What to see in Istanbul on your own in 3 days of rest? Where to visit with children and where to go in the evening? Consider all the best attractions in the Asian side and the surrounding area with photos and descriptions. We will find out ticket prices, find exciting excursions in Russian and interesting programs, draw up a map.
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, also known as Constantinople and Constantinople. It is a city full of magnificent mosques, exquisite works of art, unusual monuments, palaces and other places worth visiting during even a short vacation.
What to see in Istanbul on your own in 3-5 days?
The Turkish city, famous for its amazing architecture and history, has received a wide variety of historical and modern cultural monuments that will be entertaining for travelers. Interesting places in Istanbul and its surroundings are located literally at every step. This is probably why it is so difficult to choose the most entertaining locations. By the way, most of the objects can be seen in 1 day on a sightseeing tour or a rented car.
- Basilica cistern (Basilica Cistern): The structure dates back to the 16th century and is decorated with bright lights and music making it a romantic place to visit. An intricate, but complex system previously brought water to the city from Thrace, that is, it was a large underground reservoir. Location: Yerebatan Cd, Faith. Working hours: from 9:00 to 17:30. Entrance: 20 TL.
- Aya sofya (Hagia Sophia): The famous church, later converted into a mosque, is popular with locals and visitors alike. The building was built in the 6th century and is decorated with unique works of art in the corridors. Many graves of the sultans have recently been discovered. The building houses the best carpets in the city.
- Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Palace): Located in the historical center of Istanbul, the main palace of the Ottoman Empire is now one of the largest museums in the world. The sultans have used this building as their home for years. Nowadays, you can enjoy the unique architecture and exotic green courtyards. Location: Babıhümayun Caddesi. Opening hours: from 9 am to 6:45 pm, until 4:45 pm in winter. Entrance: 30 TL, 15 TL for a harem.
- Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamam (Ayasofya Khurrem Sultan Hamam): The 16th century building on Sultan Square is made of marble and has huge domes with running water. This is one of the most popular places in the city.
- Blue mosque (Blue Mosque): The 17th century building is one of the few mosques in the world that has 6 minarets. Its walls are made of Iznik slabs, which give it a blue tint. Sedefkar Aga built this side entrance mosque that looks exactly like the hippodrome. Inside is the tomb of the great Sultan Ahmed I. This mosque is the most peaceful place where you can spend time alone with yourself. Where: At Meydanı No: 7, Fatih (Meydanı No: 7, Fatih). Working time: 24 hours. The mosque closes to non-worshipers during prayer. Entrance: Free.
- Süleymaniye Mosque (Suleymaniye Mosque): This mosque was created by a certain Sinan, a famous Ottoman architect. The intricate architecture on the walls speaks to how experienced the workers were at the time. The building has recently been restored to its original grandeur.
- Saint Sophie Cathedral: one of the few beautiful Byzantine buildings is the church and mosque, which has been used since 1935 as one of the most visited museums in Turkey. The interior of Hagia Sophia shows the contrast between the two religions through a treasure trove of artwork, mosaics and Islamic calligraphic symbols. Location: Hagia Sophia Square. Opening hours: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (closed during some religious holidays) Entrance: 40 TL.
The Russian ruble to Turkish lira exchange rate is about 1 RUB: 0.092 TRY. After a long walk in Istanbul, it is recommended to reward yourself with a traditional Turkish lunch, which is offered by almost all catering establishments.
- Grand bazar (Big Market): Have you decided to go shopping in Istanbul and buy beautiful things, souvenirs, herbs, tea, etc.? We definitely set aside half a day for a shopping trip. The bazaar is located in the Sultanhamet region (Kapaly Charshi tram stop), at Kalpakjilar street, 34000.
Prices for excursions in Istanbul with a Russian-speaking guide
Excursions in Istanbul in Russian are a fairly common practice, so the Tripster.ru website, which we use constantly, posts unique programs on its resource, providing all the new routes.
Of the popular excursions with really interesting travel programs, the following can be distinguished:
- Contrasting Istanbul: Romance and History: 6-hour bus and walking tour, revealing the most important questions regarding the Turkish city. Price per person: € 39. View.
- Along the banks of the Golden Horn: a sea voyage, during which you can get to know the city and its history. Cost: € 45 per tour. Look.
- Photo adventure: the picturesque beauty of the slums: getting to know the Turkish outskirts, the unique atmosphere and way of life. Price: € 75. View.
- King of the Princes' Islands: Buyukada is ready to welcome guests with a variety of fauna, atypical architecture, haunted buildings and more. The trip will cost € 80. View.
- Love stories in stone: a chance to look at the most important mosques of the Ottoman architect and hear about their legendary appearance at a cost of € 100 per guided tour. Look.
There are also other interesting events that you can follow in real time on your own. For your convenience, we have broken down the programs by points, we especially advise you to take a closer look at the gastronomic tours with desserts tasting:
Where to go with children?
There are also places to visit in the city for visitors who have brought their little ones on the trip. In addition to those already mentioned, you can see:
- Miniaturk: This is a park with 122 1:25 scale models of Turkish landmarks. Here are Damascus Station, Hagia Sophia, Temple of Artemis and Mausoleum of Mausoleum. You can explore the park by Miniaturk Mini. Address: Sütlüce, İmrahor Cd., 7. Working hours: 9:00 - 19:00. Entrance: 10 TL.
- Turkish baths: Turkey is famous for its Turkish baths (hammams) and Istanbul has a variety of possibilities, from specialized resorts in beautiful Ottoman buildings to small hammams in hotels. First of all, we recommend Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam and Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami, baths are located in the city center and are popular with tourists, prices start from 170 TL.
- Turkish cuisine offers very tasty food and Kofte is obviously one of them. Koft is the Turkish version of the meatball. It is flavored with spices and served with potato chips, rice or bulgur. It is worth offering your child such a snack.
These are the places where you can walk in Istanbul in the evening as comfortably as in the daytime. Especially when it comes to family vacations. But in addition, be sure to take a walk along the Bosphorus at sunset, there is something to photograph and see in the rays of the passing day.
What other must-see attractions?
For those travelers who have already looked at everything from the above list, we have picked up a few more important objects as a route.
What to see in 1 day:
- Istanbul Archeology Museums: A stroll through the Istanbul version of the British Museum will take you back to times gone by. Here you can see the great sarcophagus of the great Alexander. Scenes from his life are shown in a 3D show. Children will be able to enjoy the Trojan Horse, which will be shown in the children's section. Where: 34122 Fatih. Working hours: from 9:00 to 19:00. Entrance: 15 TL.
- Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum: The museum also has an extensive collection of huge Turkish carpets. The basement houses nomadic interiors dating back to the early 19th century.
- Grand Bazaar: A landmark in Istanbul offering an unrivaled shopping experience. It is one of the largest covered markets in the world at 61st Street, with over 3,000 shops and stalls selling Turkish ceramics, teas, leather goods, jewelry and many treasures. Address: Beyazıt Mh. Opening hours: Closed on Sunday. It works every day from early morning until late at night. The busiest day is usually Saturday. Entrance: Free.
What to see in 2 days:
- Istanbul Modern Art Museum: Showcases contemporary art collections by Turkish artists from the 19th to the 21st century. The cinema regularly hosts documentaries on the history and art of filmmaking, as well as Turkish films. Location: Meklis-i-Mobusan-Kad. Opening hours: 10: 00-18: 00. Entrance: 15 TL.
- The Kariye Museum: Previously used as a church and mosque, the building is now dedicated to Byzantine art and mosaics covering the chronological history of Jesus' life. Location: Kariye Camii Sokak. Working hours: from 9:00 to 16:30. Entrance: 15 TL.
What to see in Istanbul in 3 days:
- Emirgan Park: Since 2005, the annual International Tulip Festival has been held here, giving the park the brightest colors. It is very popular with locals as it is equipped with many jogging tracks and picnic tables. There are three historic pavilions here, and they are named according to the color of Yellow, Pink and White.
Now vacationers should have no questions about what are the best places in Istanbul to see for free - the city has an incredible number of locations for recreation without additional waste.
Where to go from the city for one day?
You can leave the city in the vicinity, where tourists will have many opportunities to relax in body and soul, especially in a rented car. There are mysterious ruins of different eras, islands, lighthouses, a seaside town, the open sea. Among such places, for example, the Princes' Islands, where in ancient times were exiled unwanted for imprisonment in monasteries.
- When it comes to car rental, we recommend using EconomyBookings:
- The most budget-conscious tourists will need a metro map:
Attractions of Istanbul on the map
The best observation decks of the city with panoramic views
Life hack how to save money on vacation:
These tips will help you plan your trip cheaper on your own:
- The Sravni service will help you profitably insure your health and life while traveling, the search engine shows results from all major insurance companies, you just have to choose the most profitable option, but it is better not to save on health.
- We advise you to look for the best prices for hotels on RoomGuru, the search engine searches among all hotel databases on the Internet, even in such giants as Booking, and compares prices. We recommend installing the RumGuru application on your smartphone, so you can find any living space even upon arrival at the beach resort, very convenient on a business trip or an unplanned vacation.
Accommodation with discounts and good conditions:
