Istanbul- Top 5 must see!
 

Hi!

I am going to Istanbul for the first time this summer (hopefully) and was wondering if anyone could give me the top 5 things to go and see/do there?

I have been researching on the internet but I am feeling a little overwhelmed by the literature and would love some advice from someone who lives there or has visited.

Thanks,
BGGLGK

Hello BGGJGK,

it will help if you specify :

1. how many days and nights.
2. what your interests are: nature/scenery, Roman/Byzantine, Ottoman/turkish, Older Civilizations. Art, Architecture, Night life, hiking, Special subject museums, music (which type>), food (what type), people (what socio-economic level), spending time where locals are or where tourists are, etc.
3. which month (dates are useful, to see if they fall within the religios fasting or holy days.)
4. Any day trips utside the city? If considered. would you drive
5. Do you prefer tours o0r DIY?

If you park/public transport to the Topkapi palace, you could walk to many of the top.

Topkapi Palace
Archeological Museum
Hagia Sofia
Blue Mosque
Tomb of Sultan Ahmet I
Hippodrome
Cisterns
Grand Bazaar(bit longer walk)

It is normal to be overwhelmed. Istanbul is not about seeing a top 5 list. History is huge in Istanbul and covers long periods of time and reigns, all of which have left some impacts, more or less visible, and often veiled by cultural fusion. On top of that Istanbul lives on different paces, all enriching the urban fabric. An immigrant from eastern Turkey may be as much a stranger in Istanbul as a bloke from rural Texas.
Your literature will tell you what to visit, but do take the time to visit the off-the-beaten-path neighbourhoods and let yourself be overwhelmed.

And that's advice from someone who lived there...

I was planning for this July or August.

I enjoy history, architecture, local cuisine and immersing myself in the local culture whenever possible. That is to say that I do enjoy seeing the more touristy sites, but also like to discover some less popular sites that are often overlooked by travelers.

I hope to be in Istanbul for 5 days and would prefer to avoid tours wherever possible.

Thanks for the great info so far.

BGGLGK

Topkapi Palace & Archeological Museum
Hagia Sofia
Blue Mosque

Those are no-brainers, and they're all located within a stone's throw of each other. I'll throw the Cistern in with this group because it's in the same area, it's fast and easy to see, and it really is fascinating.

Beyond that, decide whether you'd rather take a tram ride over to the Beyoglu area and find a nice place to eat/drink/people-watch (we liked Nevizade street)... or take a taxi to the Chora Church/Kariye Muzesi to see the most incredible Byzantine mosaics & frescoes you ever saw. If you have the time, definitely do both.

Here's our trip report from April:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...cappadocia.cfm

5 days? In that case, also take the ferry to Kadıköy on the Asian side. Great neighborhood for exploring.

Taksim is also an interesting area. Perhaps also a Bosphorus cruise. We were going to go to a Turkish Bath but ran out of time.

Please bear in mind that I'm speaking solely from the perspective of a first-timer myself. otherchelebi is a longtime Istanbul resident and knows approx. 10,000x more than I about the city, its sites and its people.

Hi -- another recently returned first-time visitor.

I agree that otherchelebi is the source, hereabouts.

You might find the first couple of entries in my trip report from May useful.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...to-antalya.cfm

Mr_go and Fra_diavola, thanks for the vote of confidence.

But i think you guys will be the better source and advisors for the first short visit of someone to istanbul. And that is why i asked the questions in the first place.

As Baldrick said, there is just too much for five days. So the best bet of BGGLGK is to read your trip reports and advice as experienced tourists, and pick and choose from there.

if there had been special information needs due to the timing or if BGGLGk was to stay a longer period in the city i would pitch in.

If there are any questions regarding things like ferry schedules (ido.com) for Bosphorus ferries, or any concerts at time of visit, or very different food requests, etc. i will be glad to answer.

I think that many visitors get stuck in the Sultan Ahment area. True, most sightseeing is there, but it has very little to do with actual Istanbul. So you end up seeing a lot of Byzantine and ottoman stuff, but nothing of today's city.
So, besides all the obvious sight seeing, I would suggest that you head to Asmalimescit area in the evening. It is PACKED with bars and restaurants of all types, all the tables are out on the street, and all local crowd... Depending on the hour, you can take "Tunel" (underground funicular) from Karaköy to Asmalimescit. Funicular in itself is an experience! It is one of the oldest in Europe!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCnel

While most tourist do the Bosphorus boat tour, a walk between Rumeli Hisari, through Bebek to Arnavutköy is much better way to get in touch with the city. It will take you maybe an hour, and on the way you enjoy views, mix with the people, and can pick up ice cream for the famous Minidondurma in Bebek! You take a bus to get there, or a taxi. If you know where you are going, taxis are very convenient and in my opinion affordable.

For an idea of how city in changing, go to Fener area (up the Golden Horn) for a walk...it will be completely different from either Sultanahment or more "modern" areas of the city. From there take the funicular to Pierre Loti cafe with relaxing views, of cross over to Santralistanbul to visit ottoman electricity-plant-turned-contemporary-art museum.

Visit back streets of Beyoğlu - go to Cukurcuma and Cihangir or galata tower to visit antique shops, small boutiques, and street-cafe culture...