Ever been to Turkey? This country is filled with wonderful experiences, starting in Istanbul, a dense, bustling city with so much to do. To cut through the myriad of possibilities, our local experts have hand-picked the very best places to see and things to do in Istanbul to make planning an itinerary easy.
This carefully curated list of things to do in Istanbul highlights the bucket-list sights mature travellers will enjoy and skips the nightclubs.
A local guide to Istanbul: best things to do
Starting with the iconic locations to see and moving through where to find food and buy souvenirs, this complete guide to two days in Istanbul provides an actionable itinerary.
See the Blue Mosque
The stunning Blue Mosque is a significant religious site, gracefully built at the seaside with the ocean horizon providing spectacular photos. Constructed between 1609 and 1617, the six towering minarets reflect the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire.
This mosque gets its name from the interior, where blue Iznik tiles cover the walls. Despite being a popular destination for visitors and so close to other key sites of Istanbul, the mosque and surrounding streets maintain a calm atmosphere.
Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia (“Holy Wisdom”) Grand Mosque is a mosque, former church, and museum, a central place for religious, political and artistic life in Istanbul for centuries. When Sultan Mehmed conquered Constantinople in 1453, it was designated as a Muslim site of worship.
This iconic landmark is a living building, with a continually evolving role in the lives of Istanbul’s population. Inside, the most stunning feature is the ‘floating’ dome, which hovers in the ceiling, supported by innovative triangular structures designed by engineer Isidore of Miletus and mathematician Anthemius of Tralles thousands of years ago.
The building was originally built during a period of iconoclasm, so featured no mosaics. However, as the purpose of the structure evolved, images of the Virgin Mary with the Baby Christ, seraphim, portraits of emperors and other decorations like stained glass windows have been added over time.
The mosque is UNESCO World Hertiage-listed and tells an ongoing story of the political and religious changes in Istanbul — it’s well worth the visit, with a local guide who can tell the stories of this wonderful ancient structure.
Visit the Underground Basilica Cistern
Southwest of Hagia Sophia is an enormous underground reservoir that dates to the fourth century. It’s known as the “Sunken Palace” or “sunken cistern” and it was built to hold water transported from the Belgrade Forest by the massive Byzantine aqueducts.
Water stored in this underground chamber was used for the Great Palace and Topkapi Palace during the Byzantine and Ottoman rulers. In 1545 it was rediscovered after a period of disuse by Frenchman Petrus Gyllius, who noticed that locals were selling very fresh fish nearby, caught in wells that they had sunk into the cistern from their homes.
There are 12 rows of 28 columns, a total of 336 columns, supporting the structure and it is the size of a cathedral at 143m long and 65m wide, with a capacity of 17.5 million gallons of water.
Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, Turkey by Silvia Schweininge
The eerie atmosphere inspired thriller writers and some will recognise it from the 1963 James Bond film ‘From Russia with Love’ where Sean Connery (as Bond) rows across it, or the exciting climax of Dan Brown’s Inferno (2016) starring Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon.
Hippodrome of Constantinople
At the heart of Istanbul between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque is the Hippodrome. Now it’s an extensive parkland but in ancient Roman times it was the centre of civic life, a place that witnessed chariot races, riots, political upheaval and theological controversy.
The Hippodrome was built in 203 AD by Emperor Severus and held around 100,000 spectators. Today it’s easy to walk right through the central square without realising what was once here. Have a local guide point out the obelisk, Delphi Serpent Column and look for the information plaques at the obelisks that explain the history and significance.
Explore Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey by Annelieke Huijgens
Topkapi Palace is one of the world’s largest surviving palaces, now a museum and library, located east of the Faith district in Istanbul. It was built under the instruction of Sultan Mehmed II, several years after he conquered Constantinople.
The palace served as the home of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years, with space for up to 300 concubines and 200 eunuchs to reside, sprawling pavilions, kitchens, a library and the Treasury.
Hear the stories of the traditions, ceremonies of daily life and the education the girls of the Harem received. The museum also holds a collection of jewels, including the famous Topkapi Dagger, which legend tells was once used in an attempted assassination of Sultan Abdul Hamid in 1909. The dagger was also the subject of a 1964 American Technicolour heist film ‘Topkapi’.
Visit the exotic Spice Bazaar
This indoor market was built in the 17th century and is famous for its rich and diverse herbs and spices. It’s colourful and fragrant, and visitors can taste the wares of the shops lining the alleys. Look for baklava, taste traditional Turkish tea, sample dried fruits and buy herbal remedies for every ailment in this extensive marketplace.
Every spice imaginable is available in vibrant domed heaps. Look for Turkish spices like sumac, pul biber, nar eksisi syrup and corek otu to bring the flavours of Turkey home.
Spice bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey by Sacha Bunnik
Walk through the Neighbourhoods of Faith
Balat is Istanbul’s best-kept secret. This historical Jewish neighbourhood of Istanbul was formed when the Sultan sent a fleet to Spain to rescue Jews persecuted under the Spanish Inquisition. Now it’s a charming blended district but it still has three active synagogues. Children play in the streets and some of the colourful Ottoman houses are beautifully restored.
Adjacent to Balat is Fener, a historic Greek neighbourhood on the shores of the Golden Horn. This was the centre of Christianity in Istanbul and has remained the predominant Greek neighbourhood since the 1600s.
It contains historic architecture, with churches, synagogues and mosques demonstrating how Judaism, Christianity and Muslim faiths co-existed. Fener was an important cultural and commercial centre during the Ottoman Empire and the chosen home of foreign merchants and diplomats.
Practice bargaining at the Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with thousands of shops selling everything imaginable spread across dozens of streets. Practice bargaining with the local shopkeepers, or simply enjoy the colour, sounds and smells.
Even for those not looking to purchase anything (packing light often means a tightly organised suitcase), the markets are well worth a visit to see the locally made cloth, hear buskers and vendors at work and smell (or even taste!) the street food for sale.
Try Turkey’s famous delicacies and sweet treats
For coffee lovers, Turkey is a paradise. In Istanbul, there are specialist coffee roasters with diverse menus that feature single-origin beans and carefully crafted blends. A variety of brewing methods enable the discerning sipper to fully experience the rich flavours of each cup.
Dondurma is Turkish ice cream, made from a blend of goat, sheep and cow’s milk, sugar and salep. It does not melt and is chewy and stretchy. It’s tradition for vendors to perform magic tricks while waiting for customers, demonstrating the confectionary’s unique properties — this is well worth seeing!
Sweet treats, Istanbul, Turkey by Dennis Bunnik
Cruise along the Bosphorus Strait between Asia and Europe
To properly experience the waterway linking Europe and Asia, a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait is the easiest way to see the monuments and districts. Rest on deck and watch the monuments pass by as sea birds whirl overhead.
A cruise will pass by the Maiden’s Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy where there is a graceful coastal mosque, Ahmat Fethi Pasa Mansion, Ortakoy Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kuleli Military Schools and several coastal towns.
Engaging a local guide during the cruise is highly recommended to hear the best stories belonging to each new site.
Taste the local fast food in Eminonu
Along the coast of Eminonu street food is served directly from boats rocking along the shore. Join local families from all over Istanbul to enjoy a balik ekmek — this toasted fish sandwich is delicious at any time of day.
With views across the Bosphorus and the joyous sounds of local commerce, a freshly toasted sandwich has never been more flavourful.
Spend a delightful day or two in Istanbul seeing the iconic attractions and blend of cultures and religions
Istanbul is well worth adding to a bucket list — just two days spent exploring will instil in any visitor a deep appreciation for the rich history, culture and cosmopolitan nature of this wonderful city.
Travelling with a small group takes the trickiness out of planning — meaning more time to sightsee, connect and engage with the destination. Choose from a luxury tour of Turkey, combine Turkey with Greece, or make time to explore Turkey in depth. Istanbul awaits!
Frequently asked questions
What should you not miss in Istanbul?
The historic centre of Istanbul contains an abundance of top attractions in a small area, making it easy to see the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar in a day.
How can I experience local culture in Istanbul?
Visit the Neighbourhoods of Faith in Balat and Fener to experience how various religious communities have coexisted for centuries and to see the daily lives of families as children play, people hang out washing and undertake trades. The Grand Bazaar is another way to witness the daily economic activity of Istanbul and engage in the local community.
What is considered impolite in Istanbul?
Pointing directly at someone is considered rude, and public displays of affection are uncommon among locals. Remove shoes when entering a home and when seated, avoid pointing the sole of your foot towards another person.