Things to See and Do in Istanbul

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I focus here on useful and practical information about things to see and do in Istanbul. This means that I don’t want to reiterate the (already well known) history about the many sightseeing spots. Instead, I focus on practical tips for visiting the numerous places of interest. These include the best way to reach some places, money-saving tips, etc. In the Locals Share section, locals let you in on their favorite places to visit, shop, wine, and dine.

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Museums

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Mosques

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Relaxing

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General

Yummy Istanbul Logo

10 Reasons to Love the Taste of Two Continents Food Tour – Review

Why would someone take an Istanbul food tour? To find out, I signed up for a food tour organized by Yummy Istanbul. They have a…

Istanbul E-pass Review: Is It Worth It?

This spring I decided to give the Istanbul E-pass a try. I’ll review what’s included, what’s not included (yet), how to get the pass, how…
Istanbul Tourist Pass Logo

I Used Istanbul Tourist Pass For 3 Days: Is It Worth It?

Is buying the Istanbul Tourist Pass something I should consider, people often ask me. Since I had never used it, I always found it hard…
Istanbul Museum Entrance Fees

Entrance Fees of Istanbul’s Main Tourist Attractions

The entrance fees for Istanbul’s main tourist attractions range from free to 2000 TL per person. Often children can go in for free, but different…
Closing Days and Opening Hours of Istanbul's Tourist Attractions.

Opening Hours of Istanbul Sightseeing Spots and Attractions

Have a look at the opening hours of Istanbul’s main tourist attractions when planning a city trip to Istanbul, so you don’t find yourself standing…
Image of Museum Pass Istanbul.

What Is the Istanbul Museum Pass, and Should I Get One?

Is the Museum Pass Istanbul something I should apply for? I get this question a lot from people planning to visit the Turkish metropolitan. Unfortunately,…

Museums

Palaces

Dolmahaçe Palace by night seen from the Bosphorus

Guided Tours in Dolmabahçe Palace

In order to visit Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) you must take one or both of the guided tours. The Selamlık tour takes you through the…
Dolmahaçe Palace seen from the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.

Dolmabahçe Palace, Turkey’s Biggest Palace

Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı), Turkey’s largest mono-block palace, was commissioned by Sultan Abdül Mecit in 1843. Built to belie the military and financial decline of…
Entrance to Harem of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

See How Easily You Can Visit the Harem of Topkapi Palace

The word Harem comes from Arabic and originally means forbidden. Contrary to what many (want to) believe, the Harem was not just an erotic hothouse.It…
Aerial view of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

Little Known Ways to Make the Most of Topkapi Palace – Part 1

Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı) is undoubtedly one of Istanbul’s top tourist attractions. Strategically located on Seraglio Point (Sarayburnu) in the historical part of Istanbul, it…

Mosques

Places of Interest

Entrance to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, World’s Oldest and Biggest Covered Market

The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), built in the 15th century, is the oldest covered market in the world. Covering an area of 54.653 square meters,…
Aerial view of Golden Horn in Istanbul

The Golden Horn of Istanbul

The Golden Horn (Haliç) is an inlet of the Bosphorus with two rivers draining into it at the far end. It is considered to be…
Spice market or Egyptian bazaar in Istanbul

The Egyptian or Spice Bazaar, the Hottest Spot in Town

The Egyptian Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), otherwise known as the Spice Bazaar, is the place to be to lay in a fresh supply of spices, nuts,…
Galata tower by night in Istanbul, Turkey.

Don’t Miss the 360º Panoramic View from Istanbul’s Galata Tower

The Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) is the most recognizable landmark of the Golden Horn. The cylindrical tower with its conical cap rises high above all…
Basilica Cistern in Istanbul

The Basilica Cistern, the Coolest Spot in Town

There are hundreds of ancient cisterns hidden underneath the streets and houses of Istanbul. Of the two that are open to the public, the Basilica…
Big Bus Istanbul

Big Bus Istanbul Gets You Up to Speed

Big Buses blend into the Istanbul background very well. You don’t see them unless you pay attention. And once you do, you start seeing Big…
Dancers of Rhythm of Dance at Hodjapasha Cultural Center in Istanbul

Review of Rhythm of The Dance Show at Hodjapasha Cultural Center

Rhythm of The Dance is one of the shows you can enjoy at Hodjapasha. The cultural center was once a bathhouse that is now converted…
Picture of Whirling Dervishes at Hodjapasha Cultural Center in Istanbul.

Review of Whirling Dervishes Ceremony at Hodjapasha Cultural Center

Last week, I decided to go and watch a ceremony of the whirling dervishes at the Hodjapasha Cultural Center. There are some places where you…
Picture inside the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

How to Bargain Like a Pro in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar and Elsewhere

The Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world housing over 3000 shops, is more than just a sightseeing spot….
View of Bebek in Istanbul taken from the Bosphorus.

Bebek, Istanbul’s Trendy Village along the Bosphorus

Bebek is a very trendy village along the Bosphorus. It has a buzzing atmosphere and it is well-known for the nice cafés and shops that…
Fish at pacific ocean section at Istanbul aquarium

Istanbul Aquarium, a Spectacular Tourist Attraction

Istanbul Aquarium (Istanbul Akvaryum) is a worthy destination to spend half a day if you wish to explore and literally submerge yourself in sea life….
Aerial view of the Kadıköy dock in Istanbul

Is the Asian Side of Istanbul Worth Visiting – Part 1

Yes, it is. But only if you’re in Istanbul for 4 days or more, or visiting this gorgeous Turkish metropolitan for the second time. Let’s…
Tulip festival in Emirgan Park in Istanbul.

Don’t Miss the International Istanbul Tulip Festival

In April the annual International Istanbul Tulip Festival (Istanbul Lale Festivali) takes place. This shouldn’t be a surprise if you know that — unlike common…
Illuminated Bosphorus Bridge at night in Istanbul, Turkey.

What Bosphorus Cruise Tour to Take in Istanbul?

A cruise on the Bosphorus is probably the most overlooked Istanbul tourist attraction. Understandable, with such an abundance of historical sightseeing spots in Istanbul and…
Aerial shot of the Princes'Islands (Burgaz, Kasik, Heybeli, and Buyuk)

Is Büyükada the Only Princes’ Island of Istanbul I Should Visit?

As I mentioned in a previous post, you can visit only four of the nine Princes’ Islands in Istanbul: Büyükada, Heybeliada, Kınalıada and Burgazada. Unfortunately,…
Picture of the Princes' Islands in Istanbul, Turkey.

Why and How Should You Visit the Princes’ Islands in Istanbul?

Istanbul has two major tourist attractions that will take almost a full day out of your holiday: a visit to one or more of the…
Whirling dervishes performance at Hodjapasha Cultural Center in Istanbul, Turkey.

Where to See the Whirling Dervishes in Istanbul?

The best place to witness the Whirling Dervishes is of course in Konya, where the Mevlevi order (tarikat) was founded in the 13th century. But…

Relaxing

Itineraries

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