Istanbul is amazing. One of the most impressive cities we’ve visited thus far is here. It is a city that we would love to return to time and time again because it has stunning architecture, delectable food, and some of the most welcoming and genuine people we have ever met while traveling.
I hope this comprehensive travel guide will help you plan your trip to Istanbul if this is your first time there. It will explain everything you need to know, including where to stay, what to see, and what to eat.
We thoroughly enjoyed Istanbul and could honestly see ourselves residing there. I wouldn’t be surprised if you feel the same way after spending just one day in this captivating city.
Turkey’s cultural, financial, and economic capital is Istanbul. It’s likewise the country’s greatest city with a populace of nearly 16 million , making it perhaps of the one of the biggest city in Europe and the world. It is natural to assume that Istanbul is Turkey’s capital for these reasons, but it is not. Ankara receives this distinction.
Istanbul is one of a select few cities that spans two continents, and it is situated on both sides of the Bosphorus, making it geographically intriguing. The eastern half of the city is in Asia, while the western half is in Europe.
Most of the city’s major attractions are concentrated in two districts on the European side, Sultanahmet and Beyolu, because the Asian side is mostly residential. Those two areas will see the majority of first-time visitors to the city.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ISTANBUL?
Spring is the best chance to visit Istanbul, trailed by Fall (September-November). In both seasons, there are fewer people and the weather is pleasant, though Autumn gets more rain than Spring does.
AIRPORTS IN ISTANBUL
Traveling to Istanbul International flights will arrive at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) or Istanbul (IST). If you intend to stay in Sultanahmet or Taksim (Beyolu), the following route will take you there from either airport.
Where to stay in Istanbul?
SULTANAHMET The majority of major tourist attractions are in the Sultanahmet neighborhood. Assuming that you’re going to Istanbul interestingly and hoping to visit its top vacation spots, then, at that point, there could be no more excellent spot to remain than Sultanahmet
By SHUTTLE FROM ISTANBUL AIRPORT TO SULTANAHMET
The Havaist Shuttle is one of the cheapest ways to get to Sultanahmet from Istanbul Airport, but it isn’t the easiest. You will need to take the HVIST-12 line to Beyazit Square because there is currently no direct route. You can take a tram to Sultanahmet from there (5 minutes). If it’s not too much trouble, note that you can’t pay for the bus with cash, just credit or charge card.
By TAXI FROM ISTANBUL AIRPORT TO SULTANAHMET
At least 20 Euros will get you from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet in a taxi.
TRANSFER IN PRIVATE FROM ISTANBUL TO SULTANAHMET
A confidential exchange from Istanbul Air terminal to Sultanahmet will cost no less than 50 Euros. Through Get Your Guide, you can schedule it in advance.
TOP ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN ISTANBUL
The ten most well-known tourist attractions in Istanbul are listed below. Most are situated inside a similar overall area so on the off chance that you plan well, you can visit them all in a few days.
The Hagia Sophia, also known as Ayasofya, is Istanbul’s most well-known landmark. Prior to the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome a thousand years later, it was regarded as the greatest church in Christianity at one point.
Topkapi Palace & Harem
From the 15th to the 19th centuries, Topkapi Palace and its harem served as the Ottoman Empire’s center. After the Hagia Sophia, it is the city’s most popular attraction.
The Blue Mosque, or Sultanahmet, may have been even more striking to me than the breathtaking Hagia Sophia. With its numerous domes and six imposing minarets, it is an impressive sight.
The Basilica Cistern is the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul. It was used in Dan Brown’s Inferno and the James Bond movie From Russia with Love. It has 336 marble columns, each measuring 9 meters (30 feet) tall, and can hold up to 80,000 cubic meters of water.
Dolmabahce Palace The largest palace in Turkey is Dolmabahce Palace. From 1856 to 1887 and from 1909 to 1922, it was the Ottoman Empire’s main administrative center.
Galata Tower, The Galata Tower is a well-known landmark that serves as the center of numerous photographs of Beyoglu and the Bosphorus Strait. It was built in 1348 and was the tallest structure in Istanbul for centuries. It was a watchtower, a prison, and a naval depot.
Grand Bazaar One of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets is Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. It has over 3,000 shops on 61 covered streets that sell everything from lamps to carpets to jewelry to leather goods to souvenirs. Sultanahmet Square is a short walk from the Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums
The Museum of the Ancient Orient, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the Archaeological Museum are the three museums that make up the Istanbul Archaeology Museums. You could easily spend an entire day visiting all three museums because there is so much to see and do here.
