Istanbul, famous for tourism, is considered the economic, financial, and cultural center of Turkey. It is also the largest city in the country with a population of just over 15 million people, making it one of the largest cities in Europe and the world.

Let's clarify a little about geography: it is Istanbul, not Ankara, that is located on both sides of the Bosphorus. Istanbul's unique geographical position makes it one of the few cities that span two continents, with its western half in Europe and the eastern half in Asia.

While the Asian side is largely residential, most of Istanbul's tourist areas are clustered on the European side, particularly in Sultanahmet and Beyoglu. First-time visitors will likely spend much of their time in these areas."Steeped in history and culture, Istanbul offers much to see and do, from its Byzantine churches adorned with mosaics and frescoes to its magnificent mosques featuring towering minarets. Istanbul is a city that will amaze you at every turn.

The best time for tourism in Istanbul

• Spring (March-May) is the best time to visit Istanbul, followed by autumn (September-November); the weather is mild during the two seasons, although autumn sees more rain than spring.
• May: this is the best time for tourism in Istanbul, the weather is mild and relatively dry, and the city will be full of colors.
  June-August: apart from being the busiest time of the year, June through August can be very hot and humid up to 28 degrees Celsius / 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The lines are in their longest periods and the prices are at their peak during this time.
• September – November: like spring, autumn is a great time to visit Istanbul, the weather is similar to spring even though it rains in autumn.
• December-February: from December to February is a low season for tourism in Turkey and Istanbul; it is the wettest and coldest time of the year, so be sure to wear appropriate clothes. It can get rainy and snowy with temperatures dropping to 3 degrees Celsius / 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
  The best tourist areas in Turkey Istanbul and accommodation

There are two ideal places to stay in Istanbul, especially for first-time visitors, namely Sultanahmet and Taksim (Beyoglu).

Sultanahmet

The Sultanahmet district is where most of the main tourist sites are located. If you are traveling to Istanbul for the first time and looking to visit the best tourist attractions, there is no better place to stay than Sultanahmet. Here are some of the top-rated hotels located in Sultanahmet: Hagia Sophia Mansions Istanbul, Curio Collection by Hilton; mid-range: Romance Istanbul Hotel Boutique Class.

Beyoglu District

If you want to experience a more modern side of Istanbul with easy access to the Sultanahmet area, consider staying in Beyoglu near Taksim Square. This area is home to the famous Istiklal Street, along with numerous trendy bars and clubs. It's just a funicular and tram ride to Sultanahmet, making it ideal for first-time visitors. Among the notable hotels here is the Pera Palace Hotel. Also, remember that you can book accommodations with families in Istanbul.

The most important tourist areas in Istanbul

We will tell you about ten of the most popular tourist areas in Istanbul, and most of them are located in the same area, so if you plan well, you can visit them all in two or three days. We recommend that you get a tourist discount card in Istanbul.

 1. Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is the most famous building in Istanbul and is considered one of the most important tourist attractions in Istanbul; it was once considered the greatest church in the Christian world and was at one time the largest church ever constructed until St. Peter's Basilica was built a thousand years later in Rome.

If you are going to visit only one tourist attraction in Istanbul, it should be Hagia Sophia.

2-Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet)

Perhaps the Blue Mosque, or Sultanahmet, is more impressive—it is a majestic sight with its many domes and six towering minarets. Sultanahmet is gray on the outside but got its name from the tens of thousands of blue Iznik tiles that adorn its interior.

3. Basilica Cistern

It is the largest surviving Byzantine reservoir in Istanbul, capable of holding up to 80,000 cubic meters of water and contains 336 marble columns, each with a significant height.

4. Topkapi Palace and harem

Topkapi Palace is the court of the Ottoman Empire from the XV to the XIX centuries, it is the second most visited attraction in the city, it stretches over an area of 700,000 square meters, there is a lot to see in the Topkapi Palace. Don't miss its safe featuring precious stones and antiques.

5. Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahce palace is the largest palace in Turkey and one of the most important tourist attractions in Istanbul and served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and from 1909 to 1922. Spread over an area of 11.1 acres, it has 285 rooms, 46 halls and 6 bathrooms.

6. Galata Tower during tourism in Turkey Istanbul

The Galata Tower is a landmark and the focal point of many photographs of the Bosphorus and Beyoglu. It was built in 1348, served as a watchtower, prison, naval depot, and for centuries remained the tallest building in Istanbul.

7. The Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world consisting of 61 covered streets and more than 3,000 shops selling everything from lamps, carpets, jewelry, leather goods, ceramics and souvenirs.

Both the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar are within walking distance from Sultanahmet Square and there is the Rustem Pasha Mosque, a small but beautiful mosque near the Spice Bazaar.

You can easily visit the bazaar on your own during the Istanbul tourism tour but if you want to go on a guided tour, you can get a guide, it will help you especially in the Grand Bazaar because it is very large.

8. Egyptian Bazaar (Spices)

The Egyptian Bazaar or Spice Bazaar is much smaller than the Grand Bazaar, but if you like cooking, you will probably spend more time here, the bazaar is home to about a hundred shops selling a colorful assortment of spices, tea, nuts, dried fruits, and you can try souvenir food items such as lukum or Turkish delight.

9. Istanbul Archaeological Museums

The Istanbul Museums of Antiquities consist of three museums: the Museum of the Ancient East, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the Archaeological Museum. With so much to see, you can easily spend the whole day visiting all three museums.

10. Chora Church (kariy Museum)

Compared to other attractions on this list, the Chura church is out of the way, but it's worth the effort to get to it and see the Most Magnificent Mosaics in Istanbul. you can go alone or go with a guide and choose from several tours that stop at the church.

Things to do during tourism in Istanbul

1. Visit the tourist areas of Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet is home to the city's top attractions such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and the Blue Mosque; no first-time visit to Istanbul can be complete without visiting all these places.

We will include a quick summary of what you can find in Sultan Ahmed Square during tourism in Istanbul:

• Hagia Sophia: the most famous site in Istanbul that was once considered the greatest church in the Christian world.
• Sultanahmet: one of the most prominent mosques in Istanbul.
• Basilica Cistern: the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul.
• In the square: the former site of the Hippodrome in Constantinople.
• Ibrahim Pasha Palace: a museum with a wonderful collection of carpets.
• Topkapi Palace: the court of the Ottoman Empire from the XV to the XIX century.
• Istanbul Museums of Antiquities: include the Museum of the Ancient Orient, the Tiled Kiosk, and the Archaeological Museum.

You can use a guide to get to these areas when tourism in Turkey Istanbul and if you want to easily reach them without a guide, there will be another option is to go on a tour via double-decker buses.

2. Walking across Galata Bridge and Dolmabahce palace

Here are the famous Galata Tower and Dolmabahçe Palace, in addition to Istiklal Caddesi, one of the most elegant streets of the city. The neighborhoods across the Galata Bridge offer an interesting mix of old and new, enjoying the ancient charm of Sultanahmet.

If you enjoy shopping, Good Food and tasting the nightlife in Istanbul, this is the place you want to be, here is a quick summary of what you can find there during the Istanbul tourism tour:

• Galata Bridge: A bridge connecting the north and south of European Istanbul.
• Galata Tower: a former Observation Tower that offers great views of the city.
• Istiklal kadisi: the heart of Beyoglu and the most famous street in Istanbul.
• Dolmabahce palace: the largest palace in Turkey.

You can visit all these sites on your own, but if you want to take a tour, you need a guide to get the highlights.

3. A cruise on the Bosphorus

Going on a picturesque all-day cruise on the Bosphorus is one of the greatest pleasures of Istanbul according to many.

Şehir Hatları is the official ferry company in Istanbul and offers three cruises in the Bosphorus. There is the short trip that takes you in a two-hour loop while the full trips last for six hours to reach the last pier before the Black Sea.

It is a charming seaside town where you can have a delicious seafood lunch or dinner by the water.

You can easily book a Bosphorus cruise yourself at the ferry pier when visiting Istanbul, or you can arrange a cruise in advance through Get Your Guide. It provides for many variations of the Bosphorus cruise, some of them are even combined with an on-board dinner.

Travel restrictions during tourism in Istanbul

Due to the current global situation, the travel guidelines in Istanbul have changed a lot; so if you decide to visit Istanbul, it is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance with COVID coverage.

You can apply for an e-visa to Turkey, and everything is done online, though the time to receive your visa can vary.