The Ultimate Istanbul, Türkiye Travel Guide

There is truly nothing that compares to the labyrinth of bustling streets of Istanbul, the colorful spice-laden shelves at Grand Bazaar, noshing a baklava after every meal, and a hammam every few miles for that ultimate relaxation.

A post long due, but this travel guide has your ultimate list of the best things to do and see in Istanbul, Türkiye. Included in this guide you will find recommendations for the best hotels, restaurants, and activities in Istanbul, as well as information on the best time to visit and hot to get around this European city.


TABLE OF CONTENTS . 7 BEST THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL . PLACES TO VISIT IN ISTANBUL . THE BEST LUXURY HOTELS IN ISTANBUL . BEST MONTHS TO VISIT ISTANBUL . HOW TO GET AROUND ISTANBUL ? . HOW MANY DAYS TO SPEND IN ISTANBUL ? . IS ISTANBUL SAFE ? . WHAT TO WEAR IN ISTANBUL?

7 Best Things To Do In Istanbul

VISIT THE HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM – Before you visit the iconic Hagia Sophia ( pronounced HAGEEYAH SOFIAH ) mosque, a visit to the museum would be advisable. The museum sheds light on the history as to how and when this church was changed into a mosque. It is such an insightful experience ! The tour last about 30-40 minutes and require a ticket.
STOP BY THE HAGIA SOPHIA – The actual Hagia Sophia is a stones throw away from the museum. Please note- you need a head covering to go in inside the building and the actual prayer area is for people of Muslim origin only- it is not open to all visitors. The inside is magnificent and the walls are like a picture story book- so much has been history and culture has been depicted through murals.
BUY LIKE LOCALS AT GRAND BAZAAR- A trip to Istanbul is incomplete without a visit to Grand Bazaar. Whatever your shopping list for Istanbul entails, this is the place where you’ll find everything. Spices, aromatics, fragrances, nuts, dried-fruits, Turkish desserts, souvenirs, home decor, clothing, and even first copies of designer bags and shoes. It can be quite the experience and one needs to have good bargaining skills, otherwise be prepared to get ripped off. Note- the Bazaar is all indoors, so it’s entirely weather-proof.
WALK ALONG ISTIKLAL STREET– This is one of the busiest streets and the heart of Istanbul. This street connects the lively Taksim Square district to the iconic Galata Tower, and extends for 1.4km. Istiklal Street is a bustling avenue lined with historic buildings, religious sites, and busy high-street stores. Wander down its side streets, and you’ll find boutiques, vintage stores and trendy cafes. This is the only street where the tram lines run right through the middle of the street.
GO SHOPPING AT GALATAPORT– If you want to witness the technology evolution of Turkey as a country, Galataport it is. An exemplary project worldwide and a groundbreaking innovation, thanks to its special hatch system that enables the terminal to be placed underground. It was so impressive to learn about how the whole cruise terminal is underground. What looks like a boardwalk is actually a hatch that closes above the ships. Parallel to this boardwalk is a bunch of shopping stores and fancy restaurants.
GO ON A BOSPHORUS BOAT TOUR – Another way to experience the charm of the city is via a boat tour on Bosphorus. There are private charter boats that you can book ahead of your arrival and enjoy Istanbul from water.
RELAX AT A HAMMAM – Turkey and Hammam are like synonymous to each other. When you talk about Turkey, Hammams come to mind, second thing after Baklava. Hammam is a bath ritual which is enjoyed by the women in Turkey on a regular. It is pretty elaborate, indulging and leaves you feeling so rejuvenated and fresh. I would highly recommend giving this a try.


PLACES TO VISIT IN ISTANBUL Hagia Sophia museum Hagia Sophia Mosque Grand Bazaar Taksim Square Istiklal street Galataport Galata tower Bosphorus Bridge Pera Museum

3. Best Luxury Hotels In Istanbul

While I had the opportunity to stay at THE RAFFLES, a luxury chain of hotels, there is no dearth of options in Istanbul. Whatever your budget and room requirements, I would suggest giving these a check-out for your next stay in Istanbul.

The Raffles
Four Seasons Sultanahmet
Pera Palace
Hotel CVK

Best Month To Visit Istanbul

If you love hot weather, summer months from June- August would be best for you. As per my tour guide May is the ideal month to visit Istanbul. You get best of both warm days and cooler evenings, aka SPRING WEATHER. Winters can get extremely cold with snow November through February.

How To Get Around Istanbul

On foot, although it is not practical for exploring all of Istanbul.
Tram, which is practical for getting around Istanbul.
Metro, which is the best way to get around Istanbul and cross over the different islands.
Bus, which is the next best option to get around the neighborhoods.
Ferry or Seabus, which is a good option for crossing the Bosphorus.
Taxi, which is a good option for getting around Istanbul.
Car, which is not recommended due to traffic and parking issues.
Rideshare like UBER worked the best for me in Istanbul. it was pretty cheap price-wise

Is Istanbul Safe?

Yes, Istanbul is relatively safe for tourists, though petty crime exists. Occasional civil unrest and terrorism risks are present, but less frequent than in other parts of Turkey. It’s best to avoid protests and be aware of heightened security measures in tourist areas, making Istanbul one of Turkey’s safer cities according to international advisories.

What To Wear In Istanbul ?

Western style clothes are acceptable in Istanbul and you will see both modern and traditional with people from different areas of Turkey including the Kurdish southeast together with Syrian immigrants and foreign residents alongside tourists from various countries. Having said that, most people wear international smart-casual clothing. Jeans are very popular combined with a sweater and jacket in the cooler months. Although there are no rules for dress, it’s better to dress quite modestly to avoid unwanted attention and beachwear certainly isn’t recommended.

However, places of religion like mosques have a ” COVER YOUR HEAD ” policy and both men and women are expected to abide by this rule.


Istanbul Key Info WHEN TO VISIT May-June Averaging 60-75F HOW TO GET THERE Fly to Istanbul Airport ( IST ) HOW TO GET AROUND Public transport Ride share IDEAL TRIP LENGTH 3-4 days CURRENCY 100 Turkish Lira ( TRY ) = $2.61 ( USD ) MUST TRY FOOD Baklava Mezze Artisanal breads Street side Turkish Icecream Turkish Tea and Coffee