Hello, fellow travelers!

I'm a seasoned adventurer, and I've learned that planning ahead is key to making the most of any trip. Before visiting Istanbul, I did my research and discovered some essential tips that helped me navigate the city like a pro.

Choosing the Right Neighborhood

When it comes to selecting a hotel, the neighborhood is crucial. I highly recommend staying in Fatih, particularly in the Sultanahmet microdistrict. This area is perfect for sightseeing, as it's within walking distance to top attractions like the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and the Sultanahmet Square.

I chose this neighborhood, and it was an excellent decision. We could easily walk to all the above-mentioned places in just a few minutes. Plus, we stumbled upon a dozen or so other famous historical locations along the way. Yes, it's crowded, especially with Russian-speaking tourists, but you can still take a leisurely stroll along the Bosphorus waterfront or explore the winding streets of the old city.

Of course, there are some downsides – overpriced restaurants with great views, crowds in the middle of the day, and pricey hotels that aren't that great. I prioritize saving time over money, and a trip abroad is too short to spend on a long commute.

The Beyoğlu district, where the famous Istiklal pedestrian street is located, is also a popular choice. It's a great place to go shopping.

Getting Around

Istanbul has an extensive public transportation system, including trams, buses, ferries, funiculars, metro, and taxis. I didn't use taxis at all, as I'd heard horror stories about scams and rides without a meter. But they're definitely everywhere in the city.

To use public transport, you'll need to get an Istanbulkart. You can buy one at the machines near the stops. I bought mine at the Sultanahmet tram stop for T1. To do this, you need to select Istambulkart Satin Al from the options on the screen.

Then, insert the required amount into the cash machine and wait a minute to collect your card from the lower compartment. It'll come out like a chocolate bar from a vending machine. During my trip, the card cost 165 lira. If the card doesn't come out immediately, don't panic – the machines aren't new, and they need a bit of time to process.

The card will be empty, so you'll need to top it up. This is even easier – just place the card on the designated area (it's also labeled) and insert the bills. Keep in mind that the machine won't give you change, and it doesn't accept coins. When you buy an Istanbulkart, all change will be credited to your account. The machine also charges a 2-lira commission. Since our exchange rate was 1 lira = 2 rubles, it wasn't a big deal.

One card can be used by multiple people, so if you're traveling with someone or a group, you don't need to waste money on separate cards.

By the way, I should mention that the Istanbulkart can be used for paid toilets or cafes. However, keep in mind that the card has a monthly refill limit of 2750 Turkish Lira. So, you can't just load it up with money and use it like a debit card.

Must-see Attractions

The main place to visit, of course, is the Sultan's Palace, which was featured in the Magnificent Century series - Topkapi. The ticket price keeps going up every year, and it's even more frequent, but I think it's worth visiting. I won't go into too much detail since I wrote a full review.

The second palace I decided to include in the must-see list is Dolmabahçe. It's cheaper, but I actually liked it more than Topkapi.

In addition to paid attractions, there's the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia. And if I visited the first one with a guide and still thought the ticket price was too high, I didn't even go to Hagia Sophia. In September 2025, the entrance cost 25 euros, which is too expensive for me. I'm not a religious person, so I just looked at the mosque from the outside.

The price for entering the Galata Tower also skyrocketed from 30 lira to 30 euros. It's a steep jump, but the tower is beautiful from the outside. I really enjoyed seeing it among the rooftops and winding streets. And we used the saved money to go to a cafe near the tower.

Free Attractions

Contrary to popular opinion, there are many free but no less beautiful places in Istanbul. First and foremost, it's the Gülhane Park.

This place is literally right next to the Topkapi Palace walls and has a tram stop with the same name. It's basically a huge park with several big pathways, bridges, fountains, and photo zones. There's a beautiful blooming archway, and they even host photo shoots here, but anyone can walk through it too.

You shouldn't forget that you can also check out the free cistern here. From the outside, it's not particularly impressive, but the weird sculptures are a good landmark.

Inside, there's also a modern art exhibit. It's no match for the Basilica Cistern, but you'll at least know what to expect from these water reservoirs.

And, of course, I'd recommend just taking a stroll. Walk around the Fati and Beyoglu areas. Check out the Sirkeci train station, where the Eastern Express used to depart (it was under renovation during my trip). Look at the obelisks on Sultanahmet Square, visit the Blue Mosque or the small Hagia Sophia, and pop into the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Market. Although prices are touristy, the atmosphere is unforgettable, and you can even make purchases from street vendors.

You have to visit Suleymaniye. It's not just where you can see the mausoleums of Suleiman and Hurrem, but also take great photos from the free viewing platform.

Don't forget to just walk down the parallel streets instead of just sticking to the famous spots. The area near the Istanbul University and the nearby mosque are also pretty nice.

On your way to Istiklal or Dolmabahce, you can also stop by the viewing platform near the Kabatas pier. It's comfortable for a leisurely walk, and the views are great.

I found there are actually more spots, but I've only listed the ones that were convenient for me. It's enough to just look at the map and get your bearings for where you'll be living.

Orienting yourself is super easy, so don't be afraid to wander and get a feel for the city's atmosphere. Although, I did have to navigate some pretty intimidating alleys and steep stairs a few times.

Clothing and Appearance

As for tourists' appearance, people are generally pretty chill about it. You don't need to go out and buy long, closed-off clothes or pants. But do keep in mind the dress code for visiting mosques and churches. When I was walking through Istiklal, I decided not to go into the Greek church because I was wearing shorts. Some people, though, decided to go in anyway and were turned back at the door. Even outside of Ayasofya, there's a sign saying that clothing should be below the knee and cover your shoulders. These same rules apply to all religious sites. In some places, like Sultanahmet, you can even borrow a scarf and a skirt at the entrance. But it's worth noting that not everyone is going to be okay with wearing the same clothes as a hundred other people, and I'm not even going to get started on how funny it looks when guys show up in shorts.

I'd definitely recommend ditching any high heels for your trip to Istanbul. Walking in the city is basically impossible in them. Even in sneakers, I found myself struggling with the hills and stairs sometimes. So, do yourself a favor and take care of your feet beforehand.

Exchanging Currency and Shopping

The topic of exchanging currency is always relevant when traveling. I spent ages trying to figure out which currency to bring with me on my trip. At first, everyone was saying that the new dollar bills wouldn't be available in our city's banks, and then that they wouldn't be accepted in Turkey because of the constant counterfeits. When I ended up buying euros, I was told it wouldn't be the best option, and the situation with dollars was just nonsense. In the end, a few friends who went to Turkey this summer encountered the problem of exchanging dollars and paying for things in the airport. All the prices were set up for euros. I, on the other hand, had no issues exchanging my euros for lira, even though I saw that dollars were also accepted. But any tour companies and photographers I worked with also insisted on being paid in euros or lira. A few weeks after my trip, the dollar situation changed again and they stopped accepting them. So, it's definitely worth finding out before your trip which currency is the best to bring.

I found the best exchange rates near Grand Bazaar and Istiklal Street, but I usually changed money near the Sultanahmet tram stop. It was a bit lower, but walking to a good exchange office was a hassle, and the difference was only a lira or two.

As for souvenirs, there are tons of them all over the city. Near Galata Tower, on Grand Bazaar, and on the Egyptian Market, the prices were way too high. A big souvenir shop near Gulhane Park was even charging exorbitant prices. But on the street stalls all over the city and in small shops, you can find great deals.

If you walk from Suleymaniye to the Egyptian Market, the whole street is lined with affordable home decor and souvenirs. You can pop into all the shops along the way and make some great purchases. I picked up some nice gifts at really good prices.

Just remember that prices in Duty-Free are way higher than in the city. If a snack set cost 400 rubles in a shop, it would be over 1,000 in the airport.

I bought a cute little shop item for 200 rubles, but in Duty-Free, it was selling for 800. So, it's not like Duty-Free is a great deal.

As for grocery stores, I really liked Swoy and Migros. They're all over the city, and you can find not just snacks, but also interesting sweets, tea, and coffee.

But Sok, which I'd seen in so many videos, was a letdown. I went in on my first day and found it to be pretty dirty and sometimes empty. And the prices were even higher than elsewhere.

When I'm not buying food at the markets, I love to grab a bite at a restaurant. If you're on a budget, there are plenty of affordable options to choose from – just look for the Lokantasi sign on the map and you'll find a bunch of them. One of my favorites is Balcan, which has a huge selection of hot dishes, desserts, and drinks.

I also stumbled upon Degirmencioglu, which is another affordable option. The selection is smaller, but they serve amazing apple compote that's a must-try!

Just a stone's throw away from my hotel was a cute little coffee shop that serves coffee on sand – talk about a unique experience! The barista even gave me a tip on when to take a photo for the perfect shot.

Of course, no trip to Istanbul would be complete without trying some of the local cafes. While the menus are pretty similar, it's worth doing some research beforehand to find the best ones. Just be aware that prices tend to be higher near popular attractions – but sometimes it's worth splurging for the views and the memories.

You can also find street vendors selling simits, chestnuts, and corn throughout the city – and the prices are always the same. In September 2025, a regular simit cost 20 lira, while the ones with cheese or Nutella were 50 lira. It's basically just a sesame-topped bun, but it's a classic!

The chestnuts are sold by the kilo and taste a bit like roasted potatoes – not mind-blowing, but definitely enjoyable.

Another popular fast food option is kumpir, which is basically a Turkish version of a baked potato. It's a bit pricey, but it's super filling and some of the stalls are even decorated to match, which adds to the fun.

Street Cats of Istanbul

You can't even begin to talk about Istanbul without mentioning its adorable street cats. They're literally everywhere, and it's not uncommon to see them lounging in the sun or begging for food in the parks and gardens of Sultanahmet.

Walking around Istanbul, you'll see cats everywhere - in shops, on display with the products, and even on ticket machines. But seeing them lounging on storefronts and even on ticket machines near bus stops is something you don't see every day.

They even roam around the Topkapi grounds and lounge on cafe tables in Balat. Locals set up not just food and water bowls, but even whole little houses for the felines on the streets.

And on the busiest spots, there are even vending machines for buying cat food.

Overall Impression

I have to say, I really enjoyed Istanbul overall. People say you either love or hate the city, but I disagree. The city has its own unique atmosphere that you really need to experience. I loved the charming streets filled with old houses. Their interesting architecture combines both European and Eastern influences.

But the crazy height differences are more of a minus than a plus. Not everyone can handle the steep drops and climbs, and there are a ton of them in Istanbul. I didn't encounter any scams or theft, but I did get tired of the street vendors and tourists crowding the streets. Locals are actually really open and friendly. Shopkeepers will even have tea in little tulip cups right outside their stores and chat with each other. And then they just leave the cups on the street for the waiters from the nearby cafes to pick up. Drivers will often stop or drive slowly to let pedestrians cross, especially in areas where the whole sidewalk is taken up by vendors.

So, my top tip is to plan ahead and decide where you want to go and what you want to see. Get out of your hotel a bit earlier, and you'll be able to take amazing photos on almost empty streets and squares. Check the ratings of cafes on specialized websites and don't be afraid to try street food. Make sure to leave some time to just wander and soak up this unique atmosphere. Then, you'll want to come back to Istanbul and share your experiences with everyone.

Check out other reviews of Istanbul attractions:

Topkapi Palace;

Basilica Cistern;

Suleiman's Palace

Dolmabahce Palace

Istiklal Street

Beyoglu's Bright Balat District