Discover What to Do in Istanbul for a Culturally‐Rich Sojourn
The first stop for newly-arrived travelers wondering what to do in Istanbul is the Sultanahmet district, home to the city's most iconic sites. Stepping into the Hagia Sophia immediately reveals the city’s multi-layered identity; once a church, then a mosque, then a museum, and now a mosque again, this architectural chameleon is a must see in Istanbul. Across the square lies the Blue Mosque, famed for its six slender minarets and hypnotic İznik tilework. Just steps away, the hauntingly lit columns and Medusa heads of the Basilica Cistern make a visit here one of the most atmospheric and unique things to do in Istanbul.
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Top Experiences in Istanbul
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Daily Troy Tour from Istanbul
Set out early in the afternoon for a tour of Troy. After lunch in Eceabat, take a boat across the Dardanelles and travel to the famed Trojan Horse from the days of Beautiful Helen, Queen of Sparta, and Paris, the Trojan Prince. After the tour, head back to Istanbul.
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Miniatürk Istanbul Private Guided Tour & Optional Transfers
Explore the minature world of Miniatürk with a Private Guide to discover more than 100 of Turkey's most important sights, inclduing Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Temple of Artemis, and more! Extended option: private car transfers from your accommodation. Choose one of our excellent tour options tailored to your needs and interests: 2‐hour: Miniatürk Tour Take a guided tour of Miniatürk to see the best of Turkey in a couple of hours, with highlights such as the Temple of Artemis, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and more. 3,5‐hour: Miniatürk Tour with Transport Book a 1,5‐hour round‐trip transfer and a 2‐hour private tour of the Miniatürk, a minature world of the most important Turkish monuments. Join a Licensed Guide on a private tour of Miniatürk, Istanbul’s most popular and unique amusement park. It’s a great attraction for both adults and children, allowing you to walk among the most historically and architecturally important buildings in Turkey. Have fun outdoors.
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Istanbul to Gallipoli and ANZAC Battlefields Small‐Group Tour
After meeting your expert guide at your central Istanbul hotel, travel to Gallipoli by air‐conditioned coach for you small‐group day trip. Buckle up and cruise along the renowned Gallipoli Peninsula and listen as your guide explains the story of this treacherous WWI military offensive. Learn more details about the campaign launched in April 1915 by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) that aimed to support dwindling Russian forces. The goal of the allied troops was to topple Ottoman Turkish forces and sack Istanbul, then Constantinople. By January 1916, the campaign was a stalemate and the Allied troops retreated after massive casualties on both sides of about 100,000 troops. Arrive in Gallipoli after around a 5‐hour journey and stretch your legs with a stop at ANZAC Cove. Follow your guide and see the 25th April landing’s beach and The Neck, a site where 40% of Australian troops perished with little to show for the effort. Then, visit Johnston’s Jolly and observe former Allied and Turkish trenches and other remnants of war. Next, discover the somber memorials of soldiers who perished. Stop at the heartbreaking Australian Lone Pine Cemetery and Memorial to observe engravings of close to 5,000 men. Then, visit the honorable New Zealand Memorial Chunuk Bair, the site where New Zealanders held their ground in the summer of 1915. In the afternoon, enjoy a lunch that is included (drinks are at your expense). As the sun begins to set, hop back in your coach and leave Gallipoli honoring the soldiers with your remembrance. Traverse back to your Istanbul hotel where your tour concludes. Please note: the order of attractions covered above may be modified during your tour.
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Cruise + Cable Car to Pierre Loti Hill
Discover Istanbul's beauty with a Bosphorus Strait afternoon cruise and Pierre Loti Hill cable car ride. The tour begins with a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus, connecting Asia and Europe. Enjoy amazing views of Istanbul’s skyline, including landmarks like Dolmabahce Palace and Rumeli Fortress. Hop on a cable car at Teleferik Station to ascend Pierre Loti Hill to enjoy beautiful views.
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Asian & European Istanbul: Guided Tour + Bosphorus Cruise + Hotel Pickup + Lunch
See Istanbul from two continents in one day on a guided tour showcasing Istanbul’s Asian and European sides. Start at Çamlıca Hill, the city's highest point, for views of the Bosphorus and skyline. Visit the 19th‐century Beylerbeyi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans. Next, sail from Asia to Europe on a Bosphorus cruise and visit the Maiden’s Tower. Enjoy lunch with views of the city. Conclude with a shopping stop at one of Istanbul’s largest outlet centers, perfect for souvenirs or fashion.
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Bus and Boat Combo İstanbul Tour with Breakfast and Tour Guide
See Istanbul by boat, bus and cable car on a 6‐hour tour of the city’s atmospheric neighborhoods, monuments and scenery. See the buildings and mosques along the Bosphorus Strait, with time to visit a 19th‐century Ottoman palace. Follow streets lined with historic landmarks to the top Pierre Loti Hill, and enjoy free time to eat lunch, walk or simply enjoy the panoramic views of the city. Descend the hill by cable car, then ride alongside the high walls of the Old City and finish your tour at Sultanahmet Square.
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Bosphorus Strait Private Boat Cruise from Istanbul
This Bosphorus Strait private boat cruise from Istanbul provides a special opportunity to see the area and the city from a new perspective without the hassle of crowded boats. Admire wooden palaces, classic homes, and luxury restaurants on the shore while sailing from Ortakoy to the small island of KIz Kulesi. Bring your own meal on board to enjoy or indulge in a complimentary hot beverage.
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Food tasting with a local family in Istanbul
Immerse yourself in Turkish culture by joining a local Istanbul family at their dining table. You'll step into a world where East meets West, experiencing the warmth of Turkish hospitality firsthand. This intimate experience is exclusive to you and your group, ensuring a personal connection with your host family.Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with traditional Turkish hospitality, perhaps starting with a glass of çay (Turkish tea) or ayran (a yoghurt‐based drink). Then, you'll have the opportunity to assist in preparing the meal, learning the secrets of Istanbul's renowned cuisine. If you prefer, you can simply observe, take notes, or capture photos of the process – the choice is yours! Your host family will have a basic command of English, allowing for engaging conversations about daily life in Istanbul. Feel free to ask about Turkish customs, the city's rich history, or modern life in this vibrant metropolis. In turn, share stories about your own culture and homeland. Many Istanbul families are eager to learn about different parts of the world, making this a truly enriching cultural exchange.This experience offers you a unique glimpse into authentic Istanbul life, far beyond what most tourists see. You'll leave with not just a full stomach, but also a deeper understanding of Turkish culture and perhaps even new friends in this fascinating city where continents collide.
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Istanbul Whirling Dervish Show at Hodjapasha Culture Center
Uncover the sacred practice of the mystical Sufis at an authentic Mevlevi Sema ceremony held at Istanbul’s Hodjapasha Culture Center, and witness the 750‐year‐old tradition that has been preserved on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Be mesmerized by the bizarre yet beautiful sight of the whirling dervishes as they perform their unique spiritual rituals during a show with a live orchestra.
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Istanbul Daily Platium Combo (Bosphorus Cruise and Ottoman Relics)
Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of İstanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non‐muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, Jewish Hospital (Or‐Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age. Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc. Bosphorus Cruise on Plan Tours’ private boat, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments. Rumeli Fortress (from the boat — no interior visit), historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture. Lunch at a typical Turkish Restaurant Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Live guide commentary is not allowed in special sections. (Harem is not included in the program) Sultan Tombs, there are five tombs of Ottoman Sultans within the graveyard at Hagia Sophia.The ceramic panels are the most beautiful examples of the 16th century with purple, red, green and blue flower motives. Prince robes and a small piece from the Kaaba covers are displayed on the sarcophaguses.
What to Do in Istanbul at Night: Where Heritage Meets Hedonism
As dusk settles over the Bosphorus, the city transforms. If you’re wondering what to do in Istanbul at night, begin with cocktails at Mikla, a rooftop restaurant offering panoramic views and a Nordic-Turkish tasting menu that’s as compelling as the skyline. Next, a cruise along the Bosphorus, passing under light-strung bridges alongside Ottoman palaces glowing in the night.
Unique Things to Do in Istanbul for the Sophisticated Explorer
While the Grand Bazaar often takes the limelight, explorers seeking unique things to do in Istanbul should head to the Çukurcuma neighborhood, a maze of antique shops, galleries, and the literary Museum of Innocence, based on the novel by Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk. If you’re chasing stories rather than souvenirs, a visit to this district is one of the best things you can do in Istanbul.
Take a private boat tour to the Princes’ Islands, where bicycles have replaced horse-drawn carriages, yet time still seems to slow. Alternatively, dive into Turkish craftsmanship with a bespoke Ebru (marbling art) workshop in an old han (inn), tucked away in the labyrinthine streets of Beyazıt.
What to See and Do in Istanbul Off the Beaten Track
Beyond the picture-postcard sights, a visit to the Istanbul Modern, Turkey’s premier contemporary art museum, now housed in a stunning new building by Renzo Piano on the Karaköy waterfront should be included on your list of what to see and do in Istanbul. Next, explore the Fener and Balat neighborhoods, once home to Greek Orthodox and Jewish communities, where faded mansions and pastel facades offer a visual feast.
For the spiritually inclined, don’t miss a Whirling Dervish ceremony in a historic tekke; this mesmerizing, meditative experience is one of the most memorable, must-do moments for any culture-seeker in Istanbul.
What to Do in Istanbul in Two Days: Culture, Cuisine, and Cruising
If you're lucky enough to have 48 hours to spend, deciding what to do in Istanbul becomes an elegant dance between tradition and trend. Day one: follow the classic trail through Sultanahmet, then enjoy a Turkish hammam at Hurrem Sultan Hamamı, a luxury experience that restores the soul.
Day two: begin the morning on the ferry to Üsküdar then take a walk to Maiden’s Tower, followed by a leisurely lunch in Moda. Afternoon tea at Pera Palace Hotel (where Agatha Christie once penned her best-selling mysteries) is a must for literature lovers, and sunset from Galata Tower offers a golden finale to your Istanbul itinerary.
Final Thoughts: The Art of Traveling in Istanbul
Deciding what to do in Istanbul is not about ticking boxes; it’s about embracing a city that’s equal parts poem and puzzle. Whether you’re wandering centuries-old alleyways or watching the city glitter from a rooftop bar, Istanbul’s every contradiction captivates. It’s a place where your senses — and your soul — will always be full.
The next time you find yourself asking what to do in Istanbul, know this: the answer is always unfolding, always surprising, and always worth returning to.