Istanbul is one of those magical cities which will leave you fascinated no matter how many times or what you visit. Each time you will discover new places and interesting moments that will give you the impression to rediscover Istanbul again and again. You will never get the impression and question such as ”What to do in Istanbul”.
Which excursions to do in Istanbul?
Taking a Bosphorus Cruise Ride
One of the most fun things to do in Istanbul is to tour the Bosphorus by boat. When it comes to taking a boat tour on the Bosphorus there are three options.
If you are staying around Sultanahmet, you can take the 1.5-hour tour which is the closest option. If you are staying close to Taksim Square, Dentur departing from Kabatas will be useful. The third option is to take a full-day Bosphorus cruise tour with the Sehir Hatlari official Bosphorus ferry.
Visitng Monuments in Sultanahmet
All local and foreign visitors who come to visit Istanbul start to explore the city from Sultanahmet. When we consider historical monuments such as Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace, of course, they are right.
Istanbul’s Old City (Sultanahmet) was the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Sultanahmet offers great opportunities for those who want to take photos in Istanbul with its magnificent historical buildings.
The museums in Sultanahmet the old city of Istanbul, are very crowded in spring and summer. In order not to get stuck in the long queues, you may want to consider taking the Istanbul Museum Pass
Shopping at the Grand Bazaar
After visiting historical monuments in Sultanahmet, it is customary to go to the Grand Bazaar and crown the day with shopping. The Grand Bazaar, with its history dating back to 1461, attracts people like a magnet.
Even people who are tired of visiting the museums in Istanbul cannot resist the idea of going to the Grand Bazaar at the end of the day. The Grand Bazaar, which is a huge historical monument with 67 streets and more than 4000 shops, is the last representative of the traditional shopping style in Istanbul.
You can buy leather, jewelry, carpets, and tiles from the Grand Bazaar. There are many options for buying Turkish rugs in İstanbul, and most of these options are found in shops in and around the Grand Bazaar.
Eminonu Square and Spice Bazaar
Going to Eminonu Square and visiting the Spice Bazaar is one of the best things to do in Istanbul. The courtyard of the New Mosque, which has become the symbol of Eminonu, is the point of feeding pigeons like the courtyard of St. Mark’s Square in Venice.
Although the neighborhood is famous for its Spice Bazaar, the streets surrounding the bazaar are great for a local shopping experience. The streets between the Spice Bazaar and Sirkeci Tram Station are the ideal places to taste the best street off
I say don’t go without seeing the small but precious Rustem Pasha Mosque, which is adorned with the most beautiful examples of Iznik Tiles. Rustem Pasha Mosque is only a five-minute walk from the Spice Bazaar.
The Mosque is located at the very beginning of Uzuncarsi Street, where you can go from the Spice Bazaar to the Grand Bazaar. Uzuncarsi Street (Uzunçarşı Caddesi) is a public market where you can find a wide variety of cheap products.
Visiting a Historical Turkish Bath
Istanbul has two historical baths that have been successfully restored in the recent past. These are Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan and Kilic Ali Pasha Hamams. Both Turkish Baths were built in the 16th century by Sinan, the most important architect of the Ottoman period. In addition to these, Cemberlitas, Cagaloglu, Suleymaniye, and Galatasaray Hammams are among the best historical baths in Istanbul.
What to see in Istanbul?
How to visit Pamukkale from Istanbul?
You can visit Pamukkale by yourself as there are different options. And you can visit Pamukkale with Istanbul Pamukkale Excursion starting from one-day or 2 days excursions combined with the extra place.
Visit two of the most important archeological and natural locations in Turkey during your stay in Istanbul with this amazing 2-day excursion. Pamukkale and Ephesus 2-Day Excursion From Istanbul is the best option for those who want to visit both cities during their short stay in Turkey. It is also the perfect way to do some extra activities that are still on your bucket lists such as Pamukkale Paragliding or Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon.