10 Best Istanbul Travel Tips

With nearly 15 million inhabitants, in Istanbul you will find museums, monuments, bazaars and magical places that seem suspended in time. But also a lot of modernity with shopping centres and restaurants that will show you the best of the local gastronomy.

A duality that mixes the Muslim, Christian and Jewish worlds will make this destination a mystical and enchanting experience. If you are visiting the city for the first time, here are some key facts to help you plan your experience.

Before your trip to Istanbul, it's a good idea to confirm your arrival airport to avoid last-minute confusion, as the city has two airports: Atatürk International Airport, which is relatively well connected to the city, and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, where most charter and low-cost airlines operate.

A good option is to check what transfers are available between each airport and Istanbul to book a safe transfer to your accommodation. The journey may take an hour or more depending on traffic, but it is a comfortable alternative that will save you time and avoid the stress of getting around in a city as chaotic as Istanbul.

If you want to travel on your own, depending on your arrival time, you can also use the city's public transport.

Get to the airport free of charge with the Istanbul Tourist Pass

A convenient, efficient and economical way to get from the Turkish capital to the airport is to buy the Istanbul Tourist Pass.

Simply purchase your Istanbul Tourist Pass to enjoy its many benefits, including free transport to and from Istanbul Airport:

• Free access to approximately 85 attractions in the city, such as the Galata Tower Museum.
• Enjoy guided tours of the Topkapi Palace Museum and Hagia Sophia Mosque.
• Have fun on a dinner cruise on the Bosphorus with Turkish shows.
• Take a Segway tour of Istanbul.
• Book 24 hours in advance for a free transfer from Istanbul to the airport.

The Istanbul Tourist Pass is valid for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days and with it you can save up to 80% thanks to all its advantages.

On arrival, depending on your nationality, you may be required to obtain a visa or other documentation to enter the country.

A quick check before your trip on the website of the Turkish embassy in your country will give you some guidance on the mandatory requirements you'll need to present to the authorities.

You may also need to pay to apply for a 90-day tourist permit, either on arrival or in advance online.

Turkish is the official language and you should have no trouble communicating in English.

Although Spanish is spoken in many restaurants and shops, it is a good idea to learn a few greetings and words in Turkish, which will endear you to the locals.

Here are some basic expressions:

• Hello: Merhaba
• Thank you: Teşekkürler
• Please: Lütfen
• How much does it cost: Ne kadar

On the other hand, if you really want to soak up all the history, culture and architecture of Istanbul and languages are not your thing, a fantastic option is to book a guided tour of Istanbul where a guide will explain everything you need to know about this wonderful city in English.

The official currency of the country is the Turkish lira and you can check the exchange rate in your local currency before your trip. 1 euro is equivalent to approximately 31 Turkish lira.

Although in many places you can pay by card, it is advisable to bring cash, which you can get from ATMs or currency centres at the airport, although without much advantage in the particular exchange rate from euros to lira.

My suggestion is to change a small amount before you travel and check the ATM network of the bank you use to see if it's worth making cash withdrawals, as although they give a fairer rate for Turkish lira than the exchange bureaux, depending on the ATM, withdrawing money may be subject to fees.

There's a lot to see and do in Istanbul, so where you stay is key to getting the most out of the city. I'll start by explaining that the city is divided into two main areas: the more European area close to the tourist attractions and the more residential and local eastern side of the city.

• The Sultanahmet neighbour hood has good accommodation options and is very safe. I recommend it if it's your first time in the city because of its proximity to the major tourist attractions and ease of getting around. You'll be able to start your activities early and avoid the cumbersome queues.
• The neighbourhoods of Galata and Karaköy are a little further east, past the Galata Bridge, and are also very popular. They offer a little more choice in terms of nightlife, partying and dining options, are relatively central and well connected to the city's other attractions.

You'll find accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets in both areas, however, I recommend staying in the central area and making the most of your time, as traffic in the city can be chaotic at certain times. You can always check public transport schedules and frequencies.

From end to end, Istanbul is a city with hundreds of places to visit and with the option of getting around by tram, metro, ferry, city bus or funicular:

• The T1 tram line stops at almost every point of interest, and is the best option if you're visiting the city for the first time or don't understand the language well, as the metro lines can be difficult to understand.
• Taking the ferry is a great way to cross the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn, cross to the Asian side of Üsküdar and enjoy the sights Istanbul has to offer.

Transport is relatively inexpensive and the rechargeable Istanbulkart card gives you access to all available public transport including the ferry. It can be purchased online and is valid for the number of days you plan to be in the city.

Taxis in Istanbul

Although a taxi ride around the city centre doesn't cost more than 4-5 euros, it can be a real hassle to get a free one. In addition, to avoid scams, I recommend you always use a certified taxi.

If you have no choice but to take it on the street, I advise you to look for the route suggested by a GPS, negotiate with the driver beforehand, check the taximeter and be very careful when paying so that you get the corresponding change.

Other options for getting around Istanbul while sightseeing

On the other hand, there are options that, as well as taking you between different parts of the city, allow you to see different monuments and admire the sights, so they are an excellent option to consider:

• Booking a guided tour of Istanbul allows you to see the main monuments of the city without worrying about transport, as it is done in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver.
• Booking a cruise on the Bosphorus allows you to see numerous mosques and palaces, as well as the bridges connecting Europe and Asia.
• Booking a sunsetyacht cruise will take you around the entire Bosphorus area and a guide will explain the history of the most important buildings on the European and Asian coasts.

If bargaining runs through your veins, you're in the right place to play your wits to your advantage when it comes to shopping. If not, I recommend you to be very patient and calm, because this is a city where shopkeepers and waiters tend to be very insistent so that you don't leave their shop without buying anything, so knowing the tricks to haggle in Istanbul will be key.

Also, if you do, you'll really enjoy places like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, where you'll find a wide range of shops.

In many places, especially in bazaars, markets and street food stalls, they don't have electronic means of payment. If you are going to visit one of them, it is advisable to carry Turkish lira in your pocket or ask where to withdraw them to get a good deal and explore the city's colourful shopping areas.

When it comes to food, you'll find amazing food tours around Istanbul. Turkey' s culinary culture is world famous and there is no shortage of places to try it, thankfully. Although Istanbul is located between two seas and seafood dominates the restaurant menus, let me tell you that you have many more options of Turkish cuisine to include in your menu:

• Its famous kebabs.
• The lahmacun (Turkish pizza).
• Chicken with honey and spices.
• Meze, the appetizers served before the main meal.
• Turkish coffee.
• fresh fruit juices, such as orange and cherry.
• Raki, the typical Turkish liquor, also known as lion's milk.

The street stalls or self-service restaurants that abound in the city are a varied option, suitable for all tastes (vegetarian paradise, moreover), safe and with really good prices to try the best typical Turkish dishes every day.

If you want to take your experience even further, the meyhane, lokantas and traditional restaurants can be places where you can live an experience full of flavours that you won't forget. In fact, booking a private food tour of the lesser-known neighbourhoods of the Turkish capital can be a unique opportunity to sample some of Istanbul's most traditional food.

A panoramic view of the city will always allow you to better decide the agenda of places you want to visit according to your travelling nature. That's why I'm a fan of guided sightseeing bus tours, which in a few hours allow you to have a mental map of the city and plan a route that suits your needs or time. You tour the city at your own pace, hopping on or off wherever you want, so it's also ideal for those travelling for just 1 day in Istanbul.

This tour includes 12 stops close to the city's best attractions, audio guides in several languages and is suitable for children, people with reduced mobility or disabilities.

Discovering the city of Istanbul by night is highly recommended. Exploring the nocturnal magic of one of humanity's most iconic cities is an experience you won't forget:

• If you're on foot, on your tour you can come across cosy bars and pubs to share a drink, with many different styles and atmospheres. For drinks and snacks, after visiting the most beautiful mosques or having had an afternoon of shopping, you can find places with snacks and other dishes, as a prelude to Istanbul's nightlife party.
• If you want a novel experience, I also recommend a Segway tour.

But without a doubt, the best option is to book a yacht ride on the Bosphorus at sunset, letting yourself be bewitched by the spell of old Constantinople, its music and its unique night-time postcards.

If you've made it this far, you already have an idea of what the city's most popular tourist attractions are. However, there are some excursions and activities unique to this city that bridges two worlds. Here are my favourites:

Turkish baths

Istanbul's Turkish baths, which are replicated in every latitude of the globe, originated in ancient Constantinople.

Better known as Hammams, Istanbul has hundreds of such rooms where you can relax, get an exfoliating wash or a massage, while enjoying these architectural gems of the city.

I recommend you book in advance for a Turkish bath experience from which you will leave absolutely relaxed and with renewed strength to continue your journey.

Excursion to Cappadocia

If you're in Istanbul for three days or more, you can't miss a trip to Cappadocia, a perfect place to enjoy a Turkish sunrise with incredible views from a hot air balloon.

If you book this 2-day trip to Cappadocia you'll visit Uchisar Castle, the Goreme Open Air Museum and the underground city of Derinkuyu and take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Not to be missed!

Dervish dance

Another must-do in the city is to attend a dervish dance. This is one of the most hypnotic and curious experiences Istanbul has to offer. It is a religious ceremony that has its origins in a Sufi ritual, a spiritual current detached from material goods.

Watchingthe Dervish Gyrovagi show in Istanbul with their long robes spinning in absolute coordination is a mystical experience not to be missed to take the soul of Turkey into your heart.

Magical and mysterious, radiant, cosmopolitan and traditional, this place brings together the best of East and West in the same space. I wish you all the best for your stay in the city.