ISTANBUL
The pick of Istanbul.
The 15 most popular things to do in Istanbul. Bosphorus cruises, the old-city monuments, food walks, hammams and the big day trips, all in one place.
Bosphorus dinner cruise on a mega yacht with 3-course meal, live music and dance, plus audio guide views of Dolmabahçe and Maiden’s Tower.
Most Popular“We had a wonderful time last night. Hilemet was really friendly and helpful. The show was great and entertaining. Thank you for everything.”
Bosphorus dinner cruise for $34 with unlimited soft drinks, Turkish Night show, and night views of Istanbul palaces and bridges.
“Very fun experience! Beautiful show and nice atmosphere!”
Basilica Cistern skip-the-line entry with a multilingual audio guide app in 11 languages, plus flexible all-day access in Istanbul.
“Had so much fun and very convenient to skip the line! We’re only here for 2 days so it was a huge help”
Skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace and the Harem with timed access and a phone audio guide in Istanbul.
“Walked too fast for me but other than that was great. He did stop for everyone to catch up at points but could slow down a little more.”
Istanbul Bosphorus yacht cruise with audio guide, snacks and fruit, plus sunset options past Dolmabahçe and Maiden Tower.
“The cruise was very well organized. The team made sure I didn’t miss the trip — they even called to confirm everything, which I really appreciated. The tour itself was smooth and relaxing, with beautiful views and a comfortable atmosphere. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a pleasant and stress-free experience!”
Priority-ticket guided tour of Istanbul’s Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, with a Hippodrome stop, headsets, and Galataport pickup option.
“The tour guide MERT was absolutely amazing. He made sure everyone was taken care of. He provided information, in addition to the tour, he assiated people who didnt have any Turkish L ira forthe bathrooms and at the end of the tour he assiated ppl with any questions/ directions. was positive and professional.”
Private Turkish hamam in Istanbul’s Old City with scrub, foam massage, steam and sauna, plus optional massage and tea. $53 pp.
“This was my first Turkish hammam experience, and I really wanted to try it while in Istanbul. I was not disappointed at all. The private hammam was very clean, quiet, and beautifully set, which made the whole experience extremely relaxing. The staff was professional and welcoming, and everything felt well organized from start to finish.…”
Make a Turkish mosaic lamp in Istanbul in 2.5 hours with snacks and unlimited tea or coffee, then take your lamp home.
“Can’t recommend this enough It was an amazing experience and such a relaxing moment You get to learn about the craft, get to do your own lamp and the process is super satisfying. The crew is super friendly as well and we met some nice people during the workshop.”
Make your own custom perfume in Istanbul with a Bosphorus view. 2 hours, $28, 50+ scents, tea included.
“Bryan and Serena made the experience so much fun and helped take the guess work out of making my new signature scent. I had a great time. Definitely book it.”
Bosphorus sunset yacht cruise with a live English guide, snacks and homemade lemonade, plus big photo moments like Dolmabahçe and Maiden’s Tower.
“A great experience, one of the best things we did while in Istanbul. We saw stuff that we wouldn't otherwise see. Our guide was super funny and friendly, and a pleasure to listen to. We weren't bored for a second. We would do it again!”
A 2-hour Bosphorus sunset cruise from Kabataş with an audio guide, skyline views across two continents, and included soft drinks and snacks.
“We had a lovely afternoon with Sunset Cruises. Super service, many thanks! Excellent!”
A budget-friendly 2-hour Bosphorus cruise with phone audio in 11 languages, unlimited Turkish tea, Wi‑Fi, and Europe-Asia skyline views.
“Better than we expected. Super organisation, very kind staff. The photographer made us very good pictures. My only frustration was that it was written there will be free biscuits.”
A budget-friendly Princes Islands cruise from Istanbul to Heybeliada and Büyükada, with lunch on board, sea views, and free time.
“Beautiful tour, friendly team, and a wonderful experience overall.”
Skip-the-line tickets to Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern for a self-paced visit with atmospheric lighting and iconic Medusa columns.
“It was a good experience. Helped skip the queue and had a good experience”
Skip-the-line Hagia Sophia entry with an English audio guide app. Visit the upper gallery at your pace, then soak in Byzantine-Ottoman stories.
“Our tickets arrived by email the day before. Entry was simple , straight past the ticket queue, and through security in about 5 minutes. The Aghia Sofia did not dissapoint, very beautiful. The tickets were value for money I think as you bypass the long queue for ticket sales on the day.”
From the strait to the old city to the day trips beyond, and every way to see them.
