Istanbul Travelers Recommend

The Historic Areas of Istanbul were added the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1985. The designation includes sites such as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Galata Bridge and Suleymaniye Mosque and is divided into four zones: the Archaeological Park at the tip of the Bosphorus Peninsula, the Suleymaniye Quarter, the Zeyrek Quarter and the zone of the ramparts. While all four zones are relatively close together, you realistically need several days to see all of the sites. Of greatest importance is arguably the Archaeological Park, an area known to most visitors as Sultanahmet. If possible, allow two days to explore everything this area has to offer. On day one, start with the 6th century Hagia Sophia, followed by the Blue Mosque and the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine. Then, spend the second day at the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, Topkapi Palace, and if time allows, check out the underground Basilica Cistern as well.

If time is tight, focus on Istanbul's Big Four: Topkapi Palace, Haga Sophia, the Blue Mosque and shopping at the Grand Bazaar. Or get your bearings on the 90-minute Istanbul City Tour, hopping on and off at several stops, before taking a half-day tour highlighting an aspect of Istanbul's millennia of history. Compare the city's European and Asian faces on the Istanbul Two Continents Tour, or focus on the city's Ottoman past on an Ottoman Relics Tour taking in Topkapi Palace, Rustem Pasha Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Having covered your major bases on day one, this is a day to get under the city's skin. The private tour of the Egypitan Bazaar and cruise on the Bosphorus combines shopping for spices with beautiful views from the water. The private tour of Haga Sophia and Grand Bazaar blends history and shopping at two of Istanbul's most famous sites. And in the evening, when the city's mosques and monuments are floodlit.

The fairytale destination of Cappadocia is located in the vast Anatolian plains. This destination is known for its impressive natural beauty and unique topography, as well as its expansive history, breathtaking panoramic views and numerous outdoor activities. The 6-Day Small Group Turkey Tour gives travelers a taste of some of the country’s most-loved highlights, including Cappadocia attractions like Goreme, Derinkuyu Underground City and the Ilhara Valley. Visitors will get to explore both Northern and Southern Cappadocia on this popular tour, leaving with a well-rounded experience of this popular region. Those who want to pair their exploration of Turkey with a taste of the Greek isles can embark on an 8-Day Turkey and Greece Tour from Istanbul, which includes stops in Athens, Ephesus, Pamukkale, as well as Cappadocia.

After a few days of touring Istanbul’s mosques, palaces and bustling markets, you may want to journey outside the city to learn about Turkey’s more recent history, specifically the World War I sites of Gallipoli, where the troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) came ashore on a quiet Aegean beach in 1915 to battle Turkish soldiers for control of the Gallipoli Peninsula. They failed their goal after brutal fighting, but memorials and cemeteries dotted around the area pay tribute to both the ANZAC and Turkish troops. You can experience Gallipoli with one of many tours out of Istanbul, from a simple day trip to a week-long tour of Turkey. It’s a six-hour drive from Istanbul to Gallipoli, so the one-day tour makes for a very long excursion, but if that’s all the time you’ve got and you’re only interested in the ANZAC sites, it’s your best bet.