Hagia Sophia Ayasofya
Explore the Sultanahmet area and check the monument’s current visitor entrance and access arrangements if you plan to go inside.
- UNESCO World Heritage
Istanbul Travel Guide
Start on the historic peninsula, then cross the Golden Horn for a different view of the city from Galata.
Before you go
When to go and how long to stay
Allow four or five days. Give Sultanahmet and the Golden Horn their own time, then add a ferry trip and an Asian-side neighborhood.
Entry documents
Check entry rules with Türkiye’s foreign ministry for your nationality and passport type. If you qualify for an e-Visa, check any supporting-document requirements and save the authorization offline before flying.
Getting to the city
Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side. Consider M11 with Metro transfers, or a Havaist coach with a convenient stop. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side and connects to M4.
Check which side of the city your airport, station and hotel are on. For some intercity trains, Söğütlüçeşme or Halkalı may be the station printed on the ticket.
Getting around
Use the T1 tram for the historic peninsula, ferries for waterfront neighborhoods and Marmaray for some cross-strait journeys. Plan hills and tram-to-ferry walks into your timing.
Payments and mobile data
Keep some Turkish lira for small shops and transit machines, with a card as backup. Download offline maps and save your hotel name in Turkish. Pack clothing that covers shoulders and legs if you plan to visit mosques.
Where to stay
Sultanahmet suits early visits to the historic sights. Karaköy is practical for ferries and tram links. Kadıköy suits visitors who want to spend more time on the Asian side.
Things to do in Istanbul
Galata Tower Galata Kulesi
Walk the streets around the tower. Allow time for the slopes and check where the current entrance queue starts.
- UNESCO Tentative List
What to eat in Istanbul
Simit
A sesame covered bread ring with a crisp crust. Eat it fresh with tea or pick one up for a quick breakfast.
Photo: Contessa · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗A day in Istanbul
See Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet, have simit and tea, then cross to the Galata area in the afternoon.