We will have a little over 24 hour layover in Istanbul. Our flight arrive at IST @1pm and we will leave 4pm next day. I wonder what we should visit the afternoon/evening of our arrival date to maximize our stay there.

I am thinking of doing a Bosphorus cruise at 8PM and we probably will have 4PM-8PM for us to spend. Most attractions close at 6PM. Will we have enough time to visit Topkapi in 2 hours? If not, what you suggest us to visit?

Thank you very much!

Blue Mosque
Aya Sofia or Basilica Cistern
Next day, Topkapi

Blue Mosque does not have hours, so you can leave it to last.

If you're arriving within next three months, 8-8:45 PM will be good lighting for photography during Bosphorus cruise.

Get a hotel close to Blue Mosque & Aya Sofia.
Visit Aya Sofia soon as you arrive and check into hotel,
then cruise.
Visit Tokapi Palace first thing next morning, then Blue Mosque.
Secure tickets ahead if you can. There may be long lines.

Tedgale, otherchelebi and Sassafrass, thank you guys for your replies. Actually Topkapi opens until 7PM, so if we could get there around 4PM, we will do it first as it's close to our hotel.

Just be aware that the line to get into Topkapi can be very long, and unless you hire a guide (we did not), you cannot pre-purchase tickets. We were in Istanbul two weeks ago. On a weekday morning in early May, the line to get into Topkapi was 1.5 hours.

I would also suggest visiting the Blue Mosque in the late evening if at all possible with your schedule. After having dinner nearby, we wandered in around 10pm, and essentially had the place to ourselves...as opposed to the next afternoon, when there were hundreds of people both inside and outside.

The basilica cistern is also nice, something interesting to see and you will be there for 30 mins tops! It's within walking distance from Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.