Is Istanbul Worth Visiting? 10 Things To See & Do

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One of the largest cities in Europe, or is it? Istanbul is as enigmatic as it is renowned, as historic as it is modern. It’s a city of opposing features, twisted together in the most uniquely enthralling way. Istanbul invites you in and holds you tight so you can’t ever fully let go. Is Istanbul worth visiting? I’d say so. But let’s let the city speak for itself.

Where is Istanbul?

The largest city in Türkiye is one extraordinary place. Is it in Asia? Is it in Europe? The answer is, actually, both.

Istanbul has long been known as a melting pot of cultures, and the fact that the city lies along the border of two continents makes it an outstanding place to explore.

The northwest of Türkiye is where you will find the exciting and historic city of Istanbul. Inhabited for thousands of years, there is something interesting to see at every corner.

Of course if you do visit Türkiye you should see more than Istanbul. A visit to Cappadocia for a spot of hot air ballooning, soaking in the magical rock pools of Pamukkale, or a relaxing break along the turquoise waters of Fethiye. But starting off in Istanbul is as good a plan as any.

Is Istanbul worth visiting? For you it might depend on what else you have planned in Türkiye, and how much time you have to spend there. For me, it was a layover city so I took advantage and extended my stay for a few days.

Where to stay in Istanbul?

The Asian side of Istanbul may be a little quieter, and more about the local neighborhoods, but make no mistake, the old town center is where it’s at for a first time visitor.

The city of Istanbul is quite spread out, and although you can get around using a variety of methods from public transportation to taxis and even boats, there’s nothing like being able to walk to many of the city’s famous sights.

Staying for a night or two? Find a local hotel, with easy access to the mosques, palace or the lively markets. Spending a bit more time, or travelling with a few people? Opt for an apartment rental so you have access to cooking facilities and a living space.

We opted for the latter, an Airbnb apartment in Sultanahmet. For three of us, there were two decent sized bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and small but effective bathroom. It definitely made me feel a bit more like a local for our stay.

How long should you stay in Istanbul?

Is Istanbul worth visiting even if you’re on a time crunch? You can take advantage of a city tour on a shorter layover with Turkish Airlines (see below), but in my opinion at the very least you need two or three days in Istanbul. Preferably longer.

There are so many things to do in Istanbul, and places to see, that you won’t be able to fit them all in no matter how long you’re here. But best to give yourself a fighting chance to see the top sights.

Istanbul is often a layover city on flights between Europe and Africa or Asia, so it can be tempting to take advantage of a long layover. This will give you a great insight to the city, but won’t necessarily scratch the itch that a brief visit to Istanbul will start.

I visited Istanbul on a layover between Zanzibar, Tanzania and home in Vancouver, Canada. My friend’s Mom lives in Fethiye, Türkiye so we met her in Istanbul where she played tour guide for us for a few days.

TOP Türkiye TRAVEL TIP: If you do fly Turkish Airlines and end up with a layover, plan to book directly so you can take advantage of their Stopover In Istanbul offer, or the TourIstanbul offer for free accommodation or tours.

The best things to do in Istanbul

I’m telling you right now, there’s no way you’ll see it all. So don’t even try. Istanbul is big. And full of incredible things to see and do.

Plan around one or two bigger activities each day, but leave room for getting lost in the bazaar a little longer than expected, or having a lazy long lunch full of yummy Turkish treats.

Is Istanbul worth visiting? Here are some top sights and activities around the city that I think will have you admitting it might just be.

VISIT THE BLUE MOSQUE

You can’t go to Istanbul and not visit the wonderous site that is the Blue Mosque. The Sultan Ahmed mosque may seem to have a perpetual line outside but the snaking queue of people moves fairly fast.

Once inside the Blue Mosque you’ll forget the heat of the day as you spend 90% of your time with your face raised upwards, mesmerized by the intricately designed tiles and paintings that adorn almost every inch of the interior of this magnificent place of worship.

As with most mosques, shoes will need to be removed upon entry, respectable attire is required (meaning legs and shoulders/upper arms covered), and ladies will need to wear a headscarf to cover their hair.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Scarfs can be rented if you don’t have one of your own. But it’s a handy thing to carry in Istanbul, same as if visiting any other predominantly Muslim country.

SHOP AT THE GRAND BAZAAR

Your senses will be assaulted from the moment you step into any of the narrow streets leading into the Grand Bazaar. The smell of some sweet treat emanating from one side street, the cries of jewelry sellers from another as they entice you to choose their wares over the next guys.

The woven basketry, handmade pottery, brightly colored lamps and aromatic teas and spices. You can be here for hours or go running for the exit in minutes. I was the former, completely absorbed in the arrays of goods for sale, desperate to part with my money and try one of everything.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Typically when shopping you don’t want to rush into buying something in case you see something else. Though in the Grand Bazaar you might never find it again. If you really want something, get ready to bargain the price lower or prepare to find something similar in the next street. Walking away will sometimes help your case.

MARVEL AT THE HAGIA SOFIA

One of the most magnificent churches in the world is also a mosque. The Hagia Sofia has been around for centuries. It was built in the 5th Century and is such a prominent feature in central Istanbul that you can’t really miss it. Or the crowds outside.

A maximum number of people are let into the Hagia Sofia at any one time, meaning there is almost always a queue outside to get in. In addition, visitors aren’t allowed in during prayer time so check posted times before you start queuing.

Once you get inside though, you’ll notice a difference to the softer, pastel-like colors of the Blue Mosque. The light and the decorations are a bit more harsh, but no less mesmerizing.

It’s also eerily quiet inside, in part due to the requirement to remove shoes. Unlike churches where you hear the echos of footsteps in the deathly silent building, the silent steps of worshippers and visitors alike silently pad around the carpeted space of the Hagia Sofia.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: In the last few years the Hagia Sofia has had an admission charge as a museum, then been free to visit, and as of December 2023 has a charge to enter again. The rules seem to change often, make sure to check in advance for ticket information.

DINE ON A ROOFTOP PATIO

Is there any better way to dine in Istanbul than al fresco? Find a secluded rooftop patio for a dinner you won’t forget, or a drink to toast a day of exploring. The hubbub sounds of the city melt away the further you rise. In the end the only thing you might hear is a distant buzz from the streets below and a clearer sound of the call to prayer.

A Turkish summer can be hot, but by the time the sun is going down, and with a light breeze in the air, a rooftop is the perfect place to be.

We chose Doy Doy as one of our first meals, a hidden gem that was a favorite of my friend’s Mom who lives in Türkiye. A meal in this country should always start with lentil soup and copious amounts of freshly baked bread.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Go for a post tourist day drink at the fantastic Loti Roof Lounge and enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine with nighttime views over the city.

SEE AN ANCIENT EGYPTIAN COLUMN

Just when you thought the 1500-year old Hagia Sofia would be the oldest thing you’d see in Istanbul. Leave it to the Egyptians to provide another incredible wonder to marvel at. Right in the middle of Sultanahmet square.

The 3500-year old Obelisk of Theodosius is not only impressive in age, but the hieroglyphics are so clear they look like they could have been carved yesterday.

The remains of this huge column has stood in this spot since the 4th century. Given that this column is over 19-meters/60ft in height, it’s a miracle it survived through wars, earthquakes and everything in between.

Although there’s not much to do but admire this Egyptian column and read the plaque next to it, it shouldn’t be missed in my opinion.

TAKE IN A VIEW OR TWO

Is Istanbul worth visiting? Probably for the views alone. As well as the rooftop dining scene I already mentioned there are plenty of other places to check out a nice view.

Who doesn’t love a tower to climb? You’re in luck, Istanbul has one. The Galata Tower is a historic watchtower that you can ascend to see for miles around the city.

Climbing the hills to get there might be just as challenging as the tower climb itself, but I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. The only downside is the cost to get in. Tickets are over $20 USD.

The hilly streets around the tower are full to the brim of awesome shops, and occasionally you’ll pop out at a surprise viewpoint. Which is my favorite thing about Istanbul – you never know what’s hidden around the next corner.

EAT ALL THE DELICIOUS TREATS

Is Istanbul worth visiting for the food? Completely! But even more so for the treats.

Turkish Delight is one of my favorite sweets since I was a kid. So imagine my glee when I not only put two and two together that I can get my fill in Istanbul, but that the nation’s namesake treat is so much more decadent than what you find outside of Türkiye.

The soft, chewy squares dusted with a powdered sugar/cornstarch mix are available everywhere you turn in a variety of colors and flavors.

TOP TURKISH DELIGHT TIP: Avoid the pre-boxed sweets in the average tourist shop, and instead hunt out confectioners that box it fresh (and vacuum seal it for you to take home).

My favorite find was that Turkish Delight, or Lokum as it’s known here, often contains nuts or is rolled in edible flowers. If you see any of those, give them a try. But I couldn’t talk treats without mentioning Baklava…

This sticky, syrupy pastry filled or topped with chopped nuts is unbelievable. But for the best stuff, head somewhere you can see them making it in front of you. There are some life-changing places in the Grand Bazaar.

Lastly, Turkish ice cream. It’s sweet and creamy, and weirdly chewy. And it usually comes with a show. This is where I started to lose interest as the ice cream sellers play tricks on you while they make it.

They hand you the ice cream only to whip it away, twirling it around on a long stick akin to the kids “I’ve got your nose” trick. It’s all part of the fun, but a little too kitschy for my liking and not quite worth the effort to get hold of your ice cream cone.

EXPLORE THE TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

I will start by saying that I omitted a visit into the palace museum on my trip to Istanbul. Weighing up the cost vs. some of the other things I wanted to do around the city on my first visit, I felt the almost $50 fee to get in was rather steep.

That said, I would probably go on a future visit to Istanbul as the museum does hold a lot of interesting history. If you do want to visit, why not purchase a Skip-the-Line ticket in advance?

The Topkapi Palace is undoubtedly an impressive building, as are the other buildings included in the ticket. The Hagia Irene, the Harem, the treasury. The park and gardens surrounding the museum are well worth a visit even if you opt out of the museum itself.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Museums seeming a little expensive? Take a look at the Istanbul Museum Pass (not available online at last check but can be purchased in the city).

Access to a dozen museums for around 2500 Turkish Lira. For reference the Topkapi Palace Museum alone is 1500 TL entry. If you’re here for a few days and want to visit a couple other places including the Galata Tower, this could be worth it.

GET OUT ON THE WATER

You can’t get much closer to the divide between the two continents than being out on the water around Istanbul. The Bosphorus is the strait between Asia and Europe that divides the two parts of Istanbul. What better way to see the city than by boat?

A Bosphoros Boat Tour is a great way to see the city (both sides), take in a view or two, and get a cooler sea breeze on a hot day. Take a day tour, often with an audio guide option, or an evening cruise including dinner and/or a show.

I often find city boat tours can be a bit overhyped, but in Istanbul when you can get a cruise for $20-30, it might be worth taking a chance for a unique perspective of the city.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Not into the whole guided boat tour idea? Go the budget route and instead opt for one of the many passenger ferry services across the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. They take around 20-minutes, and can cost as little as $1.

MEET THE ISTANBUL STREET CATS

Who doesn’t love an adorable kitty? Great news! Istanbul is full of them. For your daily dose of cuteness you don’t have to look very far, there are street cats everywhere.

Some Istanbul street cats are a little more taken care of than others. But that probably comes down to dominance amongst the cats rather than lack of human care. Shelter, water and food are provided by residents for the tens of thousands (or more) stray cats.

Is Istanbul worth visiting if you love cats? Absolutely. Some will be friendly, some prefer to stay at a distance. But you’ll find plenty of cute cats on your travels throughout the city.

My friend’s Mom lives in Turkey and cares for many of the less healthy stray cats in her neighborhood. So when we went to Istanbul with her as our guide, the first thing we did was buy bags of cat food to tote around. We became like the Pied Piper for Istanbul’s stray kitty population. Which by the way, is the best way to get the kitties to love you (just saying).

Why you’ll love Istanbul

Istanbul is both on the way to nowhere, nestled between two Seas at the crossroads of two continents, and the way to everywhere as one of the world’s top flight connection cities. The city perfectly blends a variety of cultures, customs and flavors.

Istanbul will give you sensory overload, but in a variety of ways. You’ll feel pulled in a million different directions in the markets as your eyes wander over all the beautiful goodies for sale.

I found the sellers respectful, no matter how busy it was, and always happy to engage in conversation. In one lamp store we said we were “just looking”, the proprietor said “that’s OK, I’m just selling”. Immediately diffusing any awkwardness, we laughed and had great conversation as we both had set our expectations.

In restaurants or stores you’ll be overwhelmed with choices for delicious food – but in the best possible way. You’ll want to try everything, and it doesn’t matter what you choose, it’s all good. Better than good, actually.

Istanbul is lively, but can also be peaceful in little pockets around the city. I felt at home right away, eager to both see everything, and to sit back and relax in the midst of the perceived chaos.

Is Istanbul Worth Visiting?

In a time where rising costs are rampant and a somewhat unstable currency makes pricing fluctuate almost daily, Istanbul’s activities seem to have taken the biggest financial toll.

Museums and attractions are often anywhere between $20 and $50 USD on average. When you want to see so much, that can add up quickly. Which can also make you wonder “Is Istanbul worth visiting?”.

For me, the answer was a resounding yes. I was selective with the activities I chose, weighing up the options and considering whether I needed to do everything. That’s probably your best bet to save some money while visiting Istanbul. Take a look at the Istanbul Museum Pass too if planning a few days here.

But the things I did see, the food I ate and the experiences I had all made me wish I’d had more time in Istanbul. It’s a city I truly can’t wait to return to. And believe me when I tell you that fresh baklava will be my first stop in this beautiful city.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you visited this beautifully historic city? Is Istanbul worth visiting in your opinion? What made you fall in love with it?