Istanbul Travel Tips - Best Things To See & Do In Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the most visited cities in the world because it offers an unparalleled journey into the past. Having been the capital of three empires (Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman), Istanbul, with its grand and sweeping historical wonders, will transport you to another time and place.

It also has the unique circumstance of straddling both Europe and Asia, giving travellers flavours of both continents, as well as a distinct collision of modern and traditional cultures. A city of over 15 million residents, Istanbul is both vibrant with big-city buzz while offering the serenity of a historical location flanked by two seas (Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara).

We’re going to show you what to see in Istanbul, things to do in Istanbul, when to go, and why this 1,700-plus year capital is one of the great, must-see destinations.  

We can’t discuss what to see in Istanbul without first mentioning the incredible Hagia Sophia. It’s among the world’s most iconic structures; comparable to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, London’s Tower Bridge, and the Colosseum in Rome. Hagia Sophia was built between 532 and 537 in the Byzantine era. It was originally a church for the Pope, but later converted to a mosque before being turned into a museum in the 1930s.

Perched on the highest point of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia dominates the city’s skyline with its 30-metre dome and surrounding minarets. The interior contains awesome monolithic columns, tombs, and mosaics, including one for Emperor Constantine and Empress Zoe. Lineups to get in can be long, so try and beat the rush by arriving early in the day. 

Just across a beautiful square from Hagia Sophia (called Sultanahmet Park), you’ll see the Blue Mosque. This jaw-dropping structure was built in 1616 long after Hagia Sophia came under Islamic rule. It was actually built with the intention of competing with Hagia Sophia, but visitors today will see them as complementary structures. 

The Blue Mosque (also known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque) has a major difference from Hagia – it is still a place of worship. That means showing respect in the way you dress upon entry and removing your shoes. Also, women must cover their hair and shoulders. During prayer, the mosque is closed to visitors. Entry is free.       

Located in Istanbul’s Old City, the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. It was originally built as a warehouse for Mehmet the Conqueror in 1461. Today, it is a vast, architectural wonder serving as a bustling bazaar that will give you a feel for the city’s enduring pulse.

You might feel somewhat overwhelmed in this shopping labyrinth, especially if you don’t know what to buy. Take your time and take in all the sights – craftspeople at work, ornately painted ceilings, and stained-glass windows. If something does catch your eye, perhaps a colourful fabric or textile, you will need to do a little haggling. In other words, never accept the first price offered.     

The watery straight connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara is called the Bosphorus, and it symbolizes the cultural divide that’s unique to Istanbul. On one side Asia; the other Europe. This flowing crossroad was key to it being chosen as the location of Constantinople.

There are various cruises that will take you along the Bosphorus, with stunning views of Istanbul both during the day and evening. Make sure you spend at least 90 minutes cruising, so that you can take in the extraordinary scenery, including Rumeli Fortress, a castle built in the mid-16th century to prevent the Byzantine fleet from crossing the strait.

With over a millennium’s worth of cultural history, it’s no surprise that Istanbul offers a wide spectrum of destinations for culture lovers. The main Istanbul cultural institutions include the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and the Pera Museum. There is also a district called Beyoglu, where you’ll find smaller galleries and museums scattered around its premier pedestrian boulevard – Istiklal Caddesi.

Nothing personifies the grand opulence of the Ottoman Empire quite like Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace located in the Old City. Many a sultan resided here between 1465 and 1830 and the fruits of their conquests – imperial treasures, marble edifices, valuable artifacts, and much more – adorn the stately complex. Its legendary Harem features a beautiful garden with terraced views of Istanbul. It’s a must-see if you’re planning to take in Istanbul’s cultural history.

A day of sightseeing and traversing the city will take its toll. What better way to wind-down than a relaxing steam bath that is both luxurious and culturally educational? Istanbul is world famous for its hammams – a traditional Turkish bath.

The Ottomans had it right with this self-care ritual. Immerse yourself in warm water and history, while admiring the splendid architecture of domes, basins, and more created hundreds of years ago. You will find these hammams dotted around the city, but be sure to experience one with deep history, such as Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı in Tophane (over 400 years old) and the Zeyrek Çinili Hamam in Fatih (almost 400 years old).     

Istanbul is a rich melting pot of history and people from Europe and Asia, and the ancient city’s cuisine reflects that cultural convergence. Among the best food in Istanbul is a type of cuisine you’re probably familiar with – the kebab.

Simply put, kebab is grilled meat flavoured with aromatic spices. You can get it in doner form (a rotating spit), or “shish” with meat and veggies on a skewer. It won’t be hard to find kebabs in Istanbul but be sure to look for Ocakbaşi in the restaurant name. It means “fireside” and will give you a close-up view of the grilling action.

There is so much more to Turkish cuisine than kebabs. Some more notable dishes to try include Pide, a pizza-like bread that can be topped with anything from meat, cheese, veggies, and more. It’s usually shaped like a canoe and cooked in a fiery hot oven. This tends to be a good option for vegetarians. Hocapaşa Pidecisi is a highly rated spot for Pide in the Fatih area of Istanbul.

Another wonderful Turkish tradition that stems from the Ottoman Empire is the culinary art of Meze (pronounced MEH-zeh), which is a selection of small dishes that can either be served as a pre-meal warm-up or form the meal itself. It is often served with spirits like beer, arak or rakia. There are too many to list here but some of the most common in Turkey are: roasted chickpeas, white cheese, drained yogurt, wrapped grape leaves, fava beans in olive oil, roasted eggplant, and much more. Like tapas, Meze is best shared in a group if possible. Check out Roof Mezze 360 Restaurant in the Seres Hotel for an incredible city view and top-rated Meze.  

You’ve likely heard of Turkish delight, the famous gel candy made of starch and sugar. But that’s just the start of Istanbul’s incredible array of sweet treats. If you’ve never had baklava before, Istanbul will be the place to start. Baklava is a mouth-watering phyllo filled with chopped nuts and soaked in honey syrup. Make sure to also try a halka tatlisi which is like a Turkish churro you can get as street food, or kunefe, a cheesy concoction with layered dough, honey syrup, and sprinkled with pistachios and sided usually with ice cream.

All of these meals and deserts will be perfectly bookended with a Turkish coffee. Not for the faint of heart, this thick brew is made from finely ground coffee beans unfiltered and served in a cesve. Expect a nice jolt after downing one of these.  

Istanbul experiences moderate climate throughout the year. However, the best time to visit is generally between mid-April to June or September to October. These peak seasons avoid the punishing summer heat of July and August, and the frigid temperatures of January and February. If you can brave the off-season heat or cold, you can find better deals on hotels and transportation to and from Istanbul.

Keep in mind there is often an influx of European tourism during festivals and holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and New Year’s.

Turkish culture boasts many ways for friends to gather and be social. Whether communing over Turkish coffee, bathing together in a Hammam bath, or passing the shisha pipe around, the people of Istanbul have many social rituals that bring friends together to bond over conversation.

Istanbul nightlife can be many things, but perhaps mostly notable is the ubiquitous Hookah bars. A local phenomenon that has spread around the world, Hookah bars centre around smoking special flavoured tobacco called shisha. One table will feature a Hookah pipe with a menu of shishas to choose from – watermelon, passion fruit, and mint, for example. Each participant will have their own mouthpiece for the pipe, so you are not sharing germs. The inhalation experience is often described as relaxing, and usually comes with tea to cleanse the pallet.

These Hookah bars can be chill, dimly lit lounges or they can be more lively with club music and DJs. One of the best-known spots for a chill Hookah experience in Istanbul is the Harab’be Café in Sultanahmet. Also of note is the Sky Rooftop Lounge in Taksim, which offers breathtaking sunsets views over the city while you puff.  

If you’re looking for the next level of relaxation, nothing tops a Turkish bath. As we mentioned earlier, these public bathhouses, known as hammams, offer passports back to Istanbul’s past while de-stressing you from the modern world. If you can’t make it to the historically grand Kilic Ali Pasa or Zeyrek Çinili, you can find these experience in many hotels like the Shangri-La Bosphorus, which also offers a private experience if you’re not down with communal bathing thing. 

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