Istanbul: the tourist capital of Türkiye that steals your heart (even if it’s not the real capital).
Istanbul is absolutely wild — truly unique because it stretches across two continents, Europe and Asia.
Life moves fast here, but sometimes it slows down for a second when you see the seagulls gliding in slow motion over the Golden Horn.
Mosques, shops, cafés, markets, little Turkish flags decorating every corner… Istanbul never leaves anyone indifferent, and in this article I’m going to share the 25 absolute must-dos — photos, recommendations and practical tips so you can enjoy it to the fullest. Ready?
Where is Istanbul located?
Istanbul is located in the northwest of Türkiye. It’s the country’s most visited city (though not the capital). It stretches across Europe and Asia, divided by the famous Bosphorus — the strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara.
📍The European side is home to most of the historic landmarks, the iconic mosques and the old town. The Asian side is much calmer — perfect for wandering through local neighbourhoods, cafés and everyday life far from the crowds. Everything is connected by ferries and bridges that let you switch vibes in just a few minutes.
What to do and see in Instanbul?
Istanbul is one of those cities where you could spend months and still keep finding new things to do. However, if — like me — you only have 3 or 4 days, these are the absolute must-sees.
1- Free walking tour
I booked a free tour with Free tour Istanbul in Spanish, and my guide was Edu. Edu is his “stage name” because no one can remember how his real Turkish name is pronounced. We explored a big part of the Sultan_
Remember that free walking tours are NOT actually free! It’s a great system where you simply tip the guide at the end of the tour.
💡 I think it’s a great idea to do it on your first day in the city — that way you can keep exploring with useful context and make the most of the local recommendations.
2- Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is a masterpiece you simply can’t miss when visiting Istanbul. This place feels like travelling through time: it was inaugurated in the year 360 as an Orthodox church, later became a Catholic cathedral, and eventually was turned into a mosque, where all the Christian inscriptions and figures were covered with plaster.
In 1934 it was turned into a museum, showcasing the shift in religions and cultures that Türkiye has gone through. Later on, closer to our days, due to political decisions and with the support of the Muslim population, it became a mosque once again — although it still remains open and free for everyone to visit.
It’s full of details that are easy to miss if you go on your own, so I’m glad tours usually spend at least half an hour just explaining everything Hagia Sophia has to offer: history, architecture, mosaics, hidden secrets… and honestly, it’s wonderful!
3- Visit Topkapi's Palace
This palace was once the residence of the Ottoman sultans and the seat of government until they decided to move to Dolmabahçe Palace.
Entrance to the first courtyard is free, but to explore the rest of the palace the ticket costs around 750 TRY (~16 EUR). And if you want to visit the harem, you need to buy an extra ticket — which, from what I’ve heard, is totally worth it. That’s where polygamy took place, and the rooms are filled with luxury, secrets and the real everyday life of the Ottoman court.
The palace is absolutely huge: 500 members of the royal family lived there, along with 1,500 people who worked to attend them. The kitchens are impressive, and every room is packed with history. Set aside at least 3 hours to explore it, although honestly, you could spend even longer soaking in all the details.
You can buy the guided ticket here — and keep in mind that it’s closed on Mondays!
4– Get lost in the backstreets of Taksim and make your way to Navizade
If you want to truly feel Istanbul, you need to wander through the little streets of Taksim and let them lead you all the way to Navizade. I arrived around 11 at night and everything was still alive, open and full of energy. There are so many great streets to just walk without any plan.
The most touristy stretch goes from Taksim Square to Galata Tower, but the real charm lies in exploring the quieter side streets. And if you visit Istanbul during the Christmas season, the red tram crossing Taksim with all its lights and decorations is literally a fairytale postcard.
5 - Cross the Galata bridge
You know those sunsets that give you goosebumps every time you remember them? Well, that’s exactly what happened
Surrounded by locals fishing, the Bosphorus breeze playing with the seagulls fighting to stay in the air, and in the background the call to prayer from the mosques. The sky unable to decide between pink and orange — pure beauty.
En la mitad del puente hay escaleras que permiten recorrerlo el puente entero a pie, cruzar también hacia el otro lado. En ese paseo también vas a encontrar un montón de productos frescos, tiendas de todo tipo y restaurantes.
Extra fact: even though it crosses the Golden Horn, the entire bridge actually belongs to the European side of Istanbul, so you’ve got everything within easy reach to keep exploring the city.
6- Blue Mosque
Just opposite Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque shares the call to prayer with it five times a day. Between the two there’s just a square, a fountain… and millions of years of history.
This mosque was born from the ambition of Sultan Ahmed, who wanted to build a place of worship even bigger and more majestic than Hagia Sophia… in record time! It was controversial and extremely tight in measurements, so he focused on making the interior stunning. There are more than 20,000 blue tiles inside that give the mosque its name, although it’s often under restoration. Locals swear it has spent more years being renovated than it took to build it.
It’s an Istanbul classic you simply can’t skip — even if it’s just to feel the energy of its history and architecture.
8- Explore the trendy neighborhood of Balat
If you want to feel Istanbul’s alternative and bohemian side, you need to get lost in Balat.
Historically, it was home to the Jewish community and filled with wooden Ottoman-style houses. Today, many of those homes are being restored, and the streets have exploded with colours, graffiti and cosy cafés.
Today it’s one of Istanbul’s top photo spots, inviting new generations to enjoy a very different vibe from the historic centre.
📍Streets you can’t miss in Balat: Merdivenli Yk and Vodina.
How to get there? You can take the 35D bus, which drops you almost at the entrance of the neighbourhood, or if you’re in the mood for a walk, it’s about 30 minutes from the Blue Mosque — perfect for enjoying the city scenery along the way.
8– Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)
This is mainly a place to buy edible goodies — spices, sweets, grains, flowers and herbs. One fun fact that fascinated me: the famous Dutch tulips actually come from a Turkish seed, and you can see them here! The bazaar’s architecture, with its arches and colours, is absolutely worth photographing and admiring as you wander through its corridors.
9- Grand Bazar
The Grand Bazaar is Istanbul’s ultimate shopping hub and an absolute must for any traveller. With more than 4,000 shops, you’ll find everything from knock-offs, phone accessories and tech, to traditional lamps and carpets. But beyond the shopping itself, the architecture and the atmosphere inside already make the visit worthwhile.
Tip importante: Todos los precios son regateables. El guía del free tour nos explicó que no hay un porcentaje fijo para bajar, el mejor precio es el que lográs cuando el vendedor ya no quiere ceder… y justo cuando amagás con irte, termina aceptando.
The bazaar is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00, except on Sundays. Don’t miss the book market right outside — you'll find authors from all over Europe and the world translated into Turkish, and a few in English too.
10– Bosphorus cruise, what a show!
Sailing along the Bosphorus is another experience you simply can’t miss in Istanbul. There’s something for every taste: classic cruises, private yachts, dinner tours, and even more luxurious options. (But if you’re travelling on a tight budget, you can still see Istanbul from the water — keep reading the next point!). During the ride you’ll be blown away by the palaces, mosques and bridges lining this strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia.
11– Bosphorus ferry (budget friendly)
This is a classic you absolutely can’t miss in Istanbul. From Eminönü, ferries depart that you can pay for with the Istanbulkart — for just 17.50 TRY (~0.40 EUR) I crossed the Bosphorus and arrived in Üsküdar, one of the most authentic neighbourhoods on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Los ferries salen cada media hora y el viaje dura unos 20 minutos, pero las vistas… uff! Son increíbles tanto desde arriba del barco como al llegar a tierra firme. De lo mejor que podes hacer en Estambul con bajo presupuesto.
12- Galata Tower in Istanbul: the best viewpoint in the city
Located in the heart of Istanbul, it’s the most famous viewpoint in the city. From the top you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Taksim, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.
According to tradition, couples who climb its spiral stairs all the way to the top end up getting married. So be careful who you go up with! It costs around 10 EUR, with lift access and an audio guide available.
13– Basilica Cistern in Istanbul: underground history
Built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, its original purpose was to supply water to the city during wars and emergencies.
After a long restoration period, it reopened to the public in July 2022. For around ~9 EUR you can get a close look at its Byzantine engineering and artistry.
14– Theodosius Cistern and its light show
Theodosius Cistern became especially popular when the Basilica Cistern was closed for renovations (for a long time), and honestly, it’s so spectacular that it still remains one of the city’s top recommendations.
Besides learning about its history and culture, there’s also a light show projected over the water and the columns, telling a little piece of Istanbul’s and Türkiye’s story. The entrance fee is 750 TRY (~16 EUR). If you want to see the show, it starts every hour at ten past (12:10, 13:10, 14:10…). Plan your visit around that.
15– Visit the Pashas’ District (Mahmutpaşa Ykş)
If you love places filled with history, the Pashas’ District in Istanbul is a must. The pashas were high-ranking military advisors to the sultans and lived near the palace. With privileged economic status, they could build wooden houses where they lived with their families.
Many of those houses are now hotels, but as you walk through its streets you can still feel the history breathing from every corner.
💡 Walking from Sultanahmet takes about 20 minutes and lets you pass through other historic neighbourhoods that are well worth discovering.
16 – Turkish coffee or aperitif with views of Hagia Sophia.
There are several cafés and terraces in Sultanahmet that offer direct views of the city’s skyline. One of the most well-known is Seven Hills Restaurant, but there are plenty more.
It’s quite common for someone to hand you a bit of food on a fork so you can feed the seagulls and get “the photo” of Istanbul — but you really don’t need to do it. Try to be as ethical and mindful as possible when you travel.
Some other options are: Blue House Hotel, Ararat Terrace or Seafront Lounge.
17 – Maiden’s Tower and the most magical sunset in Istanbul
Maiden’s Tower es uno de esos lugares que parecen sacados de un cuento. Está ubicada en medio del Bósforo, frente al barrio de Üsküdar (en el lado asiático de la ciudad).
It’s full of cafés with carpets laid out on the steps, right by the water’s edge. The sun setting behind the tower, the water glowing gold, and Istanbul unfolding all around you — it’s a simple, inexpensive plan, and 100% unforgettable.
18 – Rumeli Hisarı: the fortress on the shores of the Bosphorus
Rumeli Fortress was built in 1451 by order of Sultan Mehmed II, with the goal of controlling passage through the Bosphorus and protecting ancient Constantinople.
Today you can walk along its walls, climb its towers and wander among the ruins. The entrance fee is 50 TRY (~2.50 EUR) and it’s open every day from 9 to 5.
How to get there? En transporte público podés tomar el bus 40T desde Taksim o Kabataş.
19 – Bebek, the chicest neighbourhood in Istanbul
Si buscás un rincón elegante y tranquilo en Estambul, Bebek es the place to be. Es un barrio residencial de clase alta, famoso porque acá viven muchos de los actores turcos de telenovelas que seguramente viste alguna vez en la tele.
But gossip aside, Bebek is beautiful for a stroll. Its waterfront along the Bosphorus is lined with cafés and restaurants offering spectacular views. One of my favourites is CoffeeLab — it has a little balcony literally over the water, great coffee and decent WiFi (perfect for those of us who travel while working).
20 – Arnavutköy, a tiny hidden gem in Istanbul
You’ve probably seen those dreamy Instagram photos of pastel-coloured wooden houses facing the Bosphorus… well, those are in Arnavutköy. It’s a picturesque neighbourhood with a past as a small fishing village, and today it has become quite popular among travellers thanks to those perfect postcard views.
Now, here’s the real deal: the photos you see online are basically of three specific houses — not the whole neighbourhood. So if you come expecting a place filled with colourful little homes, you might feel a bit disappointed (it happened to me 🙈).
Even so, if you’re already wandering around Bebek, it’s worth walking over here, grabbing a coffee by the sea and taking your own photo of those famous façades. It’s a lovely little addition to your Bosphorus coastal route.
21 - Ortaköy Mosque
The Ortaköy Mosque (officially called Büyük Mecidiye Camii) is, for me, an absolute must in Istanbul. Even though it doesn’t always appear in every guidebook, it’s one of those places that leaves you completely speechless.
To reach it, you walk along a pedestrian street filled with artisan stalls, cafés and restaurants. There’s everything: from well-known chains to more local spots where you can sit down with a Turkish coffee and watch life go by.
The mosque sits literally on the edge of the Bosphorus, almost hugged by the sea, with the bridge in the background. It’s one of those postcards that define Istanbul: Ottoman tradition, modernity and water all in the same frame.
22 -Süleymaniye Camii
Huge, elegant, and it has a peaceful atmosphere I didn’t find anywhere else in the city. Plus, from its terraces you get spectacular views of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.
💡Tip: Avoid midday — it’s usually more crowded and the summer heat can be intense. Early morning or sunset makes for a much calmer experience.
In all mosques you need to follow the proper dress code (covering shoulders, knees and hair), but in Süleymaniye they lend you robes and a hijab for free.
23 – Fatih Mosque, the first imperial mosque in Istanbul
The most majestic one I visited. Its imposing architecture and enormous courtyards convey a feeling of grandeur and, at the same time, a deep sense of calm.
Despite its historical importance, it’s rarely visited by tourists — perfect for connecting with local life. If you’re interested in Ottoman history, this mosque is key. It was built by Sultan Mehmed II (The Conqueror, or Fatih in Turkish) after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
24 – Experience a traditional Turkish bath (Hamam)
If there’s one thing everyone recommends in Türkiye, it’s trying the famous Turkish bath (hamam). And I’ll admit, at first I thought it wasn’t worth spending between 25 and 50 EUR on what sounded like “just a marble bath”. How wrong I was!
After doing a bit of research, I found a very local option on Google Maps: Kadırga Hamamı. The first review I read said: “It’s good, but this is nothing like the photos. This isn’t for everyone.” And I thought: “Perfect — I’m not just anyone!” So I went.
To get there, I had to take two buses and walk about 20 minutes through streets full of wholesale shops until I finally found the entrance. Nothing like the touristy, super expensive hamams you see on Instagram.
The Turkish bath tradition dates back to the Ottoman era and is still alive today. Basically, the experience is divided into three stages:
Sauna to open up your pores.
Deep exfoliation (get ready to watch half your life come off in dead skin!).
Foam bath and relaxing massage.
In my case, all of this cost just 11 EUR, and I added an extra massage for 4 EUR more. An absolute bargain.
Now, if trying something so local isn’t really your thing and you’d prefer an experience like the ones in the photos, I recommend this option.
25- Dolmabahçe Palace
Built in the 19th century as a residence for the last sultans, it combines European luxury with Ottoman style: incredibly high ceilings, marble staircases, crystal chandeliers that look like they’ve fallen from the sky. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of modern Türkiye, also lived here.
Estambul es una ciudad tan bonita que te invita a recorrerla más y más. Ya estoy deseando volver!
Si tenes más días y queres ver algo más de Turquía.. Capadocia y Pamukkale estarían en el top de mi lista. Y si lo tuyo es off-the-beaten entonces Cesme! Yo hice todo eso en 15 días y lo podes ver en mi Instagram @guadiviajando.
That’s all for now, travellers! I hope you enjoy Istanbul so much — and if you have any questions, you already know where to find me!
