5 days in Istanbul – Must see places?
Are you planning for a short stay in Istanbul and you do not want to miss the MUST SEE places? This guide is for you.
I have visited Istanbul couple of times for both tourism and business, and I thought it would be nice to write a short but rich guide which lists just key information about the must-visit places in Istanbul.
Sultan Ahmet Mosque or Blue Mosque
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/jywR2yxqtum
GPS Coordinates: 41.005415, 28.976788
How to go there: walking distance from Tram line T1 station “Sultanahmet”
Estimate of visit time: 1 hour (count another hour to visit the surrounding area)
Website: n/a
Notes:
Take some time to visit the outdoor area surrounding the mosque.
Hagia Sophia
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/vdL7XsGJjSD2
GPS Coordinates: 41.007970, 28.978785
How to go there: very short walking distance from Tram line T1 station “Sultanahmet”
Estimate of visit time: 2 hours
Website: n/a
Notes:
Do not hesitate to go inside with an official guide (you can spot them next to the main gate) or rent an audio guide inside.
Topkapı Palace Museum
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/8Q6YQT6RyKp
GPS Coordinates: 41.011250, 28.983051
How to go there: very short walking distance from “Hagia Sophia” (i.e. from Tram line T1 station “Sultanahmet”)
Estimate of visit time: half a day
Website: http://topkapisarayi.gov.tr/en
Notes:
I advise you to rent an audio guide available inside just after the entrance. And you should plan for some time after you complete the visit to enjoy a picnic in the park outside the palace.
Basilica Cistern
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/WRpVAJqnYry
GPS Coordinates: 41.008427, 28.977943
How to go there: very short walking distance from Tram line T1 station “Sultanahmet”
Estimate of visit time: 1 hour
Website: n/a
Grand Bazaar
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/mGM9J4xWiKn
GPS Coordinates: 41.009405, 28.967367
How to go there: very short walking distance from Tram line T1 station “Beyazıt”
Estimate of visit time: up to you
Website: n/a
Notes:
The bazaar has multiple gates, if you exit from the north one you will find yourself in a long street that serves as a cloths marker. Walking this street till the end takes you to the spice bazaar.
Spice Bazaar
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/1euFyzW7rUr
GPS Coordinates: 41.016895, 28.970597
How to go there: very short walking distance from Tram line T1 station “Eminonu”
Estimate of visit time: up to you
Website: n/a
Flower and Rose Garden
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/8wEKJGLsz3A2
GPS Coordinates: 41.010753, 28.978830
How to go there: very short walking distance from Tram line T1 station “Gülhane”.
Estimate of visit time: up to you
Website: n/a
Notes:
A nice place to walk and relax in. it can be a good spot to rest between two site visits.
Bosphorus Cruise Tour
Location Coordinates: https://goo.gl/maps/Pzx9CqqGDxo
GPS coordinates: 41.017512, 28.974530
How to go there: very short walking distance from Tram line T1 station “Eminonu”
Estimate of visit time: 1h30
Website: n/a
Notes:
you will find many boats offering Bosphorus Cruise, I advice you to take your time to select a good boat (e.g. which offers a guide on-board).
Galata Bridge and Restaurants (must try Fish Sandwich)
Location Coordinates: https://goo.gl/maps/1jpVJeCT9AA2 (this is just one example)
GPS coordinates: 41.017512, 28.974530
How to go there: very short walking distance from Tram line T1 station “Eminonu”
Estimate of visit time: up to you
Website: n/a
Notes:
If you like fish cuisine, you must plan for a dinner at the Galata Bridge which hosts many nice restaurants specialized in fish cuisine.
And DO NOT MISS the fish sandwich like on the above photo available at traditional boats tied to the quay, and also at little restaurants in the surrounding.
Fatih’s Wednesday Market
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Ty5fQ945iQy
GPS Coordinates: 41.023511, 28.948561
How to go there: Better to take a Taxi. I took a taxi from Sultan Ahmet Mosque and I paid 15 TL
Estimate of visit time: up to you
Website: n/a
Notes:
This market is open only on Wednesday.
Panorama 1453 Musium / Wall of Constantinople
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/sFZEntganzE2
GPS coordinates: 41.017905, 28.919885
How to go there: very short walking distance from Tram line T1 station “Topcapi”
Estimate of visit time: 1 hour
Website: http://panoramikmuze.com/homepage
Notes:
You should plan for some time after or before the visit of the Panorama museum to enjoy a picnic in the green park outside, and take some photos with the Wall of Constantinople in the background.
Galata Tower
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/FtfJjqEPwTo
GPS Coordinates: 41.025634, 28.974158
How to go there: Take tram T1 and stop at “Karaköy” station (just after Galata bridge). Then, take the nostalgic tram F2 to “Tunel” station. Walk downhill for 10 min and you will see the tower.
Estimate of visit time: 40 minutes
Website: n/a