Updated Date : 02.03.2023
Top 10 recommendations in Istanbul
The majority of the travelers coming to Istanbul do miss some of the important places in the city. This has several reasons. The most common reason is not having enough time, which is a logical reason for a city like Istanbul. But another common cause is not having enough idea about the places or activities other than the most known ones. This list will give you an idea about what to do in Istanbul from an Istanbul local point. Here are some of the best recommendations;
1. Hagia Sophia
If you are in Istanbul, one of the musts in Istanbul is to see the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Constructed some 1500 years ago, the Hagia Sophia is the oldest standing Roman building in Istanbul. Inside this fantastic building, you can see the togetherness of two religions, Christianity and Islam, having decorations side by side. Constructed as a church in the 6th century, the Hagia Sophia started functioning as a mosque in the 15th century by the Ottomans. With the Republic, it was converted to a museum, and finally, in 2020, it started functioning as a mosque again. Nothing is enough to describe the Hagia Sophia. You have to visit this.
Every day Istanbul E-pass has guided tours with a professional licensed guide. Do not miss having more information about Hagia Sophia.
Opening Hours: Hagia Sophia is open every day from 09:00 to 19.00.
2. Topkapi Palace
Another must in Istanbul is the Topkapi Palace Museum. Being a resident of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years, this palace must understand the Ottoman royal family. Inside, there are many collections about the daily lives of the royal family members and the people who lived and worked in the palace. The highlights are the Royal treasury and Religious Items Halls where you can see many objects that are highly precious or sacred. Costumes of the Sultans, swords used for ceremonial purposes, and highly decorated private rooms of the royal family are a bonus. If you visit the Topkapi Palace, don't miss the Konyali Restaurant for lunch or a coffee stop with breathtaking views of Istanbul's city.
Skip the ticket line with an Istanbul E-pass and save more time. Also, visit the Harem section and have an audio guide with an Istanbul E-pass.
Opening Hours: Every day is open from 09:00 to 17:00. On Tuesdays closed. Needed to enter at least an hour before it closes.
3.Bosphorus Cruise
If you want to understand why Istanbul has a lot of history, you have to visit the Bosphorus. This was the main reason why the two biggest empires in the past were using this city as their capital. Aside from its historical importance, the Bosphorus is also the most beautiful section of Istanbul. This is why the most expensive residences in the city are located just on the Bosphorus's shores. All in all, a visit to the city without the Bosphorus is not complete. It is strongly recommended.
Istanbul E-pass includes 3 types of Bosphorus Cruise. Enjoy Hop on Hop Off Bosphorus Cruise, Regular Bosphorus Cruise, and Dinner Cruise free with an Istanbul E-pass.
4. Basilica Cistern
Visiting Istanbul and not seeing an underground construction is not complete. For this reason, another strong recommendation is to see the biggest water cistern in Istanbul, Basilica Cistern. Constructed in the 6th century for water supply to Hagia Sophia and the Roman Palace, this cistern was among more than 70 cisterns in Istanbul. If you come to Basilica Cistern, don't miss the Weeping Column and the Medusa heads.
Istanbul E-pass includes Basilica cistern skipping ticket line with the guide. Enjoy the historical Byzantine Cistern with a professional licensed guide.
Opening hours: Every day open from 09:00 to 17:00.
5. Blue Mosque
Without question, the most famous mosque in Turkey is the Blue Mosque. With the Hagia Sophia located right in front of it, these two buildings create perfect harmony. Blue Mosque gets its name from the tiles inside of the predominantly blue mosque. The original name of the mosque is the name of the region, Sultanahmet. The Blue Mosque is also constructed as a complex. From the original complex, another standing building with the mosque is the Arasta Bazaar. After visiting the mosque, don't miss the Arasta Bazaar, located just behind the mosque. Inside the bazaar, if you have time, have a look at the Mosaic Museum as well.
Learn more about the history of the Blue Mosque with a professional licensed guide with an Istanbul E-pass.
Due to renovation, the Blue Mosque is closed.
6. Chora Mosque
Majority of the travelers arriving in Istanbul miss this hidden gem. Located outside of the center of the old city but easily accessible with public transportation, Chora Mosque offers a lot, especially for history lovers. You can see the whole bible on the walls of this mosque with mosaic and fresco works. If you come all the way here, another museum Tekfur Palace is also within walking distance. Being a late Roman Palace, Tekfur Palace is opened recently as a Roman Palace museum in Istanbul. For lunch, you can choose Asitane Restaurant or Pembe Kosk, which is just on the side of Chora Mosque.
Due to renovation, the Chora museum is closed.
7. Suleymaniye Mosque
The most famous and known mosque for a traveler in Istanbul without question is the Blue Mosque. Of course, the Blue Mosque deserves its fame, but there are more than 3000 mosques in Istanbul. The biggest mosque in Istanbul is Suleymaniye Mosque, and it is also on the heritage list of UNESCO. Suleymaniye Mosque was constructed as a complex, and inside the complex, there are universities, schools, hospitals, libraries, and many more. Also, it offers a unique view from the top of one of the highest hills in Istanbul. For a fast lunch, you can choose Erzincanlı Ali Baba Restaurant, which operates since the year 1924 in the same place for its quite famous beans with rice.
Opening Hours: Every day from 08:00 to 21:30.
8. Rustem Pasa Mosque
If you want to see the best examples of the famous Iznik tiles in Istanbul, the place to go is Rustem Pasa Mosque in Istanbul. Located close to the Spice Market, Rustem Pasa Mosque doesn't attract as many tourists that it should take. Aside from the tiles that you will see inside, the outside of the market is quite interesting also. It has one of the most interesting local markets in Istanbul where you can see a wood market, plastic market, toy market, and many more.
Istanbul E-pass provides Spice Bazaar & Rustempasha Mosque guided tours, enjoy this amusing tour with Istanbul E-pass.
Opening Hours: Every day from 08:00 to 21:30.
9. Hazzopulo Passage
Istiklal Street is the most famous street in not just Istanbul but also Turkey. The street starts from Taksim Square and goes all the way to Galata Tower for about 2 kilometers. Another famous thing about this street is the passages that connect the main Istiklal Street to the side streets. One of the most famous passages among these is the Hazzopulo Passage. It was the center of printing for some time in the late 19th century, but later on, the passage needed lots of renovation. About 10 years ago, a coffee house was opened and made several renovations to the place made the Hazzopulo Passage quite famous again. Recently it became a hookah/water pipe center quite renowned for the young generation and a must-see in Istanbul if you have some extra time.
Openning hours: On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays open from 09:30 to 21:00, on Sundays from 10:00 to 20:00, and on Wednesdays from 09:30 to 20:30.
10. Cicek Pasaji / Flower Passage
Located over the same Istiklal Street, Flower Passage is one of the centers of nightlife in Istanbul. Being a popular point starting from the late 70s, the place can easily make you feel like you live in the past. Full of fish restaurants and local musicians, this place will be a place hard to forget after experiencing it.
Opening hours: Open 24 hours.
More attractions to visit:
Grand Bazaar
Many travelers are coming to the Grand Bazaar because of the market's fame but are disappointed because of not finding what they are looking for. Or many of them are coming in and seeing first street and leaving the market thinking it is what the Grand Bazaar is. The Grand Bazaar is a big neighborhood with lots of different sections and products. It is still a manufacturing place as well. The recommendation about the Grand Bazaar is to get lost in the market to see all of the different sections. Don't miss trying one of the restaurants inside the market as it will possibly be one of the best meals you would ever have in Istanbul. Istanbul E-pass has a guided tour of this significant Bazaar with a professional guide.
Opening Hours: Grand Bazaar is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00, except on Sundays.
Uskudar
Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, Uskudar is one of the most authentic neighborhoods in Istanbul. It has many beautiful mosques from the Ottoman Era, a delicious fish market, and the Maidens Tower. A walk around this section of the city would be an excellent chance for a traveler to understand what a non-tourist area in Istanbul looks like. There are two things not to miss in this area - the visit to the recently opened kite museum and trying fish sandwiches either in Uskudar or in Eminonu.
The Final Word
There are a lot of different and exciting attractions to visit in Istanbul. If you're visiting Istanbul, it might be difficult for you to visit all those attractions in a single go. So we are recommending to you the Top 10 best attractions to visit in Istanbul. Explore Istanbul with a single digital Istanbul E-pass.