Probably one of the prettiest ancient cities in Asia Minor, Istanbul is the crown jewel city of modern-day Turkey, full of beautiful architecture and rich history that dates all the way back to the 7th century BCE when the Greeks colonized the settlement and called it Byzantium.
Due to its strategic location right between the mighty continents of Asia and Europe, with the Bosphorus Strait dividing it into 2 parts, the city has been the subject of many conflicts for centuries.
The city has gone through many phases and iterations over its long history. The Greek settlement of Byzantion later became Constantinople under the Roman Empire, while the name Istanbul was used colloquially for centuries before becoming the city's official international name in the early 20th century.
With such a rich and expansive history, of course, you will find all kinds of beautiful remnants of its past, from the stunning church-turned-mosque Hagia Sophia to the ancient cistern that lies beneath Istanbul. That is what we are going to help you discover in this travel guide.
Without further ado, here are the 11 best things to do in Istanbul, Turkey for solo travelers. Let's first begin with a list of the best things to do, all laid out on a map below:
Istanbul Things To Do Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| โฅ๏ธ Must Visit: | Hagia Sophia |
|---|---|
| ๐๏ธ Best Museum: | Topkapi Palace |
| ๐ฅ Place to Eat: | Asian side of Istanbul |
| ๐ Place to Stay: | Aldem Hotel |
11 Best Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey
1. Stare at Hagia Sophia in Wonder
- ๐ Location: Hagia Sophia [Map Link]
- ๐ Opening Hours: 9 AM - 6 PM
- ๐ฐ Entry Fees: 25 EUR (~29 USD)
- โก Pete's Take: "Hagia Sophia completely lived up to the hype for me, and seeing that huge dome in person was honestly mind-blowing. Too bad it is no longer free to enter!"
Hagia Sophia is probably one of the most highly anticipated places for me in Istanbul. I have always wanted to see the interior of the beautiful architectural wonder that is the Hagia Sophia mosque with my own eyes, and when I saw it, it did not disappoint.
Hagia Sophia is the crown jewel of the city. It was first built around 532-537 AD by the Byzantine Empire as a principal church for its capital city before it was taken over by the Ottoman Empire and converted into a mosque in 1453.
Once the Ottoman Empire collapsed, the Turkish government decided to convert the mosque into a museum and began restoration work for the most part until 2020, when it was finally converted into a mosque again with much fanfare.
- Agora Hostel (Budget)
- Aldem Hotel (Mid-Range) ๐ Top Pick
- Fer Hotel (High-End)
- Best of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour (7 to 21 hours)
- Taste of Two Continents: Istanbul Food Tour (5 hours 30 minutes)
- Best of Istanbul private tour pick up and drop off included (4 to 7 hours)
Foreign tourists currently pay 25 EUR to visit Hagia Sophia's sightseeing area. When I was there, tourist entry was still free and I went there day and night, just to chill in a building with so much history. That experience is different now because sightseeing visitors use the upper gallery rather than entering the main prayer floor as tourists.
Once you are inside, you will be surrounded by a breathtakingly gigantic domed hallway, all painted yellow, and with 8 Arabic calligraphic roundels. These roundels are huge circular wooden panels that bear the names of Allah, Mohammed, and his grandsons: Hasan & Hussein, and the four caliphates.
I've been to Hagia Sophia multiple times, and every time I see its interior, my mind is always blown by the fact that they were able to build such a massive structure before the industrial revolution. You can easily spend an hour here just looking around, exploring all the little intricate murals and details you can find.
Hagia Sophia opens from 9 AM to 6 PM every day of the week, but since it is now an active mosque, the place is closed during praying hours, which you can keep track of here for your visit. The entrance fee to Hagia Sofia is 25 EUR per person.
Back when it was free, you could even visit Hagia Sophia late into the night and enjoy a quiet time among the stunning architecture at your own leisure, as I often did. The visitor setup has since changed considerably. Today, the upper gallery is actually the main sightseeing route for foreign tourists, while the ground-floor prayer area is reserved for worship. Some Christian mosaics and imagery may also be screened during religious use.
Where to Stay in Istanbul, Turkey?
2. Admire the Beauty of the Blue Mosque
- ๐ Location: The Blue Mosque [Map Link]
- ๐ Opening Hours: 9 AM - 7 PM
- โก Pete's Take: "It's a very nice mosque, but since it's free to enter, it can get pretty crowded!"
The Blue Mosque is another impressive piece of architectural wonder in Istanbul located not too far from Hagia Sophia. The mosque was constructed by the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century as an imperial mosque for the capital, and it is now one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city.
The Blue Mosque consists of a large main dome with 8 secondary domes, surrounded by 6 narrow and tall minarets. Within the mosque, you will find a large prayer hall and the tomb of the founder of the mosque, who was also the ruler of the Ottoman Empire at the time.
The interior of the mosque is a beautiful prayer hall adorned with gorgeous blue tiles, and at night, the entire mosque lights up as the light from the secondary domes and the 6 minarets bathes the structure in blue.
The interior might not be as impressive as the one you see in Hagia Sofia, but since it is close by, it is worth a visit just to see it. The Blue Mosque is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day, except during the prayer hours which you can check here. Unfortunately, when I was there, many of the interiors were under renovation, so all I got to see was its stunning ceiling, and that was it.
3. Learn the History at Topkapi Palace
- ๐ Location: Topkapi Palace [Map Link]
- ๐ Opening Hours: 9 AM - 6 PM
- ๐ฐ Entry Fees: 1,700 โ 2,750 TRY (40 - 60 USD)
- โก Pete's Take: "The palace is much bigger than it looks, and wandering through all four courtyards felt like exploring a whole historic neighborhood."
I do not recommend visiting this place anymore due to its outrageous price increase. It now costs about $40โ60 per person, which is extremely expensive for what you get. Personally, I would skip it for now until the price comes back down.
Topkapi Palace is another great place to visit in Istanbul. The palace was the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans back in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Nowadays, the place is used as a museum as a way to preserve the history of the Ottoman Empire and its people, as well as allowing us travelers to learn more about their traditions and what it was like back then.
Within the Topkapi Palace Museum, you will find all sorts of beautiful historical architecture spread out in several courtyards and many artifact collections, as well as exhibition halls dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire.
This place is massive, with four huge courtyards full of attractions and museums for you to visit. Topkapi Palace is definitely a half-day activity, and it can take you more than three hours to see it all, so I highly recommend you spare some time for your visit.
Within Topkapi Palace, you will find all kinds of exhibitions, from a collection of antiques like old clocks and astronomy equipment to an entirely well-preserved entertainment section of the palace known as the Harem Section.
When I visited, the Harem required an extra ticket, and I thought it was worth every single lira. Today, the standard 2,750 TRY foreign-visitor combined ticket already includes the Harem and Hagia Irene. Within the Harem, you will find all sorts of extremely well-preserved rooms covered in colorful patterns and intricately designed mosaics, from the private quarters of the Sultan's mother to the royal baths.
Along the way, you will also be able to see some really stunning views of the Old Istanbul surrounding Galata Tower, as well as the New Istanbul on the other side of the Bosporus Strait. Istanbul is one stunning city, and it is best appreciated from a viewpoint like this.
Topkapi Palace is open 9 AM to 6 PM and is closed on Tuesdays. The current foreign-visitor combined ticket costs 2,750 TRY and includes Topkapi Palace, the Harem, and Hagia Irene. Give yourself at least half a day if you want to see the complex properly.
4. Go Down the Basilica Cistern
- ๐ Location: Basilica Cistern [Map Link]
- ๐ Opening Hours: 9 AM - 6:30 PM
- ๐ฐ Entry Fees: 1,500 TRY (33 USD)
- โก Pete's Take: "If youโre visiting the Blue Mosque, Iโd add the Basilica Cistern since itโs close by."
Not too far from the Blue Mosque, you will also find another stunning tourist attraction you shouldn't miss. The Basilica Cistern is the largest ancient cistern, one of the many that lies beneath Istanbul, and it was constructed in the 6th Century to store rainwater for later use.
Nowadays, the cistern is kept with little water so that tourists can come down and explore the space freely. Inside the cistern, you will find a forest of over 360 massive marble columns supporting the city above. Some of these columns are more notable than others, such as the one pillar with an upside-down Medusa head as its base and another with a sideways Medusa head as its base.
It is said that the cistern can store more than 80,000 cubic meters of water, which is pretty impressive considering it was built in the 6th Century. It really shows just how advanced the Byzantine Empire was back in its heyday.
It should take you around 30 minutes to go down, walk around the cistern, and get back up. The entrance fee to the Basilica Cistern is 1,500 TRY per person, and it is open from 9 AM to 6:30 PM every day.
5. Visit the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Market
- ๐ Location: The Grand Bazaar [Map Link]
- ๐ Opening Hours: 10 AM - 6 PM
- โก Pete's Take: "Expect crowds, bright shop displays, jewelry, souvenirs, and plenty of different aromas as you walk around; it's the beauty of it!"
The Grand Bazaar is a great place to stroll around and get the feel of what it is like to be in a Middle Eastern spice market. It is one of the largest covered markets in the world, covering 61 streets and housing over 4000 shops.
It is a sprawling network of crisscrossing streets, full of people and shops selling all kinds of goods such as trinkets, jewelry, gifts, and souvenirs along both sides of the streets.
Once you are inside, all of your senses will be engaged from all directions with the sound of the people, the smell of spices, and the colorful visuals of all the people and shops along the streets.
It is something you have to experience when you are traveling to Turkey, and there is no better place to do so than the Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar opens from 10 AM to 6 PM every day, and you are free to enter.
If you are looking for something closer to the Old Town, the Spice Market is also highly recommended. The Spice Market and its surrounding areas will give you a similar experience to the Grand Bazaar, but without you having to go very far from the Old Town area.
6. Check Out the View at Suleymaniye Mosque
- ๐ Location: Suleymaniye Mosque [Map Link]
- ๐ Opening Hours: 08:30 AM - 4:45 PM
- ๐ฐ Entry Fees: Free
- โก Pete's Take: "The view over Galata and New Istanbul is probably my favorite part of the visit."
Suleymaniye Mosque is another impressive mosque that you should definitely visit while you are in Istanbul. In fact, I even prefer this mosque more than the Blue Mosque itself. This one has a beautiful space, stunning views, and impressive interior design. What more can you ask for in a mosque?
Suleymaniye Mosque was constructed in the 16th Century by the Ottoman Empire atop the Third Hill, giving it one of the best vantage points over Istanbul's Galata area. The interior of the mosque is massive, covering over 59 meters (194 feet) in length and 58 meters (190 feet) in width, forming a single vast space full of stunning decor and a spacious area for you to enjoy.
There is also a large courtyard right outside the prayer hall of the mosque, surrounded by keel arches, where you can go people-watching. Just outside the gate, you will also find a stunning viewpoint where you will be able to see Istanbul's Galata area in its entirety, as well as the New Istanbul in the background.
The walk to Suleymaniye Mosque is a little long with many ups, but for the unmatched view and its stunning interior, I guarantee you, it will all be worthwhile. The mosque opens from 08:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the morning, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM in the afternoon, and again from 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM, with prayer breaks in between. There is no entrance fee for the mosque.
7. Witness the local's daily life at Galata Bridge
- ๐ Location: Galata Bridge [Map Link]
- โก Pete's Take: "Go in the evening when you can watch the sunset from the bridge and see the city light up!"
Since we have been exploring the old town for a while, it is time to cross the water and visit another part of Istanbul, home to the Galata Tower and Taksim Square. But first, we have to go through the Galata Bridge.
The Galata Bridge is one of the best places to go for people-watching in Istanbul. It is a modern 2-level bridge that connects the Karakoy district with Sultanahmet, the old town district.
At the upper level of the bridge, you will find many locals fishing from the bridge on the sidewalks. You can even befriend some of the locals here and try your hand at fishing as well.
If you want to spend some time and relax by the Bosphorus, you can also do so at the lower level of the bridge where you will find a line of restaurants and cafes with a pretty stunning view of the Bosphorus strait.
Or you can do it for free at the steps near Karakoy pier and enjoy an unbeatable view of the old town with a pretzel in hand, bought from the street vendors nearby, and a good book in the other. I spent many evenings here, watching as the city winds down for the night.
8. Go Up the Galata Tower at Sunset
- ๐ Location: Galata Tower [Map Link]
- ๐ Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 10 PM
- ๐ฐ Entry Fees: 30 EUR
- โก Pete's Take: "I thought the 1,700 TRY entrance fee was steep, but the panoramic view was still nice to see at sunset. I went when it was cheaper, and if you asked me if I wanted to pay this much to get in, I'd say no."
One of the best sunset spots in the city is up at the top of Galata Tower, a medieval stone tower that has dominated the city since the 14th Century. It offers an unbeatable panoramic vista of Istanbul's historic peninsula.
The tower is nine stories tall, and you can see all the major tourist attractions like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque from here. Once inside, you can take one of the two operating elevators to reach the top level. There, you will find a restaurant and a cafe if you wish to rest, or you can simply walk out onto the balcony and be blown away by the view of Istanbul's cityscape.
The cityscape is especially beautiful during the sunset and the blue hour, right when the city lights up and before the sky turns completely dark. Depending on the season, you are going to have to time it carefully to catch the sunset and spare some time to line up and go through the crowds to get to the top.
The entrance fee for Galata Tower is currently 30 EUR. The regular museum operates from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM, followed by the Night Museology experience from 6:30 PM to 10 PM. It is open every day.
9. Visit Taksim Square
- ๐ Location: Taksim Square [Map Link]
- ๐ Opening Hours: 6 AM - 12 AM
- โก Pete's Take: "This place is as lively as it gets! Keep an eye out for the red tram, as it can be surprisingly hard to find when there are lots of people around."
For a livelier part of Istanbul, Taksim Square and the shopping street leading up to it are one of the best places to stroll around and spend a day shopping for souvenirs or trying out all kinds of street food.
The shopping street gets really crowded in the evening, and the restaurants, cafes, and bars will be filled with people winding down for the day. It is a fun and lively area that contrasts with those you saw before in the old town area.
You can also take photos or even hop on the iconic red Taksim heritage tram that connects the Asian and European sides of the city from here. The tram operates between 6 AM and 12 AM every day, and it might be difficult for you to locate it once you are on the Taksim shopping streets.
10. Eat Your Way Through the Asian Side of Istanbul
- ๐ Location: Asian side of Istanbul [Map Link]
- ๐ฐ Entry Fees: 59.28 TRY (~1.30 USD)
- โก Pete's Take: "The Asian side is where it's at when it comes to food! It's much more affordable here too!"
Now that we've spent more than a day exploring the European side, it would be a crime not to take a ferry across the Bosphorus and explore what the Asian side of Istanbul has to offer.
To get from the European side to the Asian side of Istanbul, you can take a ferry from Eminรถnรผ to รskรผdar. The crossing takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes. As of 2026, comparable central Bosphorus ferry crossings are roughly 50 - 60 TRY with an Istanbulkart.
From there, you can walk along the coast down south toward the Maiden's Tower (the things to do on the list) and try out all kinds of street food you find along the way. You will be surprised at how cheap the food is here compared to the European side.
Thanks to my Turkish friend for taking me to try all the street food. Here are some of the street food she recommended for all of you to try in Istanbul. I'm already drooling just thinking about it.
- Peynirli Gรถzleme: Turkish flatbread with cheese, onion, and spinach stuffing.
- Aรงma Ve Su Bรถreฤi: A delicious, salty baklava-like pastry stuffed with cheese or beef stuffing.
- Midye Dolma: Aromatic rice-stuffed mussels.
- Kokoreรง: Grilled lamb or goat intestines wrapped around sweetbreads. It may sound disgusting, but it's really good, and I highly recommend you give it a go when you are here.
11. Check out the Maiden's Tower
- ๐ Location: Maiden's Tower [Map Link]
- ๐ Opening Hours: 9:15 - 18:30
- โก Pete's Take: "Start at the รskรผdar ferry terminal and walk south along the coast to see the tower from the waterfront."
Last but not least, as you walk down south along the coast from รskรผdar ferry terminal, you will see that the Maiden's Tower is an ancient lighthouse built on a small islet on the Bosphorus strait.
The lighthouse was built in the 18th Century, which isn't very long ago, but that didn't stop a legend about its location and its name from developing among the locals.
One legend has it that the lighthouse was built by an emperor who had a daughter that went to see an oracle, and she prophesied that the daughter would be killed by a snake at the age of 18. To protect his daughter from this demise, the emperor built a tower in the middle of the Bosphorus to keep her safe.
The emperor is the only person who can visit her daughter, and on her 18th birthday, to celebrate their success in avoiding the tragedy, the father brought her a fruit basket. Upon reaching the basket, a hidden snake sprung out from the basket, bit the daughter, and she died in his arms, hence the name Maiden Tower.
Nowadays, the lighthouse has been converted into a small museum and a restaurant where you can take a local boat from the nearby coast and visit Maiden's Tower. The boat operates from 9:15 to 18:30 every day, running every 15 minutes.
Where to Eat & Drink in Istanbul?
Eat Doner at Kฤฑzฤฑlkayalar
Kฤฑzฤฑlkayalar is my go-to street food restaurant in Taksim Square whenever I want a quick bite. They serve delicious doners and kebabs at a very affordable price (for Istanbul). Every time I have a layover in Istanbul, I always try to make it here and grab their doner. It's that delicious.
A meat doner roll costs about 17 TRY (2 USD) at Kฤฑzฤฑlkayalar. The restaurant opens from 8 AM to 5 AM, making it a great place for a quick bite at night as well. If you are around Taksim Square, I highly recommend you to give their doner a go.
Have Coffee at EspressoLab
EspressoLab is a cafe in Taksim Square that I often frequent whenever I want to spend some time relaxing, enjoying my coffee, and writing some articles. The coffee is great, the space is cozy with multiple floors and a terrace overlooking the Taksim shopping street, and it has plenty of power outlets to charge my laptop. What more could you ask for in a cafe, am I right?
If you are in Taksim and looking for a place to relax with a nice cup of coffee, be sure to drop by EspressoLab. The cafe opens from 7 AM to 2 AM every day.
When to Visit Istanbul, Turkey?
While June - August is considered to be the peak season, I do not think it is the best time to visit Istanbul. Although it is a popular time to visit, you will also be dealing with a large tourist crowd, as well as the jacked-up prices at hotels, which is not ideal.
Plus, it is probably one of the hottest months to visit, making it less enjoyable to explore the outdoors.
What I would recommend instead is to visit during the shoulder seasons, either in May or September, when the tourist crowds are starting to wind down and the prices of hotels are starting to fall back to their normal level. You might get some rain here and there, but I think it's worth the sacrifice for a much better experience in this beautiful place.
Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar and moves earlier each year, so it is not tied to May or June. In 2026, Ramadan ran from February 19 to March 19. Istanbul remains easy to travel during Ramadan, although some businesses elsewhere in Turkey may adjust their hours.
How to Get to Istanbul, Turkey?
Istanbul is one of the largest hubs in the region; you should have no trouble finding a flight from your home country to one of the 2 main airports in the city, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).
From the US, there are several direct flights you can take to Turkey from major cities in the US, such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, etc. All these flights are operated by Turkish Airlines, so you shouldn't have trouble finding a flight from the US to Turkey.
From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs such as London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Turkish Airlines or local carriers like British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa, which also offer direct flights to Istanbul or Ankara.
From Asia, you can fly directly with Turkish Airlines from several hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, and Bangkok. You can also go with other Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad if you are willing to transit to get a cheaper deal.
To find a cheap flight to Turkey, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.
Getting From Istanbul Airports to the City
By Airport Bus: Both airports have dedicated coach services, but they are operated separately. Havaist serves Istanbul Airport (IST), while Havabus serves Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), including routes toward Taksim.
Travel time to central Istanbul is usually around 1 to 2 hours depending on the airport, destination, and traffic. When I traveled here, these buses cost around 485 TRY (10 USD), but fares and timetables have risen considerably since then. Check Havaist or Havabus for the current route, departure time, and fare for your airport before traveling.
By Metro: Both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport are now connected to Istanbul's rail network. The M11 serves Istanbul Airport, while the M4 reaches Sabiha Gokcen. Depending on where you are staying, the metro can be faster and more predictable than road transport because it avoids Istanbul traffic, although you may need to transfer.
By Private Transfer: If you are in a rush or have a lot of luggage and are looking for the easiest and most convenient way to get from the airport to the city center and vice versa, you can also book a private transfer here and arrange a pick-up time with the driver.
By Car: You can also rent a car at the airport if you are planning to explore Turkey further. Rental rates vary substantially by date, vehicle, and insurance, so compare current prices rather than budgeting around a fixed daily rate.
How to Get Around Istanbul, Turkey?
By Walk: Istanbul is a very walkable city. Like most old cities, most of the attractions you want to see are often concentrated around the Old Town area, and you can easily walk from one place to another without too much trouble.
By Metro/Tram: Getting around the city via the metro system or trams is a great and cheap way to get around Istanbul. There are several metro lines all interconnected with one another, allowing you to go from one place to another as cheaply and efficiently as possible.
The metro and tram network generally starts around 6 AM, with closing times varying by line and some weekend night services operating on selected routes. As of September 2026, a standard metro, tram, or bus ride with an anonymous Istanbulkart costs 46.20 TRY, with discounted transfer fares starting at 34.40 TRY. Marmaray, Metrobรผs, airport metro, and ferries can use different or distance-based tariffs.
By Car: If you are planning to travel further in Turkey and you are looking for a convenient way to go around the city at your own leisure, you can rent a car directly from the major airports in Istanbul.
I would not rent a car just to explore central Istanbul. Traffic can be extremely slow, parking is inconvenient, and the metro, trams, ferries, and buses cover the places in this guide well. If Istanbul is only the beginning of a longer road trip, compare current rental prices for your dates rather than relying on a fixed daily estimate.
How Many Days To Spend in Istanbul, Turkey?
I recommend you stay at least 3 days in Istanbul to truly see all that the city has to offer. Here is a rough 3-day itinerary for Istanbul, Turkey:
Day 1: Spend the first day visiting all the major attractions on the European side, such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace Museum, the Grand Bazaar, and the Basilica Cistern, before spending the rest of the evening chilling out by the Bosphorus at Galata Bridge.
Day 2: Spend the next day exploring the Karakoy district on the other side of the Galata Bridge. Walk around the crisscrossing streets near Galata Tower, shop at Taksim Square, and watch the sunset from the top of the Galata Tower before ending the day.
Day 3: Take the ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul and check out the Maiden's Tower, and eat your way through all the Turkish Delights and cheap street food there.
How Much Money Do I Need For Istanbul, Turkey?
With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Istanbul as follows:
Accommodation: For 4 nights in Istanbul, it should cost around 48 USD (414 TRY) for accommodation.
Food: Food costs about 10 USD on average per meal, so you can expect to pay around 90 USD per person for 3 days in Istanbul.
Transportation: Most sights in Sultanahmet are walkable, but you will likely use trams, metro, and ferries over three days. A standard Istanbulkart ride is currently 46.20 TRY, while central ferry crossings are generally around 50 - 60 TRY.
Activities: The big change is sightseeing costs. Hagia Sophia is 25 EUR for foreign tourists, Topkapi Palace's foreigner combined ticket is 2,750 TRY, Basilica Cistern is around 1,500 TRY, and Galata Tower is 30 EUR. These four alone now make up most of the sightseeing budget.
Total budget for 3 days in Istanbul: Around 300 USD, including 4 nights of accommodation.
Is it Safe in Istanbul, Turkey?
Istanbul is a heavily visited city and most trips are trouble-free, but use normal big-city precautions. Watch your belongings in crowded tourist areas and on public transport, be cautious with unsolicited offers around nightlife and taxis, and avoid demonstrations or large political gatherings if you encounter them.
That said, like all big cities, I always recommend that you take precautions and be aware of your belongings and surroundings at all times in Istanbul. Petty thefts, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, still occur in Istanbul, especially in crowded areas. So, don't forget to keep your belongings near you when you are out and about in Istanbul.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Turkey?
I personally used Turkcell when I traveled in Turkey. As of September 2026, Turkcell's Tourist Welcome Pack costs 1,800 TRY for 28 days and includes 20 GB of data and 200 local minutes. Turkcell also supports tourist eSIM activation on compatible phones.
Tourist mobile packages change frequently, so compare Turkcell, Vodafone, Turk Telekom, and travel eSIMs before buying. Turkey also limits how long an unregistered foreign phone can be used with Turkish mobile networks, which mainly matters for long stays rather than a normal tourist trip.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
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