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Istanbul for first-timers: FT readers share their top travel tips

A reader-sourced guide from the Financial Times compiling practical and cultural tips for first-time visitors — transport advice (IstanbulKart, ferries), neighborhood recommendations (Sultanahmet, Kadıköy, Balat), safety and etiquette notes, and must-see highlights like the Hagia Sophia and the Bosphorus.

The Best Things to Do in Istanbul, From the Hagia Sophia to Vintage Shopping in Çukurcuma

A Condé Nast Traveler roundup balancing iconic sights and offbeat neighborhood tips — covers major monuments, Bosphorus experiences, museums and galleries, neighborhood-focused dining suggestions, and suggestions for mixing classic attractions with local discoveries.

Walking beside the Bosphorus past the splendours of Istanbul

A narrative travel piece that maps a scenic walk along the European Bosphorus shore, highlighting stops and local color from Sarıyer to Beşiktaş — includes ferry notes, historic sites (Rumeli Hisarı), museum stops, and recommended seaside cafés and neighborhoods.

Visit Istanbul Like a Local: Travel Guide (2025 Edition)

A practical independent-blog style guide focused on experiencing Istanbul like a resident — concise itineraries, neighborhood breakdowns, top attractions (Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern), tips on timing and ticketing, plus local food and market recommendations.

Istanbul Travel Guide 2025

A detailed, up-to-date travel guide covering must-see historical sites, practical visitor information, and planning tips for 2025 — includes context on major monuments, suggested itineraries, and notes on accessing sites and neighborhoods.

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)

Sultanahmet Meydanı, Fatih, Istanbul (Sultanahmet Square)

Originally built in 537 AD under Byzantine Emperor Justinian as the cathedral of Constantinople, Hagia Sophia served as the primary Byzantine church, was converted to a mosque after 1453, became a museum in the 20th century, and today functions as a major historic mosque reflecting Istanbul’s layered religious and architectural history.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)

Sultanahmet Meydanı, Fatih, Istanbul (Sultanahmet Square)

Commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I and completed in the early 17th century, the mosque is famed for its sweeping domes, six minarets and extensive interior Iznik tilework that give it the popular name 'Blue Mosque.'

Topkapı Palace

Cankurtaran, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Istanbul (Historic Peninsula, overlooking the Bosphorus entrance and Golden Horn)

Built after the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century as the primary residence and administrative center of Ottoman sultans, Topkapı Palace became a museum in the republican era and houses imperial collections, the Harem and treasury artifacts.

Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)

Beyazıt, Fatih, Istanbul (Historic Covered Market in the old city)

Established in the 15th century and expanded over centuries, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, historically central to trade routes and now a bustling maze of shops selling jewellery, textiles, ceramics and more.

Galata Tower

Bereketzade, Galata (near Karaköy / Beyoğlu), Istanbul

A medieval stone tower originally built by Genoese merchants in the 14th century; historically used for defense and observation, today it’s a landmark offering panoramic views across the Golden Horn and old city.

Visit Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)

A monumental 6th-century Byzantine basilica turned imperial mosque and modern religious site — celebrated for its vast dome, mosaics and layered history.

Central to Istanbul’s identity; unparalleled architecture and a visual narrative of Byzantine and Ottoman eras in one place.

Explore the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) and Sultanahmet Square

A visually striking 17th-century Ottoman mosque famous for its blue Iznik tiles, six minarets and harmonious courtyard facing Hagia Sophia.

Iconic skyline silhouette and immediate proximity to other major attractions make it ideal for a concentrated historic walk.

Tour Topkapı Palace and the Harem

The former Ottoman imperial residence and administrative heart with courtyards, pavilions, treasury displays and the intimate Harem quarter.

Offers deep insight into Ottoman court life, art, relics and panoramic views over the Bosphorus and Golden Horn.

Take a Bosphorus cruise (short or full) and walk the waterfronts

A boat trip along the Bosphorus strait that separates Europe and Asia, or a leisurely walk along quay neighborhoods like Eminönü, Karaköy and Ortaköy.

Best way to see waterfront palaces, fortresses and varied neighborhoods; great for photos, local ferry flavor and a sense of the city’s geography.

Shop and sample food at the Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar

Historic covered markets where you can browse carpets, ceramics, spices, sweets and small workshops — paired with street-food bites nearby.

One of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets: essential for souvenirs, sensory food experiences and lively bargaining culture.