Travel Guide For Istanbul
Istanbul Travel guide 2022
Istanbul is awesome. It’s one of the maximum awe-inspiring cities we’ve been to to this point. Home to breathtaking architecture, delicious meals, and a number of the warmest, maximum sincerely hospitable human beings we’ve ever met on our travels, it’s a town we would love to visit again and again.
If you’re seeking to visit Istanbul for the primary time, then I wish this complete travel guide can help you plan your trip. It will let you know the whole lot you want to understand from wherein to stay, which attractions to look, and of course, what meals to consume.
We enjoyed Istanbul so much that we should actually see ourselves residing there. Spend just sooner or later in this charming metropolis and I received’t be amazed if you sense the equal manner too.
ISTANBUL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Because of the contemporary worldwide state of affairs, Istanbul journey hints were changing regularly. Our friends at Booking.Com and airheart created websites that listing targeted statistics on journey restrictions around the globe.
Before doing any critical ride making plans, make sure to test Booking.Com or airheart for records on travel regulations to Turkey. If you do determine to go to Istanbul, then it’s strongly encouraged that you get travel coverage with COVID insurance.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN E-VISA TO TURKEY
Applying for an e-visa to Turkey is simple. Everything is performed on-line and you may have your visa in mins. Check out my submit on how to follow for an e-Visa to Turkey for a step-by using-step procedure. You also can follow for a Turkey e-visa thru iVisa.Com.
ISTANBUL AT A GLANCE
Istanbul is the monetary, economic, and cultural middle of Turkey. It’s also the united states of america’s largest metropolis with a population of just over 15 million humans, making it one in every of the biggest towns in Europe and the world. For the ones reasons, it’s herbal to count on that Istanbul is Turkey’s capital but it isn’t. That distinction is going to Ankara.
Located on each aspects of the Bosphorus, what makes Istanbul geographically exciting is that it’s one among a handful of towns that straddles two continents. The western half of of the city is situated in Europe even as the eastern 1/2 is positioned in Asia.
The Asian facet is basically residential so that you’ll find maximum of the metropolis’s important sights clustered within districts at the European aspect – Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu. First-time site visitors to the city may be spending tons of their time in those districts.
Istanbul is a city steeped in records and culture so there is an awful lot to see and do there. From its Byzantine churches decorated with mosaics and frescoes to its fantastic mosques embellished with the aid of sky-high minarets, Istanbul is a city on the way to mesmerize you at every turn.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ISTANBUL
Spring (March-May) is the great time to visit Istanbul, accompanied by means of Autumn (September-November). Crowds are thinner and the weather is moderate throughout both seasons, even though Autumn sees greater rain than Spring.
We went in early November and the weather become close to best. I become cushty walking round in a mild jacket with just a t-blouse interior. It changed into overcast on a couple of days however it by no means rained.
Fans of tulips — which might be firstly from Turkey, not Holland — could be pleased to realize that the International Tulip Festival is held in April with millions of tulips in bloom at some point of the metropolis.
MAR-MAY: This is the great time to visit Istanbul. The weather is especially slight and dry and the metropolis might be awash with coloration. The next time we go to Istanbul, it'll surely be in April to take part in the tulip pageant.
JUNE-AUG: Apart from being the busiest time of the yr, June till August can get pretty warm and humid — up to 28°C/82°F. Lines are at their longest and fees at their peak during this time.
SEPT-NOV: Like Spring, Autumn is a exquisite time to visit Istanbul. The climate is comparable although it does get rainier inside the Fall as described.
DEC-FEB: December until February is low season in Istanbul. It’s the wettest and coldest time of the 12 months so make certain to get dressed accurately. It can get rainy and snowy with temperatures dropping down to a frigid 3°C/37°F.
Climate: Annual Monthly Weather in Istanbul
Check out vacation-climate.Com for extra at the weather in Istanbul. To make it simpler for you, I’ve created common temperature and annual rainfall graphs underneath. Suggested months to visit are coloured in orange.
TRAVELING TO ISTANBUL
International flights might be arriving at both Istanbul (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). Assuming you’ll be staying in either Sultanahmet or Taksim (Beyoğlu), right here’s the way you get to each regions from both airport.
From Istanbul Airport
BY HAVAIST SHUTTLE: One of the most inexpensive ways to get to Sultanahmet from Istanbul Airport is with the aid of Havaist Shuttle (35TL), but it isn’t the very best. At this time, there’s no direct path so that you’ll want to capture the HVIST-12 line to Beyazit Square. From there, you could take a tram to Sultanahmet (five mins). Please word that you can not pay for the commute with coins, simplest credit score or debit card. Please confer with this website for greater information.
BY PRIVATE TRANSFER: A personal transfer from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet will cost at the least 50 Euros. You can e-book it earlier through Get Your Guide.
To Taksim
BY HAVAIST SHUTTLE: This is the perfect manner to get to Taksim from Istanbul Airport. For 35TL, you could take the HVIST-sixteen line all of the manner to its remaining prevent which is close to Taksim Square. Please notice which you can not pay for the trip with cash, most effective credit score or debit card. You can check with this website for more facts.
BY PRIVATE TRANSFER: A non-public switch from Istanbul Airport to Taksim will value at least 50 Euros. You can e book it earlier thru Bookaway.
From Sabiha Gökçen Airport
To Sultanahmet
BY HAVABUS: Take the Havabus certain for Taksim (37.50TL). From Taksim, you can either take a taxi to Sultanahmet or walk to the Taksim metro station and take the Taksim-Kabatas funicular to Kabatas (5 minutes). From Kabatas, you can take the tram to Sultanahmet station (25 mins). You can confer with this website for more facts.
Alternatively, you could take the Havabus from the airport to Kadıköy (28TL). Once in Kadıköy, walk to the Şehir Hatları dock and take the ferry to Eminönü (30 minutes). From there, you could both take a taxi for your lodge in Sultanahmet or walk to the Eminönü station and take the tram to Sultanahmet (15 minutes). You can check this website for greater statistics.
BY TAXI: A taxi from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Sultanahmet will value you around 210TL.
BY PRIVATE TRANSFER: A non-public transfer from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Sultanahmet will price at the least 49 Euros. You can ebook it earlier through Get Your Guide.
To Taksim
BY HAVABUS: Take the Havabus sure for Taksim (37.50TL). From there, you could walk or take a taxi in your resort. You can confer with this internet site for greater data.
BY TAXI: A taxi from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Taksim will price you round 210TL.
BY PRIVATE TRANSFER: A non-public transfer from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Taksim will price as a minimum 49 Euros. You can e book it earlier through Bookaway.
Things to Remember
If you’ll be taking public transportation in Istanbul, then you could shop on the fare by means of buying an Istanbulkart. Jump to the TRAVEL TIPS section of this guide for more records.
There are countless hotels in Istanbul. If you’ll be taking a taxi, then it’s fine that you have a printout or screenshot of your inn’s entire address and telephone quantity to expose the driving force.
*Approximate taxi fares and tour times indicated above had been derived from the Istanbeautiful internet site.
This Istanbul travel guide assumed you’ll be arriving by way of plane, however there may be others methods of getting there depending on where you're. You can take a look at Bookaway or use the widget underneath to find path alternatives to be had to you.
WHERE TO EXCHANGE CURRENCY
Turkey’s unit of currency is the Turkish Lira (TL).
You can change forex at popular tourist regions like Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar, around Taksim Square and Istiklal Cadessi, etc. Rates are stated to be excellent on the Grand Bazaar and Sultanahmet but the differences may be insignificant.
You won’t get the high-quality charges on the airports so if you want to alternate forex to get into the metropolis, then you definitely have to only exchange a small amount.
Another choice is to withdraw TL from an ATM. It’s faster than changing paper currency and the prices are comparable, some say even higher.
Just make sure to contact your bank earlier than your journey as they may must spark off it for remote places use. In my revel in, my card works in a few machines however no longer in others. I didn’t have any troubles anywhere in Turkey.
NOTE: Some ATM machines might also ask if you need to proceed “with or without conversion”. Always continue WITHOUT conversion so your neighborhood financial institution does the conversion for you. Proceeding “with conversion” authorizes the foreign bank operating the ATM to do the conversion, typically at very poor rates. According to this text, the distinction between costs may be as high as 10% or more.
BEST AREAS TO STAY IN ISTANBUL
Based on what we found out from our journey, there are two perfect places to stay in Istanbul for first-time visitors — Sultanahmet and Taksim (Beyoğlu).
I’ve created the colour-coded map below that will help you apprehend where those advocated neighborhoods are. Click at the hyperlink for an interactive version of the map. (Please note that marked areas are approximations only)
SULTANAHMET
The Sultanahmet region is wherein most of the most important tourist sites are positioned. If you’re visiting to Istanbul for the primary time and trying to go to its pinnacle tourist sights, then there’s no higher region to stay than Sultanahmet. Here are a few top-rated accommodations in Sultanahmet:
Luxury: Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul, Curio Collection with the aid of Hilton
Midrange: Romance Istanbul Hotel Boutique Class
Budget: Erenler HoTeL & HosTeL
You can take a look at these web sites to search for extra lodges within the Sultanahmet vicinity: Booking.Com need a more present day aspect to Istanbul while nevertheless having smooth get admission to to the Sultanahmet vicinity, then Beyoğlu around Taksim Square may be the better preference.
It’s domestic to the popular buying street of Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) in addition to a number of contemporary bars and clubs. It’s only a funicular and tram journey away to Sultanahmet making it ideal for first-time visitors as nicely. Check out those top-rated accommodations in Taksim:
Luxury: Pera Palace Hotel
Midrange: Hammamhane
Budget: Hostel Le Banc
You can take a look at those websites to look for greater hotels round Taksim Square: Booking.Com also can e-book accommodations and homestays in Istanbul using the reachable map underneath.
TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN ISTANBUL
Listed underneath are ten of the maximum famous tourist sights in Istanbul. Most are positioned within the equal general place so if you plan nicely, then you may visit them all in two or 3 days.
I’ll describe them in short beneath but you may leap to the THINGS TO DO segment for recommendations on how you could group them together to maximise a while. If you intend on journeying many of those points of interest, then we strongly advocate getting an Istanbul tourist bargain pass.
1. Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya is the most iconic structure in Istanbul. It become once appeared because the finest church in Christendom and was at one point the largest church ever constructed until St Peter’s Basilica was constructed one thousand years later in Rome.
If you were to go to simply one visitor appeal in Istanbul, then it ought to be Hagia Sophia. Check out my article on Sultanahmet Square for greater photographs and information.
2. Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet)
Hagia Sophia become breathtaking but for me, the Blue Mosque or Sultanahmet might also had been even more putting. It’s an imposing sight with its many domes and 6 towering minarets.
Sultanahmet is grey from the outside however it gets its name from the tens of thousands of blue Iznik tiles that embellish its indoors.
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
Admission: FREE
three. Basilica Cistern
Featured in Dan Brown’s Inferno and the James Bond movie From Russia with Love, the Basilica Cistern is the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul. It can keep as much as 80,000 cubic meters (2,800,000 cu ft) of water and contains 336 marble columns every measuring nine meters (30 toes) high.
Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, Turkey
Admission: 30TL
four. Topkapi Palace & Harem
Topkapi Palace turned into the courtroom of the Ottoman Empire from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries. It’s the second most visited enchantment inside the city, after Hagia Sophia.
Spread out over an area masking seven-hundred,000 squarem (7.5 million squareft), there’s much to see at Topkapi Palace. Don’t miss its lavish Harem and its Treasury providing treasured gem stones and artifacts, none extra awesome possibly than the 86 carat Kasıkçı (Spoonmaker’s) Diamond.
Check out my article on Topkapi Palace for more snap shots and facts.
Inside the Harem at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey
Admission: 320TL (Palace, Hagia Irene) / 420TL (Palace, Hagia Irene, Harem)
5. Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace is the biggest palace in Turkey. It served as the principle administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and from 1909 until 1922. Spread out over a place covering 11.1 acres, it incorporates 285 rooms, 46 halls, and six baths (hamam).
Gate of the Sultan at Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul, Turkey
Admission: 300TL
6. Galata Tower
Galata Tower is an iconic landmark and the point of interest of many snap shots featuring the Bosphorus Strait and Beyoglu. Built in 1348, it served as a watchtower, a prison, and a naval depot, and stood for hundreds of years because the tallest shape in Istanbul.
Galata Tower, Istanbul, Turkey
Admission: 130TL
7. Grand Bazaar
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is one of the international’s oldest and biggest included markets. It includes 61 protected streets and over three,000 shops selling everything from lamps, carpets, rings, leather items, ceramics, and souvenirs.
Both the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are inside walking distance from Sultanahmet Square. Click at the link for a DIY strolling tour of Istanbul’s Bazaars and Rüstem Pasha Mosque, a small however lovely mosque close to the Spice Bazaar.
You can without problems visit the Grand and Spice Bazaars in your personal but if you’d like to go on a guided excursion, then you may e book one through Get Your Guide. Having a guide may be helpful, specifically on the Grand bazaar as it’s so massive. Follow the hyperlink to check out Get Your Guide’s Grand and Spice Bazaar tours.
Wares for sale on the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey
eight. Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar
The Egyptian or Spice Bazaar is considerably smaller than the Grand Bazaar but in case you like to prepare dinner, then you definitely’ll probably spend even more time here.
The bazaar is domestic to approximately a hundred shops promoting a colourful and fragrant assortment of spices, teas, nuts, dried fruit, and certainly one of my favourite memento meals gadgets from Istanbul – lokum or Turkish pride.
Spices on the market on the Egyptian Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey
9. Istanbul Archaeology Museums
The Istanbul Archaeology Museums is comprised of three museums – the Museum of the Ancient Orient, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the Archaeological Museum. With a lot to peer right here, you can effortlessly spend an entire day going thru all 3 museums.
Check out my article at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums for more snap shots and facts.
Sarcophagi at the Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Admission: 60TL
10. Chora Church (Kariye Museum) – Temporarily Closed (May 2022)
Compared to the alternative points of interest on this list, Chora Church is out of the way however it’s nicely well worth the effort. It’s domestic to what many accept as true with to be the maximum stunning mosaics in Istanbul.
Check out my publish on Chora Church (Kariye Museum) in Istanbul for greater pix and facts. We visited on our personal but if you’d like to go with a guide, then you may pick from considered one of several Get Your Guide excursions that make stops at Chora Church.
Mosaics internal Chora Church in Istanbul, Turkey
THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL
1. Visit Sultanahmet’s Top Tourist Attractions
As defined, Sultanahmet is domestic to the city’s maximum important attractions like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and the Blue Mosque. No first-time go to to Istanbul can be complete with out travelling all of these places.
Travelers pressed for time can click on on the link below to find out how you may visit those sights in one day. But if you have greater time, then it might be exceptional to spread them out over days.
You can check my submit on the top sights at Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul for greater images and statistics, but here’s a quick rundown of what you a can discover there:
Ayasofya: The maximum iconic website in Istanbul and once taken into consideration the best church in Christendom.
Sultanahmet: One of the most placing mosques in Istanbul.
Basilica Cistern: The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul.
At Meydani: The former region of the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
Ibrahim Pasa Palace: Museum offering an excellent collection of calligraphy and rugs.
Topkapi Palace: The court of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums: Museum of the Ancient Orient, Tiled Pavilion, Archaeological Museum.
We visited these types of sites on our personal however in case you want a better enjoy, then you may want to go on a guided tour. Get Your Guide gives many specific styles of Istanbul excursions, two in their maximum popular being the Highlights of Istanbul Tour and the Half-Day Highlights Guided Tour.
If you simply want clean get right of entry to to Istanbul’s pinnacle attractions with out a manual, then some other alternative would be to head on a Big Bus Tour. Double-decker buses ply set routes that take you to among the top points of interest in Istanbul, and you could hop on and off as normally as you need for the duration of your skip. Very convenient certainly.
Inside Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
2. Walk Across Galata Bridge and Explore Beyoğlu and Dolmabahce Palace
Home to the iconic Galata Tower and Dolmabahce Palace as well as the metropolis’s most fashionable boulevard in Istiklal Caddesi, the neighborhoods across Galata Bridge provide an exciting mix of old and new that’s specific in sense to the time-venerated allure of Sultanahmet.
If you enjoy shopping, precise food, and perhaps a flavor of Istanbul’s nightlife, then this is in which you want to be. You can test my publish on Galata Bridge, Beyoğlu, and Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul for extra pix and information, however right here’s a brief rundown of what you a can discover there:
Galata Bridge: Bridge connecting the north and south of European Istanbul.
Galata Tower: Former watchtower presenting incredible perspectives of the metropolis.
Istiklal Caddesi: The coronary heart of Beyoğlu and Istanbul’s most famous avenue.
Dolmabahce Palace: The biggest palace in Turkey.
As defined, you could go to some of these web sites on your personal, however you could need to don't forget a guided tour as properly, especially if you need to learn greater approximately every vicinity.
Get Your Guide’s 2-Day Highlights of Istanbul Tour covers Dolmabahce Palace, Istiklal Street, and Taksim. The Big Bus Tour will take you to these places as properly.
Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul, Turkey
three. Take a Cruise on the Bosphorus with Şehir Hatları
Going on a scenic all-day cruise of the Bosphorus is one in all Istanbul’s finest pleasures in keeping with many. They’re proper.
Şehir Hatları is Istanbul’s reputable ferry corporation and offers three Bosphorus Cruises — Full, Short, and Moonlight (Evening). The Short Cruise takes you on a -hour loop whilst the Full and Moonlight Cruises remaining for 6 hours and take you all of the manner to Anadolu Kavağı, that's the closing dock earlier than the Black Sea.
It’s a captivating seashore town where you could have a scrumptious seafood lunch or dinner by means of the water. Check out my publish at the Bosphorus Cruise with Şehir Hatları for greater pix and records.
You can without difficulty e-book a Bosphorus cruise yourself on the ferry dock, however you can arrange for one earlier as well thru Get Your Guide. They provide many variations of the Bosphorus cruise, a few even bundled with onboard dinner and a display. Follow the link to check out Bosphorus cruise options on Get Your Guide.
Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey
Activity Duration: 2 or 6 hrs
Cost: 50TL (Full), 24TL (Short)
4. Go on a Culinary Walk
Turkish cuisine is interesting. It’s colourful and nuanced and seems as diverse as the us of a’s panorama. Enjoy one meal at Ciya Sofrasi and also you’ll see what I suggest.
We did all our very own food research but in hindsight, I would have cherished to go on a meals tour. I think Turkish cuisine is exceptional preferred (and understood) with the guidance of a knowledgeable nearby. Get Your Guide assist you to with that.
Egyptian Spice Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey
five. Explore the Trendy Asian Side (Kadikoy)
With the bulk of traveller sights placed on the European aspect, maximum first-time vacationers to Istanbul don’t challenge into the Asian facet of the town. Had it no longer been for Çiya Sofrası and Walter’s Coffee Roastery, then we wouldn’t have long gone there either.
Home to a maze of cafes, bars, restaurants, and some modern-day neighborhoods, Kadikoy and the Asian side has a great deal to provide and is well really worth a day if you could spare it.
6. Take a Cooking Class
We haven’t carried out this in Turkey however we frequently take cooking lessons each time we tour. It’s a fun, arms-on manner of gaining knowledge of approximately the neighborhood cuisine.
If you’re spending sufficient time in Istanbul and want to take a cooking magnificence, then I recommend looking through Cookly. As a ways as I recognise, there isn’t a greater complete website online for one-day cooking instructions around the world than Cookly. Follow the link for a listing of to be had cooking training in Istanbul.
DAY TRIPS FROM ISTANBUL
We traveled around Turkey for two weeks so we went to maximum of those places on our very own, however in case you don’t have as a lot time, then you can go to them on day journeys from Istanbul as nicely. Domestic flights are cheaper and efficient in Turkey, making these day journeys to different areas enormously possible.
1. Princes’ Islands
The Princes’ Islands refers to a cluster of nine small islands off the coast of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara.
Aside from their pristine pine forests and wood Victorian cottages, what’s exciting about them is that every one kinds of motorized delivery are banned on the islands. Bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the default manner of transportation, making them an interesting and enjoyable area to visit on a day journey from Istanbul.
You can go to the Princes’ Islands by using ferry from Kabatas or you could move on a guided tour.
2. Gallipoli & Troy
If you've got an interest in military history, then you could need to spend the day exploring both Gallipoli or Troy.
The city of Troy become the mythical setting of the Trojan War while Gallipoli refers to a slim peninsula that became the principle goal of several historical army campaigns that aimed to seize Istanbul.
Get Your Guide gives a few full-day tours to either Gallipoli or Troy. They provide joint excursions as well however you’ll want days to visit each.
three. Cappadocia
This was one of the satisfactory matters we did in our two weeks in Turkey. Cappadocia in Central Anatolia is pleasant regarded for its precise moon-like panorama dotted with odd rock formations referred to as fairy chimneys. It’s a brilliant sight from the floor, but even greater beautiful when regarded from a warm air balloon.
Cappadocia became our favourite vacation spot in Turkey so it’s properly really worth spending a few days there. But if you’re pressed for time, then you can e-book a day tour with flights via Get Your Guide.
They offer this 1-day excursion that takes you to Cappadocia’s pinnacle attractions. But if you need to do the recent air balloon journey as properly, then you definately’ll want to e-book this 2-day excursion. Follow the links for extra information and to e-book the tours.
four. Pamukkale
One of the matters we cherished most about Turkey was the diversity of its landscape. The moonscape of Cappadocia was the most lovely for us, however no longer a ways at the back of were the calcium travertines of Pamukkale. This ancient spa metropolis is famous for its white terraces fabricated from travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by using water from the seventeen clearly going on hot springs in the place.
What makes this region even more interesting is that the travertines aren’t its simplest attraction. Walk to the pinnacle of the plateau to explore the ruins of Hierapolis then swim in the mineral-wealthy waters of Cleopatra’s Pool. At the bottom of this picturesque tree-covered pool are Roman marble columns relationship again to the second century BC.
Pamukkale is frequently visited on a day ride among towns, so going on a day experience from Istanbul is perfect. Get Your Guide gives a 1-day excursion of Pamukkale and Hierapolis with flights.
We visited many ruins in Turkey and Aphordisias become by using a ways the maximum stunning and properly-preserved.
5. Ephesus
Ephesus in Selçuk-Izmir is one of the maximum visited sights in Turkey. Built inside the tenth Century BC, this historical city became a key seaport that turned into once the middle of change and commerce inside the historic global in addition to being a hub for early Christianity. We visited several ruins in the course of the us of a and Ephesus become the most important and most astounding.
We spent some days in Selçuk to absolutely explore the vicinity, however you could go to on a 1-day tour from Istanbul as nicely. This Ephesus day excursion with flights from Get Your Guide will take you to Ephesus and Meryem Ana Evi, the final domestic of the Virgin Mary.
Ephesus, Turkey
TURKISH FOOD GUIDE
Turkish delicacies is taken into consideration one of the international’s greatest because of its range, lengthy history, and the legacy left behind by an imperial kitchen. It regarded that every region we visited had something interesting and delicious to provide.
Check out our Turkish food manual for a listing of the maximum scrumptious things to eat and drink in Turkey.
WHERE TO EAT IN ISTANBUL
1. Çiya Sofrası
Located in bustling Kadıköy Market on the Asian aspect of Istanbul, Çiya Sofrası has been hailed with the aid of more than one source as probable the exceptional restaurant in all of Istanbul.
What makes it precise is that the owner Musa Dağdeviren isn’t only a chef, he’s also a culinary anthropologist. Collecting recipes from all over Turkey, he often offers uncommon nearby dishes which you received’t locate everywhere else. Highly advocated and one of the great food we had in Istanbul.
Check out my publish on Çiya Sofrası in Istanbul for more photographs and data.
Çiya Sofrası, Istanbul, Turkey
Çiya Sofrası is positioned in Kadıköy Market. Away from the touristy European aspect, this colourful location on the Asian facet features a fish market as well as a maze of cafes, bars, and eating places.
2. Dürümzade
Dürümzade was one of the eating places featured at the Istanbul episode of No Reservations with my hero, the late remarkable Anthony Bourdain. They focus on dürüm, a kind of sandwich made by using rolling flatbread around döner kebab fillings.
We tried dürüm 4 times at unique eating places in two weeks. All had been good but the services at Dürümzade had been a reduce above the relaxation. It turned into possibly the unmarried quality thing I ate in Turkey. Check out my submit on Dürümzade in Istanbul for more pix and information.
Dürümzade, Istanbul, Turkey
Dürümzade is only a few mins’ stroll from İstiklâl Caddesi (Independence Avanue) in Beyoğlu.
If you look closely, you may see Anthony’s picture on the side of the eating place. Dürümzade is simply considered one of many restaurants worldwide that owes its achievement, in component, to that man.
Dürümzade, Istanbul, Turkey
three. Kizilkayalar
Another restaurant featured on No Reservations, Kizilkayalar is home to those atypical however appealing “moist” (islak) burgers. They get their radioactive orange coloring from being dunked in a garlicky tomato sauce then being left to steam in a hamam-style glass box.
A staple amongst late night time boozers in Taksim Square, they’re moist, chewy, garlicky, and dangerously addictive.
4. Ismail Usta Kebap ve Pide Salonu
This restaurant simply off Taksim Square in Beyoğlu became domestic to a few significantly delicious lahmacun. Resembling a skinny cheese-much less pizza, lahmacun is truely a sort of wrap crowned with minced meat (normally pork or lamb), veggies, herbs, onions, tomatoes, and parsley.
Wafer-skinny, crisp round the edges however chewy closer to the center, you roll it up like a burrito to consume. So desirable.
5. Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi Selim Usta
Being a tourist hub, there are lots of restaurants to choose from in Sultanahmet. Unfortunately, most are touristy presenting subpar, overpriced food.
This mouthful of a restaurant — stated to serve some of the high-quality kofte (meatballs) in Istanbul — is an exception. Moist, smokey, and fork gentle, they serve their scrumptious grilled meatballs with a facet of inexperienced peppers and a basket of crusty bread.
Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi Selim Usta, Istanbul, Turkey
Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi Selim Usta is located simply minutes from the forestall so preserve an eye out for it the instant you get off the tram in Sultanahmet.
Be conscious that a few copycats appear to have sprouted around it bearing similar names. The one you need, pictured under, has the words “Selim Usta” within the call. It’s no longer on the crimson awning, however in case you appearance above, on the brown wooden signal, you’ll see it there.
Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi Selim Usta, Istanbul, Turkey
6. Ahırkapı Balıkçısı
Istanbul is a fish lover’s paradise. It’s surrounded (and divided) by using water so fresh seafood is plentiful yr spherical. I’ve read that over twenty styles of fish are to be had at exceptional times of the yr, from anchovy and bonito inside the less warm waters of December to turbot, sea bass, and swordfish in April.
With all that clean seafood to be had, it’s no surprise that there are numerous top seafood eating places in Istanbul. One that become quite recommended turned into Ahırkapı Balıkçısı. It’s placed in Sultanahmet making it a excellent desire for dinner after journeying the area’s historical web sites.
Ahırkapı Balıkçısı, Istanbul, Turkey
Ahırkapı Balıkçısı is located close to the water in what seems to be a extra residential neighborhood. When we got there, we have been careworn due to the fact there were restaurants contrary each different with comparable names.
According to TripAdvisor reviewers, one is an alleged copycat. The authentic is the one pictured to the left under with the phrase “orijinal” within the awning. Look intently at the name as well.
The accurate one handiest has one “h” in the first phrase — Ahırkapı Balıkçısı. The different one is named “Ahhir Kapi”, spelled with two “h”s. It also has the phrases “fish domestic” in its name. That’s no longer the only you need.
7. Lezizhan
We found this place with the aid of accident while visiting Chora Church. Lezizhan focuses on çiğ köfte, which is historically a uncooked meat dish made with both red meat or lamb and normally served bloodless as a meze or in a dürüm.
Cold and highly spiced with a awesome peppery taste, it become actually one of the maximum exciting dishes we had in Turkey. Ironically, most commercially offered çiğ köfte nowadays (such as Lezizhan) is required through law to be vegetarian for fitness precautions.
Lezizhan is a sequence of eating places with many branches in the course of Istanbul. The one we went to is on the nook of Neşter Sokak and Şeyh Eyüp Sokak in Edirnekapi. It’s en course to Chora Church from the Edirnekapi Tram prevent.
8. Walter’s Coffee Roastery
Yo, Breaking Bad is one in every of my all-time favored TV indicates so I have become superb excited once I learned approximately this cafe in Istanbul. Located on the Asian side, it’s a amusing espresso store stimulated by using the collection.
Dubbed as a “espresso remarkable lab”, it takes familiar factors from the show to create a unique meth lab putting whole with yellow hazmat suits, periodic table menus, and cappuccinos served in flasks and beakers. If you’re partial to the display, then you want to check it out bitch.
Walter’s Coffee Roastery is located in a greater residential community inside the Asian aspect of Istanbul. It may be near a university as there have been many college students there on the time.
POINTS OF INTEREST IN ISTANBUL
For your convenience, I’ve created this map so you get a higher sense of where the entirety is. Click on the link for an interactive version of the map. Most of the locations encouraged on this manual are pinned on this map.
HOW TO GET AROUND IN ISTANBUL
The Istanbul public transportation system is numerous. It’s made from metro traces, trams, funiculars, cable vehicles, ferries, and buses.
Unlike town rail systems wherein you pay the whole fare at the begin irrespective of how many transfers you want to make to get to your destination, each ride and switch at the Istanbul device prices 15.40TL. So if it takes 3 rides to get to your destination, then the whole fare will be 46.20TL (15.40TL x 3).
If you propose on taking the general public transportation gadget regularly, then the Istanbulkart as described within the TRAVEL TIPS phase would be an brilliant investment. You’ll pay simply 7.67TL for the primary experience and shop on switch expenses as well.
As counseled in the THINGS TO DO segment of this post, a brilliant manner to get round Istanbul to see its top sights is via Big Bus Tour. It’ll take you to lots of its famous points of interest and you may get on and off as regularly as you like at some stage in your pass.
HOW MANY DAYS TO STAY / ISTANBUL ITINERARY
Istanbul is a captivating metropolis with lots to peer and do. We stayed five nights and it nevertheless didn’t sense lengthy sufficient. At the very least, you should allow your self four complete days. It’ll be a chunk rushed however 4 days will give you enough time to peer the major points of interest.
For a more snug tempo with room for spontaneity, I’d say six complete days might be perfect, even longer if you can. Here’s a four-day Istanbul itinerary to help you plan your experience.
DAY ONE
• Topkapi Palace
• Istanbul Archaeology Museums
• Chora Church (temporarily closed)
DAY TWO
• Basilica Cistern
• Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia)
• At Meydani (Sultanahmet Square)
• Ibrahim Pasa Palace (Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum)
• Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque)
DAY THREE
• Grand Bazaar
• Rüstem Pasha Mosque
• Egyptian Spice Bazaar
• Bosphorus Cruise
DAY FOUR
• Galata Bridge
• Galata Tower
• Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue)
• Dolmabahce Palace
TRIP TO ISTANBUL BUDGET / SUMMARY OF EXPENSES
Turkish Lira is the countrywide foreign money but Euros and US Dollars are extensively established as well. However, you must most effective pay for things in Euro or USD while charges are quoted in Euro or USD. Otherwise, you could be dropping cash in the conversion.
Assuming you’ll be sharing a resort room with yet another man or woman and doing the whole lot in this guide, then a beginning price range of around 800TL in line with day ought to be sufficient. This takes under consideration your resort room, the five-day Istanbul Museum Pass, meals, and pocket wifi condo.
Keep in mind that this anticipated day by day finances is for a four-day stay in Istanbul and no longer necessarily relevant everywhere else in Turkey.
ACCOMMODATIONS
This varies from individual to person. You can book a first rate motel room in Sultanahmet for around TL 400 a night. Expect to pay tons less in case you’re staying in a dorm room.
MEALS
This is likewise very subjective. You can get with the aid of with 100TL an afternoon on street food however in case you plan on eating at mid-variety eating places, then count on to spend around 400TL in step with day with liquids. Street meals is existence so I’d say 250-400TL per day could be a happy median. Budget greater if you plan on eating at fancier restaurants.
POCKET WIFI RENTAL
It depends on the sort of device, however renting a mobile router will fee you round EUR 12 in keeping with day.
TRANSPORTATION
As recommended, it’s a very good concept to invest in an Istanbulkart in case you plan on taking public transportation loads. The base price of an Istanbulkart is 25TL plus anything amount you’ll be wanting. Each journey with the Istanbulkart will value you 7.67TL.
TOUR & ENTRANCE FEES
The five-day Istanbul Museum Pass will set you again 550TL.
TOTAL
This comes out to about seven-hundred-850TL in line with day for all of us. Ren and I are center-of-the-road travelers who enjoy exact food and drink, so that is a price range that works for us. Feel unfastened to adjust primarily based on your personal travel behavior.
ISTANBUL TRAVEL TIPS
1. Plan your Trip with Sygic Travel or heytripster
SYGIC TRAVEL: If you experience journey planning, then you definately’re going to discover Sygic Travel useful. It permits you to plan factors of hobby on a map so you can see precisely in which they're when it comes to each other. That manner you may organization places by using day and come up with an efficient itinerary. Check out my article on the Sygic Travel app for extra records. You can download it free of charge on
HEYTRIPSTER: If you don’t experience journey making plans as a great deal and might as an alternative have an Istanbul local do it for you, then you may need to use heytripster instead. They provide several pre-made itineraries based on vacationers’ pursuits. You can visit heytripster and fill out a unfastened evaluation form to pull up itineraries perfect for you. Heytripster cares about the environment and the impact of tour so they’ll donate one tree to the TEMA Foundation in your behalf for each travel plan you purchase.
2. Rent a Pocket Wifi Device
Can you go an afternoon in your normal life with out get admission to to the internet? Pretty difficult proper? Now consider now not having a wifi connection in a foreign country. Not being capable of do research would make any journey more worrying and less exciting. It’s for this reason why we by no means cross anywhere now with out renting a pocket wifi tool first. Click at the hyperlink to hire a pocket wifi tool through Get Your Guide.
Three. Get an Istanbul Tourist Discount Pass
The five-day Istanbul Museum Pass turned into best for us however there are some different cut price playing cards you could get depending on what you want to do in Istanbul. Here’s a short breakdown of each.
Istanbul Museum Pass
For 550TL, the Istanbul Museum Pass gives you get right of entry to to most of the websites referred to in this manual at the side of some others within a hundred and twenty hours after its first use. Admission to Topkapi Palace and its Harem alone will set you returned 420TL.
The Istanbul Museum Pass will save you lots of time as well because you received’t have to line up to buy tickets at every website. Some of these museums are extremely popular, especially all through height seasons, so lines can get quite long.
Istanbul Tourist Pass
If you want something more complete than the Museum Pass, then you could need to look at getting an Istanbul Tourist Pass. It’s extensively greater costly however it’ll cover nearly the whole lot you’ll want to do in Istanbul.
Available in 3-, 5-, and seven-day passes, it’ll entitle you to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace guided excursions, a Bosphorus cruise, Big Bus tour tickets, a Whirling Dervish rite, and more. It’ll even provide you with limitless net get admission to and one-manner transfers from the airport.
Follow the hyperlink for more statistics and to buy an Istanbul Tourist Pass from Get Your Guide.
Istanbul Welcome Card
Another choice is to get an Istanbul Welcome Card. It comes in four variations and provides a similar range of offerings as the Istanbul Tourist Pass, but with some variations.
Follow these hyperlinks for greater records and to purchase a Classic, Premium, Deluxe, or Family Istanbul Welcome Card. You’ll get a reduction in case you purchase them the usage of these links.
Istanbul five-Day Guided Museum Pass
If entry into those points of interest isn’t sufficient for you, then you may be interested by a five-Day Guided Museum Pass. It’ll provide you with get entry to to Istanbul’s pinnacle visitor sights on guided excursions.
Follow the hyperlink for more records and to buy an Istanbul five-Day Guided Museum Pass from Get Your Guide.
4. Know When Museums are Closed
Some of Istanbul’s museums and points of interest are closed in the future of the week. Know after they near so that you can plan your journey hence.
Dolmabahce Palace — Monday
Topkapi Palace — Tuesday
Grand Bazaar — Sunday
five. Save Money with an Istanbulkart
If you’ll be staying in Istanbul for extra than a couple of days and taking public transportation often, then you may need to get an Istanbulkart. It’s a convenient shipping card that’ll save you on the price of public transportation.
With an Istanbulkart, you’ll pay simply 7.67TL consistent with experience instead of the usual 15.40TL. Plus, you’ll store on the value of transfers. The card is transferrable as well so that you can use the same card for up to five people.
The card itself fees 25TL and you can purchase it at most important metro stations just like the airport, Sultanahmet, or Eminönü. You’ll want to pinnacle it up earlier than you could use it for the reason that 25TL is just for the price of the cardboard. You can discuss with The Istanbul Insider internet site for greater data.
6. Check for Istanbul Travel Vouchers
I purchase journey vouchers from many extraordinary web sites. For Istanbul and Turkey, I like Get Your Guide the best as they have the widest selection of tours, sports, and other travel-related offerings. You can test out Klook as well.
7. Get Travel Insurance
Though we do get it more regularly now, journey coverage isn’t something we buy before each ride. Our credit playing cards give us fundamental coverage besides so we most effective get extra travel coverage if we plan on doing some thing that would purpose us bodily harm, things like skiing or bungee leaping.
On this Turkey ride, we went horseback using in Cappadocia so we did buy travel coverage. Basically, if you plan on doing something physical, then you can want to select up a coverage.
We get insurance from World Nomads or SafetyWing. They’re both relied on travel medical insurance vendors used by many lengthy-term travelers.
Check out my article on why we buy travel coverage for extra records. You can comply with the links to get a loose quote from World Nomads or SafetyWing.
Eight. Know When and How Much to Tip
Tipping is understated in Turkey, round five% at inexpensive restaurants and 10-15% at satisfactory eating establishments. For porters and bellhops, EUR 1 in line with bag ought to suffice. Taxi drivers aren’t typically given recommendations however you can spherical up to a convenient amount (ie 17.20TL to 18TL).
If you had been happy with a tour, then a collection tip of round EUR 10-15 might be preferred. Keep in thoughts that that is the total tip from the complete institution, not every character. You can talk to this website for greater records.
Nine. Bring the Right Power Adapter
Electrical retailers in Turkey are spherical so plugs are usually Type C or Type F. Be sure to convey the right electricity adapters in your gadgets. Electrical voltage is 230V.