Istanbul tours and tickets
Istanbul sells a few sights by queue and a few by slot. Topkapı's Harem and the Basilica Cistern are worth booking a few days ahead in spring and autumn, and Hagia Sophia has its own ticket rules that you should check a week before. The Blue Mosque and the bazaars need nothing. A Bosphorus boat can be bought at the pier, and a hammam or a dervish show a day ahead.
Book these first
- Topkapı Palace Harem
- a few days ahead in spring and autumn. The Harem has its own timed entry and sells out on busy days.
- Bosphorus cruise or sunset boat
- a day or two ahead in season. Evening departures fill, and a booked seat avoids the touts at the quay.
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Churches and palaces
Hagia Sophia
A sixth-century church, later a mosque and now a mosque open to visitors, with a vast dome and Byzantine mosaics. Visitors enter by a separate upper gallery with its own ticket rules, which have changed, so check the official page.
Which to pick. Check the official ticket rules a week before. Go at opening or late in the day, and dress modestly.
Check rules a week beforeVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorBlue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, with six minarets and thousands of blue tiles inside. It is a working mosque with no ticket, closed to visitors at prayer times. Cover your shoulders and knees, and women need a headscarf.
Which to pick. Go in the morning, avoiding the prayer times. A guide adds the stories of the tiles, but the visit is short.
Not needed, entry is freeVisitor guideTours and tickets on ViatorTopkapı Palace and the Harem
The Ottoman sultans' palace on the point, with courtyards, treasury rooms and the Harem, which needs a separate ticket. A visit takes three hours. Audio guides and tours are sold.
Which to pick. Book the Harem ticket along with the palace, and arrive at opening. A guide is useful for the Harem's layout.
A few days ahead in spring and autumnVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Monuments and landmarks
Basilica Cistern
A Byzantine underground water cistern with 336 columns and two Medusa heads, lit softly. Tickets are timed and queues are common at midday. A visit takes about 40 minutes.
Which to pick. Buy a timed ticket online and go early or in the evening. It is cool and dry in summer, so it is a good plan for a hot day.
A few days ahead in seasonTours and tickets on ViatorGalata Tower
A medieval tower with a viewing balcony over the Golden Horn and the old city. It has a lift and a ticket, with queues at sunset. The neighborhood has cafés and shops.
Which to pick. Go at opening or mid-morning. Sunset has the best light and the longest queue, so choose with that in mind.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorGrand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar
Two covered markets, one of 60 streets and thousands of stalls, the other of spices and sweets. They are free to enter and closed on Sundays and some holidays. Guided tours explain what to buy.
Which to pick. Take a guide if you want shopping tips and the history. Go on a weekday morning and carry cash for small purchases.
Not needed, entry is freeTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Bosphorus cruise
Boats sail between the bridges, passing palaces, wooden mansions and fortresses on both shores. Short trips last two hours, and there are longer ones to the Black Sea. Sunset and dinner boats run in season.
Which to pick. Take the two-hour daytime boat for the views. A sunset boat is good in summer, and tickets are sold at the pier.
A day or two ahead in seasonTours and tickets on ViatorPrinces' Islands
A group of car-free islands in the Sea of Marmara, reached by ferry in 90 minutes, with pine woods, wooden houses and carriages. Büyükada is the largest island.
Which to pick. Go on a weekday in summer, bring a swim and take the early boat. Buy a ferry ticket at the pier, and book lunch ahead.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Traditional hammam
A Turkish bath with a steam room, a scrub and a foam massage in a historic bathhouse. Sessions last about an hour and a half and are often segregated or timed by gender.
Which to pick. Choose a historic bathhouse for the setting, and book a morning slot. Bring a swimsuit and ask what is included.
A day aheadTours and tickets on ViatorWhirling dervish ceremony
A Sufi ceremony with music and turning dancers, held in a cultural center or an old lodge in the evening. It lasts about an hour, and the best are in the old city.
Which to pick. Pick a genuine ceremony over a dinner show. Book a day or two ahead and arrive early for a seat.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on ViatorFood tour
A guided walk through Karaköy, Kadıköy or the old city, with stops for börek, kebab, baklava, tea and Turkish coffee. Tours last about four hours.
Which to pick. Choose a Kadıköy market tour for less touristy food. Book a morning slot and come hungry.
2 to 4 days aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Bursa
The first Ottoman capital, with its Grand Mosque, covered bazaar and the Uludağ mountain, about two hours by fast ferry and bus. It is known for İskender kebab and chestnut candy.
Which to pick. Go on a weekday by ferry and bus, or take a guided day. Leave early to have time on the mountain.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorEdirne
A border city with a masterpiece mosque by Sinan, about three hours by road or train, with a quiet old center and liver fry. Tours are long.
Which to pick. Go only if you love Ottoman architecture. Take the train for an easy day, or book a guided trip.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Istanbul
- Museum Pass IstanbulA pass for several state museums and sites, including Topkapı, the Harem and the archaeological museums, valid for a few days. It pays off with three or more museums, but does not cover every site. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Istanbul
Do I need to book Hagia Sophia?
The rules for non-Turkish visitors have changed, and ticket types vary. Check the official page a week before you travel, and go at opening to avoid queues.
Can I visit the Blue Mosque at any time?
No. It closes to tourists during the five daily prayers, especially Friday midday. Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off shoes at the entrance.
Is the Museum Pass Istanbul worth it?
It is worth it if you plan Topkapı, the Harem and two or three more museums within a few days. For fewer, single tickets are simpler.
Is a Bosphorus cruise worth it?
Yes. Palaces and wooden mansions are best seen from the water. The public ferry is the cheapest, and a private boat is better for sunset.
How do I avoid hammam tourist traps?
Choose a historic bathhouse with clear services and a time slot. Ask what the package includes before you start, and avoid hassle in the street.
What can wait until I arrive?
The Blue Mosque, bazaars, Galata Tower, ferries and a walk through Karaköy can be done on the day. Book the Harem, the Cistern and any hammam a few days ahead.