Istanbul is a vibrant city filled with vivid colour, rich aromas, and lively people. Traditions have been held onto for generations and can be seen throughout the streets that entwin this historically significant place. The people are inviting, the food is exotic, and the atmosphere is electric. Every corner of Istanbul tells a story, from the majestic mosques to the bustling markets. It's a city where past and present seamlessly intertwine, where you can wander through ancient ruins in the morning and dine in a trendy cafe by nightfall. It is not only a fantastic city to explore on foot, but it is also encouraged.
In this two day Istanbul Itinerary, we’ll look at the best things to do in Istanbul, Turkey, and how to see everything in your time.
Day 1: Explore the Historic Sites
Day one will revolve around seeing the main tourist sites in Istanbul. Fortunately, these are all around Sultanahmet Square and are close to one another.
Hagia Sofia
The Hagia Sophia is a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to Istanbul. This world-famous monument has a rich history dating back to the 6th Century when it was initially built as a church. Today, it serves as a museum and offers visitors a chance to explore this magnificent structure's unique blend of Christian and Islamic art and architecture. With its massive dome, intricate mosaics, and stunning frescoes, the Hagia Sophia is truly a masterpiece of engineering and design.
Entry to the mosque is free but requires visitors to adhere to a dress code. Men should wear long pants and avoid sleeveless tops, while women must cover their legs, wear long sleeves, and have their hair covered with a scarf. If needed, you can purchase scarves (TRY 10), coveralls (TRY 35), and shawls (TRY 50) just as you pass through security. The mosque is open daily between 10 am and 10 pm.
Hagia Sofia gets very busy between 11 am and 5 pm when most group tours take place. Get there as it opens, or visit in the evening to experience everything lit up with dramatic effect.
The Blue Mosque
Less than a 3-minute walk from Hagia Sofia is The Blue Mosque, a magnificent building famous for its stunning tile work, intricate calligraphy, and six minarets. Built in the early 17th Century, the mosque has been an iconic part of Istanbul's skyline ever since. Visitors can explore the mosque's interior and admire the intricate tile work and beautiful stained glass windows.
As with Hagia Sofia, admission is free, and the dress code must be respected in the same manner as above. The mosque is open daily from 08:30 am to 6:30 pm but is closed during prayer times, which are updated daily, so check ahead of time.
Topkapi Palace
The majestic Topaki Palace is a testament to the opulence and power of the Ottoman Empire. Sultan Mehmed II built it between 1460 and 1487, making it one of the oldest historical palaces in the world. Throughout its long history, Topkapi Palace has been expanded upon and altered many times. Now, it has four main courtyards and over 400 rooms, including the Sultan's private residence (Haram), all within its 700,000 sqm coverage.
Tickets can be purchased at the counters inside the central courtyard or one of the self-service kiosks to the right of the counters. Audio guides, which give great insight into each section of the palace, are free with each ticket purchase.
Give yourself around 1.5 hours to explore the extensive grounds.
The entrance fee to Topkapi Palace is 500 TRY (25 USD), with an additional fee of 150 TRY (7.50 USD) to visit the harem section.
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern, known as the "Sunken Palace," is an ancient underground water storage facility built in the 6th Century. While a water facility doesn't sound that captivating, the Basilica Cistern is an astonishing testament to the Byzantine Empire's ingenuity.
The Basilica Cistern, stretching over 9,800 square meters and supported by a forest of 336 marble columns, is a wonder of ancient engineering. As you walk through the intricately carved columns, do not miss the Medusa Heads hidden in the farthest corner, the Wishing Column, or the remarkable "Hens Eye" column adorned with beautiful medallions.
Fun Fact: The final scene of the movie Inferno, based on Dan Brown's novel, was shot at Basilica Cistern.
The Basilica Cistern is open daily between 09:00 am and 7:00 pm, and entrance costs 300 TRY (15 USD). During the high seasons (spring, summer, and autumn), queues can be quite long, so it is highly recommended that you buy a skip-the-line ticket.
Day 2: A Step Back In Time
We'll start our day today on the Asian side of Istanbul. Did you know that Istanbul is on both the European and Asian continents? The Bosphorus River separates the two continents, and due to its position between East and West, Istanbul has been a strategic location for trade, commerce, and defence throughout its long history.
Galata Tower
Perched atop the historic Galata district overlooking the city is the medieval stone building of Galata Tower. This cylindrical stone Tower, dating back to the 14th Century, has become a symbol of the Istanbul skyline and offers panoramic city views. It has witnessed centuries of history, serving variously as a watchtower, a fire lookout, and even a prison.
Visitors can now climb its narrow spiral staircase to the observation deck where the sprawling metropolis below.
It is advised to come early, as it becomes very busy during the day. After your visit, there are many cafes and restaurants along the streets at the base of the Tower where you can enjoy a traditional Turkish breakfast.
The Tower is open daily from 8:30 am, and tickets cost 650 Turkish Lira ($20 USD) to visit the top. (Prices correct as of 2024).
Hotels In Istanbul
Egyptian Spice Bazaar
Crossing back across the river and through the bustling streets, you'll find the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. As you cross the bridge, you'll witness men with fishing rods dangling in the river, hoping for their catch of the day.
The bazaar is filled with stores selling everything from dried fruit, spices, nuts, oils, tea sets, sweets and jewellery.
The Egyptian Spice Bazaar, also known as the Spice Market, dates back to the 17th Century and is a testament to the city's centuries-old tradition of trade. Its intoxicating aromas, colourful displays, and exotic treasures will amaze any visitor and transport them back to times past.
While the city is generally safe, the streets here are narrow, there are crowds of people, and unfortunately, there are one or two bad eggs. So be careful with your personal belongings, as pickpockets are known in this area.
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Grand Bazaar
If you thought the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, be prepared for the Grand Bazaar. Covering an expansive area of over 30,000 square meters, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets. Here, you'll find a labyrinthine maze of bustling alleys and vibrant bazaars that have captivated visitors for centuries.
Don't worry about getting lost; it will be inevitable.
This treasure trove of colourful woven textures, handcrafted ceramics and intricate jewellery. Everything here has a price that will fit any budget, depending on who you are and how hard you are prepared to haggle. Never accept the first price that is given to you!
If you sometimes find tours of new cities overwhelming or just want someone else to organise everything for you and benefit from a local guide's knowledge, consider single- or multi-day tours tailored around you.
Visit A Hamam (Turkish Bath)
No trip to Istanbul is complete without visiting a traditional Turkish bath, known locally as a hammam. Steeped in centuries of history and culture, hammams offer a rejuvenating spa experience unlike any other.
Set in stunning architectural buildings with marble walls and large ornate domed ceilings, visitors are transported back to the opulence of the Ottoman era.
Your ritual will begin with a steam session to open your pores and prepare you for vigorous scrubbing to exfoliate the skin. This will be followed by a soothing "foam massage" with more sudsy soap than you have ever seen.
Cagaloglu Hamam is one of the most famous hammams in Istanbul. It has been visited by people such as John Travolta, Harrison Ford, Ophrah Winfrey, King Edward VIII, and me! If it's good enough for us, I'm sure you'll love it too.
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How To Get To Istanbul
Istanbul has two major airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) on the Asian side. Both airports are well-connected to the city and offer numerous international and domestic flights daily.
Find Flights to Istanbul
How To Get From Istanbul Airport (IST) To The City
Shuttle Bus: Airport shuttles operated by Havabus run from the airport to the city every 30 minutes. They are the most convenient and cost-effective way to get downtown, taking around 40 minutes. The buses and kiosks to buy tickets are located one level above the arrivals terminal as you exit the building. When you purchase your ticket, you can show your accommodation details, and they will tell you which bus to take.
If you are arriving late at night, be warned that taxi drivers will be waiting at every stop along the way and can be pretty pushy trying to get your service to take you to your hotel. This can be quite intimidating if you are travelling alone. Either take a ride with them, making sure to haggle HARD, or politely say no, walk away and then book an Uber or BiTaksi with the relevant app.
Public Transportation: Istanbul Airport is connected to the city with a metro system via the M11 Metro Line. You can check Google Maps to see if this is a viable option, as you may need to make multiple changes and possibly also take a taxi to reach your final destination.
How To Get From Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) To The City
Shuttle Bus: Havabus runs regular shuttle services from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to the city, stopping at various locations, including Taksim Square and Kadıköy. The shuttle bus is relatively cheap and takes around 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic.
Public Transportation: Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is connected to the city via the M4 metro line. There are 23 stations, and reaching the city centre will take around 50 minutes. Following this, you can take a taxi, BiTaksi, or another metro line to your destination.
Hotels In Istanbul
Taxi Services
There are two methods of getting taxis around Istanbul: regular curbside taxis and BiTaksi, a taxi booking service that works similarly to Uber. Both operate around the city and are available from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
When using regular taxis, make sure to use official services with a meter; if a taxi refuses to use a meter and tries to haggle a set price, I just politely leave.
BiTaksi, on the other hand, gives you an estimated fair upfront, and everything else, such as payment and destination, is handled within the app. Just be aware that the price upfront is an estimated fair, and the final price may increase depending on traffic.
How To Get Around Istanbul
Considering how dense and busy Istanbul is, it is relatively easy to get around. Most places are within walking distance, but various options are available if you prefer to use transport.
The metro and light-rail system is easy to use and inexpensive but requires a transportation card, such as The Istanbul Welcome Card or The Istanbulkart.
The Istanbul Welcome Card comes preloaded with 10 trips, and two people can use a single card. It also offers many different offers and discounts at various attractions.
The Istanbul Kart is the official travel card supplied by the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality. While various cards are available, such as annual and monthly cards, tourists can buy limited-use cards that come preloaded with one, two, three, five, or ten trips.
These can be purchased throughout the city at kiosks and terminals, primarily around metro stations, piers, and bus stations.
I have not listed prices for these cards because they can change drastically based on Turkey's unstable inflation. Any price you find on blogs older than a month will likely be outdated and incorrect.
Is Istanbul Safe To Visit?
Generally, Istanbul is a safe city for travellers. However, like any major city, it's essential to exercise caution and use common sense to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit. Pick pockets are known to work in busier areas such as the Egyptian Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar, so make sure you aren't walking around with easy-to-access bags and loose pockets.
Another concern for many females is whether Istanbul is safe for solo female travellers. The short answer is yes. I know many solo female travellers who have visited Istanbul without any issues. Some have reported getting unwanted male attention, but nothing serious happened.
Is Istanbul Worth Visiting?
I had a three-day layover in Istanbul on my way to another country. I had always wanted to visit, attracted to its vast history, magnificent medieval architectural buildings, and, most importantly, the food! Although I only had two days to explore, the city left a profound impression on me. I can't wait to go back and dive deeper into this rich and cultural city. So, in short, Istanbul is definitely worth visiting.
How Many Days Do You Need In Istanbul?
With so many places close together in Istanbul, you can cover a lot of ground quickly. This Istanbul travel itinerary only covers two days and gives you the highlights, but there is definitely more to explore. Two full days of travel will be enough for most people who only want to cover the most popular areas but you can definitely spend more time if you have that available to you.
Up Next
If you're planning a trip to Istanbul, Turkey, why not check out our Turkey Travel Guide for more tips and travel advice. Everything can be found on our Turkey destination page.