Contents

How to Get Here

In all likelihood you’ll be arriving to Istanbul via plane. Make sure you’re aware that there are two international airports that service the city. Istanbul Airport (IST) is the larger airport which is still brand new, having opened in 2018. The other airport in Istanbul is Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). This is also a large airport, and is the primary airport for domestic flights to and from Istanbul. IST is located on the European side of the city while SAW is located on the Asian side.

Istanbul Airport (IST)

There are three ways to reach the city center from IST airport: car, bus, or metro. Taking the bus or metro is the far cheaper option but, if you’re traveling with large bags or at odd hours, it is worth the extra cost to hire somebody to drive you to your accommodation.

Car

To travel by car from IST to the city center you have three options: Taxi/Uber, shared transfer, or private transfer. While there are an abundance of taxis and ubers available, I’d recommend taking a shared or private transfer. By taking a shared or private transfer, everything is arranged in advance which reduces the amount of decision making you’ll need to do when you’re jet lagged and trying to navigate a busy airport.

If possible, I’d recommend booking your airport transfer through your hotel. They can often get you a better rate than what you would get when booking elsewhere. This is how my wife and I got to our hotel and it was a seamless process and saved us a few bucks as well. If your hotel is unable to do this, or charges a higher rate, then your best bet is to find a transfer on GetYourGuide, where there are many options.

Traffic can vary wildly depending on the time of day, but you can expect it to take about 1 – 1.5 hours to get from IST to the city center by car.

Bus

To take a bus from IST to city center you’ll need to make your way to exit door number 5. From there you’ll want to take the HVL-1 bus towards Aksaray. Look for a white bus with the company name “Havaist” written on the front. This bus will take you all the way to the Aksaray station on the outskirts of the old-town of Istanbul. From there you can walk to the Yusufpaşa tram station, where the T1 tram will take you directly to the city center.

The process for purchasing bus ticket is a little unclear, but I expect you can buy ticket directly from the driver. Additionally, there appears to be a ticket office near exit door 6 of the terminal.

This route to the city center will take about 1.5 hours, depending on the timing of the bus and tram.

Metro

The metro is the lengthiest but also the cheapest way to get from IST to city center. To get on the metro, follow the signs from the airport pointing you towards the metro. It is a bit of a lengthy walk, I’d estimate at least 15 minutes from the terminal exit to the station. From there you can take the M11 metro towards Gayrettepe. At Gayrettepe you’ll switch to the M2 line towards Tenikapı. Get off the M2 at Veznecıler station. From there, walk to the Lalei – Üniversite tram stop, where you can take the T1 tram to the city center.

Overall, expect this route to take about 2 hours end-to-end.

Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)

From SAW there are two routes to the city center: car and metro. Again, in my opinion, the convenience of hiring a driver is worth the cost especially if you have heavy bags or are traveling at odd times, but the metro is a significantly cheaper option.

Car

Traveling from SAW to city center by car is essential the exact same process as it is with IST. Taxis and Ubers are available, but your best option is to arrange a transfer either through your hotel or a site such as GetYourGuide. As with IST, you can expect the journey to take around 1 – 1.5 hours depending on traffic.

Metro

To take the metro from SAW, follow the signs towards the metro station. Once you’re there, take the M4 towards Kadıköy. Get off at the Ayrılık stop. There, you can switch to the B1 towards Halkalı. Get off at the Sırkecı stop, from here it is about a 15 minute walk to city center.

This route takes about 1.5 – 2 hours to travel from SAW to the city center.

Where to Stay

Istanbul is not short on options when it comes to neighborhoods to stay when you visit. Here are a few of the most popular options.

Neighborhood Guide

Beşiktaş: Located on the northern end of the city, this neighborhood has good nightlife and is also home to one of Istanbul’s three major soccer (football) teams. It tends to have cheaper hotel prices relative to other neighborhoods on this list, but is also less centrally located.

Galata: Located on the northern side of the Golden Horn, this neighborhood is named after the famous tower that lies at its center. This district has a mix of nightlife and historical attractions. The streets here tend to be hilly, narrow, and winding but with lots of charm as well.

Kadiköy: The most well-known district on the Asian side of the city, Kadiköy is a financial hub with many banks that is home to numerous high-end stores and restaurants. Additionally, it has plenty of nice pedestrian areas.

Karaköy: Located on the banks of the northern side of the Golden Horn, this neighborhood is a lively and youthful district. Plenty of options for nightlife and gastronomy and a lively atmosphere to accompany them. Can get a bit crowded but is well-connected and cheaper than old-town.

Sultanahmet: This is the historic center of the city, making it the most popular but also the most expensive for tourists. It is in the heart of all the major attractions including the Hagia Sophie and the Blue Mosque.

Taksim Square: Considered to be the heart of modern Istanbul, this area is not rich with tourist attractions but is very well-connected with public transit. It is among the cheapest places to stay on this list.

My Recommendation

While you can’t go terribly wrong staying in any of these neighborhoods, my personal choice would be either Galata or Karaköy. These two neighborhoods provide the idea combination of price and convenience. It’s cheaper to stay here than in Sultanahmet, but it’s still easy to get to the main tourist attractions. Then, you can end the day in a lively neighborhood with plenty of more affordable restaurant options.

When I visited I stayed in Sultanahmet, which is a good option, but I enjoyed the evening atmosphere of Galata and Karaköy much more. While Sultanahmet is convenient when it comes to visiting the top tourist sites, it is also more expensive and empties out quite a bit in the evenings. My wife and I occasionally found ourselves walking on poorly-lit and completely empty streets here, which is never ideal, especially in an unfamiliar place. In contrast, the streets in Galata and Karaköy always seemed to have at least a few other people. As a bonus, the nighttime views across the Golden Horn are magnificent.

5 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Hit the Highlights

It’s your first morning in Istanbul, you’re jet-lagged and still recovering from what was likely a long plane-ride. There’s no better way to start your 5 days in Istanbul than a leisurely morning that doesn’t require waking up at the crack of dawn. Wake up whenever you feel like it and start the day with a classic Turkish breakfast before making your way to the center of old-town.

12pm – Turkish Breakfast

The famed Turkish breakfast is something that you’ve got to experience at least once when you visit the country. Whether at your hotel or at a restaurant, it consists of a magnificent spread of bread, meats, cheeses, eggs, and more.

There’s tons of great places to go across the city, but the top of my list is a place called Van Kahvalti Evi, located near the Galata and Karaköy neighborhoods. Unfortunately, we were unable to make it to this restaurant due to protests blocking the Galata Bridge. If you’re looking for something a bit closer to old-town, I can recommend Begonville Cafe Restaurant, where we went after striking out on Van Kahvalti Evi. We had a great meal here and great service, and definitely felt like we got our Turkish breakfast experience.

1:45pm – Little Hagia Sophia

After breakfast, head over to this under-the-radar mosque located on the southern end of the Sultanahmet neighborhood. This beautiful little mosque dates back to the 6th century when it was built as a Greek Orthodox Church. Here, you’ll have a chance to explore a mosque without the crowds so you can admire the cozy and comforting atmosphere it creates.

2:30pm – Old-Town Walking Tour

After admiring the unparalleled history of the Hagia Sophia, it’s time to join a walking tour to get a better picture of the storied history of Istanbul. Haktan is a wonderful tour guide with an immense knowledge on the city’s history. He provides every visitor with an audio headset so it’s always easy to hear what he is saying, even if the group is navigating it’s way through large crowds.

On this tour you visit famous attractions such as the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the Arasta Bazaar. You also visit the exterior of the Hagia Sophia and the interior of the Blue Mosque. Haktan also brings the tour to a less popular mosque called Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque where we were able to watch the Imam sing the call to prayer. Overall, this tour is a fantastic introduction to the city and takes you all over the old-town of Istanbul. You can book the tour on GuruWalk.

5pm – Hagia Sophia

After visiting the smaller version, it’s time to check out Istanbul’s headline attraction. Assuming you still have a couple hours to kill before the 3pm walking tour, this is a perfect opportunity to go inside the Hagia Sophia, since the walking tour will only take you to the outside of Istanbul’s most famous mosque.

Make sure to buy your tickets ahead of time on GetYourGuide so that you can skip the in-person ticket line. Instead, you’ll be able to go straight into the entry line, a privilege that is well worth the extra $5 cost for pre-purchased tickets. Regular skip-the-line tickets cost $32 and tickets that include an audio guide cost $36.

Since the 2020 conversion of the building into a mosque, after previously being a museum, non-muslim visitors can only tour the top floor. Fortunately, this is where some of the oldest artifacts remain, including several beautiful pieces of mosaic artwork that date back to the pre-1453 period when this building was still a Greek Orthodox Church.

6:30pm – Hammam & Dinner

Experiencing a Hammam (Turkish Bath) is one of the many must-do experiences when visiting this city. That being said, it can be an intimidating activity to arrange when you’re new to the city. How do I pick a good one? How do I know what to ask for? How do I make sure I don’t get ripped off? I had all these questions myself, so I figured the sensible thing was to have a local help me out. It was a good decision.

This activity, bookable on Airbnb, is arranged by a kind Turkish man named Ahmet. He usually has an accomplice to help translate as his English isn’t perfect. When I visited, his younger friend Mustafa came with us; both men were wonderful guides who made for great company. They take you to a historic Turkish Hammam and then an outstanding kebab dinner. It’s pricy but good value for the money.

We met Ahmet and Mustafa outside a metro station and then walked to the hammam. At the hammam they went over everything to expect and told us some about the history of the building. Then, we were given keys to individual changing rooms where we changed out of our clothes and put on a towel.

Once we had adorned our towels, we were taken into the bath. We were laid on warm marble slabs inside a domed room filled with steam. We were left there to relax for a while before being escorted to the sauna. Then, we sat in the sweltering sauna for a few minutes before being taken away for our scrubs.

At this point the men and women were separated. I was led by a man to another marble slab in another part of the bath. There, I was doused with water and scrubbed and massaged head to toe. It was something I have not experienced before or since. While I certainly wouldn’t describe the experience as serene or gentle, it was soothing in its own way. I definitely left feeling refreshed.

Once our scrubs were over, we were taken back out into the waiting room. Here we were given some hot tea while we decompressed from this whirlwind of an experience. After finishing our tea we got changed again and headed out to dinner.

This dinner was one of the best of the whole trip for me. We got to try several different kinds of kebabs, all of which were absolutely fantastic. A particularly exciting thing we got to try was this pistachio “coffee” that we never found anywhere else. It was a hot drink made from brewing crushed pistachios and it was delightful and we were bummed to not have a chance to try it again.

While this experience certainly isn’t cheap at about $115 per person, I highly recommend it if you have space in your budget. Experiencing a hammam is an immense cultural experience that you should try at least once and doing this tour makes the experience seamless. On top that, the dinner is excellent as well, which makes the experience well worth the price.

Day 2: Asian Side

While the bulk of the tourist attractions lie on the European side of the city, no visit to Istanbul would be complete without a trip to the Asian side of the city. This side of the Bosphorus has a much more local feel than the tourist hotspots of Sultanahmet and Karaköy. I highly recommend taking a food tour on this side of the city to experience a variety of local dishes curated by an Istanbul native.

(Optional) – Beylerbeyi Palace

If you’re feeling like getting up early again, start your day by traveling to Beylerbeyi Palace. This is a 19th century palace that was a summer residence for Ottoman Sultans.

To get here, catch a ferry from the European side to Üsküdar on the Asian side. From there you can catch a bus up to the palace.

1pm – Asian-side Walking and Food Tour

This is the main event of the day, and it’s one of my favorite things to do in the city. Hasan, the tour guide, is such a kind and welcoming person. He made us feel right at home and had so many insights about the city.

Across the tour Hasan takes you to all of the spots that he visits. We got to try tons of different foods and also explored places where Hasan gets his own food including his local fishmonger and honey merchant. On top of that, Hasan told us a lot about life and politics in Turkey which was really fascinating to learn about. We also got the chance to visit the mosque that Hasan attends. It was such a neat experience to visit a mosque that is just a local neighborhood hub rather than a major tourist attraction.

The tour lasts for nearly 4 hours and you can try as much or as little as you want over that time. Food is not included in the price of the tour so you can skip things if you would like to. Unfortunately, I don’t remember how much I spent in total but nothing was all that expensive.

Some of the foods we tried on this tour include; börek, döner kebap, lahmacun, kazandibi, and more. If you want to know more about Turkish cuisine, check out my post on 21 Foods & Drinks to try in Turkey.

5pm – Tour Ends

Sunset at Maiden’s Tower

After the tour, wait a few hours before returning to the European side. Instead, make your way to the Üsküdar metro station. From there, take a walk along the water until you’re across from the Maiden’s Tower. From this vantage point you can get great views of the historic tower. Wait until sunset to get the best view. After you have your fill of spectacular sunset views, head back to your accommodation.

Day 3: Across the Galata

On the third of 5 days in Istanbul, it’s time to hit some of the major attractions on the northern side of the Golden Horn. If you’re visiting in the summer you could start this day a little later if you want to sleep in. During the winter months Rumeli Fortress closes at 5pm so you’ll need to start the day early enough to have time to visit the fortress before it closes.

8:30am – Galata Tower

Begin the day with a trip to one of Istanbul’s most recognizable buildings, the Galata Tower. This historic watchtower towers over the surrounding buildings. This is a great place to take photos with the iconic building in the background.

If you want, you can also pay 30EUR to get a view from the top. I didn’t choose to do this because of the price tag and the rainy weather when I visited. That being said, it’s a popular activity to do and if you don’t mind spending the money there’s no reason not to do it.

9:30am – Breakfast at Karaköy Muhallebicisi

After you’re done at the tower it’s time to take a trip to the “Kaymak Meister”. This little restaurant is known for its high quality kaymak, which is a Turkish clotted cream that is commonly eaten for breakfast. Here, it is served with the typical topping of local honey and bread and simit for dipping.

The owner of the restaurant calls himself the “Kaymak Meister” and his family has been making this dish for generations. The food is excellent and the owner is a fun character who tells every guest “I’ll see you tomorrow” as they leave.

10:30am – Church of St. Anthony of Padua

Just up the road is the largest Catholic church in Istanbul. This church is notable for its connection to Pope John XXIII who preached here for 10 years. Inside there are some interesting exhibits detailing the history of Christianity in Istanbul. You don’t need to spend much time here but it’s worth a quick stop.

11am – Taksim Square

Continue walking up the famous Istiklal Street until you reach Taksim Square. This is the hub of modern Istanbul. At the center of the square is a monument to the 5th anniversary of the founding of the modern republic of Turkey.

11:30am – Dolmabahçe Palace

From Taksim Square walk about 20 minutes to get to Domabahce Palace. This palace was the main administrative center for the Ottoman Empire from 1856 – 1887 and 1909 – 1922. Today, it is a museum that displays to visitors the opulence of the latter years of the Ottoman Empire. This opulence played a significant role in the downfall of the empire.

Tickets to enter the palace cost around $55 and include an audio guide. Highlights inside the palace include the Harem and Ataturk’s Room. Additionally, the palace grounds themselves are quite beautiful. Be aware that visitors need to provide an ID to receive their audio guide; the ID will be returned when the audio guide is returned.

1:30pm – Lunch at Betüş Kumpir

For lunch I recommend trying an Istanbul street food called kumpir. This is a massive baked potato filled with your choice of toppings. The street near Ortaköy Mosque is filled with kumpir stands. While all of them are selling roughly the same product, Betüş Kumpir gets the best reviews and I can personally attest to their quality.

To get here from Dolmabahçe take the 40 bus line. The ride should take about 10 minutes.

2:15pm – Ortaköy Mosque

After lunch take a short walk to visit the Ortaköy Mosque. With the Bosphorus in the background, this is easily one of the most photogenic mosques in the city. Be sure to go to the southwestern side of the mosque near the ferry station in order to get the best views.

You can also go inside this mosque for free if you want. It’s free to visit and open to visitors outside of prayer hours. The outside, though, is the main attraction here.

3:15pm – Rumeli Fortress

From Ortaköy Mosque, catch the 40T or 22RE bus to the Asiyan stop. Walk north along the road until you reach the entrance of the fortress on the left side.

Rumeli Fortress is a medieval fortress that was built by the Ottomans to assist the siege of Constantinople. Now, it is an open-air museum. Visitors can climb on the walls of the fortress, which provide amazing views over the water.

This site is great to visit because it is cheap and a bit off the beaten path. Entrance fees are only 6 EUR and the museum is much less crowded than most tourist attractions in Istanbul. In addition to the great views, my wife and I enjoyed meeting the many cats that reside here.

Dinner – Balık Dürüm Yildirim Usta

For dinner, make your way back to the Kadikoy neighborhood. A popular dish in this area is fish kebab wraps called balık dürüm and this place is the spot to go to try it. I want to call it a hidden gem because I only saw it on one of the many blogs I read, but the ever-present line down the block suggests that it’s not exactly hidden.

That being said, don’t let a long line discourage you, it moves fairly quickly and is well worth the wait. The fish is deliciously seasoned and perfectly deboned. Along with the fish is a bright and crisp slaw that complements the fish perfectly to create a flawless wrap.

This is one of my favorite foods to eat in Istanbul. It’s so good I ate here twice! It’s also some of the best value food in the city at about $5 a piece. Since it’s so popular you always get a fresh wrap right off the grill. I can’t recommend this place enough.

Dessert – Karaköy Güllüoğlu

Another selling point for Yildrim Usta is that it is just a short walk away from the best baklava in the city. While good baklava is not hard to come by in Istanbul, tourists and locals alike come here for the best of the best.

The choices are overwhelming but you really can’t go wrong. A can’t miss baklava to try is the cold baklava, which is soaked in a sweet cream and topped with chocolate shavings. It is incredible!

Day 4: Museums

On Day 4 it’s time to get to some more of the heavy hitters. Be sure to get started early to beat the crowds and buy tickets ahead of time for the afternoon activities.

9am – Istanbul Archeological Museum

Start your day at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. I recommend getting here right at the 9am opening in order to beat the crowds.

This museum complex is actually home to three museums: the Archaeological Museum, Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Museum of Islamic Art. In my opinion, the Archaeological Museum is the main attraction here, so if you’re not the biggest museum person start there.

The Archaeological Museum is home to many sculptures and sarcophagi. There are also several exhibits that detail the history of the region which is fascinating. If you’re a museum lover you could easily spend a whole day here. I’d recommend spending about 2-3 hours for most people.

12pm – Lunch at Șehzade Cağ Kebap

For lunch, I recommend visiting one of the most famous restaurants in the city. It’s good to get here on the earlier side to ensure you get a table.

This place is known for Cağ Kebap which is a lamb kebap that is cooked on a horizontal spit. The meat is shaved off and served with bread and sides. It’s one of the best kebaps in the city and makes for a great meal. I also particularly like the homemade Ayran here.

1:30pm – Topkapi Palace

After lunch, head over to Topkapi Palace for a 1:30pm guided tour. This Ottoman palace was the royal residence from 1465 until 1853 and has been a museum since 1924. Guided tours are a great way to experience this museum because you get a more in-depth understanding of the history of the palace.

After the tour you can explore some parts of the palace not covered on the tour including the harem and the treasury. The treasury is particularly interesting because it houses a collection of Islamic relics.

Hagia Sophia/Basilica Cistern/Nakilbent Cistern/Grand Bazaar

After the palace, there are a few ways you can spend the rest of your day. If you didn’t have time to visit the Hagia Sophia on your first day, now is a good time to do that. Alternatively, you can visit one of the city’s historic cisterns.

The most famous cistern is the Basilica Cistern. This cistern dates back to the 6th century and is notable for its beautiful marble columns. It is located just down the road from the Hagia Sophia the Blue Mosque. Tickets are about $40 and can be bought in person or online.

If you don’t want to spend $40 per person to visit a cistern you can visit a lesser-known one called Nakilbent Cistern. This one is located underneath a carpet store called Nakkas and is free to visit. Just go to the store and ask them to show it to you.

Alternatively, trek over to the Grand Bazaar, the world’s most visited tourist attraction. This is the world’s oldest covered market and has over 4,000 shops. It’s quite a chaotic place to visit but is certainly worth doing just for the experience. I wouldn’t recommend buying anything here as you will not be getting the best prices.

Dinner at Hocapaşa Pidecisi

Grab dinner just across the street from where you got lunch at Hocapaşa Pidecisi. This place serves some incredible pide, which is a Turkish counterpart to pizza.

I got a cheese pide and one with cheese, sausage, and egg. Both were absolutely divine. The crust is the perfect combination of crispy and chewy and the flavors of the toppings are just right. As a bonus, you can watch them making it right in front of you which I enjoyed.

Day 5: (Slightly) Off the Beaten Path

On the final of 5 days in Istanbul, it’s time to venture slightly off the beaten path. Today we’ll visit Istanbul’s most colorful neighborhood as well as my favorite mosque in the city.

9am – Breakfast in Balat Neighborhood

Start your day off with a light breakfast in the Balat neighborhood. In particular, there are many cafes on Yıldırım Cd. I had a nice breakfast at Nomadz house, but there are plenty of other options that are well-reviewed.

10:30am – Balat Walking Tour

Balat is known for being a vibrantly colored neighborhood and it is best explored on foot. This free tour is a great way to experience and learn about this area of the city. The guide, Kubra, is both friendly and knowledgable and I really enjoyed hearing her insights about the neighborhood. You can book the tour on GuruWalk.

1:15pm – Tour Ends

Lunch in Eminönü

You have to hustle a bit to get from the end of the first tour to the beginning of the next one. There’s just enough time to grab a quick lunch at Eminönü harbor. Grab a fish sandwich at Tarihi Eminönü Balık Ekmek. This restaurant is on a boat and serves freshly made grilled fish sandwiches. They’re very simple but they are cheap, traditional, and quick. This makes it perfect for a light afternoon lunch.

2:30pm – “Parts Unknown” Walking Tour

This is the absolute best tour to take in Istanbul. In fact, it’s the best walking tour I’ve taken anywhere in the world. This tour offers the most in-depth look into the modern culture and way of life for residents of Istanbul. It pulls no punches when talking about religion, politics, and all factors that affect Istanbulites.

The tour guide Yunus is so knowledgable about the city and open about his thoughts and experiences. The tour takes you through an old book market, the Istanbul University, and some typical homes from the 19th-20th centuries. It ends at the Suleymaniye Mosque, which is my favorite in the whole city. Beyond the beauty of the mosque itself, the location provides jaw-dropping panoramic views over the whole city.

When I eventually make my way back to Istanbul this tour will be the first thing on my list. I can’t say enough good things about it. The guide, the content, and the sites are all impeccable.

5pm – End of Tour

Dinner – Köfteci Yaşar

For dinner, head to this hole-in-the-wall spot near the Spice Bazaar. It’s tucked away in an alley, but they serve incredible köfte. They’re grilled fresh to order and are perfectly spiced and taste amazing. If you want to see the cooks in action, check out this video on Mark Wiens’ YouTube channel!

Other Things to Do

Spending more than 5 days in Istanbul? Don’t worry, there’s plenty more things to do. Here are a few more ideas of things to do, both inside the city or on a day trip.

Istanbul Activities

Beşiktaş JK Museum & Stadium

Beşiktaş JK is one of the three major soccer teams in the city. At their stadium they offer both a museum and stadium tours. The combined ticket for both is about $30.

Hagia Irene

This Eastern Orthodox Church is the oldest known church in the city, dating back to the year 548. It is also one of the few to never be converted into a mosque. Entrance tickets cost about $15.

Miniaturk

This open-air museum is a unique place to visit. It is home to miniature depictions of a variety of Turkish landmarks. It costs about $20 to visit and can easily be combined with the Pierre Loti Hill which is next on this list.

Pierre Loti Hill

This hill is known for having one of the best views in the whole city. It’s location provides sweeping sights of both sides of the Golden Horn. There is also a cafe at the top that makes for a good place to relax and take in the captivating views.

Rüstem Paşa Mosque

This 16th century mosque is yes another incredible display of Ottoman architecture. It is decorated with floral and geometric tiles. While smaller than some of the more famous mosques, it is arguably more beautiful.

Yıldız Park

This public park is located in the Beşiktaş neighborhood and is one of the largest parks in the city. It has beautiful scenery and walking paths as well as a cafe and an old Ottoman palace.

Day Trips

Belgrad Ormani

The Belgrad Forest is a large nature park located north of Istanbul. There are plenty of walking trails that allow you to explore the beautiful nature. Additionally, you can visit historic sites such as the Ayazma Church and Kilyos Castle. It takes about 2 hours to reach via public transit, or 1 hour if driving.

Bursa

Bursa is the 4th largest city in Turkey and is a 2 hour bus ride away from Istanbul. Some of the highlights in this city include many of it’s mosques, particularly the Green Mosque and the Ulu Mosque. Additionally, it is the birthplace of the Iskender Kebap so be sure to give that a try when you visit.

Princes Islands

The Princes Islands are a set up 9 islands located in the Sea of Marmara off the coast of Istanbul. They are known for being places to enjoy peace and quiet because fuel-driven vehicles are banned. The islands are easily accessible from the city via public ferries.

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