Things To Do On A Layover In Istanbul

If you have more than three hours until your next flight out of Istanbul, there’s a few things you can do to make the best of your time. Thanks to the city’s excellent public transport, it’s very easy to reach a few neighborhoods that can be explored within a few hours, without getting stuck in traffic and possibly missing your plane. So store your bags at the airport and check out these activities – beats sitting around waiting for your flight.

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Take a tour of Sultanahmet Square

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul looking resplendent under the warm glow of winter sunshine

Getting to Sultanahmet from the airport is a breeze on Istanbul’s Metro. Take the M1A to Zeytinburnu and then transfer to the T1 tram line, which goes directly to the Sultanahmet stop. From here, you’re just steps away from Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern, which are all close to each other at Sultanahmet Square. You can also visit Topkapı Palace, a five-minute walk from Hagia Sophia, and if you have a lot of time, check out the Istanbul Archeology Museum, which is right across from the palace.

If you’re in the mood to shop, especially for souvenirs and some serious Turkish goods, take the T1 tram to Çemberlitaş and walk right into the Grand Bazaar. One of the world’s largest covered markets, the maze-like streets are lined with stalls selling everything from ceramics and antiques to textiles and jewelry. If you work up an appetite while you’re here, make a beeline for one of the many food vendors serving up aromatic and cheap eats.

Explore Eminönü and the Spice Bazaar

Many people walk, browse and sell in the tall Spice Bazaar

For the globetrotting gourmets among us, Mısır Çarşısı, or the Spice Bazaar, is an exceptional food-shopping experience. Take the T1 tramline to Eminönü and stroll around the market to pick up fresh local cheeses, spices, Turkish delight, tea, dried fruits, nuts, and so much more. If you happen to be hungry, Hamdi Restaurant just happens to serve some of the best kebab in the city – simply look for the discernible building in the middle of the square (clue: large sign). Enjoy some excellent kebab varieties and lahmacun (Turkish “pizza” with minced meat) on the restaurant’s top floor, which also has a beautiful view of the cityscape.

Stroll around Karaköy

Hipster neighbourhood Karaköy in Istanbul is crammed with coffee joints, art galleries and trendy bars

If you’ve been to Istanbul before and would rather see something beyond the typical tourist hotspots, continue on the T1 tram all the way to Karaköy and explore this hip neighborhood on foot. Formerly one of the city’s most important ports and centers of commerce, Karaköy is now full of trendy boutiques, cafés, galleries, and restaurants, located around the Necatibey, Hoca Tahsin, and Mumhane streets. An excellent pit stop for food is Karaköy Lokantası, where you can sample Turkish classics in a modern environment.

Discover the Balat neighborhood

If you have a bit more time and are an enthusiast of historic buildings, then Balat is your perfect layover destination. Take the T1 tramline to Eminönü and then hop on the 36CE bus to the Fener stop. From here, you can start your stroll at the Ecunemical Patriarchate of Istanbul (which includes the Church of St. George) and continue along Yıldırım and Vodina streets to see all the beautiful, old Greek Orthodox houses, as well as the new cafés and shops that have sprung up over the past few years.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.