There are so many reasons why Türkiye should be on your holiday bucket list, from natural wonders like Pamukkale and Cappadocia to cultural highlights like Ephesus and Bodrum. However, if time is not on your side, we can help you plan a brief but sublime stopover packed with an assortment of our favourite Turkish delights and guaranteed to leave you craving more. These are our top tips for making the most of your stopover in Istanbul.
Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus Strait, a 31-kilometre stretch of water connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara and forming a natural boundary between Asia and Europe. The resulting blend of Eastern and Western influences has infused every aspect of the city, from its ancient architectural wonders to its modern-day buzz.
Although Ankara is the political capital of Türkiye, Istanbul is generally considered to be the nation’s economic, cultural and historic heart. The city was founded in the seventh century BCE, and today it is home to more than fifteen million residents, making it the most populous city in Europe.
The city’s main international airport is in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. If Istanbul is a stopover point on your journey from Australia to Europe, this is likely to be your point of entry. Istanbul’s second airport, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, is mostly used by low-cost Europe-based airlines.
Pro tip: talk to your Personal Travel Manager about taking advantage of the free Istanbul stopover programme provided by Turkish Airlines.
The airport is located around 50 kilometres northwest of Istanbul’s historic heart, the Fatih district. You can make the journey by bus, taxi or subway, or ask your personal travel manager to arrange for a private car transfer.
Although the wider metro area of the city covers a sprawling 5,000 square kilometres, many of the main sights you’ll want to explore during your stopover are located within a relatively compact area, including the neighbourhoods of Sultanahmet, Beşiktaş and Ortaköy. You can use the city’s metro system and Marmaray underground rail to travel between neighbourhoods. Our favourite way to move between the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus is by ferry, offering spectacular views of the city from the water – especially at sunset.
The Sultanahmet peninsula is the historic centre of old Istanbul where many of the city’s most iconic landmarks are located. Start your stopover adventure with a visit to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi) – one of the city’s oldest and best-preserved buildings, which has served as a Christian church, Islamic mosque and even a museum over the centuries. Millions of visitors each year come to admire its intricate mosaics, towering minarets, and centuries-old calligraphy, so we recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds.
It’s a five-minute walk from Hagia Sophia to the equally spectacular, seventeenth-century Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii). It’s better known as the Blue Mosque, thanks to the thousands of blue İznik tiles that adorn the interior walls. The entire space, from the 43-metre-high main dome to the finely carved marble of the prayer hall, is illuminated by 260 windows, and the overall effect is truly awe-inspiring. For the best exterior views of the mosque’s iconic dome and minarets, take an early-morning stroll through the neighbouring Sultanahmet Park.
Entry to the Blue Mosque is free outside of prayer times, while non-Muslim visitors must purchase a ticket to enter Hagia Sophia. Entry to Hagia Sophia remains free for those visiting to worship. In both mosques, modest clothing is expected, shoes must be removed, and silence should be observed in prayer areas.
It’s another short walk from the Blue Mosque to reach the Basilica Cistern, which provided locals with a reliable source of fresh water for centuries. These days, the immense subterranean reservoir, with its orderly forest of 336 carved columns, feels more like a cathedral than a water source. It’s one of Istanbul’s coolest tourist locations (literally and figuratively), and it’s the perfect peaceful retreat when you’re ready for a break from the city’s bustling crowds.
At its peak, the Ottoman Empire was renowned for its immense wealth, as you’ll see when you explore Istanbul’s most opulent palaces. The oldest is Topkapi Palace: a sprawling complex of courtyards, chambers and gardens that served as the ruling sultans’ residence for nearly 400 years. Today, the palace is an immense library and museum where you’ll find plenty of reminders of the city’s magnificent past, from the 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond to the elaborate apartments of the Imperial Harem.
You can’t visit Istanbul without venturing into its famous covered markets, starting with the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı). A shopping adventure in this sprawling labyrinth of over 4,000 shops, which is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, is like stepping into a living museum. The arched alleys are the ideal spot to hunt for handwoven carpets, intricate ceramics or gold jewellery.
Head to the equally atmospheric Spice Bazaar (also known as the Egyptian Bazaar) to experience a full-on sensory adventure. You can wander among the towering displays of saffron and sumac, teas and dried fruits while soaking up a taste of authentic Turkish culture and history.
The city of Istanbul has been known by many names over the centuries, including Byzantium, Constantinople, the Pearl of the Bosphorus, the Crossroads of the World and the City of Seven Hills. Although Piyerloti Hill is not one of the original seven hills, its summit does deliver some of the best views in the city, best experienced with a scenic ride on the Eyüp–Piyerloti Aerial Cable Car.
Continue your adventure across the Golden Horn, starting in the Karaköy neighbourhood, where the 62-metre Galata Tower has stood watch since the fourteenth century. The 360-degree views from the observation deck are truly spectacular, and there’s an elevator if you’re not willing to tackle all 146 steps.
Carry on into the Beşiktaş neighbourhood, where the Dolmabahçe Palace offers spectacular views over the Bosporus. Sometimes referred to as ‘the Versailles of Istanbul’, the palace was originally constructed as an opulent home for the last sultans of the Ottoman Empire. It was also the residence of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, whose room remains preserved as a place of national respect. The palace is renowned for its opulent gold-leaf ceilings, marble staircases and crystal chandeliers (including the world’s largest).
Cross the Bosphorus to the Asian side of Istanbul, where you can experience the bustling markets, artsy streets and laid-back charm of less well-known neighbourhoods like Kadıköy. You’ll find a more laid-back, residential vibe, with fantastic food and a vibrant café and bar scene. You can browse quirky bookshops and vinyl shops, take a stroll through the Üsküdar waterfront fish market, or just sit by the Bosphorus with a Turkish coffee and watch the ferries glide by.
It’s easy to work up an appetite when there’s so much to see and do, so be sure to fuel your adventures by sampling the best Turkish cuisine that Istanbul has to offer. Start your day with an authentic Turkish breakfast of cheeses, olives, menemen, breads, jams and tea. Pick up a mid-morning coffee at a local café, best paired with a fresh piece of baklava.
For lunch on the go, you can’t miss Istanbul’s amazing local street food. The Beşiktaş neighbourhood is renowned for its amazing bakeries, where you can grab a still-warm simit (sesame bread ring) or tasty börek filled with spinach and feta. Across the Bosphorus in the Asian side of Istanbul, the best picnic lunch is a Balik ekmek (fish sandwich) from a waterfront street vendor.
Opt for a long, slow meze-style dinner you can enjoy a selection of Istanbul’s most iconic dishes, including dolma, köfte, köpoğlu and grilled halloumi.
Istanbul is one of those special destinations that will leave a lasting impression on your heart, even if you’re only visiting for a short time. To plan your memorable stopover stay, talk to your Personal Travel Manager today.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
