Curator’s statement
Istanbul is one of the most amazing cities I've been to in this world. There is so much culture to explore and embrace; from the food to the people to the sights to see. It is a city with a rich history and culture, and there are many things that make it a special and unique destination. Istanbul is home to many historical landmarks that reflect its long and diverse history. Some of the most famous landmarks include the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower. Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus Strait, which is a narrow waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. The strait provides a stunning backdrop to the city and is a hub of maritime activity.
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Where to stay in Istanbul
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Things to do in Istanbul
July is PRIME season in Istanbul. We have listed some of the main attractions within Istanbul. It may be wise to pre-pay for admission to some of these sites to save time in long lines.
Hagia Sophia (admission fee required).
Topkapi Palace (admission fee required).
Grand Bazaar (free admission).
Dolmabahçe Palace (free admission).
Galata Tower (If you want to go up to the top of the tower, an admission fee is required. There are many small shops and small cafes around the Galata Tower that are worth visiting).
Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque) (free admission).
Ibrahim Pasa Palace (Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum).
Basilica Cistern.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums.
Egyptian Spice Bazaar (free admission).
A note from Diana
Where to Exchange Currency:
Turkey’s unit of currency is the Turkish Lira (TL). You can exchange currency at popular tourist areas like Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar, around Taksim Square and Istiklal Cadessi, etc. Rates are said to be best at the Grand Bazaar and Sultanahmet but the differences may be insignificant. You won’t get the best rates at the airports so if you need to exchange currency to get into the city, then you should only change a small amount.
Another option is to withdraw TL from an ATM. It’s quicker than exchanging paper currency and the rates are comparable, some say even better. Just be sure to contact your bank before your trip as they may have to activate it for overseas use. I didn’t have any problems anywhere in Turkey.
NOTE: Some ATM machines may ask if you want to proceed “with or without conversion”. Always proceed WITHOUT conversion so your local bank does the conversion for you. Proceeding “with conversion” authorizes the foreign bank operating the ATM to do the conversion, usually at very poor rates.
Places to eat & drink in Istanbul
Here are some great Istanbul restaurant recommendations:
Durumzade - Best Turkish döners! You may have heard of it from the world-famous, Anthony Bourdain. It is 100% worth it!
Van Kahvalti Evi (Turkish Breakfast).
Fuego Restaurant & Café (Lunch).
Guney Restaurant (Lunch or Dinner) - This place is right next to the Galata Tower.
Ciragan Palace Café - incredible views (Tea, Lunch, and/or cocktails).
CZN Burak (Burak will likely be at the Etlier location.
ULUS 29 - DInner.
Cesme vazlama kahvalti - Nisantasi.
Need to know
There are many means of transport:
Private car - ideal and very affordable. I have many vendors I've worked with in the past.
Uber - I recommend using Uber to get from the airport to the hotel only. Uber is now run by taxis in Istanbul so you can get one with the Uber app.
Taxi (convenient for all other local attractions).
Bus.
In my experience, private car and Uber are the most sensible ways of getting from one point to the other. Upon arriving in Turkey from the airport, I would recommend using a Private Transport Car
Note: In order to enter the country of Turkey upon arrival, you must have a Turkish Travel Visa. They will not allow you to go through customs without a Turkish Visa. This process is very easy!
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Travel Advisor
Diana Popal
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Türkiye.