Istanbul

Bosphorus ferries, bazaar mornings & meyhane nights

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Istanbul is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Bomonti Flea Market, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Food lovers should not miss Ciya Sofrasi and Karakoy Lokantasi. Below you will find 43 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Istanbul at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Bomonti Flea Market and Hagia Sophia
Where to stay: Kadikoy and Sisli
Local picks: 43 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Istanbul

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Istanbul: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in Istanbul? A local guide to the best neighbourhoods, from monument-packed Sultanahmet to lively Beyoglu, trendy Karakoy…

Local tips3 Days in Istanbul: The Perfect ItineraryA local's perfect 3-day Istanbul itinerary: imperial Sultanahmet, the bazaars and a Bosphorus cruise, plus the local Asian side and…

Where to stay in Istanbul

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Sultanahmet

Hagia Sophia

The awe-inspiring former basilica turned mosque turned museum turned mosque again, and for 1,000 years the largest cathedral on earth. Its vast dome, golden mosaics and layered Christian-Islamic history are unforgettable; a ticket now covers the upper galleries.

★ 4.8

Sultanahmet

Istanbul Archaeology Museums

A superb, underrated trio of museums beside Topkapi, home to the astonishing Alexander Sarcophagus, ancient Near Eastern treasures and Ottoman tilework. Calm, air-conditioned and a highlight for history lovers.

★ 4.6

Beyoglu

Istanbul Modern

Turkey’s leading modern and contemporary art museum in a striking Renzo Piano building on the Karakoy waterfront, with a mirrored roof terrace and Bosphorus views. A refreshing dose of the contemporary between the ancient sights.

★ 4.5

Beyoglu

Istiklal Avenue

Istanbul’s grand pedestrian boulevard, running from Taksim Square down to Tunel, thronged day and night with shoppers, buskers and the nostalgic red tram. Duck into the side streets and passages for meyhanes, bars and live music.

★ 4.3

Kadikoy

Kadikoy Food Tour

A guided graze through the fantastic food market of Kadikoy on the Asian side, tasting cheeses, fish, Turkish delight, pickles and street food, with a local unpacking the city’s food culture. The tastiest way to cross to Asia.

★ 4.8

Karakoy

Karakoy Gulluoglu

The most famous baklava counter in Istanbul, run by the Gulluoglu family since 1949, its trays of glistening pistachio and walnut baklava cut fresh to order. Grab a portion and a tea and eat it on the spot; it is that good.

★ 4.6

Karakoy

Karakoy Lokantasi

A handsome turquoise-tiled institution in Karakoy, a casual lokanta of ready-made Turkish dishes by day that turns into a buzzing meyhane of meze and raki by night. Dependable, warm and always full; book for dinner.

★ 4.6

Sultanahmet

Old City Walking Tour

A guided walk through the historic peninsula, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Basilica Cistern, with the 2,000-year story of Byzantium and the Ottomans woven together. The essential first-day orientation.

★ 4.7

Besiktas

Ortakoy

A pretty Bosphorus-side neighbourhood beneath the great suspension bridge, its baroque waterfront mosque making one of the city’s most photographed scenes. Come for the square, the cafes and a stuffed baked potato (kumpir) by the water.

★ 4.5

Beyoglu

Pera Palace Hotel

The legendary hotel built for Orient Express passengers in 1892, haunt of Agatha Christie and Ataturk, gloriously restored with a grand tearoom and old-world glamour in Beyoglu. History you can sleep in.

★ 4.6

$$$

Day trip

Princes Islands Day Trip

A ferry ride out to the car-free Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara, where grand wooden mansions, pine woods and bicycles replace the city bustle. Buyukada is the largest; hire a bike and swim, or just eat fish by the harbour.

★ 4.5

Fatih

Safa Meyhanesi

A gloriously atmospheric meyhane going back to 1895, its walls lined with old Kulup Raki bottles and antique chandeliers. Come for chilled raki, classic meze and a proper old-Istanbul evening away from the tourist trail.

★ 4.6

Sirkeci

Sirkeci Mansion

A warm, well-run boutique on a quiet street in the old city, with a small pool, a hammam and famously friendly service (and free walking tours and tastings). Great value and superbly placed for Sultanahmet.

★ 4.7

Beyoglu

Soho House Istanbul

A members’ club and hotel spread across a restored 19th-century Italian palazzo and a modern annexe in Beyoglu, with a rooftop pool, hammam and see-and-be-seen crowd. Rooms are open to non-members; stylish and central.

★ 4.5

$$$

Eminonu

Spice Bazaar

A fragrant L-shaped market by the waterfront piled with spices, teas, Turkish delight, dried fruit and nuts. Smaller and more manageable than the Grand Bazaar; taste before you buy and wander the lively streets around it.

★ 4.4

Fatih

Suleymaniye Mosque

The grandest of the imperial mosques, the masterpiece of the great architect Sinan, crowning the third hill with a serene, soaring interior. Free to enter, far quieter than the Blue Mosque, and its terrace has one of the best free views over the Golden Horn.

★ 4.8

Before you go

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Istanbul travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Istanbul?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Istanbul at a relaxed pace. See our Istanbul itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Istanbul?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Istanbul guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Istanbul?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Istanbul?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Istanbul is worth visiting year-round.