Must do in Istanbul

If you are visiting Istanbul, do not go unless you make the following suggestions we will recommend to you. You should definitely try the following activities to see and taste Istanbul in full.

1- Visit the Spice Bazaar: This is the second largest covered market after the Grand Bazaar. Here you’ll be able to pick up spices, nuts, dried fruit, Turkish coffee, loose leaf tea, and even Turkish delight!

The Spice Bazaar is located in Eminönü, right next to the New Mosque and the Flower Bazaar. It is the best place in the city to find spices, herbal teas, and traditional Turkish foods such as Turkish Delight (lokum).

How can I get to the Spice Bazaar?

From Sultanahmet take Eminönü directional tram and get off at Eminonu stop. Walk in the square with the New Mosque on the left and head towards the vendors of cheese, dry meat and hazelnuts in the narrow streets before turning to the bazaar to the left.

2- Go to a whirling dervish show: Turkey is home to the Mevlevi Order of Sufi whirling dervishes. The dervishes spin themselves into a trance-like state that brings them closer to God, and it’s a unique religious ceremony to witness.

See Turkey’s whirling dervishes perform a traditional ‘sema’ Mevleviye dance ceremony at the iconic Hodjapasha Dance Theater in Istanbul! The centuries-old ceremony is a spiritual performance featuring graceful choreography, Persian chanting and traditional Turkish music, played by the on-site orchestra.

3- Listen to the call of prayer between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The most beautiful call of prayer I listened to took place between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (which although is no longer a mosque, still keeps a prayer room). One muezzin would sing out part of the prayer and then the second muezzin would respond from the other minaret. It was a magical thing to experience, so if you find yourself in the area during prayer time, I suggest you grab a seat at one of the park benches and just listen.

4- Walk across Galata Bridge. Yes, you could very well ride the light rail across, but if you choose to walk, you’ll get to see all the locals fishing from the bridge, the vendors selling sesame covered pretzels, and the boats carrying passengers down the Bosphorus.

The Galata Bridge is a bridge that spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. A walk across Galata Bridge is the best way to experience the life of Istanbul.

5- Eat a sesame seed covered pretzel. You can pick up one of these tasty pretzels at any bakery in town, but I suggest you grab one from the little red stands along Istiklal Avenue. It just adds to the experience.

Simit, the lifesaver of Turkish baked goods. It’s a warm crispy bread covered in sesame seeds that almost looks like a giant pretzel or a “life saver”. One bite and you will be looking for this Turkish version of the bagel every morning. The outer layer of the simit is crispy, but the inside is chewy making it a perfect breakfast food. Spread jam, Nutella or a cream cheese and you have yourself a cheap, filling Turkish style breakfast.

6- Take a boat tour down the Bosphorus. If you only have a few brief days in the city and you know you won’t be able to cover all of the main attractions, taking a cruise down the Bosphorus is a great way to get a glimpse of Istanbul’s main points of interest. You’ll ride past Dolmabahçe Palace, the Rumeli Ruins, the Maiden’s Tower, and many mosques, mansions, and gardens along the way.

Bosphorus Strait is the natural symbol and icon of Istanbul. For the locals of Istanbul, the Bosphorus Strait is simply the most beautiful place in the world, and there’s no better way to see it, than from the water. This important waterway is such a defining feature of Istanbul and the Bosphorus cruise along it gives visitors a chance to delve into the city’s past and today.

7- Drink Turkish tea. If you come to Istanbul you have to drink tea out of a tulip-shaped glass. Turkish tea is prepared in a rather unique way using a teapot that has two level: one to boil the water, and the other to brew the tea. You then pour the tea into the glass and dilute it with the hot water so that it’s made to your taste.

8- Marvel at Hagia Sophia. This architectural wonder has a long history which has seen it go from Eastern Orthodox cathedral, to Roman Cathedral, back to Eastern Orthodox cathedral, to mosque, and now it’s a museum. The exterior may not seem too impressive, but once you’re inside and you catch a glimpse of the heavenly domes and ancient mosaics, you will be in awe.

9- Visit Little Hagia Sophia. The Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus, also known as Little Hagia Sophia, is a former Eastern Orthodox church. It is believed that this church was built as an architectural experiment by the same architects who would go on to build Hagia Sophia shortly after. Better test things out on a smaller scale before committing to the main project, right?

10-Go underground at the Basilica Cistern. The Basilica Cistern is the largest of the ancient underground water cisterns found across Istanbul. Most of the columns in the cistern appear to have been recycled from the ruins of other buildings, and among them you’ll find two carvings of Medusa’s head used as column bases, as well as a column with tear shaped engravings believed to have the power to make your wishes come true.

11- Sample Turkish delight. Also known as lokum to locals, Turkish delight is a popular gummy treat. The best place to sample Turkish delight is at Hafiz Mustafa, where you can choose from flavours that include rose, cinnamon, mint, strawberry, lemon, orange, kiwi, pomegranate and apple. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

12- Indulge your sweet tooth with baklava. The Turks really know what they are doing when it comes to sweets. Baklava is made with layers of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. Forget the scones and clotted cream; this is what you need at tea time!

13- Drink a glass of Ayran. This is one of those drinks that you either love or hate. Ayran is considered the national drink in Turkey and it is a cold yogurt beverage mixed with salt. It’s especially popular during the summer months.

14- Test your bargaining skills at the Grand Bazaar. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is a place for serious shoppers. With more than 3,000 shops and covering an estimated 61 streets, this place is dizzying yet so worth a visit. You’ll notice that some streets specialize in certain goods with those shops selling nothing but leather, silverware, carpets, ceramics or spices. There will be lots of glittery things to catch your eye, so you may want to come prepared to spend.

15- Smoke hookah. Argilah, nargile, sheesha, hubbly bubbly – whatever you call it, there is an ample supply of hookah bars in Istanbul where you can lounge around while you smoke the water pipe and sip on a class of tea or coffee.

16- Eat a doner. Doner is a Turkish dish made with meat cooked on a spinning vertical rotisserie. The meat can be lamb, beef, or chicken, and it’s served in a pita with vegetables and a few toppings. It’s a tasty and affordable lunch which you can find in any part of the city.

17- Enjoy the view from Galata Tower. Located in Beyoğlu, this tower looks like it would be better suited as Rapunzel’s home in a fairy tale. There is something magical about the pointed cylindrical roof, and the views from the outer balcony are breathtaking.

18- Buy yourself a glass lamp. The colourful glass lamps you’ll see hanging in almost every establishment in the city make a great souvenir to take back home. If you are looking for a bargain on these, I suggest you try purchasing them outside the Grand Bazaar and away from the main touristy areas; you’d be surprised at how drastically the prices drop. A medium sized lamp should run you $15-20 USD.

19- Dine with the best view of Istanbul. If you want a restaurant with a great view that won’t break your wallet, I recommend Seven Hills Restorant. The 180-degree views showcase the Süleymaniye Mosque, Rüstempaşa Mosque, Galata Tower, and the Bosphorus.

20- Go to a belly-dancing show. If you’re after a performance with more of an entertainment factor, then you’re in luck because Hodjapasha Dance Theatre (the same venue that puts of the Whirling Dervish performance), also has folkloric and belly-dancing performances. Prepare to be whisked back into 1001 Arabian Nights.

21- Visit Istanbul Archaeological Museums. The Istanbul Archaeological Museums actually consists of 3 different museums which are located near Topkapi Palace. These are the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Museum of Islamic Art. If you enjoy getting up close with history, you’ll enjoy a visit here.

22- Visit the Chora Church. The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora may not be the largest of the Byzantine churches, but it’s certainly known for being one of the most beautiful. The highlight are the various mosaic panels which recreate biblical scenes and still dazzle centuries later.

23- See the Valens Aqueducts. When the Romans passed through Istanbul, they began construction of a water system that would supply the city’s growing needs for fresh water. The water that travelled down these aqueducts was stored in open reservoirs and underground cisterns across the city. Today, the surviving section of the Valens Aqueduct is 921 metres long.

24- Visit Beylerbeyi Palace. This palace, whose name means Lord of Lords, is situated on the Asian side of Istanbul. The palace was built along the banks of the Bosphorus and it was used as the summer residence by the Ottomans.

25- Take a cooking class. Taking a cooking class in a new city is a fun way to be introduced to new dishes, but also a way to bring the city’s flavour back to your own kitchen. If you can’t get enough of the köfte, lahmacun, and pide, then learning how to cook these dishes is a must.

26- Feel like a giant at Miniatürk. This rather unique miniature park is home to small-scale recreations of structures found in Istanbul, Anatolia, and other Ottoman territories that today lie outside of Turkish borders.

27- Take a day trip to the Princes’ Islands. The Princes’ Islands is a cluster of 9 islands which lie off the Asian shores of Istanbul. The islands get this name because during the Byzantine and early Ottoman period, members of dynasties who fell out of favour were often sent to exile there. Today it is a popular place for families and couples to visit on the weekends, and the only form of transportation is horse and cart – very romantic.

28- Visit the Blue Mosque. Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque’s two most striking features are its 6 minarets and blue domed exterior. You’ll want to dress modestly and if you’re a woman you’ll need to wear a scarf over your head as this is still a functioning mosque.

29- Go to the Maiden’s Tower. There is much debate about the story behind this tower which sits on a small islet located at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus. Local tale says that the tower was built by a wealthy man who was trying to protect his daughter from a prophecy spoken by an oracle – a prophecy foretelling the death of the man’s daughter by a snake bite. To prevent these words from coming true, the father built a tower to keep his daughter safe in the water. Of course a snake would eventually find it’s way to the tower when the father came to visit with a basket full of fruit.<

30- Stroll along Emirgan Park. This is one of the largest public parks in Istanbul and it is located along the banks of the Bosphorus. Emirgan Park also plays host to the annual Tulip Festival, so you’ll want to check that out if you are in town in the spring.

31- Hop over to the Asian continent. Most visitors tend to stick to the European side, but if you venture over to the Asian side via ferry, you’ll find that the city has more of a local feel. The pace of life seems a bit slower and there are hardly any tourists around.

32- Eat Turkish ice cream. Turkish ice cream is called dondurma which literally means freezing. What makes Turkish ice cream different from other types of ice cream is that it has a rather sticky texture and it is a bit more resistant to melting. Don’t believe me? Take a bite and try not to get the stringy ice cream all over your face.

33- Visit the Süleymaniye Mosque. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia may be better known, but the Süleymaniye Mosque is the largest mosque in Istanbul. For that it is worth the visit.

34-Race around the Hippodrome. Today a public square, the Hippodrome of Constantinople was a place for horse racing and chariot racing. During the Byzantine empire, this place would have been the beating heart of social activity.

35- Go to the Ortakoy. This mosque stands along the waterfront of Ortaköy pier square. While it is much smaller than many of the mosques in the city, Ortaköy Mosque is unique in the sense that it is a perfect example of Baroque architecture.

36- Get a taste of royal life at Topkapi Palace. Topkapi Palace is the largest royal residence in Istanbul and it served as the main residence to the Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years. The grounds are massive, but perhaps the most impressive part of it all are the Harem Apartments – a place with more than 400 rooms for the Sultan’s many concubines, wives, children, and extended family members.

37- Pretend you're a sultan at Dolmabahce Palace. This palace was home to 6 different sultans towards the end of the Ottoman period. While in the past the Sultan and his family had lived in Topkapi Palace, times were changing and the Ottoman’s felt Topkapi was lacking the luxury and style of the new era. Naturally, a new palace had to be built. And what’s a new palace without the world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier? (Courtesy of Queen Victoria.)

38- Walk along the Walls of Constantinople. When Constantinople became the new capital of the Roman Empire, defensive walls were erected to fortify the city. The 7 kilometre walk along the remaining portions of the wall offers a window into the past.