Things to do in Istanbul

🇹🇷 Field Test! On my only free day during a business trip, I actually became a king in an underground Turkish palace?! During this business trip to Turkey, I finally managed to squeeze out one free day. Time is precious, so I absolutely couldn't risk a bad experience! Before departing, I booked this “world's largest underground water palace” tour directly on Klook. I have to say, the “skip-the-line voucher” is truly a lifesaver for travelers on a tight schedule! Seeing the endless queue of people at the entrance, I simply walked right in with my phone, smooth as silk. The satisfaction of saving that time instantly earned it 100 points! Stepping inside, only one word can describe it: “awe-inspiring.” This incredible ancient Roman underground hydraulic engineering marvel—I initially thought it was just a regular reservoir a few dozen meters long. But after checking on-site, I discovered its actual size is a staggering 138 x 65 meters (more than double the 70x40 meters I had in mind, truly a gigantic underground palace)! The magical lighting on the colossal stone columns, which have been dormant for thousands of years, and the perfect reflections on the water's surface make the entire space feel infinitely vast. Walking along the pathways, it felt like I was instantly transported into a scene from “The Da Vinci Code,” making me completely forget my business trip fatigue. The inverted Medusa head deep inside is an absolute must-see mysterious highlight! If you're like me, with limited time in Istanbul, don't want to waste time waiting in lines, and still want to see the most essential wonders, this place is definitely worth every penny! Review: Five stars aren't enough; highly recommended for business travelers and independent tourists alike! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A must try tour in Istanbul. Easy to use. Just present and use the qr code and your done. Note that it is also recommended to buy separate ticket for Hagia Sophia museum to “complete” the tour experience.

In Istanbul, the only places where I truly felt satisfied with what I paid were Topkapi Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace. I would highly recommend taking your time to explore these two sites, as they are well worth it. For other attractions, although I paid relatively high entrance fees, I personally felt that the experience did not quite match the cost. While I understand the importance of preserving history and culture, many places left me a bit underwhelmed in terms of value. Also, possibly due to overtourism, most sites were very crowded, making it difficult to relax and fully enjoy the experience.

We enjoyed beautiful views of the Bosphorus Strait from a wonderful location until sunset. You can get a great view of Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Hisarı, and the Maiden's Tower from the sea as you pass under the bridges. Chef Ahmet served warm tea and distributed blankets. The fruit and cookie platter, along with the additional french fries and toast, were also delicious. With drink service included, this tour offers great value and is highly recommended. Please do order drinks and additional food! Thank you for the lovely magnet gift! This is my third time in Turkey, and this cruise is the best for relaxing and enjoying the music. Thank you for the excellent service, Chef Ahmet!

Awesome ferry ride. Was not expecting this level of awesomeness from just a simple boat ride. for those who wish to experience both Europe and Asia side, this ride is for you. But bring a jacket though as it gets very windy. Overall, POWEEEEER!

The Bosphorus dinner cruise private table seat was a wonderful experience that left us with pleasant memories. The atmosphere was elegant and calming, and there was a beautiful view of the Bosphorus River throughout the evening. The waiters took care to provide food and refill drinks throughout the evening. Enjoying some delicious Turkish cuisine is pleasant. The nighttime scenery was amazing, and the performance was excellent! We were constantly entertained by the dancers and musicians. These spectacular evenings and sceneries were expertly photographed by a professional photographer and printed in an album. Highly recommended!

It's very convenient; you can enter the attraction immediately without waiting in line, saving time and hassle. You receive your e-ticket right after booking, and there's even a mobile audio guide that you can continue listening to at home within the validity period. The complimentary sightseeing boat tour is also fantastic; you get to see many classic buildings along the river. I chose the 5 PM slot, which was perfect for watching the sunset—absolutely beautiful! ❤️

Since it was peak season and I was traveling with my mother, I booked a fast-track ticket for convenience. I usually explore museums and palaces thoroughly with audio guides even when traveling alone, so I booked the fast-track option (including an audio guide). However, I later found out it didn't include the Harem section. To add the Harem, it would cost an additional 1040 lira, which is about 35,000 won, purchased at the internal ticket office. In hindsight, it would have been better to buy a ticket that included a guided tour from the start. The palace is so vast and has so much to see that it took us three hours just to look around on our own, and we visited on a Sunday, so there were long lines at each section. I thought it would have been more efficient if a guide had pointed out the key locations and must-see items. Also, the audio guide included with this ticket is not the official palace commentary but a much more concise version. While the official version might be better for those with a strong academic interest exploring alone, on a day like ours, when we were simply enjoying the beautiful and rare artifacts, we didn't really listen to the commentary anyway. So, it wasn't an issue. The tickets are exchanged inside the meeting point (Bistro), and at the designated time, a host personally escorts you into the palace. It was nice to arrive a little early, have a drink, and wait comfortably. The host spoke English clearly and distinctly, which made me think it would have been even better to have an English guided tour. In conclusion, even a simple guided tour is better than none, and I recommend a tour that includes the Harem section if you're going anyway. However, I have no regrets about exploring freely, and I was truly happy because Topkapi Palace was so magnificent. With its panoramic views, architecture, and the artifacts and jewels inside, it's a must-visit attraction that I highly recommend, despite the expensive admission fee!

Visiting Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern was truly surreal. The architecture, history, and atmosphere in both places were absolutely breathtaking. I purchased the express tickets, and it was 100% worth it. The lines were quite long, so skipping the queue saved us so much time and energy, especially with the crowd. Everything was smooth and well organized. Hagia Sophia felt grand and powerful, while the Basilica Cistern had this mysterious, almost magical underground vibe. Seeing both in one day really made the Istanbul experience unforgettable. Highly recommend getting the express pass if you’re short on time! and BONUS POINTS for the CATS! 🐈‍⬛ loitering