Istanbul Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat and What to Do
Where to Stay in Istanbul
Sultanahmet: A Convenient Base for First-Time Visitors
For our two-night visit, we stayed in the historic Sultanahmet area, just a short walk from Hagia Sophia.
While I wouldn’t personally recommend the hotel we chose, I would absolutely consider staying in the neighborhood again.
With only two days to explore Istanbul, location matters. Staying in Sultanahmet meant we were close to major attractions such as Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, making it easy to explore much of the historic center on foot.
The neighborhood is particularly convenient if you’re visiting Istanbul for the first time and want to prioritize sightseeing without spending too much of your trip traveling between attractions.
There are also plenty of restaurants and places to grab a drink in the surrounding streets. We enjoyed going out in the evenings near our accommodation, which meant we didn’t have to venture far after a full day of exploring.
Would I stay here again? Yes, although I’d choose a different hotel. If I were returning for a longer trip, I’d also consider staying around Galata to experience a different side of the city.
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What to Do in Istanbul
Although Istanbul deserves far more than two days, we managed to experience several of its most famous historic attractions, explore its markets and enjoy some wonderful moments simply walking around the city.
These are the experiences I’d recommend including in a short itinerary.
1. Visit Hagia Sophia
You can’t talk about Istanbul without mentioning Hagia Sophia.
One of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, Hagia Sophia has an extraordinary history spanning Byzantine and Ottoman rule.
Originally constructed as a cathedral in the sixth century, it later became a mosque, then a museum, before returning to its status as a mosque in 2020.
Its enormous dome and distinctive architecture make it one of the most impressive sights in Istanbul’s historic center.
Whether you’re interested in architecture, history or simply seeing one of the city’s most famous landmarks, it’s a natural starting point for a first visit.
Because we stayed in Sultanahmet, we were conveniently located for exploring the surrounding historic attractions.
Planning tip: Hagia Sophia is an active mosque, so check current visitor access, ticket requirements and prayer times before your visit. Appropriate clothing and a head covering for women is also required.
2. Explore the Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern was one of the more unusual historic attractions we visited, and I thought it was well worth seeing.
Hidden beneath the busy streets of Istanbul, this enormous underground water reservoir is filled with towering columns, atmospheric lighting and beautiful reflections across the water.
It’s a completely different experience from exploring the mosques and bustling streets above ground.
When we arrived, the queue was quite long, but fortunately it moved quickly. We spent approximately an hour exploring the cistern, which felt like a good amount of time to appreciate the space.
If you’re visiting Hagia Sophia, it’s easy to include the Basilica Cistern in the same sightseeing itinerary since the two attractions are close together.
My tip: Allow approximately one hour inside, plus additional time for queuing. If the line looks long when you arrive, don’t necessarily be discouraged; ours moved surprisingly quickly and you can move through the queue even faster when you purchase your ticket online ahead of your visit.
Worth the Thrill? Yes. It’s a fascinating historic attraction and a nice change of pace from the city’s outdoor sightseeing.
3. Explore the Grand Bazaar and Shop for Turkish Souvenirs
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is one of the city’s most famous shopping destinations, and it’s certainly an experience.
With its maze of covered walkways and countless shops, it’s easy to spend a considerable amount of time wandering around.
However, the shopping experience wasn’t entirely what I’d expected.
We encountered a lot of imitation designer merchandise, which wasn’t particularly interesting to me. I was much more excited about finding items that felt connected to Turkey and its culture.
I ended up buying authentic Turkish tea and a beautiful tea set, which made a much more meaningful souvenir of our trip.
It’s something I can actually use at home, and every time I do, it reminds me of Istanbul.
I still think the Grand Bazaar is worth visiting, especially if it’s your first time in the city. Just know that not every shop will be selling the kind of traditional Turkish products you might be hoping to find and you can usually find the same products at less popular bazaars for less money.
My tip: Have an idea of what you’d genuinely like to bring home before visiting. Turkish tea, tea sets, ceramics and other traditional products can make lovely souvenirs. Compare quality and prices before purchasing, and don’t feel pressured to buy anything.
4. Wander Around Galata and Stop for Cheesecake
One of the things I enjoyed about Istanbul was how much there was to discover simply by walking around.
Galata is a particularly enjoyable area to explore, with its historic streets, cafés, shops and famous tower.
It’s also where we enjoyed our breakfast at Galata Süheyla and stopped for San Sebastián cheesecake at Viyana Kahvesi.
I’d recommend allowing yourself some unstructured time here rather than planning every minute of your visit.
Wander through the streets, admire the architecture, shop a bit, stop for coffee and take your time exploring.
We happened to spend an entire day here and ended up near the tower after dark and just in time to take in a cool light show that was being projected onto the tower.
Sometimes the best travel memories happen when you’re not rushing to tick another attraction off your itinerary.
5. Walk Across Galata Bridge at Sunset
One of my favorite unexpected experiences in Istanbul was walking across Galata Bridge.
As we crossed, we saw rows of fishermen with their fishing rods stretching out over the Golden Horn.
Then, as the sun began to set, we watched people grilling fish along the bridge.
Between the fishermen, the smell of food cooking and the beautiful evening light, it was one of those moments that made Istanbul feel particularly memorable.
I love experiences like this when traveling. There’s no complicated itinerary or advance reservation required; you simply get to observe a little of everyday life in the city.
The bridge also offers beautiful views of Istanbul’s skyline, particularly in the late afternoon and around sunset.
My tip: If you’re exploring Galata, consider walking across the bridge toward the historic district in the late afternoon. Time it around sunset if possible, and allow yourself a little extra time to enjoy the atmosphere rather than rushing straight to your next stop.
Worth the Thrill? Absolutely. This was one of my favorite simple experiences of the trip, and it didn’t cost anything to enjoy on foot.
6. Enjoy an Evening Around Sultanahmet
After spending our days exploring Istanbul, we also enjoyed visiting bars near our hotel.
We found a lively area with restaurants and bars near a steakhouse called The Shadow, where we spent some time enjoying the evening atmosphere.
One advantage of staying in Sultanahmet was being able to head out for drinks without having to travel far from our accommodation.
If you’re staying in the historic district, it’s worth exploring the surrounding streets after dinner. You don’t necessarily need to head to another part of the city to enjoy an evening out.
Where to Eat in Istanbul
If there’s one thing I’d encourage you to make time for in Istanbul, it’s the food.
We had some wonderful meals during our visit, particularly when it came to Turkish breakfast. We also discovered some fantastic desserts, enjoyed traditional Turkish coffee and tried dishes that I’d happily order again.
Here are the restaurants, cafés and food experiences that stood out.
Seven Hills Restaurant: Turkish Breakfast with a View
Seven Hills Restaurant is one of Istanbul’s well-known rooftop dining spots, with views of the city’s historic skyline.
Since we were staying just a short walk away, it was an easy place to visit for breakfast.
If you’ve never experienced a traditional Turkish breakfast, expect much more than a plate of eggs and toast. Turkish breakfast is generally a collection of small dishes served together, often including fresh bread, cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, jams, eggs and endless cups of Turkish tea.
It’s the kind of meal that encourages you to slow down and enjoy the experience rather than rush off to your next attraction.
Seven Hills is particularly convenient if you’re staying in Sultanahmet or planning to spend the day exploring the historic district.
Best for: A Turkish breakfast with rooftop views and a convenient location near Istanbul’s major historic attractions.
Galata Süheyla: One of Our Favorite Breakfasts
Of the breakfasts we enjoyed during our visit, Galata Süheyla was a particular favorite.
We absolutely loved our Turkish breakfast here, and it’s somewhere I’d happily include on a return trip. Unlike Seven Hills which was a definite tourist hotspot, this restaurant felt authentic, like you were eating amongst locals.
One of my favorite things about Turkish breakfast is the variety. Rather than committing to one dish, you get to try a little bit of everything, making it a particularly enjoyable meal to share.
If you’re planning to explore Galata, I’d recommend making time for breakfast at Süheyla before spending the rest of the morning wandering the neighborhood.
With only two days in Istanbul, we still managed to have Turkish breakfast twice. That should tell you how much we enjoyed it!
Best for: A leisurely Turkish breakfast while exploring the Galata area.
Istanbul Kebab & Fish House: A Traditional Turkish Meal
Beyond breakfast, we made sure to enjoy some of Turkey’s savory specialties, including pide and Adana kebabs, both of which we loved.
We also ate at Istanbul Kebab & Fish House in the historic Fatih district.
Pide is a boat-shaped Turkish flatbread that comes with various toppings, including cheese and seasoned meats. It’s a great option for a casual lunch or dinner.
Adana kebab, meanwhile, is made from seasoned minced meat that’s shaped onto skewers and grilled. It’s commonly served with flatbread, vegetables and other accompaniments.
Both are dishes I’d recommend trying during your visit, particularly if you’re interested in exploring Turkish cuisine beyond the more familiar döner kebab.
Best for: Adding a Turkish restaurant meal to your sightseeing itinerary.
Coffee No. 4: Turkish Coffee and Pistachio Coffee
Trying traditional Turkish coffee was another experience I wanted to have in Istanbul.
We visited Coffee No. 4, where we ordered both Turkish coffee and pistachio coffee.
Turkish coffee is quite different from your typical espresso or cappuccino. It’s made with very finely ground coffee, brewed without filtering and served in a small cup. The grounds settle at the bottom, so don’t drink that final sip! That being said, I favored the Pistachio coffee at this particular place, so much so that I went every day of our trip multiple times. It helped that it was mere blocks from our hotel.
I’d recommend making time for at least one traditional Turkish coffee experience during your visit, whether that’s at Coffee No. 4 or another local café.
Viyana Kahvesi: San Sebastián Cheesecake Near Galata Tower
Istanbul certainly didn’t disappoint when it came to desserts.
While exploring the area around Galata Tower, we stopped at Viyana Kahvesi for San Sebastián cheesecake.
If you’re unfamiliar with it, San Sebastián cheesecake is a crustless, Basque-style cheesecake with a caramelized top and an incredibly creamy center. It’s particularly popular at cafés around Istanbul, often served with chocolate sauce, which is exactly how I ordered mine.
It’s a lovely dessert to enjoy during an afternoon exploring Galata, especially if you’re looking for a café break between sightseeing stops.
This was a place I found highly recommended on Tiktok so expect a huge crowd, though there wasn’t much of a wait.
Best for: A sweet treat while exploring the streets around Galata Tower.
Hafız Mustafa: The Dubai Chocolate Pudding Was Incredible
Of all the sweet treats we tried in Istanbul, the Dubai chocolate pudding at Hafız Mustafa was one of the most memorable.
We ordered it alongside another pistachio dessert and Turkish tea, and the Dubai chocolate pudding was absolutely to die for.
If you’re a fan of chocolate and pistachio desserts, I’d definitely recommend making room for a stop here.
Hafız Mustafa is also a great place to explore Turkish sweets, particularly if you’re interested in trying different desserts or picking up something to take home.
My advice? Don’t fill up too much at dinner. You’ll want to save some room for dessert. Plus there are locations all around town, making this an easy spot to stop into.
Best for: Turkish sweets, pistachio desserts and an indulgent afternoon or evening treat.
All in all Turkey really surprised me – the people, the food and the culture are worth visiting again in my opinion and I plan to do just that!
Xx Sylvia
