The 50 best neighborhoods to see in Istanbul

A must visit if you're visiting Istanbul, for the first time. The only thing is almost every store owner smokes cigarettes. Also, it's very busy with a lot of tourists, so keep your valuables and kids close to you, cause it's very easy to get lost. I had to open my Google maps up 5 or 6 times, just to figure out which way to go. However, it's a must see and you can get some really nice things here, make sure you bargain, there is no set prices. I had a guy start out at $320 and I walked away at the end paying $180 for a piece of jewelry.

Love crossing this bridge. So much activity happening. Lots of fishermen throwing their lines over with buckets of water on hand to keep their catch in. So picturesque with Galata Tower in view, mosques, ferries and boats manoeuvering across the Bosphorus. You can walk above and below.

(Translated by Google) The products are of very high quality. I love all the products I buy. It is a good business where you can shop with confidence. (Original) Ürünler çok kaliteli aldığım bütün ürünleri severek kullanıyorum güvenle alışveriş yapabileceğiniz güzel bir işletme🥰

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(Translated by Google) Definitely do not buy. I bought it for my son. He was 9 months old, we bought it for 1+ years old. It was washed once. The product shrank afterwards. I paid 2500 TL. We went to the store to exchange it. They said the product cannot be changed after being washed. I threw away 2500 TL because of this store. When selling, they say buy this and that, then they do not buy products that shrink. I definitely do not recommend it!! (Original) Kesinlikle almayın. Oğluma aldım. 9 aylıkken, 1+ yaş aldık. Bir kere yıkandı. Sonrasında ürün çekti. 2500 TL ödedim. Değişim için mağazaya gittik. Yıkanan ürün değişmez dediler. Bu mağaza yüzünden 2500 TL çöpe attım. Satarken şunuda bunuda al diyorlar sonrasında çeken ürünleri almıyorlar. Tavsiye etmem kesınlıkle !!

I visited the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) with my tour group on a Friday, right after the Friday prayers. I had to wait about 45 minutes to get in, but honestly, once I stepped inside, it was totally worth it. The mosque is absolutely stunning. Its immense central dome, surrounded by cascading smaller domes, felt almost otherworldly. Everywhere you look, there are thousands of handmade İznik ceramic tiles in shades of blue with floral motifs, geometric patterns and tulips — especially in the upper levels. The light coming through over 200 stained-glass windows gives the interior this calm, glowing feel. Because of its six minarets (more than most mosques), it stands out in Istanbul’s skyline. Sultan Ahmed I built it between 1609 – 1616, partly because he wanted something to rival Hagia Sophia, which is right across from it. Practical stuff: there are clean toilets, which was a relief. They enforce modest dress: women have to wear a scarf over their hair, shoulders and knees covered for everyone, and you need to take off your shoes before entering. Some moments that stuck with me: In the courtyard before entering, seeing the cascade of domes and the elegant lines of the building is already breathtaking. Once inside, you really feel how grand the interior space is. The blend of color, light and ornate detail (calligraphy, the marble mihrab and minbar) is sensory in the best way. If you go, here are a few pro tips: try to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds. Bring your own scarf and something to carry your shoes (just makes things smoother). And take time in the courtyard and look up — there's detail in every angle that I almost overlooked because I was distracted by everything else.

Fabulous experience. The space underground is cool but not cold (September). It wasn’t crowded and queues weren’t long. There were maybe 20 people in front of us in the queue at 9:30am. The queue moves very fast so we barely had to wait. You can purchase entry tickets at the kiosk at the entrance or pre-purchase online and use a QR code to enter like what we did. It takes about 30 minutes to leisurely walk through and time for pictures.

The best sight to see in the sultanshmet area. It costs around £44 (1300 lira), but for the amount of things you see, it is worth it. If you were to do one thing in Istanbul, do this. It is easier to buy tickets via card, as there are 3 ticket booths ~100 metres before the cash ticket area (where you queue up for about 10 minutes). Spent 3 hours here and was fully satisfied. It costs 900 lira extra to do the Harem, and another 900 for the mosque near the entrance. Parking is available past the blue mosque. Be weary of queues inside for various "museum" parts. The jewel area is the longest. Holy relics area is also somewhat long to queue for, but worth it. Relics include footprint of Muhammed and skull bone of John the Baptist. Great views on the south side overlooking Bosphorus and Harem side of Istanbul.

We visited Süleymaniye Mosque, and it was a wonderful experience. Keep in mind that it’s located on higher ground, so you’ll need to climb a bit to reach it, but the reward is worth it—the entrance offers fantastic views over Istanbul. The mosque itself is beautiful and impressive in size, yet much less crowded than the city’s other two major mosques. I recommend taking a moment to sit on the carpet and simply contemplate the magnificent roof and intricate decorations. It's a great opportunity to learn more about the history of Suleiman the Magnificent.

The palace has exquisite architecture, which blends European and Ottoman styles. The grand exterior and intricate interior details, including the lavish chandeliers and ornate decorations, are absolutely breathtaking. The palace served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. The stories and artifacts associated with its past add depth to the experience. The surrounding gardens are beautiful and it is a serene setting for a leisurely stroll and some photos. The views of the Bosphorus from the palace grounds are also spectacular. Dolmabahçe Palace is a must-visit attraction in Istanbul. It is a highlight, combining stunning visuals with a rich cultural experience. No photos are allowed inside the palace, however you may take pictures outside.

We visited Istanbul Archaeological Museums — it’s a wonderful place full of history! You can see impressive collections from ancient civilizations like Greek, Roman, and Mesopotamian. It’s located next to Topkapı Palace and easy to reach by tram (Gülhane stop). The museum area is big, calm, and full of beautiful details — totally worth visiting!