The day will begin in one of the best-known areas of the city, Sultanahmet, where some of the most important monuments of Istanbul are located.
1. HAGIA SOPHIA
This is one of the main monuments of Istanbul. Hagia Sophia was built between the years 532 and 537, during the Byzantine Empire. Almost a thousand years after its construction, the ancient city of Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans, changing its name to Istanbul and turning Hagia Sophia into the imperial mosque of the Ottomans.
In 1934, it was declared with the status of a museum which was revoked in July 2020, returning to have the status of a mosque.
As of January 15th, 2024, new rules for visitors have been implemented:
Here are the new rules for all visitors as of January 15th, 2024 âŹď¸
-ENTRANCE FEE: âŹ25 for all visitors including foreign residents with a valid Turkish residence permit and Turkish citizens. Entrance is FREE for kids under 8 years old.â ď¸Museum Pass TĂźrkiye and Museum Pass Istanbul are not validâ ď¸
-The entrance to the gallery area is now only through the gate located in front of Topkapi Palaceâs main gate and the fountain.
-Hagia Sophia is still a mosque, therefore, even to visit the gallery all visitors must follow every mosqueâs dress code, women must cover the hair and dress modestly.You can also buy a headscarf for 30 TL and a body cover for 75 TL at the ticket office.
-The gallery is not wheelchair accessible, therefore, for these visitors only the first floor (praying area) can be accessed.
-Tourists can only access the gallery on the second floor, now the prayer area (first floor) wonât be open to tourists, is only for worshippers.
-Muslim tourists who desire to pray at Hagia Sophia can access the prayer area free of charge ONLY at praying times. The gate is located in front of Sultanahmet Square (old gate), however, if you also want to visit the gallery on the second floor, then you have to pay âŹ25.
-Information about the Hagia Sophia is available in 23 languages through a headset system that may be accessed through a QR code application from mobile phones. In this way, tourists can learn about the monument quietly, without disturbing the worshippers.
The visit to Hagia Sophia takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. SULTANAHMET MOSQUE (BLUE MOSQUE)
When you finish touring Hagia Sophia, go see the Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque for its thousands of tiles in different shades of blue that adorn its wonderful interior.
This marvelous place was built between 1609-1616, during the sultanate of Sultan Ahmet I.
The visit to the blue mosque takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour and is free to enter.
3. BASILICA CISTERN
The Basilica Cistern located next to Hagia Sophia on the other side of the tram line, is another of the sites that should be visited in the city.
Built during the Byzantine empire between the years 527-565 for water reservoirs, it is famous for its impressive marble columns and the heads of Medusa.
The visit to the Basilica Cistern takes between 25-35 minutes.
Other cistern recommendations are the Serefiye or Binbirdirek cisterns located a few meters from Sultanahmet square.
Other cistern options:
Binbirdirek Cistern: Doesnât have an official website.
4. HIPPODROME OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Next to the Blue Mosque we can admire the area where the famous Hippodrome of Constantinople was once located, which was the center of fun and entertainment in the ancient capital city of the Byzantine Empire. Today we can still see some of the monuments that were part of this structure such as the obelisks of Theodosius and Constantine and the serpent column.
This site is public, therefore there is no fee to visit it. You can explore it in just 15 minutes.
5. GRAND BAZAAR
Now the day will start in one of the largest and oldest covered bazaars in the world. This bazaar has almost 4 thousand stores along 61 streets, it opened to the public in 1456.
This place is quite colorful and very frequented especially among tourists, whether you want to buy or just walk through its streets, it is a place that you must visit. The visit does not take long, it all depends on whether you want to buy or not. The entrance to the bazaar is totally FREE.
The visit to the Grand Bazaar takes a maximum of 1 hour, depending on whether you want to make purchases.
6. TAKSIM SQUARE, ISTIKLAL STREET AND GALATA TOWER
This area is one of the most active in the city, where you can find hundreds of shops, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy the day.
In case you have enough time, start from Taksim Square and continue to Istiklal Street, a street of approximately 6 km that is only for pedestrians, visit the largest and most important Catholic church in Istanbul, Saint Anthony of Padua.
You will continue until you reach the Galata Tower, where we recommend you going up to appreciate one of the most impressive views of the city.
The tour in this area can be done in 2 hours.
In case you don't have much time to go through everything, then you can only go up to the Galata Tower.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
Budget-Friendly:
Mid-Budget:
High-End budget:
For more than other 60 options for hotels in the city for all budgets in places such as Sultanahmet, BeyoÄlu, KadÄąkĂśy or any by the Bosphorus and which are the areas that we recommend to stay at with pros and cons of each, check out this other guide:
đ Do you want to have internet wherever you travel, including Turkey? Then take a look at the option of AĂralo's eSim cards! They are a great choice for those who will be traveling through different countries or regions and don't want to waste time finding local companies in the countries they visit. You buy your eSim online, and as soon as your flight lands at your new destination, you can have internet!
To get a 10% discount on your next eSims, click on the following link and enter the discount code BIT before completing your transaction.
PLEASE NOTE: This is an affiliate link, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase your eSim  by clicking through my link (at no extra cost to you).
You may want to check out this amazing CAPPADOCIA FULL GUIDE that we have prepared! everything you need to know is included here âŹď¸
Also we share our favorite restaurants in Istanbul for all budgets and organized by neighborhoods, in total 160 restaurants!
And these other itineraries with secrets and tricks from a local eye:
Or even better! You can also get our amazing BUNDLES for way cheaper! âŹď¸
Or, if you want a 1:1 and personalized service, you can buy our consultation call! I'm more than happy to answer all of your questions and help you with your planning đĽł
If you are interested in taking daily private tours in Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Antalya or Pamukkale, transportation service airport-city center-airport, foodie tours, or even Bosphorus tours on a yacht in Istanbul, you can check out our travel agency Reminder Tour, we collaborate with official guides. Also customized circuits are provided.
The day will begin in one of the best-known areas of the city, Sultanahmet, where some of the most important monuments of Istanbul are located.
1. HAGIA SOPHIA
This is one of the main monuments of Istanbul. Hagia Sophia was built between the years 532 and 537, during the Byzantine Empire. Almost a thousand years after its construction, the ancient city of Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans, changing its name to Istanbul and turning Hagia Sophia into the imperial mosque of the Ottomans.
In 1934, it was declared with the status of a museum which was revoked in July 2020, returning to have the status of a mosque.
As of January 15th, 2024, new rules for visitors have been implemented:
Here are the new rules for all visitors as of January 15th, 2024 âŹď¸
-ENTRANCE FEE: âŹ25 for all visitors including foreign residents with a valid Turkish residence permit and Turkish citizens. Entrance is FREE for kids under 8 years old.â ď¸Museum Pass TĂźrkiye and Museum Pass Istanbul are not validâ ď¸
-The entrance to the gallery area is now only through the gate located in front of Topkapi Palaceâs main gate and the fountain.
-Hagia Sophia is still a mosque, therefore, even to visit the gallery all visitors must follow every mosqueâs dress code, women must cover the hair and dress modestly.You can also buy a headscarf for 30 TL and a body cover for 75 TL at the ticket office.
-The gallery is not wheelchair accessible, therefore, for these visitors only the first floor (praying area) can be accessed.
-Tourists can only access the gallery on the second floor, now the prayer area (first floor) wonât be open to tourists, is only for worshippers.
-Muslim tourists who desire to pray at Hagia Sophia can access the prayer area free of charge ONLY at praying times. The gate is located in front of Sultanahmet Square (old gate), however, if you also want to visit the gallery on the second floor, then you have to pay âŹ25.
-Information about the Hagia Sophia is available in 23 languages through a headset system that may be accessed through a QR code application from mobile phones. In this way, tourists can learn about the monument quietly, without disturbing the worshippers.
The visit to Hagia Sophia takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. SULTANAHMET MOSQUE (BLUE MOSQUE)
When you finish touring Hagia Sophia, go see the Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque for its thousands of tiles in different shades of blue that adorn its wonderful interior.
This marvelous place was built between 1609-1616, during the sultanate of Sultan Ahmet I.
The visit to the blue mosque takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour and is free to enter.
3. BASILICA CISTERN
The Basilica Cistern located next to Hagia Sophia on the other side of the tram line, is another of the sites that should be visited in the city.
Built during the Byzantine empire between the years 527-565 for water reservoirs, it is famous for its impressive marble columns and the heads of Medusa.
The visit to the Basilica Cistern takes between 25-35 minutes.
Other cistern recommendations are the Serefiye or Binbirdirek cisterns located a few meters from Sultanahmet square.
Other cistern options:
Binbirdirek Cistern: Doesnât have an official website.
4. HIPPODROME OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Next to the Blue Mosque we can admire the area where the famous Hippodrome of Constantinople was once located, which was the center of fun and entertainment in the ancient capital city of the Byzantine Empire. Today we can still see some of the monuments that were part of this structure such as the obelisks of Theodosius and Constantine and the serpent column.
This site is public, therefore there is no fee to visit it. You can explore it in just 15 minutes.
5. GRAND BAZAAR
Now the day will start in one of the largest and oldest covered bazaars in the world. This bazaar has almost 4 thousand stores along 61 streets, it opened to the public in 1456.
This place is quite colorful and very frequented especially among tourists, whether you want to buy or just walk through its streets, it is a place that you must visit. The visit does not take long, it all depends on whether you want to buy or not. The entrance to the bazaar is totally FREE.
The visit to the Grand Bazaar takes a maximum of 1 hour, depending on whether you want to make purchases.
6. TAKSIM SQUARE, ISTIKLAL STREET AND GALATA TOWER
This area is one of the most active in the city, where you can find hundreds of shops, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy the day.
In case you have enough time, start from Taksim Square and continue to Istiklal Street, a street of approximately 6 km that is only for pedestrians, visit the largest and most important Catholic church in Istanbul, Saint Anthony of Padua.
You will continue until you reach the Galata Tower, where we recommend you going up to appreciate one of the most impressive views of the city.
The tour in this area can be done in 2 hours.
In case you don't have much time to go through everything, then you can only go up to the Galata Tower.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
Budget-Friendly:
Mid-Budget:
High-End budget:
For more than other 60 options for hotels in the city for all budgets in places such as Sultanahmet, BeyoÄlu, KadÄąkĂśy or any by the Bosphorus and which are the areas that we recommend to stay at with pros and cons of each, check out this other guide:
đ Do you want to have internet wherever you travel, including Turkey? Then take a look at the option of AĂralo's eSim cards! They are a great choice for those who will be traveling through different countries or regions and don't want to waste time finding local companies in the countries they visit. You buy your eSim online, and as soon as your flight lands at your new destination, you can have internet!
To get a 10% discount on your next eSims, click on the following link and enter the discount code BIT before completing your transaction.
PLEASE NOTE: This is an affiliate link, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase your eSim  by clicking through my link (at no extra cost to you).
You may want to check out this amazing CAPPADOCIA FULL GUIDE that we have prepared! everything you need to know is included here âŹď¸
Also we share our favorite restaurants in Istanbul for all budgets and organized by neighborhoods, in total 160 restaurants!
And these other itineraries with secrets and tricks from a local eye:
Or even better! You can also get our amazing BUNDLES for way cheaper! âŹď¸
Or, if you want a 1:1 and personalized service, you can buy our consultation call! I'm more than happy to answer all of your questions and help you with your planning đĽł
If you are interested in taking daily private tours in Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Antalya or Pamukkale, transportation service airport-city center-airport, foodie tours, or even Bosphorus tours on a yacht in Istanbul, you can check out our travel agency Reminder Tour, we collaborate with official guides. Also customized circuits are provided.