Istanbul travel guide
Bosphorus mosques, palaces and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.
Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, layering Byzantine and Ottoman history into one dense city. Travelers on TravBuddy plan around Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar, with the Galata Tower and Sultanahmet Square nearby.
This Istanbul guide ranks the spots travelers include most in real trips, so you can shape a day-by-day plan across the old city.
- Best time
- April–June
- Rated places
- 0
- in our trip data
Istanbul: quick questions
What are the top things to do in Istanbul?+
Top experiences in Istanbul include Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace Museum, Basilica Cistern.
What are some offbeat places to visit in Istanbul?+
Beyond the usual spots, travellers in Istanbul also visit Sultanahmet Square, Galata Tower.
Where should you eat in Istanbul?+
Popular places to eat in Istanbul include Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar), Karaköy Güllüoğlu.
Destinations near Istanbul
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Plan my Istanbul tripFacts on this page are computed from 10 trips planned on TravBuddy and traveler ratings refreshed on 21 July 2026.