Istanbul is a magical city that has captured the curiosity and hearts of many travellers. Turkey’s vast history, incredible food and unique culture makes it an attractive tourist spot so much so that it’s considered one of the top five most visited cities in the world. It’s the only city to straddle two continents with the Bosphorus strait in between, and whether you visit the European side or the Asian side, the city is vibrant and full of surprises.
With a relatively easy e-visa facility for Indians (only applicable if you have a valid US, UK or Schengen passport), Istanbul makes for a fantastic layover spot before jetting off to another destination. If you’re visiting the Turkish capital en route then this is how you can enjoy a 48-hour pitstop.
Day one
Visit to the Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Mosque of Istanbul is a must
Start your day by visiting the beautiful Sultan Ahmed Mosque or the Blue Mosque, as it’s popularly known. Built in 1609 to 1616 AD, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a magnificent piece of architecture which represents Byzantine and Ottoman cultures. Apart from the blue tiles inside which give it its name, the most distinctive element is that it has six minarets while most mosques usually have two or four minarets.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is located in center of Istanbul and is possibly the most prominent landmark in the city
Walk down from the Blue Mosque through a pretty courtyard and the next place to visit is the incredible Hagia Sophia or the Ayasofya Mosque. Along with the Blue Mosque, this is an integral part of Turkish history and possibly the most prominent landmark in the city. Built nearly 1,500 years ago, first as a Christian basilica and today as a mosque, the Hagia Sophia has played an interesting role in the history of Istanbul. While you can visit on your own, it would be best to have a local guide accompany you to help navigate and explain its layered and long history.
Entrance of the Topkapi Palace, which is is now a museum of priceless artefacts that depicts Turkey’s tumultuous history
Istanbul is a treasure trove of history, and to complete the trifecta, journey further up the road to the famous Topkapi Palace. It is now a museum of priceless artefacts that depicts Turkey’s tumultuous history. The sprawling palace has several areas dedicated to different historic themes and you can walk around at leisure, exploring depending on your interest. It can easily take a couple of hours to complete the tour.
While Turkey’s doner kebab that has found a fan following the world over, you can also opt for a slightly lighter dish, (right) the famous Turkish Pide, which is their version of a pizza
After a morning of sightseeing, break for lunch at any of Istanbul’s trendy cafes to experience the local Turkish cuisine. If you’re not in the mood for a hearty meal then opt for the many grab-and-go choices like Turkey’s doner kebab that has found a fan following the world over. A heavy pita slathered with skewered meat full of vegetables and sauces wrapped up (very similar to a shawarma) makes for a filling meal. You can also opt for a slightly lighter dish, the famous Turkish Pide, which is their version of a pizza.
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Apart from hand bags, footwear and jewellery, there are some popular restaurants, clothes and souvenir shops
To help digest your meal, take a walk through the Grand Bazaar — Istanbul’s oldest bazaar and the destiantion for all sorts of shopping one could imagine. If you’re in the mood for an excellent copy of a designer bag, then this is the market to visit. Turkey is Europe’s answer to fake copies of luxury designer fashion, particularly handbags and shoes, and it’s amazing to see how many takers there are. Apart from handbags, footwear and jewellery, there are some popular restaurants, clothes and souvenir shops. If you have a sweet tooth, you can try Turkey’s famous baklava or Turkish delights and perhaps have a box or two packed up to carry home. Be warned the Grand Bazaar is also known as the Thieves’ Market and haggling for a discount is almost a rite of passage here.
Don't miss out on visiting the Dolmabahce Palace in Besiktas district of Istanbul in Turkey
If the Grand Bazar doesn’t feel all that grand then you can make your way down to the banks of the Bosphorus river and visit another Turkish marvel — the Dolmabahce Palace.
The palace is stunning, specially the entrance, and was built in 1843 to 1856 as a contemporary home for the Sultan and his family who till then resided at the Topkapi Palace. Sultan Abdulmejid I thought the medieval palace needed a contemporary uplift with more style, luxury and comfort, similar to the European Monarchs. It was home to six sultans from 1856 right until 1924 when the Caliphate was abolished. While it is open to tourists as a museum, it’s still very much a functioning government office. You’re allowed to take as many photographs of the facade outside and the main entrance but once inside photography is strictly prohibited and you’re given an audio-visual guide to help explain each room as you walk through.
Enjoy dinner with a musical evening at a restaurant on board a ship
The Dolmabahce Palace is one of the many pretty sites along the banks of the Bosphorus. Since you’re here, the best way to end the day is an evening dinner cruise watching the sunset and enjoying all the fancy hotels and historic architecture that adorns the strait. You can hop onto any of the prepaid cruises which include dinner and drinks and enjoy some Turkish entertainment — traditional music and, of course, a belly dance, while sailing up and down the Bosphorus before calling it a night.
Day two
Colours and vibrancy inside the Spice Bazaar will bowl you over
Since a majority of sightseeing has been accomplished on Day One, the next day can be spent leisurely enjoying Istanbul’s neighbourhoods. Start your day by visiting the Egyptian Market popularly known as the Spice Bazaar, which is a treat for the senses — similar to the Grand Bazaar but smaller with stores dedicated to ingredients, drinks and anything that is a part of Turkish cuisine. It’s here where you can buy your Turkish spices, tea, coffee, baklava, Turkish delight and more.
You’ve experienced the Bosphorus by night, but a trip in the day is just as scenic and it’s a convenient way to hop across to the Asian side of the city to explore different neighbourhoods. Turkey has vibrant cuisine and the best way to enjoy it is by visiting a local Turkish restaurant and indulging in a leisurely meal of mezze, kebabs and savoury pastry ending with Turkish sweets.
Head to the famous Taksim Square to walk off the heavy meal and then find your way down to Istanbul’s popular shopping destination – Istiklal Street
Post lunch, head to the famous Taksim Square to walk off that heavy meal and then find your way down to Istanbul’s popular shopping destination — Istiklal Street. This two-kilometre-long street is full of shops, restaurants, cafes and department stores for any kind of shopping. If it’s too much to walk or you get tired, hop onto the tram that rides from one end of Taksim Square to the other end of Istiklal street.
A close-up photo of Galata Tower, one of the few architectural beauties of Istanbul
At the other end of Istiklal street, a short walk away is Istanbul’s iconic Galata Tower, where you can climb up to the top to get a bird’s eye view of the city from its old maiden tower which is today a museum, and a prominent landmark on Istanbul’s skyline. If it’s too much to climb you can spend your time taking pictures below or pop into one of the many trendy cafes around for a coffee or dessert.
One of the many unique things to do in Istanbul is to enjoy an evening or even dinner at one of the city’s many rooftop restaurants. It’s best to start as a sundowner over Turkish tea or coffee and enjoy the skyline before the sunsets and the view changes so you get the best of both worlds. Some of these restaurants go the extra mile to ensure there is entertainment to give you a more local flavour so pick one that will include a Turkish whirling dervish performance and enjoy your last night in the city.
