The Bosphorus Strait is a natural waterway that separates Europe and Asia. Enjoy adventure by taking a boat tour, where you can see the beautiful skyline of Istanbul. After the tour, visit the Galata Tower, one of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks with a breathtaking view of Istanbul's city center.
Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica and now a museum in Istanbul. It has a rich history dating back to the 6th century. Afterward, head to the Grand Bazaar, an ancient marketplace with over 4,000 stores and stalls, perfect for adventure shopping.
Visit the Topkapi Palace, the Ottoman Empire's primary residence for over 400 years, now a museum that houses many art pieces and artifacts from that period. Afterward, visit the beautiful Suleymaniye Mosque, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, including a historic hammam that visitors may enjoy a traditional Turkish bath.
The Princes' Islands is a historical place about an hour's ride from Istanbul's city center. Explore the beautiful islands by bicycle rental, swim in the crystal-clear water, and have a delightful BBQ seafood lunch. On the way back, you can have an authentic Turkish shopping experience at the Spice Bazaar with different types of spices, tea, and sweets.
Visit the Taksim Square, a famous square in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, and the starting point of Istiklal Street, the city's most famous shopping street. Here, you can enjoy adventure by eating at one of the street's charming cafes, shops, and bars or strolling down the street.
Take the public transportation, metro, bus or taxi to get around Istanbul. The Istanbul Card is an easy way to pay for all public transportation or use a taxi for a convenient, fast and reasonably priced trip. The average taxi ride costs around £2-3 and averages 10-20 minutes between attractions
If you have more time, head over to the Asian side of Istanbul, explore the Kadikoy neighborhood, and drink a cup of tea with an incredible view at the Moda seaside park. Meanwhile, subtract Galata Tower from your itinerary if you'd like to reduce costs, and add more street foods to your trip, such as the famous Turkish dessert, "Baklava".
Istanbul's primary airport is Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST) located 24 km west of the city centre. Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW), the other international airport, is located 47 km east of the city centre, and together they serve many destinations worldwide.