10 Best Istanbul Travel Tips

With nearly 15 million inhabitants, in Istanbul you will find museums, monuments, bazaars and magical places that seem suspended in time. But also a lot of modernity with shopping malls and restaurants that will show you the best of local cuisine.

A duality that mixes the Muslim, Christian and Jewish world, which will make this destination a mystical and enchanting experience. If this is your first time visiting the city, here are some key facts to help you plan your experience.

Before your trip to Istanbul, it is a good idea to confirm your arrival airport to avoid last minute confusion, as there are two airports in the city: Atatürk International Airport, which is relatively well connected to the city, and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, where most charter and low-cost airlines operate.

A good option is to check what transfers are available between each airport and Istanbul to book a safe transfer to your accommodation. The ride may take an hour or a little more depending on traffic, but it is a comfortable alternative that will save you time and avoid the stress of moving around in a city as chaotic as Istanbul.

If you want to transfer on your own, and depending on your arrival time, you can also use the city's public transportation.

Get to the airport free of charge with the Istanbul Tourist Pass

A convenient, efficient and economical way to get from the Turkish capital to the airport is by purchasing the Istanbul Tourist Pass.

All you have to do is purchase your Istanbul Tourist Pass to enjoy its many benefits, including free transportation to the Istanbul airport:

• Free access to approximately 85 attractions in the city, such as the Galata Tower Museum.
• Enjoy guided tours of the Topkapi Palace Museum and Hagia Sophia Mosque.
• Have fun on a dinner cruise on the Bosphorus with Turkish shows.
• Take a Segway tour of Istanbul.
• Book 24 hours in advance and free transfer from Istanbul to the airport.

The Istanbul Tourist Pass is valid for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days and with it you can save up to 80% thanks to all its advantages.

Upon arrival, and depending on your nationality, you may be required to obtain a visa or other documentation to enter the country.

A quick check before your trip on the website of the Turkish Embassy in your country can guide you on the mandatory requirements to be presented to the authorities.

You may also need to pay for a 90-day tourist permit, either upon arrival or in advance online.

The official language is Turkish and you will have no problem communicating in English.

Although many restaurants and stores speak Spanish, it is a good idea to learn some greetings and words in Turkish, with which you can win the sympathy of the locals.

Here are some basic expressions:

• Hello: Merhaba
• Thank you: Teşekkürler
• Please: Lütfen
• How much does it cost: Ne kadar

On the other hand, if you really want to soak up all the history, culture and architecture of Istanbul and languages are not your thing, a fantastic option is to hire a guided tour of Istanbul in which a guide will explain in Spanish everything you need to know about this wonderful city.

The official currency of the country is the Turkish lira and the exchange rate in your local currency can be checked before your trip. 1 euro is equivalent to 31 Turkish lira approximately.

Although in many places you can pay by card, it is advisable to bring cash, which you can take out of ATMs or currency centers at the airport, although without much advantage in the particular exchange of euros to lira.

My suggestion is to change a small amount before traveling and consult the network of ATMs of entities collaborating with the bank you use to see if it is worthwhile to make cash withdrawals, because although they give a fairer rate to Turkish lira than the exchange agencies, depending on the ATM, withdrawing money may be subject to commissions.

There is a lot to see and do in Istanbul, so where you stay is key to best enjoy the city. I start by explaining that the city is divided into two main areas: the more European area close to the tourist attractions and the more residential and local eastern side of the city.

• The Sultanahmet neighborhood has good accommodation options, plus it is very safe. I recommend it if it is your first time in the city for its proximity to major tourist attractions and ease of getting around. You can start your activities early and avoid the cumbersome queues.
• The neighborhoods of Galata and Karaköy are located a little further east, past the Galata Bridge, and are also very popular. They have a slightly wider choice of nightlife, party spots and dining options, are relatively central and well connected to other places of interest in the city.

You will find accommodation options for all tastes and budgets in both areas, however, I recommend staying in the central area and take more advantage of the time, as traffic in the city at certain times can be chaotic. You can always check the schedules and frequencies of public transportation.

From end to end, Istanbul is a city with hundreds of places to visit and with the option of getting around by streetcar, metro, ferry, city bus or funicular:

• The T1 streetcar line has stops at almost every point of interest, and is the best option if it's your first visit to the city or you don't understand the language well, as the metro lines can be difficult to understand.
• Taking the ferry is a nice experience to cross the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn, cross to the Asian side of Üsküdar and enjoy the sights that Istanbul has to offer.

Transportation is relatively inexpensive and, in addition, Istanbulkart rechargeable card allows you to access all means of public transport available including the ferry. You can buy it online and it is valid for the days you plan to be in the city.

Cabs in Istanbul

Although a cab ride in different parts of the city center does not exceed 4 or 5 euros, it can become a real odyssey to get a free one. In addition, to avoid scams, I always recommend you to move in a certified cab.

If you have no choice but to take it on the street, I advise you to look for the route suggested by a GPS, negotiate in advance with the driver, check the meter and be very attentive at the time of payment so that they give you the corresponding change.

Other options for getting around Istanbul while sightseeing

On the other hand, there are options that, in addition to moving you between different points of the city, allow you to see different monuments and admire the views, so they are an excellent option to be taken into account:

• Booking a guided tour of Istanbul you will get to know the main monuments of the city without worrying completely about transportation, since it is done in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• Booking a cruise on the Bosphorus you will be able to see numerous mosques and palaces, as well as the bridges connecting Europe and Asia.
• Booking a sunsetyacht tour you will get to know the whole Bosphorus area and a guide will explain the history of the most important buildings of the European and Asian coasts.

If bargaining runs through your veins, you are in the right place to play with your cunning and have an advantage when it comes to shopping. If not, I recommend you to be very patient and calm, because this is a city where shopkeepers and waiters are usually very insistent so that you do not leave their business without buying anything, so knowing the tricks to bargain in Istanbul will be key.

In addition, if you do you can enjoy places like the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, where you will find a great commercial offer.

In many places, especially in the bazaars, markets or street food stalls, they do not have electronic payment methods. It is recommended that, if you are going to visit one of them, you carry Turkish lira in your pocket or consult where to withdraw to make a good offer and get into the colorful commercial spaces that the city has.

When it comes to food, you will find amazing food tours in Istanbul. Turkey' s culinary culture is world famous and places to try, fortunately, are not lacking. Although Istanbul is located between two seas and fish and seafood dominate the restaurant menus, let me tell you that you have many more options of Turkish gastronomy to include in your menu:

• Its famous kebabs.
• The lahmacun (Turkish pizza).
• The chicken with honey and spices.
• The meze, the appetizers served before the main meal.
• Turkish coffee.
• Fresh fruit juices, such as orange and cherry.
• Raki, the typical Turkish liquor, also known as lion's milk.

The street stalls or self-service food restaurants that abound in the city are a varied option, suitable for all tastes (vegetarian paradise, moreover), safe and with really good costs to try every day the best typical dishes of Turkey.

If you intend to take your experience even further, the meyhane, lokantas and traditional restaurants can be places where you can live an experience full of flavors that you will not forget. In fact, hiring a private gastronomic tour through the lesser known neighborhoods of the Turkish capital can be a unique opportunity to taste the most traditional food of Istanbul.

A panoramic view of the city will always allow you to better decide the agenda of places you want to visit according to your traveling nature. That's why I'm a fan of guided sightseeing bus tours, which in a few hours allow you to have a mental map of the city and plan a route that suits your needs or time. You tour the city at your own pace, hopping on or off wherever you want, so it is also ideal for those traveling for just 1 day in Istanbul.

This tour includes 12 stops near the best attractions of the city, audio guides in several languages and are suitable for children, people with reduced mobility or disability.

Discovering the city of Istanbul by night is highly recommended. Exploring the nighttime magic of one of humanity's most iconic cities is an experience you won't forget:

• If you go on foot, on your tour you can come across cozy bars and pubs to share a drink, with many different styles and atmospheres. For drinks and snacks, after visiting the most beautiful mosques or having had an afternoon of shopping, you can find places with snacks and other dishes, as a prelude to Istanbul's night party.
• If you want a novel experience, I also recommend a Segway ride.

But without a doubt, the best option is to book a yacht ride on the Bosphorus at sunset, letting yourself be bewitched by the spell of old Constantinople, its music and its unique night postcards.

If you've made it this far, you already have an idea of what the city's most popular tourist attractions are. However, there are some excursions and activities unique to this city, bridge between two worlds. Here are my favorites:

Turkish baths

The Turkish baths of Istanbul, which are replicated in every latitude of the planet, originate from ancient Constantinople.

Better known as Hammam, Istanbul has hundreds of such rooms where you can relax, receive an exfoliating wash or a massage, while enjoying these architectural gems of the city.

I recommend you to book in advance a Turkish bath experience from which you will leave absolutely relaxed and with renewed strength to continue your trip.

Excursion to Cappadocia

If you are going to be in Istanbul for three days or more, you can not fail to include in your agenda an excursion to Cappadocia, a perfect place to enjoy a Turkish sunrise with incredible views from a hot air balloon.

If you book this 2-day excursion to Cappadocia you will visit the Uchisar Castle, the open air museum of Goreme and the subway city of Derinkuyu and you will take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Not to be missed!

Dervish dance

Another plan you can't miss in the city is to attend a dervish dance. This is one of the most hypnotic and curious experiences that Istanbul has. It is a religious ceremony that has its origin in a Sufist ritual, a spiritual current detached from material goods.

Watchinga show of the Dervish Gyrovagi in Istanbul with their long robes spinning in absolute coordination is a mystical experience that you cannot miss to take the soul of Turkey in your heart.

Magical and mysterious, radiant, cosmopolitan and traditional, this place gathers the best of East and West in the same space. I can only wish you to enjoy your stay in the city.