Istanbul
Turkey
Mini Itinerary
A carefully curated day-by-day guide to make the most of your visit
Day 1
Visit Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet • Explore Topkapi Palace and its gardens
Day 2
Shop and wander through the Grand Bazaar • Take a Bosphorus cruise for scenic views
Day 3
Visit the Spice Bazaar and nearby Rustem Pasha Mosque • Explore Istiklal Street and Galata Tower
Discover Istanbul
Browse places, add them to your trip, and plan your day-by-day itinerary with budget tracking and collaboration features for friends & family
Top Attractions
(15)Suleymaniye Mosque
One of Istanbul’s most breathtaking viewpoints. Süleymaniye Mosque combines incredible Ottoman architecture with a peaceful atmosphere and panoramic views over the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. The m
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Deficated in AD 360. The last of three church buildings to be successively erected on the site by the Eastern Roman Empire, it was completed in AD 537 by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. Enrico Dand
Büyük Mecidiye Mosque
Ortaköy Mosque looks almost unreal. Light and elegant, standing right at the edge of the Bosphorus with the bridge rising behind it. Inside is calm and intimate; outside is full Istanbul energy with s
The Blue Mosque
Absolutely loved my visit to the Blue Mosque. The iconic blue tones inside are truly breathtaking, even more beautiful in person. The entire area is very clean and well-maintained, making the experien
Dolmabahçe Palace
It’s a pity that I visited this place on a Monday, so I couldn’t go inside. However, the exterior of the palace is beautiful, and there are areas where you can sit and relax. There’s also a café with
Gülhane Park
Beautiful - a piece of paradise away from the tourist crowds. We really enjoyed simply walking through the park and enjoying the cool shade of the trees, and the relative peace. It was so refreshing t
Yıldız Park
Nice place for relax and walking , The nature is very beautiful, tall old trees, the air is very clean.
Galata Tower
Here’s the corrected version with your update: I really love the architecture. It looks the best at night. I didn’t visit or go to the top, but from the bottom it looks great. I was lucky to visit du
Topkapi Palace Museum
Visiting Topkapı Palace is like stepping straight into Ottoman history — a truly breathtaking experience that feels as if you’re walking through the streets of the empire itself. The palace complex is
Basilica Cistern
Very beautiful. It can be a bit crowded but you can still get high quality photos. Lots of attention needing Instagram folks there but you can get around that. Love the lights that light up the water
Galata Bridge
We came here at night and got to see a beautiful view of Istanbul after dark — it has a different kind of charm. It’s nice to walk around and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere. We just learned that people
Miniaturk
Miniatürk is an amazing place to explore Turkey’s history and culture in miniature form! The models are beautifully detailed, representing famous landmarks from all over the country. It’s a great spot
Egyptian Bazaar
After the Grand Bazaar, this is a smaller but still beautiful market, and it’s right by the water. There’s a lot to see here and plenty of goodies to buy: meats, cheeses, sweets, teas, saffron… I’m n
Grand Bazaar
As you wander the labyrinth of over sixty covered streets, the air carries a complex scent of old leather, sweet Turkish Delight, and hints of saffron and other spices. Every corner offers a new spect
Taksim Square
If you visit Turkey and you didn't visit this central tourist hub, you are missing so much. Taksim square is basically the center of attraction for tourists. The square is large and has sitting areas
Best Restaurants
(15)Garden 1897 Restaurant
Thank you so much to Garden 1897 for the absolutely excellent service and the incredibly delicious food. From the moment we walked through the entrance and into the beautiful garden area, every member
Hafız Mustafa
November 2025 5* Visited this old Hafiz Mustafa cafe. It is famous for Turkish delight and other Turkish sweets. This store has cafe and you can dine and eat different delicacy. We tried the followi
Baran Et Mangal
Wow! This place pumps. Amazing food. The meets were so tender and juicy. The dips (hommus, baba ganoush, mountain salad, tabbouleh) hit the mark. And for a big surprise, the yoghurt drink was delicious.
Seven Hills Restaurant
I really liked everything here! Will Definitely come again! It's nice that we can feed the birds also here. I recommend you come for early dinner in sunset time. Also, they have a side if someone only
Hasan Usta Kebap
The food here is incredible! The quality and taste of everything we ordered was just amazing. The service was quick and staff are very polite and friendly. Massive thank you to Melissa who made sure we had a fantastic experience.
Nusr-Et Steakhouse Kapalıçarşı
Nusr-Et Steakhouse Kapalıçarşı is an unforgettable dining experience — vibrant, flavorful, and full of personality. The atmosphere is lively but elegant, perfectly matching the energy of Istanbul. The
Şehzade Cağ Kebap
Truly a local gem! The çağ kebab here is amazing — tender, juicy, and full of smoky flavor. The food is not only delicious but also very affordable. We loved it so much we actually came back twice in
Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul
I recently stayed in the Perfect Room with a Bosphorus view, and it was a truly memorable experience. From the moment I entered, the room felt warm and inviting, with a modern design that balanced com
Midyeci Ahmet Akaretler
First time in Istanbul trying the mussels here. We ordered the mussels rice bowl, original mussels, chili mussels, fried mussels and bread with kokorec. All the mussels are very delicious and tasty, n
Çiya Sofrası
One of the best Turkish food I’ve had in the last week! The chicken thigh kebab was juicy and yet char grilled with excellent flavours! The lamb casserole in tomato base sauce was soft and tender, the aubergine and minced meat kebab was to die for! They served us complimentary Turkish tea at the end of the meal!
Hidden Garden Restaurant Sultanahmet
Wonderful place. Travelling by myself, I stopped here for lunch by accident. Food is delicious, tje garden patio with music is very cozy and I had a mom with her 4 kittens for some cute entertainment.
Turgut Kebab Restaurant -Sultanahmet-
Lovely setting, and friendly staff (Mustafa and Ali). The food came out staggered and was delicious. You can see from the second picture we already started eating before we remembered the photo! Also
Le Vapeur Magique - TDİ Karaköy İskelesi
Fabulous breakfast cruise along the Bosphorous. So much food 🤩 and all delicious! Music is very good too, the singer is very talented and a nice mix between relaxing and lively, but not too much for m
İBB Haliç Sosyal Tesisleri
During weekends or public holidays you may have to wait around 30-40 min. But it is worth. Prices super cheap compared to any other restaurant in Istanbul. This kind of restaurants are help from the government, therefore the prices are lower. A lot of local people. Food 10/10. Service 10/10.
Çiğköfteci Ali Usta
This was one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had! Bonus to it being vegetarian. You can choose spicy or not spicy, and sit down to enjoy your sandwich. Be prepared for a short line, but it moves very
Nightlife
(15)Loti Roof Lounge
A hidden gem with one of the best rooftop views in Istanbul. Loti Roof Lounge truly exceeded expectations — from the elegant interior design and warm lighting to the breathtaking view over the mosque
Ararat Terrace Restaurant & Rooftop
Lovely dining experience, with great views of the Aya Sofya and Sultan Ahmed. Absolutely amazing service from the staff, who can speak many languages (counted Turkish, English, Arabic, and Russian). T
ANTIQUE PIZZERIA
A gorgeous find on a side road off Istiklal Street. If you're looking for a bit of a break from traditional Turkish during your holiday stay, this is it! The host was most welcoming and had us seated wherever we preferred. The restaurant is exquisitely furbished in this antique-style decor. A/C on the interior. Most importantly the food met our expectations fully - everything delicious whether it was the lasagna (awesome), the spaghetti or the pizza. The desserts to die for whether it was t
Queb Rooftop Restaurant
Wow! Great Find! Special place. We had the stuffed mushrooms which were delicious. Then we had the Greek salad which was fresh and tasty. We finished off with the Sea Bass in Paper, Excellent! The amb
Sultanahmet 360 Panorama Restaurant
Great view -excellent creative cuisine. We had beet root hummus, duck samosa, zucchini flower dolma, red lentil dumplings. Seabass, everything is perfectly executed and plating was masterful. Mus
Moda Sea Club 1935
It is one of İstanbul‘s oldest member club places Asian side of İstanbul. during the daytime it is quite lovely. The pool is beautiful. The water from the sea in that pool is really really nice so this is always good. Restaurants are nice. It’s pretty family oriented place we can bring our children to so there’s a dressing coat in the evenings you’re not allowed to wear shorts.
Mürver Restaurant
What an incredible dining experience! We reserved the Chef's Counter overlooking the kitchen. The food was amazing. One can tell Chef Özkaya has spent a lot of time developing the menu. The food was f
Hadi Karaköy - Yeni Nesil Meyhane
Above average food. Very nice vibe and atmosphere. Not the best dj tonight.
Zebra Lounge Port
A perfect place with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful view of the Bosphorus and the city at night. The food is delicious, the portions are large .The hookah is one of the best in Istanbul. The service, especially from the waiter Birkan, is top-notch. There are no free table in the evening , so it is best to reserve in advance. Prices are above average, but it is worth it.
Dorock XL
I felt safe as there were securities everywhere. The atmosphere is sweet and the staff are polite. The prices were logical but if you want things cheaper, the happy hour starts at 20:00. My only problem were the toilets. They were very dark and not really clean.
Galata Sanat Restaurant Galata Köprüsü
Lovely aspect of the Bosphorus with lots of food options. Really enjoyed the Sea Bass and skewered Lamb. The Kunafe is out of this world and must be tried. Service was good and nothing was too much
Lotiz Lounge & Hookah
Had a wonderful evening with my son! We enjoyed a delicious meal — everything was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making us feel very welcome fro
GRACE Rooftop Restaurant
Grace Rooftop was an amazing experience. The view alone is worth the visit, a perfect 360° panorama of the old city and sea. The food was fresh, flavorful and beautifully presented, and the cocktails
Viktor Levi Şarap Evi
A wonderful dining experience in a beautiful place, with amazing juicy steaks accompanied by lovely sauce and delicious starters, I particularly enjoyed the mashed fava. The red wine was also excellent and the service was good.
Rixos Pera İstanbul
I had a wonderful experience staying at Rixos Pera Istanbul. The service was excellent – the staff were always attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming. From check-in to check-out, everything was handled smoothly, making the stay very comfortable. The rooms were elegant, clean, and well-maintained, with a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. The hotel’s atmosphere is warm and refined, reflecting true Turkish hospitality. Overall, my stay at Rixos Pera was great – both the service and t
Shopping
(15)Hafız Mustafa 1864 Beyazıt
The dish I tried was the chocolate-flavored cheese künefe. I ordered the ice cream as an extra, which really creates an excellent contrast. The pastry and cheese themselves don’t have a very sweet taste, but it also comes with a sprinkle of pistachio powder and a syrup that looks like honey but isn’t. You pour it on top, and I’d say it was worth the experience. It even worked as a full meal for one person. I recommend it — a great experience!
Paket Postanesi Galataport İstanbul
Nice mall with great outdoor esplanade to relax and go for a stroll. Good view of Sultanahmet. Especially nice to have a drink in the many restaurants on a nice and sunny day.
TC MORAVA
Can someone tell me the name of the shop or the man who sells perfumes on the last (I guess, the shop is big in the left corner as soon as you go up the stairs, there is also a make-up shop) on the Mo
Bazar istanbul
The atmosphere at Bazar Istanbul is vibrant and feels authentically Turkish, with traditional decor and soft Middle Eastern music playing in the background. They have a huge selection of spices and Turkish delight, vintage items and more, there are a lot of gold stores around;I Bought a gold coin for my baby, gold is expensive but the quality is really good 22k gold. I believe It is worth it, go and visit cause is a unique experience.
Balkapanı Han
It was a great experience. The teacher was kind and patient.
Şarkhan
A real gem of a place. Sells anything and everything you can find in the markets and on the streets, for either the same prices or cheaper. Most items have marked prices, so you're not getting ripped off like in the grand bazaar. The items do vary in quality, but are priced accordingly. Sarkhan is aimed at both locals and those wishing to purchase in bulk, though you'll mainly find locals here, which is always an encouraging sight. It is absolutely huge, you could spend hours getting lost amongs
Rococo İş Merkezi
Best iranian resturant and the real taste of food
Swordsman's Bazaar Gate
The Swordsman’s bizarre gate is the historic entrance to the grand bazaar in old Istanbul, Turkey.
Hakikat Kirtasiye
They have everything student and professional grade art supplies, they have wide variety of school supplies.. the guys there are so kind and helpful
Marpuççular İş Merkezi
This mall contains accessories shops, beading and accessories instruments.... It includes Wholesale and retail shops.... So you can get different kinds of merchandise with very good prices
Grand Bazaar Center
It’s not something you see every day! It’s a place where you can find whatever you want, need, or wish for. All you need is time and money! Considering the culture, note that bargaining is expected, s
Sirkeci Dogubank Business Center
Tunel Gaming Store at No 10 D329 has awesome retro games and consoles. Great guys working there. I can't create a profile for them individually, unfortunately :(
Arasta Bazaar
Right behind the Blue Mosque, not as known as the Grand Bazaar, but better in my opinion (less hectic). Here, I had a much more relaxed visit to the shops. I also found a little shop selling (silver)
Süleymaniye Çikolatacısı
Beautifully decorated, cosy and quiet café not far from Istanbul university. They have excellent Turkish coffee and deserts. Particularly nice was the tamaraind side drink with the coffee, it was really tasty.
Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
The most famous coffee brand in Turkey. Every Turk almost uses only this coffee at home I have seen in my 11 years living in Istanbul. Their shop and cafe is a must for anyone visiting or living in Istanbul. Just walk into the store and smell. It will wake you up like a shot of adrenaline. I highly suggest sitting at their cosy alley way cafe and ordering a Turkish kahve. You won't be disappointed if you love coffee. A lot of people don't know but on the second floor they have a mini museum show
Local Attractions
Discover the most captivating places this destination has to offer
Hagia Sophia
Iconic Byzantine architecture and rich history as a church and mosque
Topkapi Palace
Explore Ottoman sultans' opulent residence and treasury collections
Grand Bazaar
Vibrant market with thousands of shops selling crafts and souvenirs
Must-Try Food
Savor the authentic flavors and culinary delights of the region
Kebabs
Grilled meat dishes, often lamb or chicken, seasoned with spices
Baklava
Sweet layered pastry with nuts and honey syrup
Simit
Sesame-crusted bread rings, popular street snack
Flight Options
Live flight data · Updated today
AIR INDIA EXPRESS (IX)Safety Tips
Community-curated pointers for a smoother trip
Keep valuables secure and be cautious in crowded tourist areas
Use official taxis or ride-hailing apps for safe transport
Cultural Insights
Helpful etiquette and tips to blend in respectfully
Dress modestly when visiting mosques and religious sites
Avoid public displays of affection; respect local customs and traditions
Hotels
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Getting Around Istanbul
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Local Transport
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Location
Best Time to Visit
April to June and September to November for mild weather and fewer crowds
Plan your trip during these months for the best weather and experiences