Top 10 Things to Do in Istanbul
We will recommend you top 10 things to do in İstanbul. Because these places are worth seeing or experiencing. If you are coming to visit Istanbul, you should not leave without doing them. That is why we make this list for you.
Whirling Dervishes Ceremony
The Whirling Dervishes Ceremony are actual worship service of Mevlana’s followers. We recommend you to make early reservation. Because you may not find seats later. Whirling Dervishes Ceremony is one of famous religious rituals that is happening in Turkey. We have a few special places for attending whirling dervish ceremony in istanbul. Furthermore, if you have time, konya city will be best place to attend whirling dervishes ceremony.
If you contact us, we will be glad to help you for reservation and give good offers.
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
If you come to İstanbul, you should definitely try Bosphorus Sunset Cruise. A visit to Istanbul is not complete without a Bosphorus sunset cruise. You will have opportunity to see the European and Asian sides of Istanbul while enjoying bosphorus sunset cruise. We have many options for our clients such as private yacht tour, 2 hours bosphorus boat tour and sunset yacht bosphorus cruise with max.30 paxs. According to your budget, you decide standart yacht tour or luxury yacht tour, boat tour or yacht sunset cruise with group.
Furthermore, there are many nice Ottoman Palaces, Bridges, Ottoman Fortresses and nice Pavilions on the Bosphorus. If you want, you can watch the sunset and have a great time. If you want, we have Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner option as well. It is with dinner, shows, pick up and drop off from city center hotels.
Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern (Underground Cistern, Yerebatan) is one of the most famous cisterns in Istanbul. It was built during Byzantine Empire and later on not used by Ottoman Empire and forgotton for long time. Since it discovered and restored now. It is used as a museum since 1988.
You will see tow Medusa Heads at the end of Cistern as well. It is really busy during high season. By joining one of our Fast Track Basilica Cistern Tours, you can skip the line of cistern and get enough information.
Hagia Sophia Mosque
It was built as Christian church and later on became a mosque during the Ottoman Empire for 480 years. It became a museum for 86 years. After 86 years, it became mosque again and a really amazing building to visit in İstanbul. But it is pretty busy during the high season.
We highly recommend you to join one of our İstanbul Old City Tour if you want to save your time and learn about Hagia Sophia. If you want, we can arrange a private guide in your language as well.
You can learn more about the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) with a local tour guide.
Topkapi Palace
It was built with the order of Fatih Sultan Mehmet who conquered İstanbul in the 15th century. Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayı) is a complex of kiosks and pavilions contained by four courtyards.
Many Ottoman Sultans lived here for 380 years and later on moved to Dolmabahce Palace. It is a museum today and pretty busy during the high season.
If you join one of our Daily Fast Track Topkapi Palace Tours, you can skip the line of the museum and get enough information about the Ottoman Empire and Palace.
Grand Bazaar
It is one of the largest covered Bazaars in the World. That is why you need to put it on your list even if you don’t do shopping. Grand Bazaar is over 500 years old and very famous for its carpets, leather, ceramics, souvenirs and jewelry.
There are more than 3.500 shops, 60 restaurants, 18 fountains, 12 mosques and even a school. You should check the number of the Gate which you entered inside to not get lost in this big bazaar.
Because there are 22 gates for the bazaar. Our guides will help you to make bargaining in the bazaar if you join one of our istanbul private tour guide tours.
Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
Sultanahmet Mosque was built in 1609-1617. It is known as Blue Mosque, but the official name of the mosque is Sultanahmet Mosque. There are 21 thousand of blue ceramic tiles adorning the interior of the mosque with 260 windows.
When the sunlight came into the mosque, it takes blue colour. The Mosque will be closed during prayer hours and needs to obey some rules before you visit this mosque.
If you join one of our istanbul private tour guide tours, we will be glad to help you and give you information about this famous mosque.
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace is one of the most beautiful Ottoman Palaces in Istanbul and must visit as well. The Palace has 285 rooms and 43 salons. It was built in 1843-1856 by Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid.
They spend a lot of money to build it and used tons of gold for inner decoration. The ceremonial hall is so impressive with its 4.5-ton chandelier.
After the foundation of the Turkish Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed at the Palace during his visit to İstanbul and passed away here on November 10, 1938, at 09:05.
Dolmabahce Palace is pretty busy during high season and may take long time to visit this Palace. If you join one of our Daily Dolmabahce Palace Tours, you can skip the line of the museum and get information about it.
Turkish Hamam (Turkish Bath)
Turkish Hamam dates to the 14th century and is inspired by roman practices in bathing. Turkish Baths were a source for both community gathering and hygiene maintenance at the same time.
Because most people had no shower at their home. That is why Baths (Hamams) were the only option for that reason. Then baths were designed to be a local point in city centers and accessible for everyone.
That is why they have built most of Turkish Hamams close to mosques during the Ottoman Empire. There are several Turkish Hamams which are restored and available in the city for now.
If you contact us, we will be glad to help you and make reservation for a nice Turkish Hamam. They are pretty busy during high season. That is why we recommend you to make early reservation for a turkish bath. We can arrange a shuttle for you if your hotel is far away from city center. We have a few best hamam options for you. Please contact us for more info.
Taksim Square (Taksim Meydan)
Taksim Square is one of the most known city centers of Istanbul and many famous hotels, restaurants are located nearby the Square and on the famous Istiklal Street. Istiklal Pedestrian Street has many bars, nightclubs and movie theaters.
Cars are not allowed to enter this street. That is why it’s always busy with people almost for 24 hours a day. Taksim Square is the meeting place to celebrate parades and some concerts as well.
The Independence Monument is standing at the beginning of Istiklal pedestrian street. There is an Old Tram which is the only vehicle permitted on Istiklal Street besides official (police and government) cars.
If you come to Istanbul, you should take a walk on this street. There are many nice old buildings, cafes, famous brand shops, bars, clubs, restaurants and churches with very fancy good looking apartments.
