We don't have much time in Istanbul before our Mediterranean cruise leaves. Basically one day.....what should we NOT MISS?? How much can we fit in? I don't want to miss the Grand Bazaar, but I can't decide to try for Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, St. Sophia??

Michelle - <BR> <BR>All the things you mentioned are doable in a single, busy day - those sites are within easy walking distance of each other. <BR> <BR>Topkapi takes the longest. There are several museums on the grounds and you can only see the harem by waiting in line for a guided group tour. <BR> <BR>The Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia you can see on your own or with a guide and so take as much or as little time as you want. The guides will approach you outside the buildings, and they are cheap. Neither place is to be missed, but you'll especially want to see the mosaics in the Aya Sophia. <BR> <BR>The park between the mosques is a nice place to sit and people watch, and so is the hippodrome by the Blue Mosque. Also, across from the Sophia and on the way to the Grand Bazaar is a Roman cistern that's worth a short visit. <BR> <BR>The Grand Bazaar isn't far away, and you could spend a couple of hours wandering there easy. You can do all of that in a day if you get an early start.

I have a similar problem.<BR><BR>My ship arrives in Istanbul at 1pm and will stay overnight.<BR><BR>I want to visit the following places in half a day:<BR>Topkapi Palace<BR>Blue Mosque<BR>Aya Sophia<BR>Hippodrome<BR>Yerebatan Cistern<BR><BR>My question is:<BR>1) Are all these places within walking distance of each other?<BR>2) Is it feasible to visit all of these in 5 to 6 hours. <BR>3) In what order should we begin our tour?<BR>4) Is it safe to walk between these locations.<BR><BR>Thank you,<BR>Al

anyone????

ok, ok<BR>you are lucky in that all 5 places you mentioned are literally within 5 minutes of each other. i mean, you could probably go to all in that one afternoon. of those, i personally i personally preferred the sophia and cistern. my favorite place that i visted in istanbul was the dolmabahce palace, which is on the other side of the river and is approx a 10 minute ($4) cab ride

Michelle &amp; Al,<BR><BR>Definitely you can do them all. Al - the order you put them in is fine. It is perfectly safe to walk there, male or female - just ignore the people that want you to go to their carpet stores. They all speak English &amp; just say "no thanks" while you keep walking ... It is appropriate for women to take something to cover their heads and be prepared to leave your shoes inside the door in the Blue Mosque. Try not to miss any of the places, even if you have to go a little faster than normal.

Actually, Al, things are not exactly that easy. If indeed your ship docks at 1pm, I doubt yo'll be able to start in Sultanhamet before 2pm and sites, unfortunately, do close ...<BR><BR>Unless opening hours have changed dramatically since we visited, the following may be used as reference:<BR><BR>Topkapi: 9am to 5pm; closed Tuesday<BR>Aya Sofia: 9:30am to 4:30pm, closed Monday<BR>Blue Mosque: 9am to 6pm<BR>Yerebatan Cistern: 9am to 5pm<BR>Hippodrome: always accessible<BR><BR>Unless you've time for visiting in the morning before departure, you should probably skip the Topkapi Palace. Anything less than some 4 hours in the Palace is IMO a waste anyway. I'd visit Aya Sofia first, from there to the Basilica Cistern and to the Blue Mosque, wrapping it up in the Hippodrome. If you're lucky, there may be a folk song &amp; dance festival taking place in the evening/night.<BR><BR>Paulo

Was in Istanbul for one day in January. Was able to see Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Spice Market in one day. Suffice it to say it was a full day, but not all that hectic. Fortunately, all of these sites are with in 5 minutes walking distance of each other. You can easily spend a day wandering around the Grand Bazaar...but you can cruise thru the other venues in fairly short order.

thanks to all.<BR><BR>By the way, when it was mentioned that a site closes at 5 or 6pm, does that mean that they stop letting people in at that hour or is that when everyone inside must leave?

You don't say when you're going, Al. Outside July and August, the listed times are the closing times. During July and August the closing times are extended to around 7pm. We went in July and I remember leaving the Basilica Cistern after 6pm. We got a table in the cafe inside and listened to a music concert. Also, we visited Aya Sofia after having done Topkapi. We got in around 4:30pm and left at 6pm. <BR><BR>Paulo

Was in Istanbul last month and it took us two very long days to do what you are planning to do in one. If I had to miss a site on your list and save it for next time it would be Topkapi Palace... not because it's not worth seeing but because if you have limited time, it is just too large especially if you are going to the Harem (and why go to Topkapi if you aren't?) which requires a separate ticket that has a specific entry time that can really mess up your schedule.<BR><BR>The Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia are literaly across the street from one another and the Basilica Cistern is right across from the Aya Sophia entry gate. I really loved the Cistern and would consider that a don't miss. Hippodrome??? basically you can walk across it very quickly... not really much there to see.<BR><BR>The Grand Bazaar supposedly closes around 6:00 p.m. but when we were there a lot of the places stayed open until at least 6:30. It's a fair walk to the Bazaar from Aya Sophia (6-8 crowded blocks depending on which gate you go in) so figure that into your time.<BR><BR>Good luck... with a scheduld like that, you'll need it.

Grand Bazaar is open till 19 p.m<BR>Topkapi itself takes almost 2 hours min.<BR>and realy it depends on the day you are<BR>and sites for July and Aug are open till<BR>18.00 last entry.<BR>regards<BR>Nejat incedogan<BR>guide in Ephesus