Istanbul is a city that completely surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. Initially I was intrigued by a city that spans two continents, both Asia and Europe. However, with 5 days to explore, we soon discovered there so much more to Istanbul than just its location.
This was our first visit to Türkiye, and we made the decision not to spread ourselves too thin and focus our stay to the old Capital, Istanbul, formally Constantinople. When planning our trip to Egypt, we wanted to explore another destination nearby before our Viking Pharaohs and Pyramids Tour of Egypt, aboard Viking Osiris. Istanbul was a great choice!
Where to Stay in Istanbul
There was only one place I wanted to stay during our stay in Istanbul, The Pera Palace Hotel. I am a lover of history, and this place is full of it! I loved it so much I wrote a whole separate post on it. The Pera Palace Hotel is located in Beyoğlu, the historical Pera district on the European side of the Bosphorus river.
The hotel is not just a stunning hotel, it is a destination in itself, that should be on your Istanbul itinerary. To find out more details about this amazing hotel and why I loved it so much, read my post on where to stay in Istanbul.
Must-See Sights in Istanbul
There is SOOO much to see in Istanbul and after 5 days in the city, I feel we only just scratched the surface.
A good place to start is in the Sultanahmet district. From the Pera Palace Hotel, the Sultanahmet district is a short trip across the Galata Bridge to the other side of the Bosphorus. The Galata Bridge is fascinating to walk across. It has two levels, the top level being packed with fishermen day and night, trying their luck in the waters of the Bosphorus. The lower level is full of cafes, restaurants and shops and is the perfect place to stop a while and take in the magnificent views.
Sultanahmet District
The Sultanahmet district is the heart of Old Istanbul and is home to important historical landmarks. In fact, the top 5 sights are all here within easy walking distance of each other in what is known as Sultanahmet Square.
Originally, this was the site of the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, which was a massive arena holding chariot races and other public events. Evidence of the original structure is still visible, such as the Obelisk of Theodosius (an ancient Egyptian obelisk brought to the Hippodrome in the 4th century) and the stone Walled Obelisk. The Obelisk of Theodosius is inscribed with hieroglyphs and has reliefs on its base that show the installation of the obelisk (you can see it depicted on its side and men trying to erect it while important men watch from above).
I highly recommend guided tours of these historical places. There is so much history and information to learn about each one, you are really doing yourself a disservice by not having a guide. We did a package tour that included 4 of the big 5 sights, with flexibility so that we could break up the tours over 2 days if we wanted. The guides were fantastic and knowledgeable but didn’t waffle on too much. There was plenty of time to explore on our own and take photos, as I am prone to do!
The Blue Mosque
Stop number one on our tour was the magnificent Blue Mosque. Please note, there is a certain etiquette to adhere to when visiting mosques in Istanbul.
- Be respectful and quiet
- Ladies cover your head with a scarf or other covering
- wear modest clothing, cover shoulders and knees
- shoes off before you enter – there is usually an area to store/place shoes
The Blue Mosque is stunning! Officially called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it is one of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks. Recognizable by its six soaring minarets, and a massive central dome, the interior is adorned with over 20 000 hand-painted ceramic tiles in various shades of blue, which gives the mosque its name.
The central courtyard features a beautiful fountain and is lined with shaded arcades. Don’t miss visiting this Mosque, open to visitors outside of prayer times.
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Located opposite the Blue Mosque is the historic architectural masterpiece of Hagia Sophia. This Mosque is over a thousand years older than the Blue Mosque….a thousand years!! Built in 537 BC, over the years it has served as a Cathedral, a mosque, a museum and once again as a mosque.
Interestingly, Hagia Sophia still contains Christian art from when it was a cathedral, some of which are partially covered, now that it is a mosque. In Islamic tradition, iconography depicting human or animal figures is prohibited, to allow more focus on Allah. Consequently, the images are covered and that is why mosques are decorated with such beautiful mosaics, calligraphy and carvings, rather than paintings.
Basilica Cistern
Made famous in the James Bond and Inferno movies, the Basilica Cistern is an underground wonder. Built in 532 BC, the Cistern is a massive underground water reservoir. It once supplied water to Constantinople and the palace. It amazes me how clever these ancient civilizations were. The Cistern once contained fish, which made it very easy to detect poison in the water supply. Each of the 336 supporting columns have been repurposed from ancient structures, that is why they are all different in appearance. The initials of the original craftsmen that built the original columns can still be seen.
Highlights were the Medusa head sculptures, believed to have been placed down there underground by the Christians in an attempt to rid the city of pagan statues, and possibly to make a statement by turning them upside down. Tradition is to throw a coin in there and make a wish. Yes, of course I did!
The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Established in the 15th century and covering over 60 streets, it is a vibrant hub of over 4000 shops!
I was expecting to be bombarded with aggressive hawkers trying to sell their wares. Surprisingly, the whole experience was quite pleasant, unlike our experience in Egypt. We felt no pressure to buy, as long as we didn’t make any promises, and really enjoyed wandering through the maze of stalls and streets. It would be very easy to get lost in there, we made sure we kept track of where we had turned, so we could find our way out again!
Topkapi Palace
Allow extra time to explore the amazing Topkapi Palace. We waited until the next day to tour the expansive palace grounds, and I’m so glad we did as there is so much to see. We met our guide at a cafe next to the entrance and as it turned out we were his only clients, so we had a wonderful private guided tour. It was fantastic!
Built in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, Topkapi Palace served as the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years! The architecture, courtyards and tile work are stunning.
The Harem
You can view the Harem, which was my personal favourite, with gold bathroom fittings and magnificent tile work in some of the rooms. The Harem was not only the residence of the Sultan’s concubines but also where his mother lived. Our guide told us about the etiquette involved in the Harem, how it operated and who was allowed to enter – only eunuchs were permitted inside the outer walls to deliver food. The whole running and workings of the Harem were fascinating to learn about.
The golden bathroom has a story to tell too. You will see a section of the bathroom that is caged. This was for the sultan, he locked himself in there, so that he may be safe from assassins while his back was turned using the facilities!
The Treasury
The treasury is amazing! So many treasures, it is jaw-dropping. Jewel encrusted swords, weaponry, exquisite chess pieces from the 16th century, jewels, clothing and even personal belongings of the prophet Muhammed!
Other Buildings
Explore the courtyards, the library and the kitchen as well as enjoying the amazing views of the Bosphorus. Topkapi Palace is a UNESCO World heritage site and not to be missed when visiting Istanbul. I was blown away by the grandness of it and the history that has taken place inside its walls.
Discover Lesser-Known Mosques
After you have ticked off the big-ticket items listed above, make sure you explore the lesser-known mosques in Istanbul. They are no less magnificent but are less crowded, more peaceful and just generally a lovely cultural experience.
The Suleymaniye Mosque is a stunning mosque built in the mid 1500’s, with a huge central dome surrounded by semi-domes and minarets. It has a large central courtyard and the whole complex includes a school, baths and a hospital. The peaceful green grounds of the mosque were lovely to wander through and had magnificent views over the Golden Horn.
There were several other mosques we stumbled across that are very impressive, too many to include here…. you’ll just have to discover them for yourself!
The Beyoğlu District
Located on the European side of Istanbul, the Beyoğlu district is known for its shopping, vibrant nightlife, and iconic landmarks.
Walk the length of Istiklal Avenue, the premiere shopping street. Ride the Taksim historic old tram line along Istiklal Avenue to Taksim Square to see the Republic Monument.
Climb to the top of the Galata Tower for panoramic views of Istanbul. Originally built in 1348 as a part of fortifications, the tower stands 67 meters tall and is easily recognized by its conical roof and cylindrical stone structure.
Discover amazing street art including the Freddie Mercury mural and other landmarks like the Kamondo Stairs, built by a wealthy Jewish family to more easily negotiate the steep slope between Bankalar Street and the upper Galata area. Find a rooftop bar to enjoy a beverage while watching a stunning Turkish sunset.
Our hotel was in this district, so we explored this area quite a bit and found awesome restaurants and even a cool jazz bar all within walking distance.
Must-Do Experiences in Istanbul
Gallipoli Peninsular Day Tour
I am Australian and the Gallipoli Peninsular is sort of like an unofficial pilgrimage for Australians. Thousands travel to Gallipoli to commemorate ANZAC day every year. Although we weren’t in Türkiye in April for ANZAC Day, we still really wanted to see the place where so many Australian soldiers fought and died in WWI.
The Gallipoli Day Trip from Istanbul is a BIG day and depending on which hotel you are staying in, can be a very long day, approximately 14 hours. We were totally fine with a long day. The roads to Canakkale were very good, better than the ones at home, so it was a smooth ride. We stopped for food and bathroom use along the way.
I was surprised how much I liked this tour. I didn’t think there was actually much to see except the beach, but I was wrong. There is so much that I didn’t know! I am in education, so I teach simple lessons on why we celebrate ANZAC day in Australia. I soon realized there is so much that I didn’t know, or that I actually had wrong!
I was particularly moved by this quote from Turkish leader Mufasa Ataturk to all mothers who lost sons in the war.
The tour includes visiting ANZAC Cove, the Lone Pine Memorial, several cemeteries, Johnston’s Jolly to see the original Allied and Turkish trenches and the Nek. It was moving, serene, and a highlight of our trip. I highly recommend this tour.
Food Tour
The food in Istanbul is amazing! Everything we ate was so delicious. One of the best experiences that we did in Istanbul was the Tastes of Two Continents Food Tour. It is a small group tour starting in the Sultanahmet neighbourhood, on the European continent, where you head to the local markets with your guide to purchase and sample some produce for your breakfast.
After the markets, we headed to a local cafe, where our delicious breakfast spread was prepared. Our guide explained the dishes we were eating, as well as some of the cultural practices observed during mealtimes.
Without feeling rushed, we finished breakfast, walked to the nearby ferry and caught a ferry over to Asia, where the rest of the tour continued. Highlights of the tour included lunch at Ciya’s restaurant, a traditional kebab meal (not served on a stick) as well as a bit of a walking tour of the Kadikoy neighbourhood.
I highly recommend you do the Tastes of Two Continents Food tour. You don’t walk away feeling bloated and sick from eating too much, and it is pretty cool to say that in one day you ate breakfast in Europe and lunch in Asia! It was fantastic, 5 stars!
Bosphorus River Cruise
This was one activity we didn’t to do, but many people recommended. There are dinner cruises available as well day cruises stopping at landmarks along the way for you to explore. I will include a link here to several options.
We chose to use the ferries, rather than a cruise, to quickly explore just a little further up the Bosphorus. We ventured to the Balat district, known for its colourful houses, cobblestone streets and cafe culture. The weather was not on our side, however, and it was wet and freezing! So, we had a brief wander, before stopping at a colourful cafe to warm up. To be honest, I just wanted to take a photo of their colourful cafe courtyard, but passersby were strictly forbidden from doing so, by the staff member watching studiously, unless you bought something from the cafe. A bit ridiculous but we were cold and ready to defrost anyway.
Try the National Drinks
Although alcohol is forbidden in Islamic culture, Istanbul is in that unique position of being between the two worlds of East and West. Consequently, even though Turkish tea and coffee would have to be the most popular drinks, the unofficial national drink of Türkiye is an alcoholic liqueur called Raki. There is also the popular, traditional yoghurt drink called Ayran.
We tried all four beverages, and I highly recommend that you do so also.
Turkish Tea
The tea is served black, in a tulip shaped glass, designed to encourage slow sipping, and generally served with lots of sugar added. It is the most popular hot drink consumed in Turkiye, followed closely by Turkish coffee.
Turkish Coffee
Thier coffee is thick, dark and rich in flavour. It is the brewing method of Turkish coffee that makes it different to other coffees around the world. The traditional method is to cook the coffee on the stovetop in a small metal pot called a cezve. Alternatively, it can be cooked in hot sand rather than directly over a flame. The coffee is served unfiltered, so enjoy the little sweet treat often served with your coffee while you wait for it to cool and for the coffee grounds to settle to the bottom of the cup. Be aware of the grounds as you near to finishing, or you’ll end up with a mouthful of them!
Raki
The unofficial National drink of Raki is a twice distilled grape liqueur that is flavoured with aniseed. It has a similar taste to Ouzo or Sambuca. The traditional way of drinking it is in a special glass filled just under halfway with the clear Raki. The addition of water and ice turns the clear liqueur milky white, hence the drink’s nickname of Lions Milk. Well, the nickname can be attributed to the colour, but also to the fact that it has alcohol level of 40%, so be careful!
Ayran
Ayran is a non-alcoholic creamy, traditional drink made of yoghurt, water and a pinch of salt. Not really to my taste, but I’m glad we tried it.
Eat Turkish Delight
It goes without saying that when visiting Türkiye, you must sample some Turkish Delight! The guide from our food tour recommended a shop in the Beyoğlu district for us to buy our Turkish Delight from. I can’t seem to find a website for Osmanlizadeler, but you can look it up. I highly recommend you stock up on some supplies of Turkish Delight here, the variety and taste were AMAZING!
Get a Turkish Massage
When researching for this trip, I saw videos on what to expect from a traditional Turkish massage in a Turkish bathhouse or Hammam. It looked frightening and to be honest I was a little scared to try it myself due to back issues I have but was super keen for my husband to get the full treatment! For those keen to try one, here is a link at a traditional Hammam experience.
Unfortunately, my husband had also seen the videos and declined to being submitted to what can only be described as a good old ‘slap-fest’. Shame, it would have made good content and kept me laughing for weeks! I know that I wouldn’t have been allowed to witness his massage because the sexes are separated in traditional massages, but I know his description of the experience would have been almost as good as being there.
Watch the Sunset from a Rooftop Bar
Is there a more perfect way to end your stay in Istanbul than by heading to a rooftop bar, watching the sun set behind the domed roofs of historical Mosques, listening to the moving call to prayer as it rings out across the city, with a cool beverage in hand reflecting on what an amazing city Istanbul is? I don’t think so.
The thousands of years of history in this city blows my mind. Istanbul has piqued my interest in this country, and I am excited to see more of it. I know I will return to Türkiye and explore further afield.
Deb Morrow is a wife and mum of two in her 50’s, who works in education. She has a passion for travel and through sharing her travel experiences, tips and recommendations, wants to encourage other women her age to start making time for themselves, grab their besties, and go see the world!
