7 days.

These types of establishments are the Ottoman version of the well-known Roman baths. They are places created for relaxation and cleansing of the body, but nowadays they function more as a social meeting place. In the more traditional ones, women and men are separated. You will find all kinds of options and prices, but if you opt for the most authentic ones, do not expect great luxuries because Turkish baths are not spas. However, the experience is always worthwhile.