Destination guide • Istanbul
Tourism in Istanbul brings together Ottoman and Byzantine history, Bosphorus views and age-old bazaars in one city spanning two continents. In this guide you will find the top attractions, day trips and the areas to stay that suit families.
Why Istanbul?
Istanbul sits on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, so half of it is in Europe and the other half in Asia, and it was the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires for many centuries. That is why in a single day you can find sultans' mosques, palaces overlooking the water, modern neighborhoods and large shopping centers. It is the first stop for most visitors to Turkey, and with a population of more than 15 million it is Turkey's largest and most vibrant city, and the starting point for destinations such as Bursa, Sapanca and Trabzon.
Most visitors start in the Sultanahmet area, where Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace are steps from one another, then move on to a Bosphorus cruise, where they see Dolmabahçe Palace, the suspension bridges and the old wooden mansions on the shore. In the evening the Taksim area and İstiklal Avenue come alive, while Galata Tower offers one of the finest views over the Golden Horn. A visit is not complete without passing through the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, or climbing Çamlıca Hill to see the whole city from the Asian side.
Istanbul suits families especially well: halal food is available almost everywhere, Arabic restaurants are common in Fatih, Aksaray and Taksim, and there are many options for children such as Miniatürk park, aquariums and large parks. Couples find a quiet, romantic atmosphere in dinner cruises and cafés on the Asian side. Mosques are found in almost every neighborhood, so it is easy to pray on time during tours and shopping.
At OYA Tourism we arrange a flexible program that includes airport pickup, the hotel and a private car with an English-speaking driver, and we divide the tours by area to reduce time lost in traffic. You can start with the Istanbul 5-day program or combine the city with Bursa and Sapanca in a longer program, and then we adjust it to your family members' ages and your budget. We also arrange Bosphorus dinner cruises and book waterfront hotels for those visiting Istanbul on their honeymoon.
Top sights
A carefully chosen list of what is worth your time in Istanbul, with smart visit sequencing within our programs.
An architectural masterpiece nearly 1,500 years old, built as a church in the Byzantine era and turned into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest, and prayers are held there today. Its enormous dome and decoration are among the most photographed in the city.
It faces Hagia Sophia and is distinguished by its six minarets and the blue tiles that gave it its popular name. Entry is free, and it is closed to visitors during prayer times.
The seat of the Ottoman sultans for about four centuries, with the Chamber of the Sacred Relics, the Treasury and gardens overlooking the meeting of the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara.
A boat ride between Europe and Asia passing Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque and Rumeli Hisarı Fortress under the suspension bridges. Short daytime trips and evening dinner cruises are available.
A 14th-century stone tower offering a circular view of the Golden Horn and the old city, and the alleys around it are full of cafés and craft shops.
Turkey's largest mosque, opened in 2019 on Çamlıca Hill on the Asian side, with a wide view of the Bosphorus from its courtyard. An ideal place for Friday prayer or a quiet visit with the family.
An archipelago in the Sea of Marmara reached by ferry, and its best-known island is Büyükada. Private cars are not used there, so you get around by bicycle or electric carriage among the wooden houses and forests.
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with thousands of shops for gold, carpets and gifts, and the nearby Spice Bazaar is the destination for spices, Turkish delight and nuts.
The heart of modern Istanbul: a long pedestrian street with the historic red tram, lined with shops, restaurants and cafés, and lovely for a stroll after dinner.
A grand Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus shore, built in the 19th century, where the crystal chandeliers and the huge ceremonial hall will dazzle you. Arriving in the morning is best to avoid the queues.
The Eyüp district holds the tomb of the revered Companion Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may God be pleased with him), and from there a cable car rises to the Pierre Loti café overlooking the Golden Horn.
A miniature-model park on the shores of the Golden Horn displaying replicas of Turkey's most famous landmarks and former Ottoman lands, a fun and relaxing stop for children.
Ready-made programs
Day-by-day programs that can be fully adjusted to your number of days and budget.
Five balanced days in Istanbul: the Old City, the Bosphorus between two continents, and a day trip to Lake Sapanca and Maşukiye, with a selected hotel and an English-speaking driver.
A week that combines Istanbul's magic with Bursa's calm: the Old City and the Bosphorus, then two nights in Bursa with the Uludağ cable car and the first Ottoman mosques.
Three destinations in one trip: Istanbul's landmarks, then two nights between Lake Sapanca and the forests of Maşukiye, and a night in Bursa with Mount Uludağ.
Combines two of the most popular destinations in Turkey: Istanbul's landmarks and the Bosphorus, then Trabzon, Lake Uzungöl, Ayder and Sümela Monastery, with domestic flights.
A family trip at a calm pace: Istanbul's landmarks and places for children, two nights in a bungalow in Sapanca, then Trabzon and Uzungöl among lakes and horse farms.
Nine days for newlyweds: romantic Istanbul on the Bosphorus, two nights in a cave hotel in Cappadocia with a balloon option, and two nights in a private bungalow in Sapanca.
Day Trips
Where to stay?
Istanbul hotels: areas and options
We can also arrange airport pickup and a private English-speaking driver for you.
OYA tips
Design your trip
Fill in the form and you will receive a suggested itinerary on WhatsApp, with hotel and transport options.
Questions & answers
4 to 5 days are enough to see the main sights: one day for the Old City, one for the Bosphorus, one for the Asian side and one for a trip out of town such as Bursa or Sapanca. With children or shopping lovers, we suggest 6–7 days at a relaxed pace. See our 5-day Istanbul itinerary.
Taksim and Şişli are the most popular for their closeness to shopping, restaurants and transport; Sultanahmet is ideal for history lovers; and Fatih and Aksaray are a budget option with many Arabic restaurants. For a honeymoon we recommend a hotel on the Bosphorus shore.
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, a Bosphorus cruise, Galata Tower, Çamlıca Mosque, the Princes' Islands, the Grand Bazaar, İstiklal Avenue, Dolmabahçe Palace and the Abu Ayyub al-Ansari Mosque.
The price varies a lot by type of trip: public ferries are the cheapest option, organized tourist cruises are slightly higher, and dinner cruises and private yachts are the most expensive. Because prices change by season, we send you the updated price on WhatsApp on request.
The most popular are Bursa and Mount Uludağ, Sapanca and Maşukiye, Şile and Ağva, the Princes' Islands, and Lake Abant and the Seven Lakes. We arrange them with a private car and an English-speaking driver.
Yes, it has large gardens and parks, Miniatürk park, aquariums, amusement parks and boat trips that kids love. We only advise limiting the number of sights per day and avoiding travel at rush hour.
Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side and is usually the better fit for staying in Taksim and Sultanahmet, while Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is on the Asian side and closer to Üsküdar and Kadıköy. We arrange pickup from both airports.
From the OYA guide
A practical plan for five days in Istanbul that combines the historic sights, the Bosphorus and a day trip to Bursa or Sapanca, with advice on where to stay and tips that save time and effort.
A practical guide to the most popular day trips from Istanbul: Sapanca and Maşukiye, Bursa and Uludağ, the Princes' Islands, and Şile and Ağva, with a comparison table and tips for choosing between a day trip and an overnight stay.
Instead of generic numbers that don't fit your trip, we explain the components of travel costs in Turkey and what raises and lowers them, with a simple way to calculate a one-week budget and practical saving tips.
Discover more
Gateway to Turkey's green Black Sea
A lake among clouds and forests
The first Ottoman capital and the snow mountain
A lake and forests two hours away
Sun, sea and mountains on the Mediterranean
Sunrise balloons over the fairy chimneys
Aegean bays and yacht marinas
Personal service from start to finish
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