Istanbul, Turkey
Its “Istanbul not Constantinople” as the song goes and it’s an amazing historic crossroads city in the beautiful country of Turkey. It was originally Byzantium when founded by the Greeks in 660 BC and then changed to Constantinople by the Romans when it became the capital of the Roman Empire after the fall of Rome. When the Ottomans took over it eventually became Istanbul and became an Islamic city. It has over 16 million people who live there making it one of the largest in the world and is the only city that span is two continents (Europe and Asia) split by the important Bosporus Straight. It has many important historic sites like Hagia Sophia, and those sites are UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s a city where the East meets the West and has a vibrant culture. We visited Istanbul for the first time in 2025, and it was the third time visiting Turkey. Here’s all that we saw while in this amazing city and country!
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Getting to Istanbul and Transportation
Getting to Istanbul is very easy as there are many different transportation options. Istanbul has two international airports, one in Europe and the other in Asia. Istanbul International Airport (IST) is one of the largest airports in the world and was completed in 2018. It’s a wonderfully done airport that’s more of a beautiful mall with great restaurants, Duty Free shopping, a hair salon, spa, showers and a world class museum. Turkish Airlines flies to most major cities around the world and there are many other airlines that fly to Istanbul. While there we saw airlines we had not seen before such as Uzbekistani and Azerbaijani airlines. There is one other airport that is mainly low-cost carriers and domestic flights at the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) on the Asian side.
Another option is to take a Mediterranean cruise that either starts in or has Istanbul as a port of call. Multiple Eastern Mediterranean cruises that usually stop in Greece as well call in Istanbul.
Another option that is more famous than the others but will take more time is to travel by rail from Europe. Agatha Christie wrote her book “Murder on the Orient Express” while in Istanbul. There is rail service, but it will take multiple stops and train changes. The quickest routes are from Sophia, Bulgaria or Bucharest, Romania.
As for transportation in Istanbul, I recommend taking guided tours like we did, but they have a Subway, Tram/light rail, bus and ferry system that goes between the Asian and European sides. They have plenty of Taxis and Uber. You can rent/hire a car but i don’t recommend it in a city of 16 million that has a lot of traffic.
Istanbul Airport Transportation Options
Country Information
Turkey is mostly in Asia with a small portion of it being in Europe. It’s a NATO country and one that participates often with Europe and the West in general. The climate and terrain vary throughout the relatively large country that’s around the size of Texas and Louisiana or Germany and the UK combined. There are Mediterranean coastal, desert, mountainous and other areas of the country. The country is largely a Muslim nation with most of the citizens following Islam.
The language is Turkish but most people in the area speak English as well. We had no issue communicating while in port. The national currency is the Turkish Lira and is usually a very favorable exchange rate compared to the US Dollar. The Euro, US Dollars and credit cards are accepted as well in the areas we visited. As of 2023 US Citizens and citizens of a variety of other nations no longer need a Turkish Visa if staying for less than 90 days in a 180-day period. Do check the current entry requirements as this can change after this writing in 2025. We found Istanbul to be very safe and the people there warm and friendly. Currently in 2025 the US state department rates the safety in Turkey as a 2 out of 4 that is the same as most European countries. You should still stay vigilant and treat it as you would any major US city around crime and risks. If you go to Turkey pay attention to any US State department notices and research if it is a destination, you are comfortable going to. We want to go back but everyone is different.
Where we Stayed - Conrad Bosporus Strait
In Istanbul we stayed at the luxurious Conrad Istanbul Bosporus Straight. It is where President Obama stated when he visited Turkey and is up on one of the hills of Istanbul. The Conrad Hotel is the top level of Hilton Brand Hotels. We stayed in an upgraded room due to our Diamond Status and a little extra money. Our room was the Park Suite, and it was wonderful. We had a large living room area and a guest bathroom, a king bed and a master bathroom with a tub and rain shower. To add another touch, the bathroom had a cable TV embedded in the restroom mirror. We had a large balcony to enjoy sunset and views of the Bosporus straight. The hotel has an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa, hair salon and multiple restaurants. The breakfast buffet was great with a short order cook, international food, and Turkish food. We also ate at the Italian Restaurant that had great food. It’s a wonderful high-end hotel that is in the new/financial area of Istanbul.
Touring Istanbul
We unfortunately only had 3 days in Istanbul, and I really could spend a week just in Istanbul. As mentioned above the city has been Greek, Roman, Ottoman and now Turkish. It has been Christian with the Hagia Sophia being a massive church and now a majority Muslim city. While there we toured by bus and by boat (sailing along the Bosporus Strait). While in Istanbul we visited an Ottoman Palace that holds holy relics from both Christianity and Islam, the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, took a cruise down the Bosporus Strait, visited the spice market and Grand Bazaar, and visited multiple spots where James Bond and other movies were filmed!
Istanbul Highlights Tours
Bosporus Strait Cruise
On our first full day we headed to the waterfront near the Presidential office and headed off on a cruise of the Bosporus Straight which is busier than the Suez and Panama Canal for shipping. On this cruise our guide Nicknamed “Ozzy” let us know what we were seeing as we headed on the 19 mile long straight. The straight separates Europe from Asia and connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara that leads to the Mediterranean Sea eventually. On the cruise we passed by multiple beautiful palaces that have become high end hotels like the Four Seasons, museums and a office for the President of Turkey. As we sailed, we saw many different neighborhoods on the European side first and passed under the Bosporus Bridge. We based by two Ottoman fortresses with the larger and more intact Rumelian Fortress that was built in 1452 and its counterpart on the Asian side that were built to protect the straight. We went to the second bridge and turned around to see the Asian side. We saw multiple large homes on the European side before seeing many beautiful homes including one that was rammed by a disabled Russian cargo ship a couple years back. We saw people fishing in their small boats so they could sell the fish to local restaurants and markets and many jellyfish in the water. We made a stop at a park on the Asian side, so we briefly stepped into Asia and headed towards the Sea of Marmara. We saw many giant mosques and minaret towers and the tall radio tower that also has a restaurant inside. We got a distant view of the old town and the Hagi Sophia and Blue Mosque and a closer view of the Maiden’s Tower. The Maiden’s Tower was once a lighthouse and a lookout tower on a small island in the straight that has been there for many years. The name come from a legend that a Sultan/Kings daughter was prophesied to be killed by a snake. She was sent to the island to make sure she couldn’t be bit. Well at one point food was sent to her and a poisonous snake was in the basket and bit her. She did end up dying. The small island was also used in James Bond “The World is not Enough”. It was a great and relaxing cruise that let us get a general overview of the city and a chance to sail on a major world waterway!
Bosporus Cruise Options
The Egyptian Bazaar (The Spice Market)
We headed over to the Egyptian Bazaar that is the Spice Market of Istanbul. It is named the Egyptian Bazaar because an Ottoman province in Egypt at the time had their taxes pay for the market when it was built in 1660. Inside are many stalls that are selling many spices, perfumes, Turkish Delights, teas and coffee. We headed to the Hayfene store where Rick Steve’s visited. There we saw the very expensive saffron spice that are the petals of a flower. There are short, medium and long petals. They are used for cooking, tea or other delicacies. There are also plenty of other kinds of spices all sitting out where you can smell the spices in the air. They had great nuts, candies and of course Turkish Delights. They also have many great perfumes. In Turkey spices like Saffron are higher quality and cheaper than you can find in the states, so we got some and fresh Turkish Delights. It was an interesting and cultural experience including the beautiful sculptures outside the market.
Food and Spice Tour Options
Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace is a massive complex of multiple buildings that formed the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire and was used for nearly 400 years. It was built in the 1460s and was used for the Sultans residency and administrative offices until 1856. Today its an expansive museum and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Istanbul. Inside you can visit the Harem, which was the private residence of the Sultan, his family and concubines. We saw where the African Unics (castrated men) who guarded the sultan’s home, the beautiful residences of the queen and the Sultans parents. They had elaborate Turkish Baths there and plenty of rooms for the many concubines for the Sultan. The palace has multiple museum wings that are dedicated to different historical and religious aspects. In the holy relics area they have what is said to be Moses’s Staff used to part the Red Sea, part of the skull and arm of John the Baptist, and the sword of King David. They also have hairs from the Prophet Mohammed’s beard, his sandals, swords and artifacts from his daughter Fatima and other family members. They also have a key to the Kaaba. In other exhibits you can see massive diamonds and other jewels and beautifully designed swords and daggers. There is a great patio that overlooks the Bosporus Straight and much of Istanbul. Next door to Topkapi (means Cannon Gate) Palace is the famous Hagia Sophia. We headed there in the morning the next day. We ended our palace tour by walking in the courtyard gardens and watching a beautiful and relaxing sunset over the palace.
Topkapi Palace Tour Options
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is one of the iconic buildings of the world that has had a dynamic history. It was built between 532 and 537 AD by Emperor Justinian I. There were 2 churches built there before the current building that were destroyed by riots. The Hagia Sophia (means the Holy Wisdom of God in Greek) was originally an Eastern Orthodox Church/Cathedral. It’s an architectural marvel with its giant dome that was the largest dome (a difficult feat in building) in the world for over 1,000 years. It set the standard for the design of Eastern Orthodox Churches. When the Ottoman Empire took over Constantinople Sultan Mehmed II changed the Hagia Sophia into a mosque and added minarets. They were respectful of the Christian Art and did not destroy it but instead covered and plastered over it. After Ataturk created modern Turkey, it became a museum until 2020 when it became part mosque and part museum.
We as visitors headed up through the red brick area ramp up to the top gallery that is the museum portion. From there we had amazing views of the mosque floor and the dome. As we walked along, we saw beautiful mosaics and artwork uncovered through restorations. Jesus Christ and saints are visible in that area. In the dome there are four angels with one with a face uncovered. There is Islamic scriptures for Alah and the Prophet Mohammed on large disks that cover parts of the church. There are also mosaics for Roman Emperors who donated to the church. We ended with viewing Mary and Jesus that is covered from view from the mosque floor but can be seen looking at an angle. It’s a beautiful building that was a wonderful visit. It’s a must see while in Istanbul. It costs around 25 Euros for a ticket, and it’s recommended to get a ticket in advance.
The Blue Mosque
Another iconic site in Istanbul is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque that is better known as the Blue Mosque. The Mosque was built by the Ottomans to rival the Hagia Sophia in size and in beauty. It was completed in 1616, and they succeeded in the goal of building a beautiful and Grand Mosque. The mosque has six minarets that is more than the typical four that most mosques have. It has a large dome that isn’t quite as big or tall as Hagia Sophia, but it is still very impressive. Inside is where the mosque really shines with over 20,000 handmade Iznik ceramic tiles with many different designs with most being blue in color (hence the nickname of the mosque). There are more than 200 stained glass windows that further color the inside. The main dome is covered in tiles that display Arabic scripture from the Quran. It’s a stunning mosque that we were privileged to be able to visit. As with all mosques we removed our shoes while inside on the carpet and you must dress modestly such as covering your legs and shoulders and women must cover their hair. It is important to respect others’ culture and religion so we were prepared and respectful. The outside is beautiful and well decorated as well. The park between the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque has fountains and nice gardens. Visiting the Mosque is a great learning and cultural experience no matter what you believe. We spent around an hour there.
Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque Tours
The Hippodrome
The Hippodrome of Byzantium/Constantinople was built around 203 AD and was greatly expanded by Emperor Constantine the Great once it became the capital of the remaining Roman Empire. It’s a large U or oval shaped structure that was used for chariot races, gladiator fights and for political needs and celebrations. If you think of the movie “Ben Hurr”, the main character races chariots in the Hippodrome in Rome. It was connected to the emperors palace so he could easily get to his lounge and stage like you see in movies like Gladiator.
Today the Hippodrome is mostly gone as the Ottomans destroyed it as the games are considered immoral (to pretty much everyone) so they destroyed the stadium that could seat 100,000 people. It’s now Sultanahmet Square but there are some remnants of the Hippodrome. Three columns/Obelisk remain that represent the grandeur of the Romans. One is most of an Obelisk from the Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt. It’s called the Obelisk of Theodosius and is 3,500 years old. The obelisk was carved during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III and is full of ancient hieroglyphs. The second column also has a very interesting story. The Serpent Column is a large bronze column that originally was at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece. Delphi was an important religious city that was home to the great oracle. It was built in 479 BC to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Plataea. The column used to have three snake heads representing three major Greek cities that fought in the Battle. The snake heads were removed by the Ottomans so only the coiled snakes bodies remain. Emperor Constantine The Great brought the column to the Hippodrome. The last column called the Walled Obelisk was built in the 10th century and once was gilded in bronze but that was taken during the 4th crusades. Today there are only stone blocks that remain. It’s another nice and free place to visit while in Istanbul.
Turkish Carpets
We love visiting carpet stores in the Middle East as artistry and care is amazing in these carpets. They are so much more than just a rug you put on the floor bought at a store in the US. These carpets are handmade using the traditional methods of carpet weaving with natural wool or silk. We have been to a few in Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and Montenegro and they each have a unique style and character. In Turkey the different regions and people (nomadic tribe versus areas closer to Istanbul for example) can have vastly different methods and designs. While in Istanbul we visited the Vezirhan Handmade Carpets store just a few blocks from the Grand Bazaar that is recommended by Rick Steves and others to visit for good quality and authentic (not made in China on a machine) carpets. Like most carpet demonstrations they welcomed us with drinks like Raki, teas, and sodas. They demonstrated weaving and silk making techniques. They then brought in many kinds of carpets and sizes. The size of the carpet isn’t the main driver of the price as a small carpet could be much more expensive than a large one. It’s the number of knots per square inch and the material. Silk with a high number of knots will be more expensive. In Turkey they will ship your carpet for free as its subsidized by the government to promote the art of Carpet making in the country as its important to the culture of the country. We purchased a carpet and so did my parents as its an authentic art piece that is wonderful for your home. Verzirhan is a great place to go that has no pressure sales and very friendly and helpful staff. Definitely visit while in Istanbul!
Turkish Weaving and Carpet Tours and Shopping
The Grand Bazaar
Our final stop in Istanbul was the famous Grand Bazaar. It is 570 years old having been built during Mehmed II’s reign after the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans. The Bazaar is truly massive with over 4,000 shops. It’s a covered Bazaar and we found that the passageways are city streets with street signs. There are over 60 streets that make up the Grand Bazaar. We went in through gate (entrance) 1 but there are 20 more! Once you get in the ceiling is beautifully decorated and there are shops that sell pretty much everything. We saw spice shops like the Spice Market, souvenir shops, restaurants, historic structures and anything else. The vendors were very polite and friendly and didn’t hassle us or pressure a sale. We walked to a James Bond filming location for “From Russia with Love” and then started to head back. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of shops so we used maps to navigate the streets. The service wasn’t great, so I went “old school” by finding the street signs and looking at the map. It was a great experience walking through such a historic place and we did buy a few souvenirs after walking through. The roof of the Grand Bazaar was also in the James Bond movie “Skyfall” as James Bond chased a villain on a motorcycle and ended up crashing into the Grand Bazaar and driving inside. It’s a great place to visit and like some vendors say “It’s free to look”!
Grand Bazaar Tours
The Istanbul Airport Museum
In the Istanbul Airport there is a wonderfully done museum about the Turkish history and culture. It goes over each time period in Turkish history from Roman/Byzantium to the Ottomans and then to the modern age. It’s a high-tech museum with video placards for the artifacts that also tell you where the historic site is located that the artifact came from and how to get there by air (how long it takes). There are many great statues and other artifacts throughout. At the end of the museum are screens showing all the great historic sites around Turkey. It’s a great place to visit while waiting for a flight like we were or if you have a layover. It’s located on the second floor of the airport terminal and is well marked with signs directing you there. It’s not a huge museum so you could, depending on how quickly you go through it, you could be done in 30 minutes to an hour.
Conclusion
Turkey in general is a great destination full of culture and history. Istanbul especially is a crossroads of worlds from East to West. Istanbul has been the capital of multiple mighty empires and today it is a mix of modern and history. It’s the only city that spans two continents that makes it even more unique. It’s full of great museums and multiple sites are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Istanbul. We found the people very friendly and helpful in all areas of Turkey we have been. The food is also great so try the local food! Be prepared for any kind of weather as Istanbul in the winter can get snow. The city is built on 7 hills (there are many more) so be prepared for inclines and cobblestones. Have shoes with good grips and if you need it bring a hiking stick. It’s good to have Turkish Lira but they do accept US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros in many cases.
If you want to step into a country that is both historic and modern, both Western and Middle Eastern and has a vibrant culture with friendly people then Turkey and especially Istanbul is a great destination for you. We love visiting Turkey as each experience has been memorable and wonderful. If you get the chance, go to Turkey as it will be a trip of great learning and excitement
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Other Tour Options and Day Trips
