Hagia Sophia, also known as Ayasofya, is a famous historical destination located in Istanbul. It was a former church turned into a mosque before being transformed into a museum. The intricate and unique architecture of the building is a must-see for anyone visiting this city.
Topkapi Palace Museum is a stunning display of Ottoman royal life. Along with its beautiful architecture, the museum showcases various historical artifacts and intricate designs. Visitors can also enjoy one of the best views of the city from the palace's upper levels.
The Grand Bazaar is a historical and cultural destination that the locals and tourists love. It has over 4,000 stores selling everything from gold, spices, and jewelry to textiles and rugs. Visitors can marvel at the architecture and also explore the stores to buy souvenirs to take back home.
It's best to take a taxi, metro, or bus to move around in Istanbul. Taxis have fixed fares from the airport to the city center, and metro and bus tickets can be purchased at station kiosks. The estimated cost of transportation can range from TRY 10 to TRY 50, which can vary based on distance and mode of transportation.
If you have more time, you can explore other famous sites, such as the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, or take a Bosphorus strait tour. If you have less time, you can cut out the Grand Bazaar or Topkapi Museum, depending upon your interests. Frequent traveler's tip: dress modestly while visiting historical sites and carry Turkish Lira for easier transactions.
Istanbul has two airports: Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). IST is the primary airport and is located about 20 km from Istanbul's city center, while SAW is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, approximately 55 km from the city center.