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Bucket list destination:

Istanbul

  • Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey

Last updated: 22 September, 2024
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

This important, layered city has seen a series of dramatic reincarnations, beginning life as Byzantium (founded c. 660 BC), before being renamed Constantinople in AD 330 (eastern capital of the Roman Empire).

The city finally became known as ‘Stamboul’, or Istanbul, during the Ottoman era, which began in the 15th century when it was captured by the 21-year-old Sultan Mehmed II (aka “Mehmed the Conqueror”), ushering in an era of lavish Sultan-led rule.

In the course of its deliciously rich 1,800-year history, Istanbul has been the capital of three empires. Here East meets West head-on, in a mesmerising, evocative city that its people have always considered the centre of the world.

Yet Istanbul is not just about sightseeing and museums; right now it has as much urban buzz and excitement as any place on earth. Besides making a bold name for itself in art, music, fashion and design, the city is modernising at a breathtaking pace.

The people are lovely, the food is a delight and the city is one of the top shopping destinations on the planet.

Orientation

The only city that spans two continents, Istanbul is an enormous and complex place of 13.8 million people.

Old Istanbul contains most of the landmarks and tourist sites.

Beyoglu, across the Golden Horn, was the 19th-century ‘European quarter’ and is the trendiest part of town today.

Modern Istanbul spreads northwards from here, up the Bosphorus and through districts of skyscrapers and shopping malls.

The sprawling Asian side is a part of Istanbul few tourists see.

Tours, tickets & transfers

21

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

  • Istanbul

Visit highlights of Istanbul with your private tour guide in 1, 2 or 3 days with a flexible itinerary. Day 1 - Highlights of Topkapi Palace Museum, Byzantine Hippodrome / Sultanahmet Square, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar. Day 2 - Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Galata Tower (from outside), Spice Market. Day 3 - Suleymaniye Mosque, Fener and Balat Districts, St. Stephen Church (Iron Church), Pierre Lotti Panoramic Hill by Cable Car, Rahmi Koc Museum (or alternative sites). Important Notes: - Skip the line service is not available for active mosques - there is a queue for the entrance. - If one of the mosques is not visited, Basilica Cistern will be visited as a replacement. - For the tours that start later than 11 am, kindly note that you may have to skip one/a couple of sites as the sites are closed by 7 pm. Your guide will adjust the program according to your priorities.

Price $175

Min age 0

Rating 4.95 / 5 [6613 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Istanbul

Take the worry out of your arrival or departure from Istanbul Airport and avoid the unreliable local taxis with a guaranteed transfer to or from your accommodation in all areas of Istanbul. Avail of a reliable and hassle-free ground transportation provider and get a welcome meet and greet on arrival by professional team. Sit back and relax in a vehicle exclusive to you and your group, and make your way directly to your hotel, apartment or private residence with ease. Benefit from flight tracking to avoid any unnecessary waiting fees and to make sure that your driver is ready on time. The service is available 24/7 to suit your needs, whatever time your flight is scheduled to arrive or depart. We know how to serve

Price €44

Min age 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [704 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Istanbul

Discover the main highlights in Istanbul’s old town during this small size full day tour with an expert tour guide. Visit old town, the Unesco world Heritage sites, see the acknowledged archaeological and natural monuments, unrivalled artifacts during the tour and will enjoy the privileges that we will gladly arrange for your utmost pleasure to explore the Turkish way. This tour runs everyday 09:00 – 17:00 (times may change depends on locations of hotels, number of people in the group, their interests, weather conditions, length of queues, etc.) and there will be 1 – 10 people in the group.

Price $79

Min age 0

Rating 4.68 / 5 [682 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Istanbul

This is a private guided tour which will enhance your point of view of Ottomans vs Byzantines. Highly Recommended for Cruise passengers. •Hippodrome where used to organize chariot races with its Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent and Constantine Obelisk and German Fountain. •Visit the famous Sultanahmet Mosque, as Blue Mosque due to its magnificent interior decoration of royal Iznik tiles • Face the highlight of the earth, St. Sophia built in 537 A. D. • See Topkapi Palace where the great empire was ruled •See Underground Cistern where Dan Brown's book ''INFERNO '' ended up. and Second Oldest Movie of James Bond " from Russia with love" •Finalize the day at the famous Grand Bazaar with 4000 shops. • Make the Best of your limited time in Istanbul by saving memories and shopping • Visit the qualified stores (carpet, leather, jewelry,Tiles) • Transportation depends on option selected • Best tour for the Cruise Passengers

Price $150

Min age 0

Rating 4.96 / 5 [620 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Istanbul

HISTORICAL TOUR OF ISTANBUL WITH BOSPHORUS SUNSET CRUISE Combine a trip to both Istanbul's greatest sites including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, and a luxury yacht cruise on the Bosphorus in one day. Take advantage of a special no-wait entry at the Topkapi Palace and skip-the-line access to the great Ottoman Palace during this full-day tour. Witness the classic sites of heritage and history that abound in Istanbul on your full-day tour. Visit architectural masterpieces, marvel at awe-inspiring, Byzantine-era tile works, and see the imperial treasures of Ottoman sultans. Along the way, experience the customs of a bustling bazaar. When you finish exploring the old city of Istanbul, the next thing is to take a magical journey on the Bosphorus. Sail down the Bosphorus passing Dolmabahce Palace, impressive Bosphorus Bridges, and beautifully designed seaside villas along both sides of the Bosphorus.

Price €150

Min age 0

Rating 4.80 / 5 [472 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Travel advice

When to go

April can be rainy but it’s also the prettiest month to visit Istanbul, when the Tulip Festival sees millions of blooms decorating the city. May and June are relatively mild and rain- and crowd-free. The tourist crush and summer heat are most intense in July and August, but the rooftop restaurant and club scene is in full swing. September is often lovely.

Despite being near the Mediterranean, the weather in Istanbul can be fairly unpleasant between November and March, with snow possible. Bring warm clothes, though, and you can enjoy low season prices and blissfully uncrowded museums.

Getting there and away

Istanbul’s International Airport (IST) is 40km from the centre – around a 40-minute drive. If you’re staying near Taksim Square, the 24-hour Havas Airport shuttle takes 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. The LRT metro light rail links the airport to Aksaray, from where you can pick up a tram to Sultanahmet. Taxis are reasonably priced, but it’s worth paying a bit more for a private transfer: ask when you book your hotel.

Some flights out of the UK are to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW), which is 45km to the east of the city centre, and more like an hour’s drive. The HAVABUS Airport Shuttle runs frequent services between Sabiha Gokcen and Kadikoy, Yenisahra (metro station) and Taksim.

Getting around

Although attractions in the historic Sultanahmet and Beyoglu districts are within walking distance, Istanbul is a huge city with crazy traffic – too crazy to think of cycling or hiring a car. Use ferries, buses and the metro when you can (save money with an Istanbulkart). Taxis are cheap and plentiful; minibuses and old-fashioned dolmus cars on the main streets are even cheaper, and a great way to meet the Turks. Don’t miss a ride on the antique tram that runs up Istiklal Caddesi.

Where to stay

Beyoglu has become the ‘in’ place to stay, with all the trendy cafés, shopping and restaurants close at hand, along with the adjacent, picturesque antiques district of Cukurcuma. Anyone more interested in the city’s culture and history might prefer the ancient centre, Sultanahmet, which is still an attractive address despite the tourist masses. Eminonu, by the train station, is convenient but dull. The newer districts and the Bosphorus villages can be lovely, but may be too far out for a first-time visit.

Where to eat or drink

You can eat like a sultan anywhere in Istanbul, especially in Beyoglu: rooftop restaurants, bars and clubs overlooking the city are all the rage. Try the open-air seafood places in the Bosphorus villages – but avoid the rip-off Galata Bridge restaurants. Beyoglu is also the centre for bars and nightlife, especially around Nevizade Sokak and Asmalimescit Sokak (or simply ‘Asmali’). Or join the elite in the glamorous nightclubs along the Bosphorus in exclusive Kurucesme.

Where to shop

For upper-end Turkish and international boutiques, head to the Nisantasi quarter or the newest shopping malls, Kanyon and İstinye Park. The 5,000-shop, covered Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar and surrounding streets are good for gold, jewellery, spices and carpets. Istiklal is the place to go for art, while the nearby Cukurcuma neighbourhood is great for antiques.