So you have just one day in Istanbul. Maybe on an extended layover which happens all the time, or you just have a much needed break between flights. Perhaps you are in town on business, and have a day to spare. In any case, this Istanbul Itinerary will take you to all the major sights in the city in just one day.
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Now, Istanbul is a big city. There are just so many things to do and see, that I really recommend more than one day. It really will take 3, 4 or even 7 days to appreciate Istanbul. But we have to work with what we have, and my Istanbul Itinerary for one day will give you a real taste of what this amazing city is all about.
Personally, I have done this Istanbul Itinerary more than once. On the most recent occasion, I had just been on a trip around Turkey, and wanted to spend my last couple days in the city before I left. On my first day back, I did a DIY tour of the city highlights, and that is what I will bring you today in this article.
Table of Contents
- Istanbul Itinerary on a Layover
- Istanbul Itinerary – The Spice Bazaar
- The Grand Bazaar
- Sultanahmet
- Galata Tower and Istiklal Street
- Where to stay
- Summary
Istanbul Itinerary on a Layover
First, let’s take a look at how you will do this Istanbul Itinerary if you are on a layover.
I am starting the Itinerary at the Spice Bazaar, however you can customize it as you like. Here are a couple of options and tips for you.
Basically, this will work best if you fly in early in the morning and are leaving in the late evening, or even later. So a long layover. If you have a shorter layover and are pushed for time to do all of this Istanbul Itinerary, then quit anytime you like and begin heading back to the airport. Alternatively, I have no problem if you drop me a line and ask me for a quick revised version!
First, if you are flying into Sabiha Gokcen Airport, take the Metro into Kadikoy. You will find the Metro on the Arrivals level, inside the terminal to the left as you are walking out. You can take it all the way to Kadikoy if you like, and then catch the ferry to Eminonu. To save time though, simply get off at the second last station Ayrilik Cesmesi, and change to the Marmaray. Travel two stations and get off at Sirkeci.
Both the ferry and the Marmaray will put you close to the starting point at the spice market.
If you are flying into New Istanbul Airport, you can also catch the Metro. For you though, hop off at Yenikapi Station and also change to the Marmaray. But you only have to go one station to Sirkeci.
You will have several chances to leave this Itinerary and head back to the airport if you are short on time. I will point them out along the way.
Istanbul Itinerary – The Spice Bazaar
First stop on my Istanbul Itinerary is the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. You can find it at THIS Google Maps location.
To reach the Spice Bazaar, it is only a short walk from either the ferry port, or from the Marmaray Station. You only need give yourself about 10 minutes.
The Spice Bazaar is a large undercover market area that deals mostly in Spices, Teas, Herbs and other sweet smelling delicacies. You will also find an incredible amount of Turkish Delight here, in about every variety and flavor that you could imagine, and then some!
The Spice Bazaar also has other shops as well, with souvenirs at the top of the list, as you can imagine when there are so many visitors from out of town. The prices that you get here are really good, so if you are looking to pick something up, then don’t forget to barter!
This bazaar has been around since 1660, and is still one of the largest bazaars in Istanbul. It has long been the center for Spice Trade in the city, and still is, even though some shops are no longer selling spices.
If you came into the front entrance of the bazaar, (from the harborside) then you will want to walk up to the first main intersection in the bazaar and turn left. Follow that down to the main doors there, and when you exit you will turn right to walk up the street through those markets. You should be around HERE by then.
We are heading now for the Grand Bazaar. Just keep heading up the hill. Most streets will lead to it, and so long as you keep heading up the hill you will find an entrance somewhere! If not, set your maps for THIS location for the nearest entry.
The Grand Bazaar
Welcome to the Grand Bazaar! This place is incredible, with over 3000 shops located in 61 fully covered streets. It is a labyrinth of colors, carpets, apple tea and jewelry. It was first built around the year 1455, and has been the center of trade in Istanbul ever since.
It is easy to get lost or turned around in the Grand Bazaar. After you walk in, just keep heading in a forward direction. After a while, begin looking to head to the left, where you will eventually find the main entrance. Exit through there. It actually isn’t really that far to the left of where you came INTO the Grand Bazaar at the start.
If you pop out anywhere else, then HERE is a GPS location of where we want to be.
This is a great place to get a photo or two under the entry arch. Once you are done, head past the large Mosque which will be on your left and you will pop out into a street mall. Follow it and you will begin to see signs for the Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque.
Sultanahmet
You are now arriving in the area of Sultanahmet. This is where the most large attractions are located, and basically where most visitors spend 90 percent of their time!
The first place we will visit is the Basilica Cistern, at THIS location. If you don’t recognize the name already, it is actually one of the most famous places in the city, due to its appearance in James Bond’s “From Russia with Love” and Dan Brown’s “Inferno”. There are several hundred cisterns located beneath the city of Istanbul, and the Basilica Cistern is the largest of them. Built in the 6th Century, it is empty of water now to allow visitors to access it.
You won’t spend too long in the Basilica Cistern, and once you emerge, we are going to head across the road to the famous Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
There is a lot to see around these two amazing mosques. They sit facing each other across a beautiful park with lush green grass and fountains. It is a wonderful place to wander around and take photos, but it is also quite crowded. Off to one side is the German Fountain, and the location of the Ancient Hippodrome. Past the German Fountain, also on the Hippodrome site are the Serpent column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Walled Obelisk. I won’t go into too much detail of each, or their histories, as they all have great information plagues nearby that will tell you much more detail that I can!
The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are free to enter if you like, but beware that the lines can be long, even in the winter. As this is a one day itinerary, you will have to assess how much time you have available to you.
When you are finished here, it will probably be past lunchtime. The Dervish Café located in between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia is good for lunch, or else you can find something outside the grounds on the street. If you can, stay close by to the tram, because we will be catching that next!
Galata Tower and Istiklal Street
Once you are finished with lunch and are ready to go, head to the tram station. There is one right out front of the main entry into the Parks between the mosques. We will be catching the tram that runs DOWN the hill!
The tram will take you right down to the waterfront, where it will turn and follow the water along to the Galata Bridge. This bridge has been famous throughout history, and rebuilt several times over the course of its lifetime. The first known bridge across this span was in the 6th Century!
As soon as you get across the bridge, hop off at the first tram stop on the other side.
Istanbul Itinerary Note – If you are on a layover and are running out of time, you could get off the tram at the Marmaray Station as you pass by. The other option is to hop off near the Ferries and take one to Kadikoy, and then Metro to Sabiha Gokcen, if you want to experience the ferries. If not, the Marmaray is quicker.
Next up on the Istanbul Itinerary, is the beautiful Galata Tower. This is my favorite place in Istanbul, and I hardly ever climb it. I just love the Tower itself, the streets around it, and the atmosphere with all the restaurants and cafes nearby.
You will have a bit of a walk uphill from the tram stop. After you get off the tram, you want to cross the large intersection to the other side. Head slightly to the right and you will find stairs going down. Follow them, walk past some electronic stores and stalls, and you will emerge once again up stairs on the other side. Make sure its the right place, as there are a few ways to come up!
From here, you simply want to head up the hill. If you take a direct line up, you should pass some nice little cafes and souvenir shops. Follow the signs to Galata Tower, and you can’t go wrong.
This edition of the Galata Tower was erected in the year 1348, and was the highest point in the walls surrounding Galata. At the time it was also the highest building in the city, and was used as a watchtower. Now, it is a museum and exhibition space. Visitors are able to climb the tower for a fee, and witness the amazing views from the top.
Climb the tower if you like, but you will have to pay first in the booth below. There is usually, in my experience, a bit of a line. So it’s up to you.
From here, my Istanbul Itinerary will take you to the famous Istiklal Street. HERE is a Google maps location, because it can sometimes be hard to locate on the map.
Istiklal Street is the most famous street in Istanbul. It is great for shopping, with many designer brands found along it. There is the famous tram that runs the length, and at night time the area comes alive with night clubs. Istiklal Street is one of the places you just HAVE to be seen if you live in Istanbul.
The walk along Istiklal Street takes a while, and you will end in Taksim Square, which is basically the end of my Istanbul Itinerary.
But, I will not just leave you there!
Here are some suggestions if you still have time, and depending upon the time of day.
If you are on a layover, from Taksim Square you can catch the Havabus back to the airport. Otherwise you also have the option of catching the Metro back to Yenikapi, and from there the connecting Metro to the airport, or Marmaray to Kadikoy and then Metro to Sabiha Gokcen.
You can catch the red tram back down Istiklal Street, and head back to Galata Tower for the sunset. One of the best places in town.
Or, you can head right back down to where the tram dropped you, and catch a ferry to Kadikoy. If you time it right, one of the best sunsets you will see in the city is from that ferry!
Where to stay
If you are in Istanbul for one night, and only have the one day to follow my Itinerary, then where you stay depends upon whether you spend the night BEFORE or AFTER you do the itinerary. So here are some options for both.
Sultanahmet – for BEFORE my Istanbul Itinerary
The best place to stay for before my Istanbul Itinerary is Sultanahmet. This way, you are close to the Spice Bazaar for the start of it. If you want to change it up a bit, then start at the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, then the Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar and down the hill to the Spice Bazaar. Then you can head across the bridge to the Galata Tower. The Itinerary is totally flexible.
Here are the best places to stay around Sultanahmet.
Luxury – Hagia Sophia Mansions Istanbul on Agoda or HERE for Booking.com.
Mid Range – Turna Hotel on Agoda or HERE for Booking.com.
Budget – Bonita Apart on Agoda or HERE for Booking.com.
Taksim – for AFTER the Istanbul Itinerary
If you are doing the Istanbul Itinerary before you stay the night, then Taksim is the best option by far. It even works well if you have to get to the airport when you wake up, as the Havabus leaves from Taksim Square.
Here are the best places to stay around that area.
Luxury – Sofitel Istanbul Taksim on Agoda or HERE for Booking.com.
Mid Range – The Westist Hotel and Spa on Agoda and HERE on Booking.com.
Budget – Stay Inn Taksim Hostel on Agoda or HERE on Booking.com.
Summary
I hope you have enjoyed my one day Istanbul Itinerary, and it has helped you to see some of this amazing city!
If you need more information on Istanbul, then don’t miss my Compete Guide to Istanbul, which you can find at THIS link.
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