3 days in a Mystical city

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This is a general guide that will allow you to marvel at the many experiences on offer in this fascinating and colourful city.

10 Places

4 City Tips

Map

10 Places

Basilica Cistern

Ancient Ruins, Architectural Buildings, Historic Sites

Sultanahmet District

Historic Walking Areas, Neighbourhoods

Topkapi Palace

History Museums

Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami

Spas, Hammams & Turkish Baths

Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya)

Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites, Historic Sites, History Museums

Blue Mosque

Sacred & Religious Sites

Biz Cevahir Hotel

Hotels

Galata Bridge

Bridges

Aloran Cafe & Restaurant

Restaurants

The Bosphorus Bridge

Bridges

JacquesSydney's City Tips

be prepared to haggle prices in the Bazaar after all its fun and part of their culture
Respect their culture and dress accordingly.
tips are not compulsory but are very much appreciated
Make sure you stay in a good hotel in the centre of the old city which would keep you within walking distance from all the major spectacles. .

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Basilica Cistern
Ancient Ruins, Architectural Buildings, Historic Sites
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JacquesSydney Says:
A wonderous underground store of fresh water once used to supply the city
Good for
- Solo
- Friends
- History Buff
- Couples
- Senior
- Family
- Art and Architecture Lover
Tips
- go early in the morning as it gets quite busy
Plan to stay:/Less than 1 hour
From the community

Ranked #6 of 1,057 things to do in Istanbul
24861 Reviews
Certificate of Excellence 2014
- Beat the heat! 13/07/2017
- A place that you must visit. 12/07/2017
See all reviews
- Basilica Cistern
▼
Address:

Alemdar Mahallesi, Yerebatan Caddesi, No:1/3
Istanbul 34410
Turkey
Phone:

+90 212 512 1570

Hours:

Sun - Sat
09:00 - 17:30
Other:

Website
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Sultanahmet District
Historic Walking Areas, Neighbourhoods
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JacquesSydney Says:
Sultanahmet district contains the must see Grand Bazaar a huge covered market place with a phenomenal array of goods for sale from food to household items,clothing to rugs and everything in between.Cafes and restaurants also showcase their produce and make a nice break from shopping. Take note of the door you enter from, then get lost in the labaryinth of shops and stalls ,then ask for directions back to your door when you have finished to get home
Good for
- Foodie
- Must See
- Friends
- History Buff
- Couples
- Shopping Fanatic
- Art and Architecture Lover
Tips
- There is a tram stop nearby for those weary travellers. Again dont be afraid to ask directions or you will get lost.
Plan to stay:/ More than 3 hours
From the community

Ranked #4 of 1,057 things to do in Istanbul
12741 Reviews
Certificate of Excellence 2014
- Get ready to walk! 13/07/2017
- Let's call it old town! 13/07/2017
See all reviews
- Sultanahmet District
▼
Address:

Sultanahmet
Istanbul 34012
Turkey
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Topkapi Palace
History Museums
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JacquesSydney Says:
A lovely palace with an exotic array of gems, jewellry and historic memorabilia dating back 2000 years and more
Good for
- Must See
- Hidden Gems
- Friends
- History Buff
- Couples
- Senior
- Family
- Art and Architecture Lover
Tips
- does get very crowded in certain parts but worth the wait
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hours
From the community

Ranked #7 of 1,057 things to do in Istanbul
20920 Reviews
Certificate of Excellence 2014
- Do not miss the Harem section! 13/07/2017
- Magnifies the ottoman sultanate 13/07/2017
See all reviews
- Topkapi Palace
▼
Address:

Cankurtaran Mahallesi, Topkapi Palace Museum, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Gulhane Park, near Sultanahmet Square
Istanbul
Turkey
Phone:

+90 212 522 4422

Other:

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Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami
Spas, Hammams & Turkish Baths
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JacquesSydney Says:
An satisfying end to a long day.The Turkish bath experience is not to be missed
Good for
- Solo
- Friends
- Couples
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hours
From the community

Ranked #1 of 132 Spas & Wellness in Istanbul
1392 Reviews
Certificate of Excellence 2014
- Heavenly 12/07/2017
- Absolute must if in Istanbul 10/07/2017
See all reviews
- Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami
▼
Address:

Cankurtaran Mahallesi Ayasofya Meydani No:2
Fatih
Istanbul 34122
Turkey
Phone:

+90 212 517 35 35

Hours:

Sun - Sat
08:00 - 22:00
Other:

Website
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Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya)
Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites, Historic Sites, History Museums
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JacquesSydney Says:
An absolute must visit. Moorish beauty with a history exemplified.
Good for
- Must See
- Hidden Gems
- Solo
- Friends
- History Buff
- Couples
- Senior
- Family
- Art and Architecture Lover
Tips
- Ladies may be given a shawl to cover up as you enter this Mosque. Men too will have to cover their bare legs.
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hours
From the community

Ranked #1 of 1,057 things to do in Istanbul
32205 Reviews
Certificate of Excellence 2014
- Another Must See 13/07/2017
- great place 13/07/2017
See all reviews
- Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya)
▼
Address:

Ayasofya Square, Sultanahmet
Istanbul
Turkey
Phone:

+90 212 522 1750

Other:

Website
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Blue Mosque
Sacred & Religious Sites
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JacquesSydney Says:
A prominent Mosque that is lit up blue at night and can be seen from all parts of the city. An awesome feature
Good for
- Must See
- Solo
- Friends
- History Buff
- Couples
- Senior
- Family
- Art and Architecture Lover
Plan to stay:/Less than 1 hour
From the community

Ranked #3 of 1,057 things to do in Istanbul
25732 Reviews
Certificate of Excellence 2014
- Beautiful architecture 13/07/2017
- Beautiful Mosaics 13/07/2017
See all reviews
- Blue Mosque
▼
Address:

Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet Mah
Istanbul 34122
Turkey
Phone:

+90 212 518 1319

Hours:

Fri
13:30 - 15:30
Sat - Thu
08:30 - 11:30
13:00 - 14:30
15:30 - 16:45
Other:

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Biz Cevahir Hotel
Hotels
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JacquesSydney Says:
a very comfortable and affordable hotel in the heart of the district between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque and less than a 2 minute walk to a street full of bars and quirky restaurants and cafes
Good for
- Friends
- Couples
- Senior
- Family
Tips
- Comfortable walking shoes
Plan to stay:/ More than 3 hours
From the community

Ranked #176 of 1,145 Hotels in Istanbul
524 Reviews
Certificate of Excellence 2014
- Unbelievable - Took our money but hotel is no longer in business 17/06/2017
- Fantastic Location 10/02/2017
See all reviews
- Biz Cevahir Hotel
▼
Address:

Cankurtaran Mah. Kutlugun Sok. No:8 Sultanahmet, Fatih
Fatih
Istanbul 34122
Turkey
Phone:

011 90 212 458 55 55
Other:

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Galata Bridge
Bridges
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JacquesSydney Says:
An interesting bridge straddling the Bosphorus River which divides the continent and straddles Asia and Europe
Good for
- Friends
- Couples
- Senior
- Family
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hours
From the community

Ranked #33 of 1,057 things to do in Istanbul
2758 Reviews
Certificate of Excellence 2014
- Walk or Fishing 11/07/2017
- Crossing the Golden Horn 10/07/2017
See all reviews
- Galata Bridge
▼
Address:

Galata Koprusu Kemankes Karamustafa Pasa
Beyoglu
Istanbul 34425
Turkey
Phone:

+90 212 243 9501

Other:

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Aloran Cafe & Restaurant
Restaurants (Mediterranean, European, Turkish, Middle Eastern, Barbecue)
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JacquesSydney Says:
Original delicious Turkish food served in an atmosphere of fun and excitement. Also very affordable.
Good for
- Foodie
- Solo
- Friends
- Couples
- Nightlife Seeker
Tips
- most places serve alcohol but there are also quite a few that dont. If you are looking to have a drink with dinner its a good thing to ask before you sit down
Plan to stay:/ 2-3 hours
From the community

Ranked #0 of 0 restaurants in
1781 Reviews
- Superb 13/08/2016
- OK restaurant 05/05/2016
See all reviews
- Aloran Cafe & Restaurant
▼
Address:

Cankurtaran Mah. Akbiyik Cad. Adliye Sok. No.11
Next To Four Seasons Hotel, Sultanahmet
Istanbul 34000
Turkey
Phone:

+90 212 458 8528

Price range:

US$5 - US$11
Other:

Website
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The Bosphorus Bridge
Bridges
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JacquesSydney Says:
An outstanding bridge spanning the Bosphorus and linking the old city with the newer modern city of Istanbul
Good for
- Solo
- Friends
- Couples
- Senior
- Family
- Art and Architecture Lover
Tips
- views from the new city side to old Istanbul are excellent
Plan to stay:/Less than 1 hour
From the community

Ranked #28 of 1,057 things to do in Istanbul
1434 Reviews
Certificate of Excellence 2014
- Connecting Two Continents 13/07/2017
- Europe-Asia link 12/07/2017
See all reviews
- The Bosphorus Bridge
▼
Address:

Bosphorus
Istanbul
Turkey
Phone:

+90 507 430 1556