For the past 12 years istanbul city has been a city of interest for a lot of people, every year tourists from all over the world visit this city to enjoy the historical site, beautiful nature, fun activities, and to taste the delicious turkish food. in fact, a lot of people actually have fallen in love with the city in a way that they visit it every single year.
published: 23 September 2022 / updated: 7 March 2024Share
So if you are planning to visit Istanbul city this year here are some tips to enjoy your time and spend a happy vacation:
Book a hotel near the touristic areas:
Istanbul city is a very big city but the touristic areas are almost located in the heart of the city and near it, so it would be good if you stay in a hotel that is not very far away from the sites you want to visit. Of course, you can count on the city’s organized public transportation because it connects all the areas with each other but you do not want to spend your tie in busses and trains and you can find a lot of options for booking in the heart of the city you are limited to expensive hotels.
Follow an organized tour trip:
Istanbul city has a lot of sites to be visited and you will definitely get confused from where to start and where to go. Thus, you can count on tourism agencies and join one or two of the trips that they organize because tourism agencies know how to structure a trip according to your time so you can visit the most attractive sites in the city without getting lost or losing time. If you are not a fan of tourism agencies and do not want to get restricted with them, you can open the map and organize your own trip but as an advise, you can start from the famous Grand Bazaar, it will be easier for you to visit the most famous sites this way.
Wake up early:
Most of the museums and historical sites like Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Museum open their doors for visitors early and close it at 7 pm by latest. Thus, it is important to wake up early, have a delicious breakfast then hit the road and enjoy your day in Istanbul. For the night, you can spend your time at one of the restaurants for a delicious dinner or one of the bars in Istiklal Street, Kadikoy, or Arnavutkoy.
Turkish language:
Although Istanbul city is famous for the huge number of foreigners who visit it every year, Turkish people do not seem to be fans of foregin languages. You would still find people speaking English but do not expect them to be fluent at it. Thus, it is better if you prepare yourself for some language barriers and problems by using Google Translate or memorise the basic Turkish phrases that you will be using most of the time like:
Your Key to Istanbul
Grab the Deal! Time Left to Claim:
05
hours
22
minutes
54
seconds
Planning Your Istanbul Trip?
Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ is your digital pass to 100+ attractions, including Istanbul’s top sights, guided tours and unique experiences. It gives you skip-the-line access and nothing to pay at the door.
✓ Valid for 1 year
✓ Mobile QR ticket
✓ Skip the ticket lines
✓ Save up to 50%
Top Attractions and 100+ Attractions & Experiences Included:
⭐ Trusted by 2M+ travelers since 2013 ⭐ 100% savings guarantee
How much? “Ne kadar”
Thank You. “Teşekkurler” (Teshekkurler)
Hello. ‘’Merhaba”, and other phrases or words that you can check on Google translate before arriving in Turkey. Most importantly, be patient because you might find someone who does not speak english at all.
Food:
The food culture in Turkey is so rich, you can find literally hundreds of options to have your lunch or dinner so you are not limited to specific types of food. You can also find Chinese food, Indian food, Arap food, and many other cuisines.
Here is a very important thing: if you are on a diet, forget about it you won’t be able to resist the food in Istanbul.
How to get from and to the airport:
First of all, you need to know that the new Istanbul Airport is far away from the heart of the city and it takes about 80-90 minutes to reach it. Once you get out of the airport you will find a lot of busses that each one of them pass through a different road transferring passengers to anywhere in Istanbul. These busses are extremely comfortable so you will not be annoyed using them, and tickets are cheap alos. The most expensive one cost you around 5 US Dollars. If you are in a hurry, you can take a taxi but it will cost you about 30-35 US Dollars.
In any case, make sure to check out from your hotel early at your last day not to miss your flight and keep in mind that Istanbul Airport is a very busy one, so expect to spend more tie than usual in it.
Related Tours
Skip the Line
Recommended
Secure Payment
Full Day Tour
Audio Guide
Kids Friendly
Sightseeing
History
Nature
Guided Tour
Entrance Ticket
Pick Up/Drop Off
For Limited Time Only FREE INTERNET w/ eSIM! Skip-the-Line Access to 100+ Museums, Tours & Attractions w/ Show&Go instant e-Tickets! Get a flexible pass & Explore Istanbul by yourself. Save up to 70%
We want to feel safe and enjoy a meal in places with comfortable seats and beautiful lighting from time to time. So let’s take a look at our suggestions of luxury places where you can get your money’s worth with a pleasant ambiance and quality service and the tastes where you can pamper yourself. You will go on an expedition with the places we recommend and the richness of food and drink. Here are ten luxury places to go in Istanbul.
Bagdad Avenue, a bustling thoroughfare on Istanbul's Anatolian side, is renowned for its vibrant shopping scene. This 14-kilometer stretch, parallel to the Sea of Marmara, offers a diverse range of shops, boutiques, and department stores. From international brands to local designers, you'll find something to suit every taste and budget.
Sultanahmet, has a plethora of different souvenirs that you can buy and return to your home country to present as valuable and delightful gifts to acquaintances and friends