BEFORE THE FIRST ADVENTURE

Make yourself at home in Istanbul.

How to get around, what to see, where to eat — and which tickets make sense for you.

Hagia Sophia behind illuminated fountains

The places you came to see.

Explore Istanbul through photos of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and more. Choose your priorities, plan a route and check ticket differences.

Explore the guide 3 min read

Where are you heading?

Start with a city. Find the details that make the first day easier.

IstanbulTürkiye

ParisFrance

LondonUnited Kingdom

RomeItaly

DubaiUnited Arab Emirates

BangkokThailand

Hong KongChina

MacaoChina

AntalyaTürkiye

Kuala LumpurMalaysia

Your Istanbul reading list

Practical answers, recognisable places and room for discovery.

14 guides

Itineraries4 min read

Istanbul

Istanbul in 3 days: a first-time itinerary

A practical three-day Istanbul route through Sultanahmet, Galata and the Bosphorus, with time to explore and advice on which tickets to plan ahead.

Read the guide

The Bosphorus Bridge and waterside neighbourhoods at sunset

Experiences4 min read

Istanbul

Which Bosphorus cruise should you book?

Choose between a sightseeing cruise, sunset yacht, dinner cruise and public ferry in Istanbul, with practical checks for routes and booking.

Read the guide

Golden-lit columns and brick vaults inside the Basilica Cistern

Attraction guides4 min read

Istanbul

Basilica Cistern tickets: what to know before you visit

Understand Basilica Cistern admission, audio guides and tour options, then fit your visit into a Sultanahmet itinerary without buying the wrong ticket.

Read the guide

Hagia Sophia at night behind illuminated fountains

Attraction guides4 min read

Istanbul

Hagia Sophia tickets: choose the right visit

Understand the difference between Hagia Sophia’s cultural visitor route and the separate History & Experience Museum before choosing a ticket.

Read the guide

The Gate of Salutation at Topkapi Palace

Attraction guides4 min read

Istanbul

Topkapi Palace tickets: palace, Harem and planning your day

Plan Topkapi Palace around its Tuesday closure, understand Harem and combined-ticket inclusions, and choose the right visitor category.

Read the guide

Getting around3 min read

Istanbul

How to get around Istanbul: public transport explained

Compare Istanbul’s T1 tram, metro, Marmaray and ferries. Plan airport transfers, check late services and learn how to board before your first trip.

Read the guide

Transport cards3 min read

Istanbul

Istanbulkart: how to pay for transport in Istanbul

Learn where to buy Istanbulkart, add credit and validate it. Understand card costs, transfers and how it differs from a sightseeing or QR transport pass.

Read the guide

Internet & eSIM3 min read

Istanbul

Internet and eSIM in Istanbul: stay connected from arrival

Plan mobile data for Istanbul: Turkish SIMs, eSIM compatibility, airport setup and whether a Europe plan includes Türkiye.

Read the guide

Must-see places3 min read

Istanbul

Istanbul must-see places: a visual first-visit guide

Explore Istanbul through photos of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and more. Choose your priorities, plan a route and check ticket differences.

Read the guide

Food & drink3 min read

Istanbul

What to eat in Istanbul: dishes and neighbourhood stops

What should you eat in Istanbul? Start with simit, meze & baklava, plan food stops around sightseeing and compare independent meals with tasting tours.

Read the guide

Where to stay3 min read

Istanbul

Where to stay in Istanbul: choose your neighbourhood

Where should you stay in Istanbul? Compare Sultanahmet, Galata or Kadıköy by sightseeing, transport, evening plans and the trade-offs at your exact hotel address.

Read the guide