A Complete Guide to Visiting Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is one of those cities that feels like it has a little bit of everything: stunning mosques, rooftop views, colorful neighborhoods, chaotic markets, incredible food, and the Bosphorus literally separating Europe and Asia.
If you’re planning a trip to Istanbul, here’s what to add to your itinerary, plus a few tips to make the experience smoother, more meaningful, and way more photo-worthy.
Best Things to Do in Istanbul
Sultanahmet Square: This is one of the best places to start your Istanbul itinerary because you’re surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Go early in the morning if you can, before the crowds really take over, so you can actually enjoy the square and take photos without it feeling too chaotic.
Hagia Sophia: If you have never been to Istanbul before, you should definitely go inside Hagia Sophia. It is fascinating because you can see layers of history in one place, including remnants from when it was a Christian church before later becoming a mosque. Make sure to dress modestly, bring a scarf if you are a woman, and check current visitor access before going because entry rules and prayer-time access can change.
Blue Mosque: The Blue Mosque is another must-see in Sultanahmet and one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul. Check public visiting hours before you go because it is an active mosque and closes to visitors during prayer times. Women should bring a hair covering, and everyone should dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. I’d also avoid anything too tight, short, or revealing since you’re entering a religious space.
Whirling Dervish Ceremony: A whirling dervish ceremony is one of the most unique cultural experiences you can have in Istanbul. It is not just a “show,” it is connected to the Mevlevi Sufi tradition, so be respectful, stay quiet, and treat it more like a spiritual ceremony than entertainment. Watching them spin over and over without looking visibly dizzy is honestly fascinating, and it’s one of those experiences that feels very different from anything else you’ll do in the city.
Grand Bazaar: The Grand Bazaar is a must for shopping, photos, and just experiencing the chaos of Istanbul in the best way. Be smart when shopping: compare prices, negotiate politely, and don’t feel pressured to buy immediately. Most places we encountered accepted credit cards, but it is still helpful to carry some cash. Also, ask permission before taking photos inside shops, especially if you are photographing products or displays.
Brothers Lamp: If you want to buy Turkish lanterns or just take gorgeous photos, stop by Brothers Lamp inside the Grand Bazaar. The shop is stunning, the lanterns are beautiful, and the owner was extremely nice. This is a great place to slow down and actually shop instead of just wandering the bazaar aimlessly.
Ortaköy at sunrise: Spending sunrise in Ortaköy is such a good way to see a quieter side of Istanbul. You get beautiful views near the water, and it is especially pretty before the crowds arrive. It is also a great spot to pair with a Bosphorus day since you’re already near the waterfront.
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise: A Bosphorus cruise is one of the most unique things to do in Istanbul because you’re boating through the same city while passing between two continents: Europe and Asia. It is one of those experiences that makes Istanbul feel so different from other cities. I’d try to time it for golden hour or evening if possible so you can see the city lit up from the water.
Galata Tower: Galata Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Istanbul, and the surrounding area is fun to explore with cafes, shops, and great street views. This is a good area to wander, grab coffee, get Turkish ice cream, and build into a slower afternoon.
Rooftop Photoshoot: If you want one of those iconic Istanbul rooftop photos, book a rooftop photo shoot near Galata Tower. We did the photos with pigeons and the tower in the background, and it was such a classic Istanbul moment. Just make sure to book ahead and ask exactly what is included so you know if props, pigeons, outfit changes, or edited photos are part of the package.
Turkish Ice Cream: You have to get Turkish ice cream at least once while you’re in Istanbul. We got it near Galata Tower, and I won’t give the whole experience away, but just know they make it very entertaining and you will probably get messed with before they actually let you have the ice cream.
Explore Balat
Balat is one of the most colorful neighborhoods in Istanbul and such a fun area to explore if you love charming streets, cute cafes, colorful buildings, and local neighborhood energy. It is definitely one of the most photogenic areas in the city, but I would treat it as more than just a photo stop. Give yourself time to wander, grab coffee, pop into cafes, and enjoy the neighborhood.
Go early in the morning if you can because Balat gets crowded, especially around the most popular streets and cafes.
Kiremit Street: This is one of the most famous colorful street corners in Balat and a great place to start. Go to Kiremit Caddesi, directly in front of No. 28, or use coordinates 41.029666, 28.947618. The colorful homes make it one of the prettiest backdrops in the neighborhood.
Balat Antik: This is a cute, colorful cafe stop in Balat with a whimsical feel. Use coordinates 41.030045, 28.949818 to find it easily. It is a great place to add while wandering through the neighborhood. And make sure to find the colorful stairs right around the corner.
İlter’s Coffee: This rooftop coffee spot is perfect if you want a little break while exploring Balat. You can find it at Balat, Vodina Cd. No:20, 34100 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.
Gold Balat Restaurant: This is another cute cafe and restaurant stop in Balat, and it is easy to add while walking around the area. The address is Balat, Vodina Cd. No:60, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.
Where to Eat and Drink in Istanbul
Seven Hills Restaurant: Seven Hills is one of the best breakfast spots in Istanbul if you want views of both Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. If you order the traditional Turkish breakfast, come hungry because it is an insane amount of food. You can also do the pigeon feeding experience on the rooftop if you dare, which makes for fun photos and videos. Just ask one of the staff members to help you set up for it!
Ararat Terrace Restaurant & Rooftop: This rooftop has an incredible view with the Blue Mosque behind it, making it a great spot for photos, drinks, or a meal. I’d try to go around golden hour if you want the best lighting.
Gel Gel Börek: Add this spot if you want to try börek, which is a flaky pastry usually filled with cheese, meat, or other savory fillings. It is a great casual food stop and perfect when you want something quick but local.
Hafiz Mustafa: You cannot go to Istanbul and skip baklava, and Hafiz Mustafa is a classic stop. It is a great place to try baklava, Turkish delight, and other sweets, especially if you want an easy place to bring people for dessert.
Most Hookah: Most Hookah is a great dinner or late-night spot with an incredible view of the bridge at night. They also do sparkler celebrations, which are so fun to watch and make the restaurant feel extra lively.
Serica Restaurant at The Bank Hotel: If you are staying at The Bank Hotel, definitely plan dinner at Serica Restaurant, their rooftop restaurant. It is more expensive, but the food, atmosphere, and views made it feel worth it for a special dinner.
Where to Stay in Istanbul
Mest Hotel: If you want one of the best hotel views in Istanbul, Mest Hotel is the spot. We had the most incredible view of the mosque, and I highly recommend staying here for at least a couple of nights if you want that dreamy Istanbul rooftop moment. It is also a great base if you want to be close to Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar, and the major historic sights.
The Bank Hotel: The Bank Hotel is on the other side of the river, and we really loved staying here too. It gives you a different feel of Istanbul and is a great option if you want to explore Galata, the Bosphorus, and some of the more modern parts of the city. We also had dinner at the hotel rooftop, and it was seriously so good. It is a little more expensive, but absolutely worth it for a special night.
Istanbul Travel Tips
Plan your days by neighborhood: Istanbul is huge, and traffic can take up a lot of time, so try to group your sightseeing by area. Do Sultanahmet sights together, Balat as its own morning, and Galata/Karaköy on another day.
Build in extra time for traffic and walking: Istanbul is not a city where you want to schedule every minute back-to-back. Give yourself breathing room between reservations, tours, and photo shoots because getting around can take longer than expected.
Bring comfortable shoes: Between mosques, markets, hills, cobblestone streets, and neighborhoods like Balat and Galata, you will be walking a lot. Cute outfits are great, but shoes you can actually walk in are a must.
Combining Istanbul & Cappadocia
If you’re planning a Turkey itinerary, Istanbul and Cappadocia are the perfect combination. Istanbul gives you the mosques, markets, rooftops, food, and Bosphorus views, while Cappadocia gives you cave hotels, hot air balloons, valleys, and dreamy sunrise moments.
Istanbul is one of those cities that feels busy, beautiful, historic, and chaotic all at once. Between the mosques, markets, rooftop restaurants, colorful neighborhoods, Bosphorus views, and endless photo spots, it is absolutely worth adding to your Turkey bucket list.
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