These are all the things to do in Istanbul to make the most of your stay. If there is one city that can truly claim the title of being the gateway to both Europe and Asia, it's Istanbul.
12 Things to do in Istanbul
Straddling two continents, Istanbul is a city divided by the narrow waterway known as the Bosphorus. The city embraces it's mixture of European and Asian culture and visitors will sense the contrasts with each turn.
The Very Best Things to do in Istanbul
To really explore and understand the culture and energy of the city one would need months or even years but we've highlighted our favourite things to do in Istanbul.
What to do in Istanbul.
During three visits to Istanbul we witnessed young urbanites embracing the modern world while others cling to traditional values of the Byzantium period and Ottoman Empire.
While we can't say that we walked away with a clear vision of the direction Istanbul will take in the future, we can say that this is one of the most fascinating, contrasting, and interesting cities we've ever visited. Where old meets new and history meets future, this is Istanbul.
What to do in Istanbul
#1 Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It was once a church and a mosque but is now one of the most visited museums in the world.
Hagia Sophia
For 916 years it was a church and then following the conquest of the Sultan Mehmed, it was converted into a mosque and remained so for 482 years. In 1935 it was converted into a museum and visitors can enter daily to see the mosaics, calligraphy, tiles and Sultan's lodge.
#2 Grand Baazar
A short walk down the street takes you to the Grand Bazaar for the most exciting shopping experience you'll ever have. There are more than 5,000 shops in the Grand Bazaar covering 60 streets. It was an important trading center dating back to the 15th century.
Grand Bazaar Istanbul
I can only imagine how it once was with traders coming in from Asia and Africa bringing their exotic items for merchants to peruse from Europe. Spend a day losing yourself in the giant labyrinth that houses Mosques, hamams, cafes, and jewelry stalls.
#3 Galata Tower
The Galata Tower offers beautiful views of the city. It is located just North of the Golden Horn in the Galata Quarter. We stayed in an apartment looking right up at this tower and it was breathtaking.
Take in the View from the Galata tower
It is 9 stories high with a restaurant café and nightclub. You can take tours up to view the city.
There's a great square at the base of the Galata Tower where you can enjoy some Turkish Coffee and Turkish Delight while people watching on the terrace.
#4 Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is Istanbul's most famous site and is the top thing to do in Istanbul. A visit to the city would not be complete without laying eyes on its beauty. It's known by it's more common name, The Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles surrounding the walls of its interior.
It is still a functioning mosque but visitors can enter if they follow the rules. Long pants should be worn and women must have their shoulders and heads covered.
Istanbul's Most Famous Attraction, the Blue Mosque
Located in the old city, it's the perfect way to start your day before moving on to the other sights nearby.
Across the Galata Bridge crossing the mouth of The Bay of Istanbul you'll find the Galata Tower on the North Bank of the Golden Horn. It offers the best panoramic views of the city and an excellent vantage point to gaze upon Old Istanbul.
Until the 1960's it was watch tower for city fires, but today it is open to tourists to walk around its balcony near the top of the 67 meter (220 feet) high tower.
Read our tips for visiting Istanbul's Blue Mosque.
#5 Istiklal Avenue
Visited by nearly 3 million people daily, Istiklal Avenue is the beating heart of the city of Istanbul.
Hop on the Streetcar
This 1.4 km long pedestrian walkway houses everything from cinemas to nightclubs and boutiques to cafés. It's also here that we tried our first Turkish Delight treats and bought some much-needed medication from the pharmacies.
If you don't feel like walking, you can take the historic tram all the way to Taskim Square to view the monument of the republic.
#6 Eat with the Locals
You can book many dining experiences in Istanbul and the best way is to spend time with a local family.
A home cooked meal
Often you will meet friendly people that invite you for dinner and become fast friends, but you can also book dining experiences where you go to a home and eat traditional food, learn about the local's way of life and have lively conversations.
#7 What to do in Istanbul Nightlife in Ortakoy
Our guide told us that Madonna and other famous celebrities love to party in Ortakoy. Once a fishing village, this district is now the area for upmarket chic looking for a place to party.
Istanbul Nightlife
The waterfront is filled with bars and clubs and this is where the hip young professionals of the city hang out. Dave and I clearly didn't hang out here as we're neither hip nor young, but we did take a stroll through the city and had a glass of wine!
A Walking tour map of Things to do in Istanbul
Eating in Istanbul is a feast for the senses and to truly appreciate the cuisine, you must join a family for an authentic local experience. Start with an array of small dishes known as mezze, such as pita bread with hummus, cacik, and tabbouleh salad.
Main dishes include kebabs and believe it or not pizza! The feast ends with Turkish delight and sweet tea.
Many tours offer a local dining experience including the Other Tour and Get Your Guide.
#8 Sip Turkish Coffee
If there is one thing that we wanted to try in Turkey was Turkish Coffee.
Traditional Turkish Coffee is to die for
We'd had it all over the world, but to have it in its country of origin was beyond heavenly. It takes great preparation to make this tiny little cup of caffeine, but the effort is worth it as it's one of the most delicious and rich blends of coffee you will ever have.
Don't drink it to the last drop though, the bottom of the cup is filled with coffee grinds. (the secret ingredient perhaps?)
#9 Cruise the Bosphorus
You must visit the Asian side of the city when visiting Istanbul. How often can you visit two continents in a matter of minutes and not even have to go through customs!
Take a cruise on the Bosphoros and go to Asia
We popped over to Asian Istanbul after a scenic cruise checking out the shores of both North and South. A good stop is Kanlica, famous for its thick yogurt.
#10 Play Backgammon
When strolling through the city, you'll see many older gentlemen playing games. The game of choice is Backgammon and you must give it a try.
Play a game of Backgammon, there are many boards inside bars
Look for a local café offering boards to use, sit down and order a coffee or tea and play until your heart's content. This popular game dates back 5,000 years in the Persian empire and is going strong today in the city of Istanbul.
#11 Smoke a Hookah
Also known as Shisha or waterpipe, Hookah lounges are very popular in the city.
Even if you don't smoke, at least give it a try once
Dave and I are ardent non-smokers, but to visit Istanbul without giving a Hookah a try would be criminal. Hookahs are flavoured tobacco smoked through a water pipe. It became popular in Turkey in the 17th century and was a status symbol for those in the city.
If you need someone to play with Get Your Guide it includes an evening out in their tours.
#13 Visit a Turkish Bath
You cannot visit Istanbul without experiencing the weird and wackiness of a Turkish Bath, also known as a traditional hamam. Be prepared to strip down to your birthday suit and have strangers vigorously bath and massage your entire body after a hot steam bath.
Try one of the famous Turkish Baths of Istanbul
It can be painful, strange, and heavenly all at once. You may or may not like it, but I can tell you one thing for sure, you will never forget it.
And that's all the things to do in Istanbul that we recommend.
Istanbul is a busy and vibrant city and the best way to get around is by tram. It's affordable, fast and easy.
We have stayed in many places around Dubai and find it easy to get around. We hopped on the tram to take us everywhere from the old city to Taksim Square, took Ubers and booked Transfer Expert from the airport. .
But in our opinion, the best way to discover Istanbul is by foot.
Lose yourself in Sultanahmet, explore the streets of Constantinople, and get lost in the Grand Bazaar.
There are so many things to do in Istanbul, you will want to go back again and again.
What did we miss? We only spent 7 days in the city and I know there is so much more there, I'm sure you have some favourite things to do in Istanbul that we didn't get a chance to do ourselves.
Airport Transfer: For transfers to and around Istanbul, check out TransferExpert.com their services were professional and friendly!
By Visit ?stanbul July 12, 2018 - 8:08 am
I think every human being should visit The Most Visited Historical and Popüler Places in ?stanbul
By Teknede iftar June 10, 2018 - 5:21 am
I agree.
By istanbul June 10, 2018 - 5:18 am
Istanbul is a beautiful city
By ferdos elhayat February 20, 2018 - 2:32 am
there are alot of things to do in istanbul
By jessica January 27, 2018 - 7:42 am
Istanbul is really the most wonderful place to visit, I heard lot about Turkish baths, and it clears out many ailments, though we have many Hamam centers in our country that do not reproduce same benefits as the real ones.
The city really wonderful with a blend of European and Asian culture, I appreciate your efforts for putting many things in the post. Pictures are really inspiring, the city is the must visit destination in 2018.
By Tajirul Haque May 21, 2015 - 3:50 pm
I have not visited Istanbul. But recently, I have done an article on top tourist attractions in Istanbul based on online research. I just feel like it has a wonderful combination of everything a tourist can ask for. I think it is well prepared to give every of its visitor the best experience….
By Alisha Paul April 29, 2015 - 3:40 am
Wow! Istanbul is so interesting! Would love to sip the Turkish tea.Your photos of the Blue Mosque are spectacular.
By Nita February 1, 2015 - 3:30 pm
Love this post and love Istanbul!! It’s one of my favorite places in the world and this brought back such beautiful memories. The East and West blend truly makes the city so special. Miss the yummy Turkish delights. And yes, the Hamam was definitely a memorable experience. Haha! 😉
By Ticking the Bucketlist January 30, 2015 - 12:35 am
Great post. There is so much history in Istanbul. Ankur does not like history and hence, we figured out stuff that non-history loving people can do in Istanbul.
Check out our post…
http://www.tickingthebucketlist.com/2014/07/istanbul-beyond-monuments.html
By Michael W Travels January 29, 2015 - 10:22 pm
Nice list but you left off the favorite place we visited in Istanbul- Basilica Cistern. Although I didn’t like the taste, another interesting thing is to try a fish sandwich from one of the boats in Eminonu.
By This is Istanbul - 12 Things to see and do in t... January 29, 2015 - 8:45 am
[…] Where old meets new and history meets future, this is Istanbul. 12 Things to do in Istanbul […]
By Erica Connolly January 29, 2015 - 7:43 am
Oh, I’m heading there in February (only four four days), and this post just fueled my excitement! Also, you’re right about the hamams… I did one in Morocco and I definitely won’t ever forget that experience. Although, as strange as it was, I’m contemplating giving it a go again in Turkey!
Cheers!
By Andrea Anastasiou January 29, 2015 - 2:30 am
Your photos of the Blue Mosque are spectacular. Istanbul is one of those places that I’ve been meaning to visit for years but I just haven’t got round to it yet!
By Kim January 29, 2015 - 1:31 am
Great timing on this post. I’m heading to Istanbul in May and I cannot wait to experience these things for myself. Your photos are so vivid and vibrant! It just adds fuel to the fire of anticipation for the trip 🙂 thx & cheers!!
By Renuka January 29, 2015 - 1:30 am
Wow! Istanbul is so interesting! Would love to sip the Turkish tea. I’m sure the experience of being in Istanbul is very transforming, very different. There is so much to absorb.
By Nina Travels January 29, 2015 - 1:21 am
Istanbul is one of my favorite cities – Been there 8 times and I have never enough 🙂 Beeing and art fan, I like islamic art museum and one of the new, recently discovered things in Istanbul are the rainbow stair – really cool and a very popular thing around locals, who come there just to take a selfie 🙂
By Ashley January 28, 2015 - 11:32 am
Beautiful photos! Istanbul is at the top of my travel wishlist and I’m hoping to finally visit this year!
By Melissa January 28, 2015 - 6:31 am
I love all your photos so much. Istanbul has definitely been on my travel list for a little while now and your post just added fuel to my wanderlust fire.
By Dave and Deb January 28, 2015 - 10:37 am
So glad that we could fuel the fire. You are going to love Istanbul
By Batikan January 28, 2015 - 6:12 am
Thanks for your review of great Istanbul. But a correction is much needed on the Turkish coffee item of your list. The photo shows “demlik”s, which we brew tea in Turkish style. We prepare Turkish coffee in a different traditional way. But without a doubt, this photo resembles Istanbul. Thanks from an Istanbulian 🙂
By Dave and Deb January 28, 2015 - 6:51 am
Thanks, That was my fault, we had a photo of the coffee in a cup that we drank and I wanted something more artistic. I asked Dave if he had anything else and I chose this. My bad. I may put the coffee back in.
By Batikan January 28, 2015 - 9:24 am
No problem 🙂 keep up the good work!
By Dave and Deb January 28, 2015 - 10:24 am
Thanks, and I’ll be putting up another photo today 🙂