Turkey · Middle East & Africa
Istanbul
Where Europe meets Asia — Ottoman mosques, Byzantine domes, and Bosphorus ferries.
Best time
April, May, September, October.
Stay
4 nights
From US
10h from NYC, 13h from LA
Lang / Cur
Turkish (English tourist-area only) · Turkish Lira (TRY)
Istanbul straddles two continents. Old city Sultanahmet holds the Blue Mosque + Hagia Sophia; hip Beyoğlu is cafés and rooftop bars; Kadıköy on the Asian side is where locals eat.
01
Highlights
- 01Hagia Sophia + Blue Mosque + Topkapı Palace
- 02Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar
- 03Bosphorus ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy
- 04Basilica Cistern underground
- 05Sunset from Galata Tower or Süleymaniye courtyard
02
Where to stay
SultanahmetBeyoğlu / KaraköyKadıköyBeşiktaş
03
4-day itinerary
- 01Sultanahmet
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern.
- 02Palace + bazaar
Topkapı, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar.
- 03Bosphorus
Ferry to Kadıköy food tour, back at sunset.
- 04Modern
Karaköy, Galata Tower, Istiklal Street.
04
Local intelligence
- 01Skip carpet-shop 'friend' invitations near tourist sites.
- 02Istanbulkart works on ferries, trams, metro, and buses.
- 03Fridays: Blue Mosque closes for prayer around midday.
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