All citiesIstanbul Things to do and walking itinerary
Türkiye Istanbul travel guide
32 things to do in Istanbul, where to stay, airport transfers, 4 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Istanbul
- Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque — Historic landmark in Istanbul, built as a Byzantine cathedral and in use today as a mosque (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Sultan Ahmed Mosque — historic mosque located in Istanbul, Türkiye, also known as Blue Mosque (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Topkapı Palace — palace museum in Istanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Süleymaniye Mosque — mosque in İstanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Galata Tower — historical tower in İstanbul (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Dolmabahçe Palace — palace in Istanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Taksim Square — square in Istanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Rumeli Fortress — Fortress raised in a few months in 1452 at the Bosphorus' narrowest point; walls and towers give wide views. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Grand Bazaar — One of the world's oldest covered markets, thousands of shops and old hans under vaulted lanes. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- İstiklal Avenue — Pedestrian avenue from Taksim to Tünel with its heritage tram, arcades and 19th-century façades. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Maiden's Tower — lighthouse at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus in Türkiye (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Chalcedon — ancient city of Bithynia in modern-day Türkiye (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Chora Church — church converted to mosque in Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Şehzade Mosque — mosque in İstanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- New Mosque — mosque in İstanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Basilica Cistern — cistern of Byzantine-era Istanbul (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Theodosian Walls of Istanbul — Historic land walls of Istanbul (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Galata Bridge — bridge that spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Hagia Irene — Byzantine church building in Istanbul, Türkiye now a hall and museum (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ortaköy Mosque — mosque in İstanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Fatih Istanbul Mosque — mosque in İstanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Istanbul Archaeology Museums — archaeology museums in Istanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Little Hagia Sophia Mosque — former Greek Eastern Orthodox church in Istanbul converted to a mosque (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Rüstem Pasha Mosque — mosque in İstanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sokollu Mehmed Pasha I Mosque — mosque in İstanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Yıldız Palace — palace in Istanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Çırağan Palace — palace (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Monastery of Stoudios — Greek Orthodox monastery in Istanbul (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Bayezid II Mosque — mosque in İstanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Mihrimah Edirnekapı Mosque — mosque in İstanbul, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Zeyrek Mosque — religious building from the Byzantine Empire period (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Obelisk of Theodosius — ancient Egyptian obelisk of Pharaoh Thutmose III re-erected in the Hippodrome of Istanbul (known today as At Meydanı or Sultanahmet Meydanı, in the modern city of Istanbul, Türkiye) by the Roman emperor Theodosius I in the 4th century AD (visit ≈ 15 min)
2-day Istanbul walking itinerary
Starting point: Sultanahmet. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.2 km · 12,370 steps · 2 h 34 min on the way): Sultan Ahmed Mosque → Grand Bazaar → Süleymaniye Mosque → Galata Tower → İstiklal Avenue → Maiden's Tower
- Day 2 (≈ 2.6 km · 3,530 steps · 35 min on the way): Topkapı Palace → Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Istanbul
- Balat — Colourful bay-windowed houses, steep lanes, antique shops and churches on the Golden Horn; a favourite for wandering. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Kuzguncuk — Quiet Bosphorus village of wooden houses where mosque, church and synagogue stand side by side; has a community garden. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Underground Mosque (Yeraltı Camii) — A dim mosque hidden in the vaulted basement of an old Byzantine-era structure in Karaköy, among low pillars. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Museum of Innocence — Small, poetic museum in Çukurcuma that tells a novel through everyday objects; each vitrine rewards a close look. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Baltalimanı Japanese Garden — Small Japanese garden by the Bosphorus with a pond, bridges and a tea house; a calm escape from city noise. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Kadıköy Market — The Asian side's liveliest market lanes, packed with fishmongers, pickle shops, delis and coffee roasters. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Büyükada — Largest of the car-free Princes' Islands, reached by ferry: mansions, pine woods and a walk up to Aya Yorgi hill. (visit ≈ 300 min)
- santralistanbul Energy Museum — Industrial museum at the head of the Golden Horn: an old power station with its turbines and control room preserved. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Fethi Paşa Grove — Wooded park on the Üsküdar slopes whose terraced café looks over the Bosphorus and the historic peninsula. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Camondo Stairs — Late-19th-century stairway curling up from Bankalar Street towards Galata; an elegant spot loved by photographers. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Bulgarian St. Stephen Church — Cast-iron church on the Golden Horn, its parts made in Vienna and assembled in 1898; reopened after restoration. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Şerefiye Cistern — The 5th-century Theodosius Cistern: a marble-columned hall with light shows, far calmer than the Basilica Cistern. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Khedive's Palace — Art Nouveau mansion from 1907 on the Çubuklu hills; its wooded garden fills with tulips in spring. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Arap Mosque — A former Dominican church in Karaköy's back streets whose Gothic bell tower became a minaret; rare in the city. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Phanar Greek Orthodox College — Red-brick, castle-like 19th-century school on the Fener hillside, the district's landmark seen from the Golden Horn. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Church of St Mary of the Mongols — The only Byzantine-era church in the city never converted, still in use, tucked in a quiet Fener courtyard. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Burgazada and Sait Faik Museum — Quiet small island where the writer's house is kept as a museum; coastal path and coves for a slow day. (visit ≈ 240 min)
- Yeldeğirmeni — Kadıköy district with some of the city's first apartment blocks, its walls covered in festival murals. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Sirkeci Station — Orientalist-style historic terminus of the Orient Express; its waiting hall and stained glass are worth a look. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Aya Yorgi Church, Büyükada — Monastery church on Büyükada's highest hill; a steep walk rewarded with views over the Marmara and islands. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Pera Museum — Tepebaşı museum of Orientalist painting, home to Osman Hamdi Bey's 'Tortoise Trainer', plus touring shows. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Rahmi M. Koç Museum Istanbul — Industrial museum of trains, boats, planes and toys in an old Golden Horn dockyard and anchor foundry. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Where to stay in Istanbul
- Sultanahmet: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı are walkable; on the T1 tram line.
- Karaköy / Galata: Tram, ferries and funicular meet here; full of cafés and galleries.
- Cihangir / Taksim: Hub for nightlife and restaurants; metro and airport buses nearby.
- Kadıköy / Moda: The lively heart of the Asian side; market, taverns and ferries to Europe.
- Beşiktaş: Local, student feel; cheap eateries and ferries in every direction.
- Nişantaşı: Calm, upscale and safe; shopping streets and the M2 metro nearby.
Getting from the airport to Istanbul
- Istanbul Airport (IST): M11 metro, non-stop ≈ 35 min
- Sabiha Gökçen (SAW): M4 metro, non-stop ≈ 50 min
Getting around
Trams, metro, ferries and funiculars all take the Istanbulkart. Traffic is heavy, so prefer rail and ferries.
Classic places to eat
- Pandeli: Above the Spice Bazaar since 1901; famous for its aubergine börek.
- Hamdi Restaurant: Pistachio kebab and lahmacun on a terrace overlooking the Golden Horn.
- Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta: Meatballs, bean salad and semolina halva since 1920.
- Hacı Abdullah: Ottoman-style eatery since 1888; hünkar beğendi and quince dessert.
- Çiya Sofrası: Forgotten dishes from across Anatolia; pick from the daily pots.
- Karaköy Güllüoğlu: The city’s classic stop for pistachio baklava and sütlü nuriye.
- Hafız Mustafa 1864: Turkish delight, baklava and kazandibi at the historic Sirkeci shop.
- Vefa Bozacısı: Boza since 1876, topped with roasted chickpeas and cinnamon.
- Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi: Turkish coffee since 1871; buy freshly ground coffee.
- Mandabatmaz: Thick, foamy Turkish coffee in a lane off İstiklal.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- TURK Fatih Tutak — 2 MICHELIN stars, Modern Turkish
- Mikla — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Anatolian
- Neolokal — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Turkish
- Nicole — 1 MICHELIN star, Mediterranean
Romantic views
- Pierre Loti Hill (Sunset): A tea garden in Eyüp looking down the whole Golden Horn.
- Ortaköy Waterfront (Evening): The mosque and the Bosphorus Bridge lights reflect on the water.
- Bebek Shore (Sunset): A quiet walking path along the Bosphorus.
- Çamlıca Hill (Sunset): One of the city's highest hills, with both continents in view.
- Emirgan Park (Afternoon): A wooded park with tulip beds and ponds above the Bosphorus.
Football stadiums in Istanbul
- Rams Park: Home of Galatasaray S.K.
- Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium: Home of Fenerbahçe Istanbul
- Beşiktaş Stadium: Home of Beşiktaş J.K.
Good to know before visiting Istanbul
- Fine: Insulting the memory of Atatürk, the Turkish flag or state symbols is a criminal offence.
- Fine: Exporting antiquities is banned; keep receipts and, for old carpets or objects, ask for a museum export certificate.
- Fine: Photographing military zones and facilities is prohibited; obey "military zone" signs.
- Fine: Smoking is banned indoors and on public transport; lighting fires in forests in summer is fined.
- Warning: Carry your ID or passport; police may ask for it at checks.
- Warning: Shops and kiosks may not sell alcohol between 22:00 and 06:00.
- Emergency: 112
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is treated, but most people drink bottled or jug water.
- Tipping: A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Türkiye, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Resmî e-Vize, Wikivoyage — Turkey · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Istanbul travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Istanbul?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Istanbul?
- Highlights: Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque and Galata Tower. The map has 32 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Istanbul?
- Sultanahmet: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı are walkable; on the T1 tram line. Other options: Karaköy / Galata, Cihangir / Taksim, Kadıköy / Moda, Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı.
- How do you get from the airport to Istanbul city centre?
- Istanbul Airport (IST): M11 metro, non-stop ≈ 35 min · Sabiha Gökçen (SAW): M4 metro, non-stop ≈ 50 min
- How do you get around Istanbul?
- Trams, metro, ferries and funiculars all take the Istanbulkart. Traffic is heavy, so prefer rail and ferries.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Istanbul?
- According to the last known data there are 4 starred restaurants: TURK Fatih Tutak (2 stars), Mikla (1 star), Neolokal (1 star), Nicole (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Istanbul?
- Emergency: 112.
- Do you tip in Istanbul?
- A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.
Nearby cities
Bursa · Çanakkale · Gökçeada · Bozcaada · Assos (Behramkale) · Amasra · İzmir · Ankara
Türkiye travel guide: all cities · All cities