Istanbul (NOT Constantinople) City Guide
Considered to be “the gateway to the world” (seriously…Istanbul has one of the LARGEST, most ornate airports in the world!), Türkiye is a beautiful country with amazing culture, food, and architecture.
On a journey halfway around the world from Denver to London to Azerbaijan, on the way to attend a scientific conference in Baku, Lily and I decided to “take the long way” and spend some time in Istanbul exploring the cobblestone streets of the ancient Middle Eastern city. Lily had visited Istanbul once before on a post-college graduation trip and she was excited to parade me around the colorful alleyways near Galata Tower. She was eager to see me try ayran, a Turkish specialty, that looks like a frothy milkshake (but it DEFINITELY doesn’t taste like a milkshake…). I was excited to pet the stray cats and see the Hagia Sophia, a monumental landmark of culture and assimilation, of which I have studied since I was a sophomore in high school. We only spent twenty four hours in Istanbul, but in that short time we traversed the entirety of the captivating city, exploring Turkish markets, marveling at the beautiful mosques, and indulging in the delectable cuisine. My fascination with Istanbul has since intensified, and I am excited to someday travel back to the inspiring country of Türkiye!
Here’s a mini city guide for Istanbul, formerly Constantinople!
(if you know, you know…)
Where to Stay in Istanbul
For Lily’s first visit to Istanbul, she stayed in Taksim, known for its shopping, nightlife, and club scene. But because Istanbul’s nightlife often continues into the early hours of the morning, Taksim can feel overwhelming and loud. I don’t recommend staying in Taksim for first-time visitors, or for families. When planning our extended layover in Istanbul, Lily chose a quieter area of the city, away from the nightlife (we’re early birds anyways!). Our favorite locations for choosing accommodations in Istanbul are Galata and Sultanahmet.
Galata
Galata is Istanbul’s colorful, trendy area, with the scenic Galata Tower ascending over picturesque restaurants, bookstores, and cafes. We loved the narrow cobblestone alleyways and the colorful facades around Galata, and HIGHLY recommend this location for all travelers. This area felt like a breath of fresh air compared to Taksim; a peaceful neighborhood safely protected under the watchful eyes of stray cats!
Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet is a safe and accessible place to stay in Istanbul. It is recommended for first-time visitors because of its proximity to Istanbul’s captivating landmarks and mosques, such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Travelers who love visiting local markets in search of trinkets, dried fruit, or tea (!!), have close access to the Grand Bazaar, which is located in Sultanahmet.
I recommend both Galata and Sultanahmet for choosing accommodations when you travel to Istanbul!
Turkish Airlines’ Stopover Promotion: My Experience
Have you heard the news? Like many airlines, Turkish Airlines offers an “extended stopover” in Istanbul, where you can join free city tours and get free accommodation at partner hotels! This is one of the best ways to see a city if you have a short travel time, and also the most budget friendly way to explore Istanbul. Other airlines like Icelandair and Qatar Airlines also offer “extended stopovers” as a promotion to increase tourism and help travelers save money!
Everything you need to know about Turkish Airlines’ FREE stopover program
All travelers who are visiting Istanbul for a period of 20 hours or more can take advantage of the free stopover program, including reserving a free hotel for the night through one of the airline’s partner hotels.
Check that your ticket is eligible for the stopover program in Turkish Airlines’ stopover program booker HERE and email the corresponding departure country with your arrival information, accommodation dates, and preferred room type 72 hours PRIOR to arrival in Istanbul. Passengers flying in economy class can reserve a 4-star hotel for one night (two for travelers departing from US), while passengers flying in business class can stay up to two nights in a 5-star hotel (three for travelers departing from US), free of charge!
Travelers with a 6–24 hour layover in Istanbul can take advantage of TourIstanbul ’s free city tours! TourIstanbul will pick up travelers from the airport and chauffeur you around to the city’s unique landmarks and recommended restaurants. This service, offered with the stopover program, is a hassle free way to see Istanbul! NOTE: these tours MUST be booked in advance!
Turkish Airlines has a list of departure/arrival countries where passengers can benefit from the stopover program. Check your departure and arrival country HERE to see if you are eligible for the stopover program!
HINT: if your Turkish Airlines ticket begins with 235, you are eligible for the stopover program!
Unfortunately our flight from the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan was not eligible for the Turkish Airlines stopover program, so we couldn’t take advantage of this awesome deal…but next time we travel through Istanbul, we will definitely take advantage of the free accommodation and tours!
Things to Do in Istanbul
Visit One of Istanbul’s Beautiful Mosques
I will never forget driving to Istanbul from the airport and seeing hundreds of minarets ascending into the sky, all around the city. It was as if the skyline was decorated with thousands of skyscrapers – the minarets were reminiscent of a NYC skyline. There are over 3,000 mosques in Istanbul and each mosque is spectacular! The most notable include the Blue Mosque, a classical Ottoman mosque built in the 1600s, and Hagia Sophia, which is actually no longer a functioning mosque, but a museum! I recommend joining a guided tour of Istanbul’s beautiful religious structures to learn more about Islam and the country’s customs.
Mosque Etiquette
Few mosques can be entered by non-muslims because of the ornate architecture’s religious functionality, so it’s important to be respectful and understanding of prayer times! During prayer times, a loud, cacophonous song, the “call to prayer”, is chanted, signaling a time of prayer for worshippers. Usually during this time, open mosques will close and non-muslims may not enter. When visiting a mosque, men and women must dress modestly. Women should wear long, loose clothing (such as a long skirt or trousers), long sleeves, and a headscarf, or a traditional hijab. Men should wear long pants and long sleeves. Many mosques will not allow visitors without proper dress, so make sure you dress accordingly!
The Hagia Sophia is one of Istanbul’s most amazing structures, and one of the city’s oldest! Originally built as a Christian place of worship in the 6th century, the ornate monument eventually became a mosque under Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. For centuries Hagia Sophia functioned as a mosque, until 1934, when it became a museum. Cherished by two faiths, Hagia Sophia is one of the most impressive structures in the world, and should certainly be at the top of your list when you visit Istanbul!
Explore the Grand Bazaar and Other Local Markets
I’ve said it once before, and I’ll say it again, visit a local market when you travel to a new country! At local markets, you’ll have the most authentic interaction with locals, as long as you don’t fall for their scams (SEE: Tips for Visiting the Markets BELOW). Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is one of the largest, and oldest markets in the world. At the bazaar, you can find a plethora of trinkets, ceramics, Turkish lamps, tea and spices, and dates! My favorite part about traveling to a new country is visiting a local market. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar was nothing short of spectacular!
Tips for Visiting the Markets
My BEST advice for buying local goods at a market is to HAGGLE. Vendors will offer you a “set price” for their goods which is usually marked up! Sometimes vendors will charge unknowing tourists DOUBLE the actual price of the item. The best thing to do is to haggle for a better price. First offer to pay HALF of what they originally quoted you for the item. See what their counter offer is, and if it seems reasonable, make the purchase! Otherwise, keep haggling! Do this until they accept your price (usually an agreement is made, eventually), or start to walk away and tell them “I’ll buy this somewhere else”. Vendors will oftentimes chase after customers and finally offer them a fair price, hoping for business from a smart traveler! It’s fun to haggle!
Eat Traditional Turkish Food
I love Turkish cuisine so much, I make several Turkish recipes every week at home! Shoutout to Shakshuka, a delicious breakfast dish Lily introduced me to, which I first tried in Türkiye (the dish is actually believed to have originated in North Africa…). Turkish cuisine is UNBEATABLE. Here are some Turkish dishes to try when you visit Istanbul:
A Turkish kebab, usually lamb or beef, cooked on a vertical rotisserie! How do they make döner so delicious? That’s nobody’s business but the Turks…
One of the most popular Turkish dishes which consists of sliced döner meat smothered in a rich tomato sauce and served with pita bread…is that convincing enough?
Honestly, it’s better if you try ayran without knowing what it actually is! Ayran looks like a frothy vanilla milkshake. However, the popular Turkish drink actually tastes like sour milk (yes, I gagged when I tried it…)! Made of yogurt, water, and salt, this Turkish drink is ultimately not my favorite. But when in Türkiye, taste the Ayran!
Perhaps the most glorious of all dishes I tried in Türkiye was shakshuka, a Turkish breakfast consisting of a rich tomato sauce and pan-fried eggs. Dipping bread into shakshuka is like devouring liquid gold. It’s so good, I learned to make it at home, and I eat it EVERY WEEK for breakfast!
Take Photos on the Picturesque Galata Bridge
Galata Bridge, which connects both sides of Istanbul, is one of the most picturesque bridges in the city, offering stunning views of Istanbul’s skyline. Along the bridge you’ll see fishermen casting their lines into the water, and seagulls waiting for a fresh catch. Galata Bridge is an “instagram worthy” photo spot, especially at sunset!
Cruise Along the Bosphorus Strait and Cross Over Continents
One of the best ways to see Istanbul is to cruise along the strait that cuts through the city. Istanbul is unique because the city divides two continents: on one side of Istanbul is Europe, and on the other is Asia! Most tourists will tell you to book a guided cruise along the water, which can cost a fortune! Instead, I recommend taking a cheap ferry along the water for the same beautiful views!
Try Turkish Ice Cream
You’ve probably seen viral videos of tourists getting fooled by Turkish ice cream shop owners…one moment the cone is in your hand, and the next it’s gone! Turkish ice cream has become increasingly popular for the tomfoolery associated with actually receiving the delectable treat. Because of the way it’s made, Turkish ice cream is very thick and elastic, making it the perfect way for vendors to trick tourists. It’s fun to watch people get Turkish ice cream, and it’s delicious to eat!
Enjoy Istanbul! I can’t wait to go back to Türkiye to explore even more of the beautiful country!
