What to see in Istanbul during a layover: the main sights of Sultanahmet, Beyoglu, Beşiktaş, and Kadıköy.
When buying tickets with a stopover in Istanbul, I try to choose flights with a long connection. Preferably, it would be a daytime connection, which I would be happy to spend walking around my beloved Istanbul.
If you have 8-10 hours between flights, I recommend spending them not at the airport. And go to Istanbul, breathe in the salty air of the Bosphorus, listen to the seagulls, and at the same time take a walk in one of the districts of this colorful city.
I offer four routes linked to shuttle bus stops that will take you from the airport to the city center and back.
Recommend for read: 6 untypical neighborhoods in Istanbul
How do I get to the center of Istanbul from the airports?
There are two airports in Istanbul: Istanbul-Sabiha Gokcen in the Asian part of the city, and Istanbul Havalimani in the European part of the city (Ataturk airport is no longer in operation).
Transportation from Istanbul Havalimani Airport
From Istanbul Havalimani Airport, you can get to different parts of the city by shuttle buses – Havaist buses to the following stops in Istanbul:
- BEYAZIT MEYDAN (Sultanahmet) – 2 hours,
- TAKSİM (Taksim Square) – 1.5 hours,
- BEŞİKTAŞ MEYDAN (Beşiktaş Square) – 1.5 hours,
- KADIKÖY – 2.5 hours,
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport – 3.5 hours.
Pay with a contactless bank card (at the airport) or cash at the ticket office at the bus stop.
The schedule and other routes are available on the website hava.ist.
Transportation from Sabiha Gokcen airport
From Sabiha Gokcen Airport, the HAVABÜS shuttle bus can be used to reach several stops in Istanbul:
- Kadıköy ferry stop is 1 hour away,
- Taksim Square is 1.5 hours away,
- Yenisahra metro station is 45 minutes away.
Tickets can be bought from the driver, and buses run from 3:30 am to 1:00 am.
Schedule on the bus company’s website www.havabus.com
More details: How to get to Istanbul airports – modes of transport, travel time and price
Route around Sultanahmet
If you’ve never been to Istanbul and want to have time to see its main attractions, then you should plan a route through Sultanahmet. What is a must-see in this area of Istanbul?
Hagia Sofia
Hagia Sophia Cathedral, now Hagia Sophia Mosque, is one of the most magnificent historical architectural monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The huge building impresses with its size. Until recently, admission to Hagia Sophia was free, but the mosque has (partially) regained its museum status and now charges a fee.
Read the details for preparing to visit Hagia Sophia here: Hagia Sophia made the entrance for tourists paid
The Blue Mosque
If you cross the square with the fountains, you will get to the Blue Mosque. It was once the largest functioning mosque in Istanbul. An interesting feature of the Blue Mosque is that it has 6 minarets, while the standard number is 4. The blue mosque is very beautiful – paintings on blue-gray tiles contrast with the orange carpet made of natural wool. The Blue Mosque can also be accessed free of charge during the day, except when prayers are in progress. Details and schedule of prayers on the website of the Blue Mosque.
Suleimaniye Mosque
The Suleimaniye Mosque was built for Suleiman the Magnificent by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan. The Suleymaniye observation deck offers one of the postcard views of Istanbul and the Golden Horn Bay. Details on the website of Suleimaniye.
Basilica tank
The Yerebatan Sarayı or Basilica Cistern is an underground reservoir dating back to the time of Constantinople, one of the largest water storage facilities that has survived to this day.
A grandiose underground structure with columns resting on the vaulted ceiling, where water was stored for uninterrupted supply to the Grand Palace and the Topkapi Palace. Water still gurgles at the bottom of the cistern, where huge carps swim. Now it is a museum that anyone can visit on the website of the cistern.
Feodosia Cistern – Sherefiye Cistern
The Feodosia Cistern (Şerefiye Sarnıcı) is another underground water storage facility that was reopened in the summer of 2018 after an 8-year restoration. The historic cistern, built 1600 years ago, is now open to the public. It hosts 360° laser shows, where you can see the space in three dimensions in a new way and trace the historical and cultural milestones of the Cistern of Sherefiye and Istanbul. It is located in Eminönü behind the Pierre Loti Hotel and is open daily from 9:00 to 19:00.
Topkapi Palace
The main residence of the rulers of the Ottoman Empire, and nowadays the most visited museum not only in Istanbul but also in the whole of Turkey. The rulers of the Ottoman Empire lived here, and today many historical relics are preserved. The most beautiful Gulhane Park is located next to Topkapi Palace.
If you are in Istanbul in April, you can visit the tulip festival held in Gulhane Park.
Details about the schedule and ticket prices on the website of the Istanbul Museums.
A new mosque
Not far from the Galata Bridge on Eminönü Square is the New Mosque, Valide Sultan, which is also free to enter. There are much fewer tourists here, and free entry to both mosques is possible during hours not reserved for prayer.
Galata Bridge
A famous landmark is the Galata Bridge, where locals fish. The bridge connects the Eminenyu embankment with the Karaköy embankment. On the Eminenu waterfront, you can taste balık ekmek (grilled fish in a bun), and across the bridge near the Fish Market, you can eat freshly grilled catch.
Egyptian bazaar
Egyptian bazaar is located near the Eminenu waterfront, it has the best prices for spices, cheese, olives, and other products worth bringing home as a souvenir.
Route in Beyoglu
If you go from the airport to Taksim Square, you can spend a few hours in the Beyoglu district. There are many interesting places here, as well as many secret streets that you should definitely check out.
Taksim Square
Taksim Square is Istanbul’s favorite place for meetings and city walks. There are also rallies and protests here – keep this in mind if you are traveling to the city during the next demonstrations.
Istiklal Street
Istaklal Street, the most famous and crowded street in Istanbul, leads from Taksim Square towards the Golden Horn. It’s constantly buzzing like a beehive, with tourists walking around the clock. Istiklal has a huge number of shops – from fashion boutiques of famous brands to confectioneries and cozy bookstores. The famous old Istanbul tram runs along Istiklal. If you don’t want to ride it, you should at least take a photo with the tram as a souvenir!
Galata Tower
The Galata Tower is one of the symbols of Istanbul. From a height of more than 60 meters, the Galata Tower offers views of all the city’s sights and the Golden Horn Bay. Try out the 4D cinema on the second floor of the tower – a good bird’s eye view of the city. Details about the visit and tickets to the Galata Tower on the official website.
Kamondo stairs
In 1860, the banker Kamondo built a “curly” staircase, replacing its predecessor, which was too steep and slippery. Now tourists take pictures on the Kamondo stairs, and Istanbul cats sit on them in the evening. Address: Bereketzade, Bankalar Cd.10
Ataturk’s favorite wine bar
Pano is the most famous wine bar in the city, and also the oldest: it was opened in 1896 by Greeks, who, unlike Muslims, could sell alcohol. Pano is a typical Greek tavern. In the afternoon, you can easily have a glass of good Turkish wine here. but for evening gatherings it is better to book a table in advance. Address: Hamalbashi Caddesi 26 (Galatasaray, Beyoğlu).
Route in Beşiktaş
Attractions in the Beşiktaş area are scattered along the Bosphorus. Therefore, you will either have to walk a lot or use public transportation. How to buy an Istanbulkart card I recommend reading here .
Ortaköy Mosque
The Ortaköy Mosque is another symbol of Istanbul, located on the very shore of the Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul, both externally and due to the richly decorated interior.
Dolmabahce Palace
The huge palace is another residence of the Ottoman rulers, stretching along the Bosphorus. The style of the Dolmabahçe Palace resembles a mixture of oriental and European baroque. For details about the schedule and ticket prices on the website of the Istanbul Museums.
District of cafes and bars in Karaköy
In the former industrial zone, Karaköy has a whole neighborhood with many cafes, art galleries, music shops and bars. It has a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, where you can enjoy a third-wave coffee and hang out in the pub. If you want to eat soup, you can find the most unusual soup kitchen in the world – Karakoy Corba Evi. It is located in a former church building. The menu includes 25 types of soups – delicious and inexpensive! This place is located in the Beyoğlu district between the Galata Bridge, the Museum of Modern Art, Kemeralti Street and the Bosphorus Strait.
The best baklava in Istanbul
The best baklava is sold in the Karaköy Gulluoglu dessert cafe (50 meters from the Karaköy pier). Dozens of types of sweets have been made here since 1949. Here you can taste them with a glass of tea, or pack them in beautiful boxes and bring sweet gifts home. The confectionery has its own website where you can order delivery.
New Galataport embankment
The Galataport waterfront on the Bosphorus in Istanbul’s Karaköy district includes numerous art centers, many boutiques and hotels, restaurants, cafes, and a world-class cruise terminal. The exhibition of the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art will move to the new building. It will also house a library, a cinema, a designer store, and several event venues.
Route in Kadikoy
If you don’t have much time between flights, and if your airport is on the Asian side – Sabiha Gokcen – it’s better not to plan a trip to the European part of Istanbul (Sultanhamet, Beyoglu, Beşiktaş). Limit yourself to a walk in the Kadikoy district, which many tourists simply skip, not knowing about its interesting places. Kadik will be interesting to those who have been to Istanbul more than once or twice.
Khaidarpasha railway station
Haidarpasa Station is located right next to the vaporetto piers in Kadikoy. It was built in 1909 and ceased to function as intended after numerous fires in 2012. The same year, Khaidarpash was planned to be turned into a luxury hotel, but was eventually closed.
Monument to the bull
The monument to the bull is located on Altiyol Square and is actually about 150 years old. It can be called Kadikey’s business card. Locals make appointments here and tourists come to see it.
Ancient tram #20
He travels along one of the most colorful streets in the Fashion District, Bahariye Caddesi. It’s easy to recognize: a historic yellow tram runs along the rails, and colorful balloons are installed along the sidewalks.
Embankment and Moda Park
If you have time, take a stroll along the Moda promenade, enjoying the views of the Sea of Marmara.
What to bring from Istanbul?
On every street in Istanbul, you will see low tables with men sitting around them, slowly and respectfully drinking tea from small glasses-a mess. This tart, dark amber drink is a traditional occasion for meetings: families gather for tea, important issues are resolved and even deals are made over tea.
Turkish tea and a set of tea cups will not let you forget the true taste of Turkey. It will be complemented by oriental sweets. But it is better to buy them where there are no crowds of tourists. There are sweets shops scattered throughout Istanbul – bring baklava as a gift, it can be vacuum-packed.
Getting to Istanbul
Most airlines, as well as Turkish Airlines, fly to Istanbul’s new airport, Istanbul Havalimani.
Pegasus flies into Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Useful articles and links:
- Vacation on the coast of Antalya – our own experience
- Lycian coast – a great guide to atypical Turkey
- How to get to Turkey from Ukraine
- Free Istanbul
- Patara Beach – instructions for independent travelers
- Tbilisi for three days – what to do in the capital of Georgia
Car rental – cheap car rental options at Rentalcars.com
Travel Medical Insurance – online on the EKTA
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com
