#秋日生活打卡季#
Istanbul is Turkey's largest city, which is a city across the Eurasian continent, is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, today I have compiled a three-day Istanbul tour guide, I hope to give a reference to friends who plan to travel.
How to get there
1. Airplane ✈️
(1) International departure (direct flight): Istanbul is a city that straddles the Eurasian continent, and most countries have direct flights to Istanbul, of which direct flights from Romania are the cheapest, with a one-way ticket price of only 24 euros (refer to December 2023 air ticket prices).
(2) From China (direct flight): From China, there are 4 cities that can fly directly to Istanbul, of which the cheapest departure from Chengdu is the cheapest, with a one-way ticket price of as low as 496 euros (refer to December 2023 air ticket price).
(3) Departure from China (transit): From China, if you take a connecting flight, then the cheapest transfer from Guangzhou + Dubai is the cheapest, and the one-way fare is as low as 338 euros (refer to the December 2023 ticket price).
2. Train
(1) International trains: There are two international trains in Turkey, of which the train to and from Tehran (Iran) was suspended during the epidemic, and currently only the train to and from Sofia (Bulgaria) is operating normally, with a one-way fare of 18.48 euros + 10 euros in taxes.
Departure: Sofia (Bulgaria) - Istanbul (Turkey), departs daily at 18:40 and arrives at 6:34 the next morning.
Return: Istanbul (Turkey) – Sofia (Bulgaria), departs daily at 20:00 pm and arrives at 9:33 AM the next morning.
⚠️ Reminder: International trains to and from Sofia stop at Halkali Station in Istanbul.
(2) Domestic trains: Turkey's domestic railway network is not well developed, and only some cities have trains, such as from Ankara to Istanbul:
Ankara-Istanbul: 12 buses a day, the first at 7:00 am and the last bus at 22:00 pm, a journey of 4-7 hours and a fare of 200-280 TL (different seats vary in fare).
⚠️ Reminder: Trains to and from Ankara stop at Istanbul's Sogutlucesme station.
3. Bus
(1) International buses: Almost all countries around Turkey have direct international buses to Istanbul or Turkish border cities, such as from Athens and Belgrade to Istanbul:
Athens (Greece) - Istanbul (Turkey): 1 bus per day, departing Athens at 17:00 pm and arriving at 9:00 am the next day, the journey takes 14 and a half hours and costs €75.
Belgrade (Serbia) - Istanbul (Turkey): 1 bus per day departs Belgrade at 14:45 pm and arrives at 7:45 am the next morning, the journey takes 15 hours and costs 1473 TL.
⚠️ Note: Travelling by bus from Serbia to Turkey requires transit through Schengen countries, so a Schengen visa is a must!
(2) Domestic bus: Turkey's domestic bus network is very developed and cost-effective, tickets can be booked on the official website of Obilet, there is an English page, from Istanbul to Goreme as an example:
Istanbul - Goreme: 24 hours a day, every half hour/hour, the first bus departs at 0:10 am and the last bus departs at 23:45 pm, the journey takes 10-12 hours and costs as low as 899 TL (refer to December 2023 ticket prices).
⚠️ Remind:
(1) Booking tickets on the official website of Obilet, you cannot use UnionPay card payment, you can only use a visa card or Mastercard, if not, you can only go to the scene to buy tickets, but because the price of tickets for different time periods and different bus companies is very different, it is strongly recommended that you check the bus company and departure time before going to the station to buy tickets!
(2) Turkey's bus station is called Otogar, Google map search Otogar can query the station location of all cities in Turkey, some cities will have several Otogar, when booking tickets must see clearly which Otogar is in !!
Where to stay
1. Best location: Istanbul is divided into European and Asian areas, most tourists live in the European area, because most of the main attractions are distributed in the European area, it is recommended to choose accommodation near Taksim Square.
2. Lowest price: the cheapest hostel price is between 8-15 euros, try to choose a hostel with a rating above 8.0, it is recommended to choose a hostel with a terrace, and the shooting of the city night is very good (refer to the BOOKING platform December 2023 prices).
⚠️ Reminder: Istanbul's best value for money is not actually a hostel, but a homestay, the price is similar to the hostel, or slightly more expensive, but you can have your own independent room, the only drawback is that the location may not be very good.
Itinerary
Istanbul is a city with a very rich history, there are countless historical buildings in the city, there are so many places to visit, here is the specific itinerary of my three-day trip:
Day 1 DAY 1 City Discovery Tour (Explore the main attractions in the city center)
Mode of travel: Walking + bus
Duration: Day trip (1 hour on foot, 15 minutes by bus, 5 hours on tour)
️ Travel distance: 7.5 km (4.5 km on foot, 3 km by bus)
⛱️ Number of attractions: 9
Travel budget: ¥250 (all expenses on the day, excluding accommodation)
1, Taksim Meydanı: This is the most important square in Turkey, the status in Turkey is equivalent to our Chinese Tiananmen Square, and the daily itinerary can start from this square.
2. Istiklal Avenue (İstiklal Cd.): This is one of the most lively pedestrian streets in Turkey, the streets are lined with Greek buildings, along the street there are a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, boutiques, bookstores, music stores, cinemas, theaters, art galleries, libraries, as well as old pastry shops, chocolate shops, ice cream shops and various food stalls, this street is southwest of Taksim Square, a total length of 3 kilometers, here for 2-3 hours is no problem.
In addition, there are many small spots on this street, and 3 of them are worth seeing
(1) Sent Antuan Kilisesi Cathedral in Padua, Istanbul: This is a neo-Gothic church built in the early 20th century and worth seeing.
(2) Museum of Modern Art (Salt Beyoğlu): Here you can see Turkish art exhibitions in the 90s, there is a screening hall on the first floor, and there is a café and reading area on the second floor, so you can come here to take a break if you are tired of shopping.
(3) Santa Maria de la Perris Roman Catholic Church (Santa Maria Draperis Kilisesi): This is also a Catholic church on Istiklal Street, but the interior is more like an Orthodox church and is worth seeing.
3, Galata Kulesi: This is a 14th century old prison, now a landmark attraction in Istanbul, there is a restaurant at the top of the tower, overlooking the Bosphorus, the sunset at night is very beautiful, the ticket is 410 lira, it takes 10 minutes to walk from Independence Avenue, the stone tower is surrounded by a pedestrian block, restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlors, etc. are also available, it is recommended to arrange 2 hours.
⚠️ Reminder: If you plan to see the night view, it is best to go to the queue at 5 pm, because there are really many tourists.
4, Galata Köprüsü: This is a bridge across the Golden Horn, there are many anglers on the bridge, you can see many seagulls hovering overhead, and cruise ships pass by the bottom of the bridge, which is more suitable for taking photos, and it takes 13 minutes to walk from the Galada Stone Tower.
⚠️ Reminder: There is a seaside park under the northern bridge of the bridge, where many locals walk in the evening, or sit by the sea and chat, the environment is very good, and you can come and sit in the evening.
5. Dolmabahçe Sarayı: This is the new royal palace of the Ottoman Empire, located in the European quarter on the west coast of the Bosphorus, completed in 1856. It takes only 15 minutes by bus 28/28T/30D from Galata Bridge or 17 minutes by T1 metro. Tickets are 650 TL and the Mehtel show is held every Tuesday, where it is recommended to arrange 2-3 hours.
⚠️ Note: Photography is not allowed inside the building, only outside, and the rental of audio guides is free, but passport or $100 deposit is required!
Day 2 Historic Discovery Tour (Explore the historic buildings in the city center)
Mode of travel: Walking + bus
Duration: Day trip (35 minutes on foot, 17 minutes by bus, 6 hours on tour)
️ Travel distance: 6.2 km (2.6 km on foot, 3.6 km by bus)
⛱️ Number of attractions: 10
Travel budget: ¥180 (all expenses on the day, excluding accommodation)
1. Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı): This is the largest bazaar in Turkey, super popular, you can buy a lot of very cheap Turkish specialties, but be sure to bargain. From Taksim Square, walk 12 minutes to Fındıklı-Mımar Sınan University Station, then take the T1 metro 17 minutes to the Grand Bazaar, which is well worth visiting and is recommended to arrange 2 hours.
2, Theodosius Underground Palace (Şerefiye Sarnıcı): This is a cistern built 1600 years ago, if you enter before 21:00, there are 2 different shows and light shows every half hour, each 15 minutes, the ticket is 450 lira, it takes 7 minutes to walk from the Grand Bazaar, it is recommended to arrange 1 hour here.
3. Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art (Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi): Here you can learn about Turkey's history, religion and territorial changes in various periods, which is very worth visiting. Tickets are 200 TL, free entry if you have a museum card, it takes 5 minutes to walk from the underground palace of Theodosius, here it is recommended to arrange 1 hour.
4, Constantine Arena (Sultanahmet Meydanı): This was originally a racecourse in ancient Rome, now it has been changed into a public square, the square is rectangular, just next to the museum, less than 1 minute walk, it is recommended to arrange 30 minutes. There are 4 check-in points on the square that you must not miss:
(1) Alman Çeşmesi: Built to commemorate the second anniversary of the visit of German Emperor Wilhelm II to Istanbul in 1898, it was originally built in Germany and transported and assembled here piece by piece in 1900.
(2) Theodosius Dikilitaşı: This is the obelisk of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III (circa 1490 BC), originally placed in the Karnak Temple in Luxor, brought over during the Crusades.
(3) Snake Pillar (Yılanlı Sütun): This ancient Greek monument made of bronze, built to commemorate the victory of the Greek city-states united against the Persian army in 479 BC, was brought to Istanbul by Constantine the Great in 324 AD, originally had a three-headed snake column, but now only one snake head remains in the museum.
(4) Pillar (Örme Dikilitaş): Also known as the Constantine Obelisk , the exact date of construction is still unknown, but it is named after Constantine VII, an emperor who ordered its restoration in the 10th century AD and named it after him.
5, Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii): This is one of the must-see attractions when traveling to Turkey, also known as the Blue Mosque, because the dome is blue, very suitable for taking pictures, right next to the Constantine Arena, less than 1 minute walk, no ticket required, it is recommended to arrange 30 minutes here.
⚠️ Reminder: To enter the mosque, men cannot wear too short shorts, women need to bring headscarves, there are some vendors peddling headscarves at the door, you don't need to buy them, because the mosque will provide them for free.
6, Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Camii): This is also a must-visit attraction, is a very important building, the Blue Mosque is modeled after this church and built, in 2019, this is still a museum, you need a ticket or a museum card to enter, you can see a lot of Christian frescoes on the dome, but now it has been converted into a mosque, the murals have been recovered, nothing can be seen, The only good thing is that no tickets are required, Hagia Sophia is opposite the Blue Mosque, it takes 6 minutes to walk over, here it is recommended to arrange 1 hour.
⚠️ Remind:
(1) Next to the Hagia Sophia there is a palace of the underground (Yerebatan Sarnıcı), which is highly duplicated with the underground palace of Theodosius, and the ticket price is also 450 lira, which is not included in the museum ticket, so it is recommended to choose one of the two places.
(2) Next to the Hagia Sophia there is also the Church of Holy Peace (Aya İrini), a Byzantine Orthodox church built in the 4th century, the ticket price is 300 lira, but there is nothing inside, so it is not recommended for everyone to visit.
Day 3 DAY 3 Eurasia Day Tour (Ferry from Europe to Asia)
Mode of travel: walking + bus + ferry
Duration: Day trip (1 hour on foot, 12 minutes by bus, 15 minutes by ferry, 7 hours on tour)
️ Travel distance: 12.1 km (5.4 km on foot, 3.8 km by bus, 2.9 km by ferry)
⛱️ Number of attractions: 4
Travel budget: ¥260 (all expenses on the day, excluding accommodation)
1, Istanbul Archaeological Museum (İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri): This museum has a very rich collection of cultural relics, it is worth seeing, the ticket is 340 lira, there is a museum card to enter for free, from Taksim Square, first walk 12 minutes to Fındıklı-Mımar Sınan University Station, then take T1 metro 12 minutes to Gülhane station, and then walk 2 minutes to arrive, here it is recommended to arrange 2 hours.
⚠️ Reminder: Next to the museum there is İBB Gülhane Korusu, which is very large and very well set and can also be visited if you have time.
2, Topkapi Palace Museum (Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi): Also known as the Old Royal Palace, it was built by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, between 1460 and 1478, and has always been the residence of the Ottoman sultan, royal treasures, relics of the Prophet Muhammad and imperial archives are here, so it is very worth visiting, the ticket is 950 liras, not included in the museum card, 5 minutes walk from the archaeological museum, The Mehtel show is held here every Wednesday, and it is recommended to arrange it for 4 hours.
⚠️ Reminder: This attraction has a lot of tourists every day, so be sure to reserve plenty of time, I was in line for more than 1 hour the last time I went alone.
3, Sirkeci Marina (Sirkeci): This is a pier in the European side of Istanbul, where you can take a cruise to the Asian area, there are a total of 22 ferry routes in the Bosphorus, it only takes 15-20 minutes to go from Europe to Asia, the fare is 10-15 liras, and there is a boat every day from 6:00 am to 23:00 pm, almost 15 minutes. Sirkeji Pier is the closest pier to Topkapi Palace, an 18-minute walk away, followed by a 15-minute ferry ride to Harem Marina in Asia.
⚠️ Remind:
(1) On the cruise, you can sit indoors or walk up to the deck and prepare a bag of chips to feed the seagulls.
(2) The wind over the Bosphorus is very strong, so bring a jacket even in summer.
(3) You can take a regular ferry, do not take the IDO ferry, because the fare of this ferry is 55 lira, and the itinerary is the same as that of a regular ferry.
4, Üsküdar Beach Walk (Üsküdar Sahili Yürüme Yolu): This is the most beautiful coastal walk in the Asian part of Istanbul, from Harem Pier to Üsküdar Pier (Üsküdar) is 3 kilometers long, there are many places to stop and take pictures along the way, very filmed, you can also see the Virgin Tower in the middle, walk out of the harem pier and then walk to the left-hand side, this road stop-and-go is recommended to arrange 2 hours.
⚠️ Reminder: Return from Uskudar Marina to Dentur Avrasya Kabataş and return to the European Quarter.
Food recommendations
1. Local food: sesame rings (simit), which is Turkey's national snack, just eat it feels very dry, chew more than two times will be more fragrant, because there are a lot of sesame seeds on it, the taste is very good, the streets and alleys are sold everywhere, come to Turkey must eat once. The price is generally only 5-10 lira, cheap and delicious.
2. Specialty restaurants: Hafiz Mustafa 1864 (Hafiz Mustafa 1864), which is the most famous dessert shop in Turkey, is a century-old shop specializing in palace desserts, there are branches all over the country, there are 2-3 branches on Independence Avenue alone. You can also dine in, drink tea or eat ice cream.
⚠️ Reminder: The desserts in this store also come in gift boxes, so if you want to choose a souvenir, you can consider it.
Practical information
1. How to exchange money: Because of the exchange rate, prices in Turkey in recent years have been very unstable, so do not exchange too much money at one time, it is best to exchange as much as you want.
2. Internal transportation: Public transportation in Turkey is very convenient, almost all attractions can take buses, subways or ferries, no need to take a taxi at all, Google maps information is basically accurate.
The above is the strategy of the three-day tour of Istanbul that I have sorted out for you, in fact, if you really want to explore the city in depth, you must arrange at least more than a week, because there are too many places worth visiting in the city, but if the time is limited, the strategy of this three-day tour should be able to give you a reference. The next issue of the guide will share with you the earliest capital of the Ottoman Empire - Bursa!