Istanbul Travel Guide: Top 12 Things to Do in Turkey’s Electrifying Metropolis

Our top picks of what to see and do (plus where to eat, drink and sleep!) in this quick-read travel guide to epic Istanbul, Turkey.

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A view looking out to Hagia Sophia, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine

Istanbul Travel Guide

Last updated: January 2023

Before heading to Istanbul, the cross-continental epicenter of Turkey, we heard a comparison of the sprawling, former Ottoman metropolis as “New York City on steroids.” While we don’t think Istanbul can accurately be compared to anything, this descriptive comes somewhat close. 

The truth is, tackling this city can be overwhelming – especially for first time visitors. But fear not! Here, we give you our top 12 picks of what to see and do (plus where to eat, drink and sleep) in this streamlined travel guide to epic Istanbul, Turkey.

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A rooftop view of Sultanahmet (Old City) and the Bosphorus Strait beyond. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Lokum (Turkish Delight) for days in Istanbul, Turkey. / Photo by Twell Magazine

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Beautiful Turkish carpets in Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Call to prayer at Hagia Sophia. / Photo by Twell Magazine

But first – travel insurance:

Whenever, and wherever, you might be traveling, travel insurance is always a good idea. We personally love SafetyWing for their transparent, easy to understand and thorough coverage starting at just $45.00 USD/month. Their two-tier coverage offers medical benefits in the event of an accident or illness while abroad, in addition to travel benefits such as compensation for delayed trips and lost luggage. Find out everything you need to know about SafetyWing travel insurance, here!


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Istanbul’s 16th-century Kursunlu Han, a former caravanserai (marketplace & inn for merchants traveling the Silk Road). / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
A simit (Turkish bagel) vendor in Istanbul, Turkey. / Photo by Twell Magazine

Top 12 Things to Do, Eat & See (Plus Where to Stay) in Istanbul, Turkey

1) EMBRACE your inner tourist and get your lay-of-the-land Istanbul crash course by riding the hop on, hop off Big Bus the entire loop. Yes it’s touristy but yes, it will give you an incredible overview of the city (visually and factually thanks to the included audio guide) in just a matter of hours.

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Crossing from Europe (right) to Asia (left) on Istanbul’s Hop On, Hop Off Bus. / Photo by Twell Magazine

2) SEE can’t-miss cultural, historical & religious sites. There are many to see throughout the centuries-old city, however these Istanbul icons should be at the top of your list: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Dolmabahce Palace, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern.

Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Inside Istanbul’s iconic and ever-evolving Hagia Sophia, a church (537) turned mosque (1453) turned museum (1935) turned back into a mosque (2020). / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
The castle-like entrance to Topkapi Palace, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
The Gate to the Bosphorus Strait at Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine

3) EAT YOUR WAY through both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul with Culinary Backstreets‘ immersive street food tour. It’s the best thing we did during our time in the city. Not only (a LOT of) food, you’ll get a serious dose of culture while visiting places you’d literally never even know were there. Be sure to request Senem as your guide!

Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Stopping for Turkish tea in the 16th-century Kursunlu Han (marketplace) with Culinary Backstreets. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
The proprietor of Omer Cay (Tea) House in Kursunlu Han, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Wandering through the local Kadikoy Market with Culinary Backstreets. / Photo by Twell Magazine

4) BE MESMERIZED by the Mevlevi-order Sufi Whirling Dervishes at Hodja Pasha Cultural Center, a former 15th century hamam (Turkish bath house). Head’s up: As you are witnessing a sacred religious performance, photos and video of any kind are strictly prohibited.

5) EXPLORE Istanbul’s many museums. Our top picks: Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum, Istanbul Archeological Museums, Istanbul Museum of Modern Art and Pera Art Museum.

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Istanbul’s Museum of Turkish & Islamic Art / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
One of Istanbul’s many beloved felines, catching a cat nap outside the Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum. / Photo by Twell Magazine

6) GET LOST in the maze of the 15th-century Grand Bazaar. Marvel at the historic arches and painted motifs (don’t forget to look up!), and get ready to barter at any of 4,000 shops stretching through a grid of 60+ streets. TIP: Make sure to wander through Zincirli Han while there, a former caravanserai (marketplace & inn designed for traveling merchants).

Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
One of the main entrance gates to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Inside Istanbul’s 15th-century Grand Bazaar. / Photo by Twell Magazine

7) CLIMB the historic Galata Tower (stretching all the way back to Byzantine era in the 500s) for sweeping, 360-degree views of Istanbul, the Golden Horn Inlet and the Bosphorus Strait. If there’s a line, trust us – it’s worth the wait! And P.S. You don’t actually have to climb the tower. There’s an elevator. 

Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Stunning views of Istanbul from Galata Tower. / Photo by Twell Magazine

8) STROLL across iconic Galata Bridge, extending across the Golden Horn inlet to connect Sultanahmet (Old City) with Karakoy and the rest of modern Istanbul. A whopping five bridges have stood on the site since the original in 1845; the final (and current) only completed in 1994. Go in the morning to find the 490 meter stretch dotted with local fisherman reeling in the day’s catch, or any time of day for jaw-dropping views of the surrounding waterways and (endless) cityscapes.

Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
A fisherman (and a hopeful cat) on Galata Bridge, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Scenes from Galata Bridge, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine

9) WANDER down bustling Istiklal Street (“Independence Avenue”) in the city’s lively Taksim neighborhood. Pedestrian-only save for the heritage tram that has been rolling through since it’s 1990 revival, this approx 2 km grand boulevard connects Taksim Square to the north with Galata Tower to the south. Along the way? A colorful whirlwind of shops, eateries, street vendors, street performers, historic architecture and more – enjoyed by a lively mix of tourists and locals alike.

Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istiklal Street and its heritage tram, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine

10) SAIL the Bosphorus on a “Turkish Night” Dinner Cruise. Yes it’s touristy but trust us – you’ll be having too much fun to care.

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Belly dancers during the “Turkish Night” dinner cruise. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Bosphorus views / Photo by Twell Magazine

11) EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY at these best restaurants throughout Istanbul:

Mikla Restaurant: rooftop fine dining; Beyoglu.

Zubeyir Ocakbasi: delicious, freshly grilled kebab dishes; Taksim.

Karakoy Lokantasi: traditional Ottoman cuisine; Karakoy.

Karakoy Gulluoglu: to-die-for baklava from a family that’s been mastering the craft since the 1800s; Karakoy.

Sehzade Cag Kebap: your go-to lunch spot for quick, mouthwatering doner kebab; Sultanahmet (Old City).

Roof Mezze 360: traditional Ottoman dishes with a view! Sultanahmet (Old City).

Ciya Sofrasi: Turkish comfort food; Kadakoy.

The 20th Floor Panorama Bar at The Marmara Taksim: epic views await – especially at sunset; Taksim Square.

Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Firing it up at Zubeyir Ocakbasi, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Outdoor dining at Zubeyir Ocakbasi, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Mezze goals at Roof Mezze 360. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Horizontal doner kebab at Sehzade Cag Kebap, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Kebab (and all the trimmings!) at Sehzade Cag Kebap, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Drinks with a view at the 20th Floor Panorama Bar at The Marmara Taksim, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine

12) STAY at Istanbul’s best boutique hotels:

The Marmara Taksim (Taksim Square)

Historic Pera Palace (Beyoglu)

Aren Suites (Sultanahmet/Old City)

Istanbul Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
The Golden Horn Room at Pera Palace Hotel, Istanbul. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
The exterior of Istanbul’s historic Pera Palace Hotel. / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Room with a view at Aren Suites, Sultanahmet (Old City). / Photo by Twell Magazine
Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat and See / www.twellmagazine.com / Photo by Twell Magazine
Turkish breakfast at Aren Suites, Sultanahmet (Old City). / Photo by Twell Magazine