How many days should I spend in Istanbul?

Three days covers the major sights of the old city: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and a Bosphorus ferry. Five days lets you add the Asian side (Kadikoy and Uskudar), the Princes Islands, and the lesser known neighbourhoods like Balat and Fener.

What should I eat in Istanbul?

Start with a traditional Turkish breakfast (kahvalti) at a place in Cihangir or Karakoy. Try a balik ekmek (fish sandwich) by the Galata Bridge. Eat a proper kebab in the back streets of Beyoglu, not on Istiklal. End with baklava from Karakoy Gulluoglu and a Turkish coffee with Turkish delight.

How do I get from Istanbul airport to the city?

The M11 metro from Istanbul Airport connects to the city metro network and runs to Gayrettepe in about 35 minutes for under 50 lira. The HavaIst airport bus takes 60-90 minutes depending on traffic and ends at Taksim. A taxi to Sultanahmet costs 600-800 lira and can take over an hour at rush hour.

Which side of Istanbul should I stay on?

Sultanahmet (Old City) is closest to the historic sights but quiet in the evening. Beyoglu, Karakoy, and Galata offer the best food, nightlife, and views, with the old city a short walk or ferry ride away. Stay in Beyoglu or Karakoy for the first trip. You get the best of both sides.

Is the Bosphorus ferry worth doing?

Yes, and the standard public ferry from Eminonu to Anadolu Kavagi costs a fraction of a tourist cruise. You see the same waterfront mansions, the same bridges, and the same palaces, with locals commuting alongside you. The full route takes about 90 minutes one way and you can stop for fish lunch at the end.

Istanbul — Where Europe and Asia trade stories every day

Istanbul is two continents arguing in the most beautiful way possible. Cross the Bosphorus by ferry, drink tea on a Galata rooftop, eat a fish sandwich under the bridge, get lost in the Grand Bazaar. The city rewards wandering more than ticking off sights. Spend at least three days here and you will still leave wanting more.

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