Recommended Istanbul Travel Routes
As Turkey's largest city, Istanbul is definitely the best choice for first-time visitors. On June 10, the UEFA Champions League Final will be held here. Whether you're coming to watch the game or just to have fun, if you have enough time, consider staying a few days to experience the unique charm of this city.
Today's recommendation: 3 classic routes in Istanbul
Route 1: Classic Old City Tour
Attractions: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Archaeological Museum, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Süleymaniye Mosque
The old city is home to Istanbul's most popular and classic attractions. If you only have one day in Istanbul, this route is a safe bet.
Travel Tips
① These attractions are all in the same area and are conveniently accessible by metro.
② Women need to wear a headscarf when entering Hagia Sophia, so prepare one in advance.
③ If you want to buy souvenirs at the Grand Bazaar, remember to bargain – cut the price in half! If you want to take photos inside a shop, ask the owner first.
Route 2: Modern New City Tour
Attractions: Bosphorus Strait, Galata Tower, Museum of Innocence, İstiklal Avenue, Taksim Square, Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque
This route is more modern, offering a taste of Istanbul's trendy lifestyle & nightlife. It also has everything: shopping, entertainment, food, bars, etc.
Travel Tips
① The tram on İstiklal Avenue is very distinctive; try it when you're there.
② For a Bosphorus Strait cruise (2 hours), it's recommended to sit on the left side of the boat for better views.
③ At Taksim Square, someone may offer you bird feed – don't accept it; it's not free and is quite expensive.
Route 3: Asian Side (Kadıköy) + Princes' Islands
Attractions: Maiden's Tower, Princes' Islands
This area is a hotspot for artsy travelers, with many cafes, opera houses, etc., offering a bohemian vibe. Accommodation and food here are generally cheaper than on the European side, and the Moda neighborhood has a beautiful coastline.
On the Princes' Islands, you can also experience horse-drawn carriages, feeling the aristocratic lifestyle of old times.
Turkey has many other popular city attractions, such as Cappadocia, Fethiye, Izmir, Pamukkale...
Recommended 8-Day Turkey Itinerary
D1: Pick-up at Istanbul airport
D2: Istanbul day tour → Cappadocia
D3: Hot air balloon → Red Line day tour → Sunset ATV
D4: Vintage car balloon chase → Antalya
D5: D400 → Kas → Kas Beach → Fethiye
D6: Paragliding → Island hopping
D7: Fethiye → Pamukkale → Fly to Istanbul
D8: Drop-off at Istanbul airport
Hello everyone, I'm Billy from Turkey, a travel planner with 10 years of industry experience, fluent in Chinese, English, and Turkish, and have provided various travel-related services to over 60,000 Chinese tourists. If you want to learn about Turkey, follow me!
