How To Plan 3 Amazing Istanbul Activities
Table of Contents
Why Plan Istanbul Activities?
Istanbul is super BIG! I’ve been to lots of big places and capital cities, but Istanbul was just next-level and for me hard to navigate. It has a huge amount of rich history from Byzantium and Constantinople eras.
Istanbul is an incredibly vibrant and diverse city that is part of two continents – Europe and Asia – which are separated by the Bosphorus Strait. As Turkey’s largest city and cultural hub, Istanbul is a melting pot of blended history, religion, culture, and modernity.
Istanbul’s unique position as a bridge between East and West and its unique blend of people and heritage make it a destination that attracts millions of visitors each year. This means it will make a difference if you plan your stay to get as much out of your stay as possible.
We stayed in Sultanahmet, which I thought would be good as it was near a lot of the main sites like the Hagia Sophia, but it was extremely overpriced and was teaming with tourists despite us being there in the winter.
Although it saved us travelling in and out of the main tourist hub, I think I could have got better value for money and a more authentic experience had I stayed just a little further out.
Basilica Cistern
The first of the Istanbul activities we really enjoyed was a visit to The Basilica Cistern. In Turkish it’s known as Yerebatan Sarayı or Yerebatan Sarnıcı. The Cistern is an ancient underground water reservoir located in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul across the road at the junction of the Hagia Sophia.
History
The Cistern was built during the Byzantine era in the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, the Basilica Cistern was constructed to provide a water filtration system for the Great Palace of Constantinople and other buildings in the city.
Structure
This impressive underground cistern covers an area of about 9,800 square meters and can store around 80,000 cubic meters of water. It is supported by 336 marble columns arranged in 12 rows, some of which are recycled from earlier structures and features various architectural styles.
Atmosphere
The cistern’s dimly lit interior creates a mysterious and atmospheric ambience. We found it really cool to go down into the underground space and walk around and look at the water. The soft lighting highlights the columns and the water’s reflection, and there are little light shows and stunning sculptures that make for a unique Istanbul activity experience.
Visiting
The Basilica Cistern is open to the public for visits most days of the week.
The Summer Period: 09:00 – 19:00 (Last entrance is at 18:00) and the Winter Period: 09:00 – 18:00 (Last entrance is at 17:00). Much like everything in Istanbul expect a line of tourists. We waited about 15 minutes in line and bought the ticket onsite, but we had heard it was up to a 30-minute wait at peak times. So bear this in mind when choosing your adventure.
There are a plethora of online sites that sell tickets to avoid a line, which means you will just be in a line with people who bought tickets. Not that you’ll avoid one altogether.
The cost of this Istanbul activity is roughly 450 Turkish Liras or was when we visited and we stayed there for around half an hour.
Topkapi Palace
Next on the list of Istanbul activities I didn’t give enough credit to before visiting was Topkapi Palace. I found this my number 1 thing I enjoyed doing. I didn’t know anything about its existence before going. Spending time visiting and learning is why it’s good to travel in the first place.
Topkapi Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers visitors a glimpse into the grandeur and opulence of the Ottoman Empire which is fascinating and dreamy.
History
The Topkapi Palace was the primary residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans for over four centuries.
It was constructed in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople (now Istanbul). Over time, it underwent numerous expansions and renovations by subsequent sultans.
Architecture
The palace is a huge area of various courtyards, pavilions, gardens, and buildings. It’ also sits on a hill overlooking the Bosphorus Strait, which was incredible to come out to and get some sea fresh air. It provides stunning views of the waterway and the city.
Planning your visit
Again for this Istanbul activity, expect lines, and you can prebuy tickets online. The lines are long. Expect to pay 750 Turkish Liras for the entrance fee and you can add other parts of the castle on.
The price of the harem ticket alone is 350 TL. However, if you buy a combined ticket that covers all three sections, it costs 950 Turkish Lira. Inside in some areas, there are more lines.
So don’t buy the big ticket if you don’t have time to spend lining up. I gave up on one line inside the castle as I was fatigued by this time. I don’t regret getting the big ticket though.
The basic ticket price includes the Hagia Irene Museum in the first courtyard of the palace and the audio guide. Be aware to get the audio companion device you have to give your passport to be held.
I was really uncomfortable about this and I ended up doing it, but I wouldn’t do it again. I guess they weren’t getting their audio equipment back and had to find a way to make sure it was secure.
Time
Topkapi Palace is really big and you could easily spend half a day here or more. For this Istanbul activity bring some change to use the toilets and perhaps pack some food to save money.
It’s an incredible place to take photos and appreciate the history. The grounds are really clean and enjoyable and are good for young and old. Just take care if you have trouble walking long distances, as it’s a high step count type of day.
Hagia Sophia
Moving on to one of the most famous Istanbul activities which is of course the Hagia Sophia! This one I knew about and had on my list the minute I booked my ticket.
History
Hagia Sophia, also known as Ayasofya in Turkish, is a magnificent architectural wonder with a history that spans over 1,500 years.
Originally constructed as a cathedral in the 6th century AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia served as the principal church of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith for nearly a thousand years.
Following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque by Sultan Mehmed II. The building’s Christian mosaics were covered, and Islamic elements, such as minarets and mihrab, were added.
Visiting
The Hagia Sophia is free and open to the public except at Islamic prayer times and noon on Fridays for non-Islamic tourists. Let me tell you there are LINES!!! and because it’s free, these lines are LONG! I gave up 3 times in lines for this Istanbul activity even though I really wanted to see inside. The third time was the charm though and I’m so glad I went in.
As a mosque, it’s advisable and mandatory for women to wear a headscarf and legs and arms be covered. For men no singlets or shorts where the knees are showing.
I forgot my headscarf and was able to buy a disposable one for a reasonable price. They also have some material scarves that cost more.
You will leave your shoes outside the mosque to enter and from there, it’s an incredible atmosphere and sight to see. It was absolutely stunning.
So there you go, 3 amazing Istanbul activities explained. I hope that this helps you on your next trip and don’t forget to head over to my blog or follow on social media for more information.
