Suggestions for Places to Visit in Istanbul – Daily Istanbul Travel Routes

For those living in Istanbul, life is a constant rush. The days pass in a constant rush to catch up with work, get home, catch up with friends, and get somewhere. In this rush, no time can be spared to visit Istanbul. The best times to be a tourist in Istanbul are long holidays when everyone leaves Istanbul. Suggestions for places to visit in Istanbul for those who will spend their holiday in Istanbul waiting for you in this article.

Places to Visit in Istanbul

Do not think that Istanbul is completely empty when Istanbulites leave Istanbul during the holiday seasons, those who do not live in Istanbul come to visit Istanbul. Even so, those who live in Istanbul should not miss the opportunity to be a tourist in Istanbul. I have divided my list of suggestions for places to visit in Istanbul by region and experienced these routes on a daily basis, so you can do it comfortably. Do not forget to get a Museum Card to visit Istanbul, it will make your trip very economical.

I made a 9-day route for places to visit in Istanbul, choose, like, travel.

1. Sultanahmet and its environs

You should definitely start your tour of Istanbul from Sultanahmet. Places to visit in and around Sultanahmet in one day;

• Sultan Ahmet Mosque,
• Hagia Sophia Museum,
• Topkapi palace,
• Basilica Cistern, Basilica Cistern was under restoration, if it is not finished, you can choose the Serefiye Cistern. 
• Istanbul Archeology Museums are the places you should see in that region. Do not say that it is quite difficult to finish these places in 1 day.
• There are places you will see while walking around the square, such as the obelisks, the million stone and the German fountain. For lunch, you can choose Sultanahmet Köftecisi or Pudding Shop.
• For a sweet and coffee break, you can choose Hafız Mustafa in the building where the Literature Foundation is located.

Of course, there are many more places to see in this region, but you can only visit the places listed above in one day.

If you want to spend one more day in this region, you can continue towards Beyazıt and visit Gülhane Park. You can visit the Archeology Museum and the Islamic Art Museums.

2. Eminonu and its surroundings

I will recommend Eminönü and its surroundings on the second day to explore Istanbul, but if you go here on Sunday, many places will be closed, so decide well which day to go.

• You can start your tour from the Grand Bazaar.
• If you enter Beyazıt, it will be easier to go from top to bottom, the Grand Bazaar is a bit like a labyrinth. If you say you want to exit from Eminönü direction, the shopkeeper will direct you.
• Spice Bazaar is one of my favorite places to visit in Istanbul. Spices, gifts, colorful,
• If you exit the side door of the Spice Bazaar, a crowd will greet you, the coffee queue of Kuru KAHVECI MEHMET EFENDİ. You can take home a fresh Turkish Coffee. Did you buy Turkish delight from the shops on that street right away, it's inedible.
• If you exit the Spice Bazaar through the upper door instead of the side door, the upper streets are full of shops where you can find all kinds of products you are looking for. MARPUTCULAR BAZAAR is always crowded, you can pass here on your way from the Grand Bazaar,
• Although the New Mosque is currently under restoration, you can enter it, of course, make sure that your attire is appropriate.
• As soon as you leave the New Mosque, you can take a tea break in the Yeni Mosque Square behind it, and visit the shops selling flower seeds,
• Isbank Museum,
• old Post Office,
• Sirkeci Station, There is a small museum inside the station, be sure to stop by.
• If you have time, there is the Hünkar Pavilion next to the Yeni Mosque.
• Rüstem Pasha Mosque is one of the places to see at this time, but it is not open to visitors due to restoration.
• You can join the Bosphorus tours departing from Eminönü to both relax and take a Bosphorus Tour.
• If you say you are hungry while traveling; HAMDİ RESTAURANT is the best kebab restaurant in this region.
• Inside the Spice Bazaar, there is a restaurant called Pandeli, if your meal time allows, I recommend you to eat there.
• On Sirkeci side, there is a street where Historical Hocapaşa Restaurants are located, you can find pide, doner kebabs, etc. on that street.
• You can cross the Galata Bridge and go to Karaköy to have something to eat and drink in the evening, but I don't know if the route above will leave you with a very tiring energy. 

You've had a busy day, now it's time to go home and rest.

3. Pera from Taksim Square to Tunnel Square

Now is the time to see a different face of Istanbul! Today you can visit Taksim and Istiklal Street. I know Taksim has lost its old popularity, but I still like to go and remember the old days. Let's come to my suggestions about places to visit and see on Istiklal Street.

• When I say Istiklal Street, the first places that come to my mind are the arcades. ATLAS PASSAGE, ANZAVUR PASSAGE, TERKOS PASSAGE, ÇİÇEK PASAJI are places that I still enjoy walking around when I go.
• Istiklal Street nightlife used to flow through Büyükparmak and Küçükparmakkapı streets when I was at university. Then it started to slide down: Küçük Beyoğlu, Nevizade, Asmalımescit, then Istiklal Street was replaced by other districts.
• You can get off next to Galatasaray High School and take a coffee break on French Street.
• Another beauty of Istiklal Street is its churches. Such as Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church, Saint Antuan Church.
• The Consulate buildings on the street are also very beautiful. You can visit the French Consulate right at the entrance of Istiklal Street, there is also a cafe, if you want to take a break.
• Another beauty of Istiklal Street is the art galleries. Borusan Art, Salt Beyoğlu, Pera Museum serve those who seek art with a different taste.
• There are also side streets full of surprises here. One street is filled with fortune-telling coffee shops, another with antique shops. Completely lost, still…
• GALATASARAY BATH, GALATASARAY HIGH SCHOOL, FRENCH STREET, EGYPT APARTMENT are other places that should not be passed without seeing.
• The TUNNEL SQUARE and the passage right across from the places where I spent a lot of time in my late twenties are still beautiful, even if they are not as they were now. 

4. Galata and Its Surroundings

We are going to Galata today in the exploration of Istanbul. Below I share my suggestions for exploration around Galata, from Karaköy to Pera from above;

• Let's start our tour from Karaköy, from the GALATA BRIDGE.
• After the bridge, the direction is BANKALAR AVENUE. KAMONDO STAIRS is one of the places you should not miss here. .
• Art lovers can also visit SALT GALATA.
• TERZILER SYNANGOG is another lesser-known but must-see place. It currently serves as an arts centre.
• GALATA TOWER is of course indispensable for this region. Make sure to climb the tower and enjoy the view.
• SERDAR-I EKREM SOKAK, with its old buildings, is a street you should not pass without taking a tour. For a while, celebrities were in a race to grab a house from this street 🙂 .
• The street from Galata Square towards Taksim Tunel is another of my favorite streets with souvenir shops and music shops.
• GALATA MEVLEVIHANESİ is located on the part of that street close to Tünel. Even if there is no Mevlevi show, you can visit it as a museum, you should definitely see it. There is a Sema show every Sunday at 17:00, you can adjust your time accordingly and finish your trip with a Sema show.
• Make sure to dive into the side streets in Galata, a different history awaits you on each street.

You can also plan this route in the opposite direction, starting from Tünel Square and going down to Karaköy, so you can spend the evening at the venues in Karaköy.

5. Beşiktaş-Ortaköy Bosphorus Line

We continue to offer Istanbul exploration for those who spend their holidays in Istanbul! Today our route is Beşiktaş-Ortaköy Bosphorus line! Let me make a torpedo in my own neighborhood.

• Of course, the first place to be seen when it comes to Beşiktaş DOLMABAHÇE PALACE. Clock Tower, Harem, Selamlık, behind Painting Museum I suggest you spend half a day with him.
• For Beşiktaş people, of course, it is impossible to pass without visiting VODAFONE PARK STADIUM.
• The mosque at the entrance of Dolmabahçe Palace, Bezmi Alem Valide Sultan Mosque can be seen.
• If you exit Dolmabahçe Palace by the Palace Collections Museum, there is the SEA MUSEUM after 100 meters. It is a very nice museum, sometimes there are exhibitions in it.
• The cafe in the garden of Dolmabahçe Palace has a very beautiful view on the sea side, you don't need to buy a ticket to get there. You can also go for tea. There are two beautiful cafes inside the Palace Collections Museum and in its garden. Hidden, beautiful view.
• After the Naval Museum, you can stop by the BEŞİKTAŞ BAZAAR and take a coffee or lunch break and shop at the bazaars. .
• You can walk to IHLAMUR KASRI from the market. It has a very beautiful garden.
• Instead of going to the linden side, STAR PARK and KÖŞKESİ are places where you can spend time in the forest, which will suddenly tear you away from Istanbul.
• A walk past the ÇIRAĞAN PALACE and towards Ortaköy is one of the Beşiktaş classics.
• It is necessary to come to ORTAKÖY, to visit the mobile stalls, to have a photo taken in front of Ortaköy Mosque, and to eat kumpir.

It is very difficult to fit all of this into a single day, you might consider dedicating two days to Beşiktaş.

If you want to take a break in Beşiktaş, The beautiful museum cafes of Beşiktaş You can choose from.

6. Kadıköy and Fashion

For those who stay in Istanbul during the holiday, it's time for KADIKÖY to explore Istanbul!

• KADIKÖY BAZAAR is the most enjoyable place in Istanbul to spend the most time, wander around bohemian shops and antique shops, spend time in cafes and end the day in evening taverns.
• YELDEĞİRMENİ neighborhood is a candidate to be the newly emerging and future Fener/Balat. It is perfect for street pictures, cafes and old neighborhood spirit.
• FASHION; It is a place where you can spend the whole day when you say tea garden, ice cream shop, concept cafes. The most beautiful sunset in Istanbul is here if you ask me. .
• BAHARİYE AVENUE is the shopping street of Kadıköy, starting from Taurus.
• FENERBAHÇE football team is another color of Kadıköy with its stadium and beach.
• HAYDARPAŞA GAR is the bleeding wound of Kadıköy. This wonderful building is currently under restoration, there is a restaurant inside. You can prefer this place to brew in the evening.

There are many large and small churches and synagogues in Kadıköy. Do not forget to raise your head and look at the surrounding buildings while walking around the streets.

7. Uskudar and Kuzguncuk

Istanbul exploration proposals continue with the Üsküdar, Kuzguncuk line! 

• Our tour starts from the 3rd Ahmet fountain in Üsküdar Square.
• We are visiting the Mihrimah Sultan complex, a magnificent work of Mimar Sinan.
• We are visiting the Valide Sultan complex, the most famous structure of Istanbul with its bird palaces.
• Passing in front of the Paşa port park and Tekel Factory buildings, we arrive at Kuzguncuk after a short 1 km walk. 
• When it comes to Kuzguncuk, first of all, KUZGUNCUK BOSTANI, which is the last orchard left in the city, should be seen.
• Kuzguncuk There are 3 churches, 2 mosques and 2 synagogues in its neighborhood. On the coastal road, you can see the Armenian church and the Mosque side by side.
• Although Icadiye Street is the main street of Kuzguncuk, Simitçi Tahir Sokak, Üryanizade Sokak, Tahtalı Bostan Street, Berberoğlu Street and Perihan Abla Street are worth seeing with their many old houses.
• Perihan Abla, Bread Boat, Life Science and Remember Dear TV series were shot in this district, and if there are those who watch the TV series, the streets will look familiar.
• Nail Bookstore is a very nice place where you can both sit and drink coffee and get lost among the books. @nail_bookstore .
• If you go to the Greek Cemetery, the tomb of the famous MARKO PASHA is there.
• Don't forget to buy MUSHROOM COOKIES from the historical Kuzguncuk bakery. It's a little expensive for 9TL each, but it's really nice 😋
• İSMET BABA FISHERMAN on the beach is very famous, but now it is expensive due to the effect of his fame.

Kuzguncuk places to visit Check out my post too.

When you finish our Kuzguncuk tour, I strongly recommend that you go back to Üsküdar and go to the Maiden's Tower at sunset. You will witness a very beautiful view of the Historic Peninsula, and you will see the Maiden's Tower in a soft light, instead of seeing it in a steep light in the middle of the day.

8. Fener – Balat Route

Istanbul's new favorite Fener – Balat is one of my favorite places to go. It makes me feel like you left Istanbul and went to another city.

Below are the places to visit in Fener – Balat. For more Fener – Balat Check out my post.

• Chora Museum
• Asitane Restaurant is a place that serves Ottoman dishes right next to the Kariye Museum.
• Tekfur Palace
• Fethiye Museum
• Church of the Virgin of the Mongols (Blood Church of the Virgin Mary)
• Fener Greek High School
• Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
• Bulgarian Church
• Vodina and Yıldırım Streets full of cafes (these are candidates to become the new Karaköy)
• Çıfıt Bazaar and Agora Tavern
• Ahrida Synagogue
• Ladder Hill and Kiremit Street, which you see in all Balat photos
• Lighthouse Pier and closing 🙂

Starting from Kariye and going down will increase your excursion-hiking performance.

Fener Balat places to visit Check out my post too.

9. Bosphorus Cruise with Beggar Ferry

Do you know that you can do a Bosphorus tour that will take one full day with the city lines ferry? City Lines ferry You can find all the details in my Bosphorus tour article.

The first stop of the Bosphorus Tour is Eminönü. Eminönü, Beşiktaş, Üsküdar, Kanlıca, Sarıyer, Rumeli Kavağı and Anadolu Kavağı are the stops of the ferry. You can get on from any stop you want.

It departs from Eminönü at 10:35 in the morning and arrives at Anadolu Kavağı at 12:25. After resting at Anadolu Kavağı for approximately two and a half hours, it departs at 15:00 and returns on the same route, returning to Eminönü at 16:40. The ferry departs very punctually in order to meet the total tour time of 6 hours.

At noon, you can eat fish at Anadolu Kavağı and go to Yoros Castle to fill the two-and-a-half-hour break very well.

Other Places to Visit in Istanbul

Apart from these, there are many places to see in Istanbul. Maybe I will write them separately, I will give them as a summary list below:

• Pierre Loti, Miniatürk on the Golden Horn and then Koç Museum,
• Karakoy, Cukurcuma,
• Bebek, Arnavutkoy,
• Emirgan, Rumelihisari,
• Rumelifeneri, Garipce,
• Kandilli, Cengelkoy,
• And of course the Princess Islands.

a larger list places to visit in Istanbul You can find it in my article.

We hope you have a pleasant time in Istanbul and enjoy it to the fullest.

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Stay on the Road!