One Day In Istanbul

Ever since I was a young kid, I have been dreaming of visiting and exploring as many countries and cultures around the world as possible! There’s something that captivates me about meeting people from different backgrounds, trying different foods, and immersing myself in the history of an unknown country.

Visiting Istanbul happened by chance when we stopped in the city for a 24 hour layover on the way back from Kenya to New York. I was honestly a bit hesitant in the beginning. Maybe a day in Istanbul would be a bit too much after coming back from a Safari and a 10 day trip full of African adventures. This was also my first one day trip in a foreign place, so I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to see anything in that short span of time! Plus, I realized I still needed a visa…

Pro tip: If you are an American citizen, you’ll need a visa if you plan to leave the airport in Turkey (not necessary for a layover). You can easily get your visa online (e-visa) for 20 dollars before going, or on arrival at a kiosk in the airport. For non-US citizens, make sure to check the visa requirements online before booking your trip. I would recommend just doing an online visa if possible, in case you arrive in a hurry or there are issues at the airport. 

Despite all those doubts and questions, I decided to go for it! After all, what’s life if you don’t have some adventure? As it turns out, Istanbul was one of those “experiences of a lifetime” trips and I’m still obsessed with the city till this day. I keep looking for another one of those trips with a layover in Istanbul so I can come back again!

A few things to know about Istanbul:

Istanbul is one of the most important cities in Turkey, bordering with both Asia and Europe. This connection between East and West has shaped Istanbul over its lifetime and given the city its distinctive feel. The distinct areas of the city evoke different cultures and civilizations around the world, yet somehow merge together perfectly to form the Istanbul of today. There’s no place in the world quite like Istanbul!

Note: Istanbul was previously known as Byzantium and Constantinople. Through the years, the city has played an important role in world history. In past centuries, world fought for control of the city due to its strategic location. This is why today we find vestiges of both Roman and the Ottoman Empires.

We arrived in Istanbul early in the morning and were immediately captivated by its magic. The first thing I noticed was that there is a definite European feel to the city, which I was not expecting to find in Turkey.

GENERAL ISTANBUL TRAVEL TIPS

Istanbul has two sides: a European side and an Asian side. Since most of the big attractions and tourist sites are in the European side and we had just one day in Istanbul, we decided to mostly explore this area!

We also booked a hotel near the airport for the night. Our flight back was quite early the next morning, and we weren’t sure about the traffic coming back from the city, so we decide to play it safe!

Istanbul hotels can be quite cheap, and you’ll definitely find lower prices than the same chain of hotels in other locations around the world. So it won't be hard to find a place to stay if you are traveling on a budget. If your layover is shorter or you simply want to cut your expenses a bit, I recommend something called Touristanbul.

Touristanbul is basically a government sponsored tour of the city, designed specifically for those with longish layovers in Istanbul. My Turkish friends recommended it, and the best thing is that it’s free! The tour includes transportation from and to the airport, and they’ll take you to several of the great touristy sites. They have a few requirements: your flight has to be booked through Turkish Airlines and your layover has to between 6 and 24 hours. If that sounds like it could work for you, head to the Turkish Airlines website to get more information.

 A 20 minute taxi ride from our hotel brought us into the heart of Istanbul. It was a unique ride, and it felt exciting and captivating to drive past the city’s famous walls. It was quite interesting to see the juxtaposition of the new Istanbul (political posters, advertisements, and the everyday life of its people) with the old Istanbul. The ruins of important historical sites definitely exist in a unique harmony with the new city!

 Once out of the taxi, we immediately started exploring to take full advantage of our day in Istanbul. Down below, I’ll share my one day in Istanbul itinerary in case you want to follow our exact footsteps .

What To See and What To Do In Istanbul, Turkey In One Day

• STOP 1 : Hagia Sophia Museum 

Our 1st stop of the day was the Hagia Sophia. This magnificent building has a unique history, having been at different points in time both a Greek Orthodox Church as well as a mosque before being converted into the museum it is today. We had already walked past the nearby Topkapi Palace Museum but had decided to skip that stop in order to keep exploring and get a feel for the city. We had arrived to the city center around midmorning, so many of the tourist places had lines and were a bit crowded. If you want to avoid the crowds, try visiting the sites as soon as they open early in the morning. Visiting the museum was a great experience no matter how many other tourists were there. The beauty and the architecture of the place was truly amazing.

 Keep in mind that in order to enter the mosques in Istanbul you’ll have to remove your shoes. I recommend bringing a pair of socks if you are not wearing some already!

• STOP 2 : Basilica Cistern

Right next to the Hagia Sophia is the Basilica Cistern, making this the logical next stop. The Cistern is a huge underground water system that runs beneath Istanbul. Built by the Romans, this structure collected and filtered water for both the Roman Palace of Constantinople and the Ottoman Topkapi Palace. The place is definitely one of a kind, and is a breathtaking testament to ancient engineering skills. It’s hard to find a similar tourist attraction anywhere else in the world, so definitely stop in for a visit!

• STOP 3 :Blue Mosque

 Less than 5 minutes by foot from the Basilica we found the famous Blue Mosque. The Mosque has been welcoming visitors for many years, and today it is not only one of the most famous tourist attractions in Istanbul (and around the world) but also remains a functioning place of worship. The courtyard was especially beautiful for me. Women are required to wear headscarves inside the Mosque, which are provided to visitors. 

 After spending about three hours discovering these Istanbul tourist attractions, we decided it was time to taste some of the local food before heading to the markets to do some shopping.

•  STOP 4 : Local Food

The area surrounding the mosques and museums is filled with rooftops, and since we were visiting in the summer we wanted to take advantage of the nice weather to explore the city from above. There are some truly gorgeous vistas of the unique buildings and the nearby Bosporus Strait. 

It was hard to pick one place to eat since all of the restaurants and cafes looked like they would have amazing food. After passing many sidewalk cafes, hotels and restaurants, we found Panoramic Restaurant and decided to adventure upstairs to check out the rooftop. 

The place did not disappoint! It had 360 degree views of the city, delicious Anatolian cuisine, and a great wine list as well. We spent some time enjoying the breeze and listening to the Islamic call to prayer from the nearby Blue Mosque. 

Tip: If you have the chance don’t miss the incredible rooftop views of Sultanahmet at sunset !

•   STOP 5 : The Bazaars

Once we finished lunch, we headed back into the Turkish streets. We went exploring in the local neighborhoods and did some light shopping on the way to the Grand Bazaar. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is probably the most popular bazaar around the world, and with good reason. The open market is unique and breathtaking, offering nearly endless opportunities to shop, haggle, and buy. 

You’ll be able to find everything there, from ethnic pants to your new favorite scarves, antique lamps, and pillows.

I spent the time in the bazaars obsessing over all the amazing treasures and buying pieces that would bring a more international spirit into my NYC apartment. 

 They say time flies when you are doing what you love, and a short two hours later (having bought a few more items than I anticipated!) I was ready to discover Istanbul by sea.

• STOP 6 : Sunset Cruise 

A two hour sunset cruise on the Bosphorus is one of the best ways to finish your last hours in Istanbul. Its is both relaxing and energizing, and it’s the perfect conclusion to a day full of amazing activities. I definitely recommend taking one! Just keep in mind that the cruises are mostly around 2 hours long, so make sure you have enough time left during your visit to Istanbul.

• STOP 7 :Galata Tower

After the cruise, if you still have time, head to Galata Tower to enjoy some more 360 degree views of the city from the observatory. This ancient watchtower has an interesting history as well as a cafe near the top. Just keep in mind that the Tower closes at 8:30 PM, so make sure you plan ahead so you can fit everything in your one day itinerary in Istanbul.

• STOP 8 : Dinner at a local restaurant

Once you leave the tower around 8:30 PM, you’ll be just in time for dinner. Head to one of the local restaurants to enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner. If you spent the afternoon on a rooftop for lunch, instead head to one of the many restaurants/sidewalk cafes for dinner.  We did just that and chose a nice sidewalk restaurant to try some more local dishes and get a Turkish coffee. 

Many of the restaurants/cafes also offer hookah outside or in the patio area. If this is something that you enjoy, it’s a great opportunity to have a good time, strike up a conversation with the locals, and maybe learn a few things about the Turkish culture. 

Additional Travel Tips for your One day in Istanbul Itinerary

Where to Eat in Istanbul 

Aheste: This is one of the best restaurants in Istanbul. The mix of traditional local cuisine with some international and modern touches is unique and simply delicious. The restaurant’s lively vibe definitely adds to the experience. The tapas are superb, and for my vegetarian friends: the restaurant offers plenty of options! If you can only visit one restaurant while in Istanbul I definitely recommend this hidden gem.

Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant : It’s a little more of a touristy restaurant due to its close proximity to places like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Museum, but don’t let that trick you into thinking that the restaurant is not worth trying. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is actually very authentic.  This is the perfect place to go if you are exploring or staying in this area and want to enjoy a delicious local meal.

 Aruna Cafe & Restaurant: Also serving traditional Turkish dishes, this is the place to go if you want great views and a more relaxing atmosphere. It could also be a bit touristy since its located near the Galata bridge, but its still a great place to enjoy a nice meal. 

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

There are many good hotels in Istanbul, with a wide price range. Make sure to book in advance to get the best deals for your traveling dates! Since we only had 1 day in Istanbul, we chose to stay outside of the city center and closer to the airport at Elite World Hotel Istanbul. The facilities are really nice, it’s overall a great deal for the price. 

Discovering Istanbul in one day was both exciting and mind-opening. I realized that sometimes you don’t need a lot of time to explore a new city and discover its culture and some of the secrets it has to offer. I plan on returning to Istanbul and Turkey for a longer visit in the future, so please share some of your own tips in the comments!

If you like to travel, don’t stop here! Head to our travel guides section to discover more awesome travel articles about trips all over the world! 

Besitos from Istanbul,

Laura

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