Last Updated on September 30, 2026 by Home in the World
Istanbul was a city that had always fascinated me. As someone with a strong interest in all things Islamic/Ottoman/Byzantine/Silk Road, it felt like somewhere I really needed to visit. I had tried 3 times to do so over the years, but had always had to cancel for some reason or another.
Fourth time lucky and I FINALLY managed to spend 4 days in Istanbul. It is far from an exhaustive list of things to see in that city; it is merely my personal experience. We were travelling as a family with my parents, so our pace was leisurely.
Don’t expect this to be a jam-packed itinerary that has you on the go from dawn ’til dusk. We kept things simple and didn’t fill our days too much, preferring to spend proper time at each attraction. So we definitely didn’t get to see everything that the city has to offer.
But I write this as a guide to give you inspiration to help you create your own personal itinerary, and to provide practical information on the attractions that I did see.
So read on to discover how I spent my 4 days in Istanbul, as well as some other things I would consider for next time.
And if you are serious about visiting this part of the world, also consider downloading my free, one-page guide to Istanbul, concisely summarising everything you need to know before you go.
Day 1: Topkapi Palace & Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Palace
On our first day in Istanbul after a long journey from Australia (which had included a 5-hour flight delay), we were a little late getting going. Initially planning to visit the Blue Mosque, we decided to instead head to the Topkapi Palace, as it was going to be closed the next day (it is closed every Tuesday) and I was too impatient to wait until the following day, as it had been on my bucket list for a very long time.
So, that morning, while still in the hotel, I booked this tour on Istanbul.com, which ended up being perfect. It gave us fast-track entry and access to the Harem (which I highly recommend and will talk about in more detail below).
The local guide met us (and everyone else who had booked on the same tour) at the designated spot outside the entrance, facilitated our access and then took us around for 30-45 minutes, explaining all the history of this vast complex that once served as the political and residential centre of the Ottoman Empire. He was excellent and knowledgeable. We could also have an audio guide if we wanted.
Thereafter, we were free to explore the complex on our own. I loved the mix of having facilitated access and a personal source of information, but also then being able to see the rest independently at our own pace.
You can book your tickets yourself at the gate, but prepare for it to potentially take a bit longer, especially if visiting during peak season. I was happy we had pre-arranged the fast track entry – and even then we had to spend a bit of time queuing up for airport-level security checks (walking through metal detectors and putting bags through X-ray machines).
We ended up spending a good part of the day at the Topkapi; there is just so much to take in. There are four main courtyards that you progress through, each with beautifully manicured gardens and exquisite architecture.
The first courtyard, the Court of the Janissaries, accessed via the Imperial Gate, is a park-like space in the outer zone of the complex; it was essentially the public anteroom before reaching the actual palace grounds. It housed the Imperial Mint and palace hospital, as well as the Byzantine church of Hagia Irene.
Step through the Gate of Salutation and you will find yourself in courtyard number 2, the Imperial Council Square, another leafy space from which you can visit the palace kitchens and, most importantly, the Harem. I HIGHLY recommend making sure you buy a ticket that includes Harem access (not all do), because you won’t want to miss it. I spent a large part of my Topkapi time here, because it was just so fascinating. At the very least you should allow 1-2 hours to explore the Harem alone.
A veritable labyrinth of over 300 rooms, the Harem was home to the sultan, female members of his family, his concubines, and the black eunuchs who guarded the property. It is essentially a giant courtyard with rooms stemming off it, and you follow it all the way around. As our guide humorously described it, it is like an Ikea store, where there is no real way of visiting only specific areas; you just follow the route through the entire Harem. But you won’t want to skip anything anyway, as there is so much to see.
Among my favourite rooms were the Imperial Hall and the Apartment of the Sultan’s Wives. The striking Iznik tiles, the beautiful stained glass windows, the exquisite fabrics… there was a lot to take in.
But it is also important to acknowledge that, though it all looks and sounds ‘exotic’ to us, the Harem had a darker side: it epitomised the sultan’s absolute power. The concubines were subject to strict hierarchies and control, their primary purpose being to continue the royal bloodline and produce male heirs for the Ottoman Empire.
After visiting the Harem, you’ll continue to courtyard 3 through the Gate of Felicity. It includes more gardens, pavilions, the Chamber of the Holy Relics (which requires modest dress and often has a long queue), the Imperial Wardrobe and the Imperial Treasury.
Finally, there is courtyard 4, which was perhaps my favourite of all the courtyards. It was the most intimate of spaces, the sultan’s innermost sanctum, featuring stunning terraced gardens, gorgeous pavilions and breathtaking panoramic views over the Bosphorus. It was a perfect spot to stop for a moment, enjoy the fresh waterside breeze and take in our incredible surroundings.
I highly recommend spending time wandering the Iftar Pavilion on the Marble Terrace, with its ornate architecture and fantastic viewpoint overlooking the Golden Horn. Other equally eye-catching structures here are the Baghdad Pavilion, covered in blue-and-white Iznik tiles, and the Yerevan Pavilion.
As you can see, there is a lot to try and absorb at the Topkapi Palace, and I would recommend spending at least 3-4 hours there. We ended up spending a good part of the day there. While it will likely be one of the more expensive attractions you will visit, I would say it is 100% worth it. It was definitely one of the highlights of my 4 days in Istanbul.
It is worth noting that there was no particular dress code for the Topkapi in general, though some areas, such as the aforementioned Chamber of the Holy Relics, will require shoulders and knees to be covered.
Useful information at a glance: Topkapi Palace
Entry cost: Various options available but standard price is approx. TRY 2750 (~EUR 50)
Dress code: No specific requirement for most parts of the complex, but some sections, such as the Chamber of the Holy Relics, will require shoulders and knees to be covered.
Access: Uber/Taxi to the Fountain of Ahmed III or metro to Sultanahmet station
Opening hours: 9am-6pm (April to September), 9am-5pm (October to March). Closed Tuesdays.
How long to spend there: At least 3-4 hours
Hagia Sophia
Heading back out of the Topkapi and back to the Fountain of Ahmed III where we had originally met our guide, I noticed that the queue outside the Hagia Sophia, directly opposite, had completely disappeared. It was edging towards the end of the day and no one else seemed to be going in (though the Hagia Sophia remains open until 7.30pm).
I had originally planned to visit it the next day, but, given there were no crowds, I bought an impromptu ticket from the ticket office that was right there and walked straight in. If you’re visiting at a busier time of day, you can also pre-book a skip-the-line ticket with audio guide or, if you’re willing to pay a bit more for additional access, a skip-the-line ticket with museum option.
Be aware that you will need to pass through airport-style security to get in (walk through a metal detector and have your bags put through an X-ray machine).
A modest dress code applies too, as the Hagia Sophia is a working mosque. For women, this means head, shoulders and knees covered, and no tight-fitting or transparent clothing. Free scarves are provided if you need it, but I recommend always having a scarf in your bag anyway when visiting an Islamic country or countries with Muslim-majority populations. Men must wear sleeved shirts/T-shirts and full-length pants or long shorts that cover the knees.
At the time of my visit, in 2026, the Hagia Sophia was undergoing extensive restorations, both on the inside and outside. Unfortunately its exterior was almost completely covered in scaffolding. Inside, too, there was a lot of scaffolding and netting hanging from the ceiling, but I did not find it detracted too much from the experience. I asked several locals and guides if they knew when the work was due to be completed but no one had much idea, some believed it would be several years yet.
These days, visitors are only allowed to visit the upper gallery, as the lower level is for active worshippers only. But I found the upper gallery to be impressive enough. You could still look over several of the balconies to the main prayer hall below, and being up at the same level as the iconic chandeliers, with the giant dome above, was incredible. You are also able to admire some incredibly well preserved Byzantine mosaics from the 11th and 12th centuries.
The Hagia Sophia, like many of Istanbul’s main attractions, had been on my bucket list for decades. And when I had read that it was going to be under renovation during my visit, I was initially disheartened and wondered if it would even be worth spending the EUR 25 to go in if it was just going to be under scaffolding. I am so glad I did, however. I was able to see so much more than I expected, and it, too, ended up being one of the highlights of my 4 days in Istanbul.
Useful information at a glance: Hagia Sophia
Entry cost: EUR 25
Dress code: Women must have head, shoulders and knees covered, men must wear sleeved shirts and pants or long shorts that cover the knees. No transparent or tight-fitting clothing.
Access: Uber/Taxi to the Fountain of Ahmed III or metro to Sultanahmet station
Opening hours: 8am-7.30pm (April to September), 9am-7.30pm (October to March). Open daily.
How long to spend there: Approximately 1 hour
Day 2: Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque & Sultanahmet
Grand Bazaar
Day 2 started off with an Uber ride to the Grand Bazaar, which, as one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, felt like a mini city of its own. It spans 61 ‘streets’ and contains over 4000 shops, so don’t expect to be able to see it all.
The Uber dropped us off at the junction of Fuatpaşa Caddesi and Darülfünum Caddesi, and from there we walked down the pedestrian shopping street of Çadırcılar Caddesi, which itself was lined with all kinds of stalls, primarily selling clothes (including fake luxury brands) and accessories. But this wasn’t even the bazaar!
About halfway down, there was a sign suspended above the street saying ‘GRAND BAZAAR’ with arrows pointing left, so we followed it. It took us through a narrow laneway and into the bowels of the bazaar. You could immediately feel the labyrinthine vibe!
But, surprisingly, it was a lot less crowded than the pedestrian street we had just come from. I was expecting the bazaar to be wall-to-wall people, but, at least when I visited (late morning on a weekday), it was just a manageable bustle.
Laneway after laneway with stunning Ottoman-style arched ceilings and mosaics mean it’s not just a haven for shoppers, but also for architecture enthusiasts. I didn’t really know where to look!
One of the first shops I stopped at was Murathan Antiques, near gates 11 and 12. The owner, Murathan Özgen, was such a lovely, cultured man who had travelled the Silk Road seeking out tribal articles and objects of art. He also employs local female artisans to make some of his products. I bought several items from him. You can visit his website (linked above) or his Etsy shop.
Thereafter, we spent another hour or so wandering the various arcades, sampling teas (I tried a delicious pomegranate and hibiscus one), and taking in all the spices, mystical lamps, exquisite rugs and everything else. I also really loved branching off into some of the leafy outdoor courtyards, which, in addition to more shops, had some al fresco cafés as well. Just a great vibe in general!
Çemberlitaş & the Blue Mosque
After that, it was time to see the third of Istanbul’s ‘big 3’ attractions: the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. I had seen it in the distance the day before, as it is only a short walk from the Topkapi and Hagia Sophia, but by the end of the day and feeling jetlagged, I decided to come back the next day and admire it properly.
It turns out the Grand Bazaar is only about a 15-minute walk from the Blue Mosque, so we decided to do that, and take in some more of Istanbul’s vibrant streets in the process. I definitely recommend doing this! The walk will take you through the historic Çemberlitaş district, which lies between the Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque.
We meandered our way east down Yeniçerlier Caddesi, which is lined with all manner of retail outlets, particularly a lot of sweets shops and tea shops (including those selling ‘Viagra tea’..). You will also see the ubiquitous red street-food carts. And, if you venture down some of the smaller streets on the right-hand side, you will get some tantalising glimpses of the Sea of Marmara between the buildings.
Other sights to see along Yeniçerlier Caddesi included stunning Ottoman architecture in the form of the Sinan Pasha Tomb, the Gazi Atik Ali Paşa Medresesi, the Gazi Atik Ali Paşa Mosque and the Çemberlitaş Hamamı.
Before long, we made it to Mehmet Akif Ersoy Park, with the spires of the Blue Mosque clearly visible in the distance.
Entrance to the mosque is free, and, as you would expect, there is a dress code. Women must cover their head, shoulders and knees (scarves and wrap-around skirts are provided if necessary) when inside the mosque (not needed in the outside courtyard or garden) and men must have shoulders and knees covered.
In terms of opening hours, the Blue Mosque is open daily 8.30am-7pm (closing at 5pm between Oct and Nov), except Fridays when it opens at approximately 2.30pm after morning prayers. Be aware that, even on other days, there are several 90-minute closures for prayers throughout the day. These times vary depending on the sun. Approximate opening hours are: 8.30am-11.30am, 1pm-2.30pm and 3.30pm-4.45pm, but you can check the specific times on the day here.
I recommend visiting either first thing in the morning or (as I did) later in the afternoon. I would also avoid going on a Friday if possible. I had read to expect lengthy queues for security checks, but there were no queues or security checks when I visited! I was able to walk straight in.
You should aim to spend around 30-40 minutes inside admiring the stunning architecture. Be aware you will need to remove your shoes before entering. The interior is absolutely gorgeous, one of the most striking features being the central dome. I loved admiring the many, many predominantly-blue Iznik tiles and intricate carvings. Every square inch of surface was covered in some sort of beautiful motif, calligraphy or design element – one of the reasons I love Islamic architecture so much.
The central section is reserved for Muslim worshippers but you can easily walk around it (it’s only roped off) and still experience the whole mosque. One thing that did surprise me was the amount of children running around and screaming in that central worshipping area; I would have expected there would need to be more respect shown…
Either before or after going inside the mosque, you will also want to spend some time in the main courtyard outside. The perimeter is lined with information about Islam, and you will also get some fabulous photos of the mosque’s minarets. Plus, if you’re lucky or time it with the lead-up to prayer time, you will also be able to be there to hear the call to prayer, which I always find a unique experience as someone who lives in a non-Muslim country.
Useful information at a glance: Blue Mosque
Entry cost: Free
Dress code: Women must have head, shoulders and knees covered, men must wear sleeved shirts and pants or long shorts that cover the knees. No transparent or tight-fitting clothing.
Access: Uber/Taxi to the Blue Mosque or metro to Sultanahmet station
Opening hours: Generally 8.30am-11.30am, 1pm-2.30pm and 3.30pm-4.45pm, but check the specific times on the day here
How long to spend there: Approximately 1 hour
Sultanahmet
We ended our day by walking around the streets of Sultanahmet just near the mosque. Firstly, I recommend spending some time soaking in the atmosphere of Sultanahmet Square between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The two occasions I was there were in the late afternoon and there was such a lovely vibe. Tourists, local families, street-food vendors with their iconic red carts… everyone just enjoying golden hour amongst the manicured gardens and fountains – between two of the city’s (and indeed the world’s) most iconic buildings. Just magical.
The streets we then wandered were to the southeast of the Blue Mosque, towards the Sea of Marmara. Covered in cobblestones and lined with colourful buildings housing cute eateries, boutique hotels and abundant rug stores, they were definitely worth exploring. I also managed to spot a few murals and other forms of street art, which is something I really love. A great way to end day 2 of my 4 days in Istanbul!
Day 3: Balat & Fener, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus
Balat & Fener
Day 3 kicked off with an Uber ride to Balat and Fener, two vibrant adjacent districts along the Golden Horn. While Balat was historically a Jewish quarter and Fener more of a Greek Orthodox community, the neighbourhoods today combine to be one of Istanbul’s coolest, most colourful areas.
I wasn’t sure where exactly to get dropped off, so I put the Uber destination as ‘colourful Balat stairs‘, because this now-Instafamous staircase is probably the best known attraction here. Given the steep topography and narrow cobbled streets in this part of the city, the Uber could only drop us at the corner of Mürselpaşa Caddesi and Akçin Sokak streets, but this turned out to be perfect.
As soon as I stepped out of the car, I was struck by the colourful buildings, eye-popping murals and bustling café culture. The Colourful Stairs were only a block or so up from where we were; a small uphill climb but nothing too drastic. You won’t be able to miss the stairs, because there’s bound to be a crowd there. I imagine it would be impossible to take people-free photos there unless you came first thing in the morning.
They are cute, but nothing SUPER special, effectively some cobbled steps painted in rainbow colours and lined with bits and pieces of quirky art and painted bricks. Some of the art displays could only be photographed if you paid the owner of the restaurant they happened to be outside, so just be aware of that; I saw him tell quite a few people off!
Just next-door is another sight you may have seen on Instagram; a canopy of colourful umbrellas suspended among trees. These are part of the Antik Café, and you can only get a photo among them if you actually patronise the café. Otherwise, you can just take a photo from outside the gate, which was enough for me.
To be honest, what I enjoyed most about the Balat and Fener districts was just meandering the streets away from the Instafamous spots. As mentioned, some of the streets can end up being quite steep, and many are cobbled, so if that poses a difficulty for you, I recommend sticking to some of the lower streets, such as Mürselpaşa Caddesi, Yıldırım Caddesi and Vodina Caddesi; these are pretty flat and you’ll still be able to soak in the vibe.
Most of my photos were taken from these streets; there are so many colourful façades, cute cafés and shops, and incredible murals. I particularly loved the striking piece on the wall of Erika Balat Bistro Café!
Balat and Fener ended up being one of my favourite parts of my 4 days in Istanbul. There was a very different vibe to the Sultanahmet area; it felt fun, hipstery and eclectic, and I definitely recommend adding it to your Istanbul itinerary. It’s worth at least a couple of hours.
The Golden Horn
Istanbul’s unique geographical location means it is surrounded by water on many sides and the city itself is spread across multiple landmasses; it is indeed famous for being the only city in the world that straddles two continents – Europe and Asia.
The Golden Horn is an inlet that branches off the iconic Bosphorous Strait that splits these two continents. It serves as a waterway between the two sections of the European side. Many of the city’s main hotels are located on the northern section, so if you take a taxi to the major sites in Sultanahmet, you will find yourself crossing it, most likely over the Atatürk Bridge.
Balat and Fener are located on the southern side of this Golden Horn waterway, so, after exploring their fascinating streets, I recommend walking across Ayvansaray Caddesi (the main street at the base) and having a wander along the waterside Ibb Haliç Nedim Parkı.
It’s quite a vast, open space, making it a contrast from the narrow streets and laneways of Balat and Fener. There also isn’t much shade, so if it’s a hot day, it may not be the best option.
But I found it a nice place to sit and take in the view across to the other part of the European side, admiring Istanbul’s unique skyline of low-rise historic buildings, glass skyscrapers, distinctive minarets and ancient towers, not to mention the constant flow of boats sailing back and forth.
The Bosphorus
As mentioned above, the Bosphorus is the iconic strait that carves its way through Istanbul, dividing it into the European side to the west and the Asian side to the east, and serving as a waterway between the Black Sea in the north and Sea of Marmara in the south.
There are a couple of ways to experience the Bosphorus. The most popular is undoubtedly by taking a cruise along it, either by day, at sunset or by night. There are countless operators providing this service, ranging from short sightseeing cruises to longer dinner cruises to full-day Black Sea cruises. I did not do this, but you might want to check out some of the options shown below if it’s something you are interested in.
Another way of taking in the strait is from iconic vantage points such as the aforementioned fourth courtyard of the Topkapi Palace (a view I absolutely loved) or the fishermen-lined piers of Karaköy, where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus (see Day 4 below for more on this).
And finally, you can also experience the Bosphorus from one of the city’s many rooftop bars. Your hotel might even have one of its own, as mine did. Ideally head up to a rooftop just before sunset to take in the golden glow over the city and the dreamy sight of the numerous boats gently sailing up and down the strait. A pinch-me moment for sure! And that’s how I ended day 3 of my 4 days in Istanbul.
Day 4: Minoa Pera, İsitiklal Street, Galata Tower, Karaköy & Nişantaşi
Minoa Pera bookshop
I’m a big fan of literary tourism; I love exploring cute bookshops, libraries and book cafés whenever I’m travelling. So my final day in Istanbul kicked off with a visit to Minoa Pera, a gorgeous book café in the heart of the city’s Beyoğlu district. I have to thank Instagram for putting this gem on my radar. We took an Uber there and got dropped right outside the main entrance.
Split over two levels, it feels like a treasure trove as soon as you step through the doorway, with muted lighting, winding staircases of colourful book spines, abundant hanging plants and cosy dining nooks. It’s actually been named one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, and I’m not one bit surprised.
The ground level was stocked with English-language and international books, while the upper level was more about Turkish-language literature. I loved the decor and vibe, including the small bookish details that included book-themed light fittings!
I was already agog, but to further add to this state was the fact that one of Istanbul’s many resident cats had found its way in and was napping soundly on one of the shelves! Adorable. It’s definitely not something we would usually see in Australia.
I spent way longer in there than I was expecting – probably close to an hour! The café areas looked gorgeous, with plenty of yummy cakes and savoury options on offer, but unfortunately I had just had a big breakfast so was too full to try anything. A big mistake!
And once I’d finally dragged myself out of the shop, there was the ornate exterior to admire. If you’re a bibliophile (or just like cute, aesthetic spaces), I definitely recommend making a stop at Minoa Pera. As you’ll see below, it can be easily combined with a visit to several other of the city’s attractions, being located in an easily walkable area.
İstiklal Street, Galata Tower & Karaköy
A few blocks up some leafy, narrow, cobbled streets, we found ourselves on İstiklal Caddesi (Istiklal Street), one of Istanbul’s main pedestrian shopping streets, extending all the way from Taksim Square down to Tünel Square. It is definitely worth having a wander along it, even if you only cover one section. If you’re lucky, you might even see one of Istanbul’s iconic red trams.
The shops ranged from high-end brands to delicious-looking sweet shops and gelaterias, to kebab shops and accessory stores. There was such a nice vibe, with a good mix of locals and tourists. I also enjoyed exploring a few of the side streets and courtyards running off it, which were themselves treasure troves of shops and eateries.
The street continued south to become the cobbled Galip Dede Caddesi, and we kept following it down (be aware that it does become quite a steep downhill slope at the end!) towards the water. Somewhat narrower than İstiklal Caddesi, it still had a similar feel, if a bit grittier, with abundant cute cafés, homewares stores, fruit vendors and quirky graffiti art.
When you get to the junction with Serdar-ı Ekrem Caddesi, look to your right and you’ll see the Galata Tower, another of Istanbul’s famous landmarks, built originally as a watchtower. In fact, I do recommend taking a stroll down part of Serdar-ı Ekrem Caddesi. This narrow cobbled street is full of vintage shops, cafés and even a museum dedicated to the history of Istanbul’s cats! Plus, it provides a fantastic opportunity for photographing the Galata Tower as it peeps out between the buildings.
The area around the base of the Galata Tower was pretty packed when I visited in the late afternoon. The many restaurants were buzzing and it had a marketplace-like vibe in general. If you want to go up the tower, it is open daily from 8.30am to 11pm, with standard ticket prices costing EUR 30. I did not do this.
After admiring the tower, we continued down the steps and the subsequently very steep Firçacı Sokak and Yüksek Kaldırım Caddesi streets, which were once again lined with all kinds of shops and restaurants, interspersed with graffiti-covered roller-doors.
This basically took us all the way down to the very hectic Karaköy. The main intersection near the Karaköy metro station was a huge traffic bottleneck (which we experienced first-hand on our Uber ride out of there) and felt a little polluted. But wander some of the side streets and you’ll discover plenty of hip boutiques, art galleries and trendy cafés. I would like to have spent more time here.
Perhaps one of Karaköy’s main appeals, however, is its waterside location, right at the point where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus. If you head to the area near the iconic Galata Bridge, you’ll get a fabulous view across the water to the city’s other European side (including the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque), as well as further away to the Asian side.
The Galata Bridge is renowned for its many local fishermen who flock there daily, and there is a definite fishy smell in the air! The bridge actually has two levels. While the anglers cast their rods into the water from the upper (street) level), down below is a series of semi-al fresco seafood restaurants, which are particularly popular at sunset.
Nişantaşi
After Karaköy, we took an Uber back to our hotel in the upscale shopping district of Nişantaşi. While I wouldn’t put it as a must-see on your Istanbul itinerary, we decided to explore it a little on our final afternoon since it was our ‘local’ neighbourhood.
The main artery, Halaskargazi Caddesi, is a hive of activity, particularly around the Osmanbey metro station. There is an eclectic mix of retail outlets, selling everything from mobile phones to Turkish Delight. We ended up buying quite a few treats from the sweets & spice shop Inci Malatya Naturel, whose owner was a lovely local man.
I also ventured up a few side streets, which had some quirky street art. And right next to our hotel was the modern Lotus Walk, a multi-storey shopping mall that had a pleasant courtyard on its upper level, with a number of al fresco restaurants serving both local and international cuisine. It was interesting to just see what a Turkish shopping mall was like. The main difference I noticed compared to Australian ones were the cats walking around inside! We also had to walk through airport-style security to get in.
As I said, I wouldn’t go out of your way to explore Nişantaşi if you’re pushed for time, but if you happen to be in the area (or staying at The Westin, which I highly recommend), it’s a nice way of seeing another, slightly more local side of Istanbul.
Other options
There is SO much you can see and do in Istanbul and, unless you’re there for an extended period of time, it is impossible to experience it all. Over our 4 days, we had to prioritise, and there were definitely things I didn’t get to. Some options I personally would consider for next time, or which you might want to incorporate into your trip, include:
Getting to Istanbul
Istanbul is arguably one of the world’s major aviation hubs, with its strategic location right at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its IST airport (the larger of the city’s 2 international airports, the other being SAW) routinely ranks among the world’s top 10, and rivals LHR as one of the busiest airports in Europe. Türkiye’s national carrier, Turkish Airlines, meanwhile, flies to the most destinations on earth, according to its slogan.
So Istanbul is certainly a very accessible city, with most major airlines flying there. I personally flew there direct from Singapore on Singapore Airlines.
To find options suitable for your trip and compare the best fares, I recommend using Skyscanner or Trip.com.
Want to buy your flight now and pay later? Then also consider checking out Laters.com, a booking platform that allows you to book flights with 650+ airlines and pay later with Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, Zip, Atome and Grab PayLater, or pay with crypto or a digital wallet. You can also get 5% off flights by using the code: EMILYFLY.
Getting around Istanbul, and where to stay
Your best two options for getting around Istanbul are the metro and Uber. The metro network is pretty extensive and should get you to within walking distance of most of the main tourist attractions. We tried using it once but the machine at the station didn’t give change and there was no one around to ask for help so in the end we just stuck with Uber, which worked very well for us.
I had read some things online about Uber drivers ripping you off but that was not our experience at all. In fact in some cases they gave us back more change than necessary when we paid with cash. If you’re travelling as a group, it may even end up being better value, as most of the trips we did cost around EUR 10 for the group of us, and being able to get dropped off and picked up wherever we wanted was very convenient. Yes, you are at the mercy of Istanbul’s traffic but none of our rides were more than about 20 minutes.
Did we feel safe walking the streets? 100%. As always when in major tourist cities, it is important to be vigilant with your belongings and be aware of pickpockets, but at no point on our trip did I feel even remotely at risk. Exercise normal common sense and you should be fine.
In terms of where to stay, I personally stayed at The Westin Istanbul Nisantasi, which I have comprehensively reviewed here. I found it to be an excellent base for exploring the city.
If you’re looking for an option closer to the airport, I also stayed at the Park Inn by Radisson Istanbul Airport Odayeri at the end of my Europe trip, which I can certainly recommend, and which I will be reviewing on here soon.
To find other properties meeting your specific needs and budget, use the search below.
Final thoughts on my 4 days in Istanbul
So, what are my thoughts after my 4 days in Istanbul? Well, firstly, that 4 days is probably the absolute minimum you would need to scratch the surface of this iconic city. If you are able to stay a day or 2 longer, I would definitely encourage you to do so. You won’t run out of things to see and do!
I’m just glad I finally got there in the end, after trying unsuccessfully in the past. The city had been on my bucket list for so long, and rightly so. The incredible architecture, the rich history, the sense of chaotic vibrancy, the unique setting between two continents, and the wonderfully hospitable people all made it a fabulous destination.
If you’ve been considering visiting, this is your sign to do so (don’t forget you can download my free quick guide to help you plan your trip)! I really hope to get back there myself in the not-too-distant future.
** This post, like everything else on this website, has been written entirely by me. All photos are mine, unless otherwise stated. No ChatGPT or any other AI tool has been used. It takes longer to create, but I value 100% human-generated content and I hope you do too! **
Before you go…
Consider following me on Instagram, where I post regularly about travel around the world, and subscribe to my monthly newsletter for travel inspiration, news and book recommendations delivered straight to your inbox.
For more travel inspiration from similar destinations, check out my Middle East, Azerbaijan and Egypt sections.
Like this post? Pin it!
So much valuable info in this comprehensive guide. Your attention to detail is wonderful, especially with street directions. Oh and magnificent photos too!