Things to do in Istanbul

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!

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!

Balena and the entire crew of golden city tour did a fantastic job off arranging and guiding the tour. They served us well, taken good care of us. Multiple spot coverage with little bit of history and facts put across really well. Great recommendations and hospitality!

The Basilica Cistern offered an incredibly stunning experience; it's hard to imagine such a magnificent ancient reservoir hidden beneath the city. The skip-the-line ticket was a lifesaver, saving us from long waits under the scorching sun, and the entry process was smooth. With the audio guide, we learned about the history of its construction and the stories behind it. The tall stone columns were neatly arranged, and the lights reflected on the water, creating an absolutely captivating atmosphere. The Medusa column is a classic highlight here, both mysterious and unique. Walking through the damp corridors, a profound sense of ancient history enveloped us. The overall pace of the tour was comfortable, feeling both fantastical and awe-inspiring, full of mystery. It's a must-see attraction when visiting Istanbul.

Dolmabahçe Palace is truly stunning, living up to its reputation as the New Palace. The entire palace stands by the water, with its pristine white marble architecture facing the Bosphorus Strait. Its exterior is grand and magnificent, making every photo opportunity a perfect shot. Purchasing the skip-the-line ticket saved us from long queues, allowing for smooth entry. Coupled with the audio guide, we were able to understand the historical stories behind it. Inside, the palace is opulent, with giant crystal chandeliers dazzling brightly and abundant gold decorations adding to its splendor, creating a powerful visual impact. Strolling along the corridors, one can experience the luxury of late Ottoman European court life while also enjoying views of the strait. The overall experience was excellent, the pace of the visit was comfortable, and the architectural aesthetics were impressive. It's definitely a must-visit when in Istanbul.

Visiting Hagia Sophia was the main purpose of this trip. It was a shame that both the exterior and interior were under renovation. Nevertheless, it was truly wonderful to experience the profound historical significance of this cultural heritage site, with its frescoes and even graffiti from when it was used as a mosque after being an Orthodox church, all preserved as they were. Although there's a mobile Japanese audio guide, I had to infer a lot because many parts of the AI voice's Japanese were incomprehensible. The speaking speed was also slow, so I set it to 1.5x speed, which made it sound normal. Still, I believe you can't talk about sightseeing in Istanbul without seeing Hagia Sophia. I'm glad I went.

Buying the Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern combo ticket this time was very convenient. Purchasing in advance on Klook saved time waiting in line for tickets on-site. Both attractions are well worth visiting; the lighting and overall atmosphere of the Basilica Cistern are especially unique, and walking through it in person is even more breathtaking than the photos. The Hagia Sophia is also magnificent and great for first-time visitors to Istanbul. Advance ticket purchase is recommended!

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!

We first met at a pub and then headed to Topkapi Palace together, which was a fun and unique way to start the tour! 😆 It was raining, so walking around and exploring the palace was a little difficult, but somehow that made the experience even more memorable and fun. ☔️🇹🇷 We joined the 3 PM tour, but it felt a little rushed toward the end. If you want to explore Topkapi Palace more comfortably and have enough time to see everything, I’d definitely recommend choosing an earlier tour!