Istanbul is the only great city in the world spread across two continents. Its historic core, Sultanahmet, puts the great Byzantine and Ottoman monuments within a single walk.
What to see in Istanbul
The great monuments are a few minutes’ walk from each other in Sultanahmet.
Hagia Sophia
A Byzantine church for almost a thousand years, then an Ottoman mosque, and today a working mosque again. Since 2024 foreign visitors pay an entry fee and tour the upper gallery, with views of the great dome and the mosaics.
The Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome
Facing Hagia Sophia, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque takes its name from the more than 20,000 Iznik tiles inside. Next door, the old Hippodrome keeps the Obelisk of Theodosius.
Entry is free, but it closes to tourists during prayer times.
Topkapi Palace
The sultans’ residence for nearly 400 years: courtyards, the harem, the treasury with the Topkapi dagger and lookouts over the Bosphorus.
Closed on Tuesdays.
The Basilica Cistern
A 6th-century Byzantine reservoir held up by 336 columns, with the famous Medusa heads at their base.
The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar
Thousands of shops selling rugs, ceramics, lamps and sweets under centuries-old vaults. The Spice Bazaar, by Eminönü harbor, is smaller and fragrant.
The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
The Bosphorus
A cruise along the strait between Europe and Asia passes Ottoman palaces, fortresses and wooden mansions. Then the Galata Tower and Istiklal Avenue for the evening.
Istanbul in 3 days
A fourth day lets you add Dolmabahçe Palace and the Asian side.
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Day 1
Sultanahmet
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Basilica Cistern.
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Day 2
Topkapi and the bazaars
Topkapi Palace in the morning; the Grand Bazaar, the Süleymaniye Mosque and the Spice Bazaar.
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Day 3
The Bosphorus and Galata
A Bosphorus cruise, the Galata Tower and Istiklal Avenue at sunset.
Best time to visit Istanbul
April, May, September and October have the most pleasant weather.
- Jan Cold
- Feb Cold
- Mar Good
- Apr Ideal
- May Ideal
- Jun Good
- Jul Peak
- Aug Very hot
- Sep Ideal
- Oct Ideal
- Nov Good
- Dec Cold
July and August are hot and crowded. Winter is cold and rainy, sometimes with snow, but with far fewer tourists. In April, tulips fill the city’s parks.
Where to stay in Istanbul
For a first visit, the best area is Sultanahmet or close to it.
- Sultanahmet
- The historic core: everything on foot, boutique hotels and rooftop terraces facing the mosques. Quiet at night.
- Sirkeci and Eminönü
- By the harbor, well connected by tram and ferry, with somewhat lower prices.
- Beyoğlu and Galata
- Restaurants, bars and nightlife around Istiklal, 15 minutes from the old city.
- On the Bosphorus
- Large hotels in Beşiktaş and Ortaköy, with views of the strait.
Tips for visiting Istanbul
Istanbul is safe for travelers; the precautions are those of any big city in crowded areas.
- Check closing days: Topkapi closes on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe on Mondays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays.
- Use an Istanbulkart for the tram, metro and ferries.
- In mosques, shoes off, shoulders and knees covered; women, a scarf for the hair.
- If a stranger invites you for a drink in Taksim after a casual chat, be wary: it is a well-known scam.
Entry requirements for Istanbul
Turkey’s entry requirements apply to Istanbul.
US citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Mexican citizens apply for an e-Visa on the official portal, which generally requires a valid visa or residence permit from the US, the EU, the UK or Ireland.
See the full entry requirements in the Turkey guide
Official sources: Turkey e-Visa (official portal) · U.S. State Department travel advisories
Our tours with Istanbul
All our Turkey tours start in Istanbul. Prices per person in a double room, without international flights.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
Three days for the great monuments, the bazaars and the Bosphorus; four if you want to add Dolmabahçe and the Asian side.
Where should you stay in Istanbul?
In Sultanahmet to walk to the monuments; in Beyoğlu or Galata if you prefer restaurants and nightlife.
Do you have to pay to enter Hagia Sophia?
Yes. Since 2024 foreign visitors pay an entry fee and tour the upper gallery; the ground floor is kept for prayer.
What can you see in Istanbul in one day?
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar, all in Sultanahmet, plus a Bosphorus boat ride at sunset.
