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The essentials for your Istanbul trip
Clear, useful advice to help you plan your first days, choose the right neighbourhood and move around with confidence.
EXPLORE BY INTEREST
Find the guides you need
Landmarks, museums, cruises and experiences.
NeighbourhoodsExplore Sultanahmet, Galata, Taksim and Kadıköy.
Food & DrinkTurkish breakfast, street food, sweets and dining tips.
Hotels & StaysChoose an area that fits your plans and budget.
TransportationAirport routes, public transport and getting around.
Safety & ScamsRecognise common tourist traps and plan confidently.
Plugs & AdaptersCheck which travel adapter you need, for Turkey or any country.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT
Useful advice, without the guesswork
From historic sights and Bosphorus ferries to transport and accommodation, our guides focus on the practical details that help you plan a smoother Istanbul trip.
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OUR OWN VISIT
Inside the Galata Tower Museum: Our Photos and Notes
A five-part series from our own family visit to the Galata Tower Museum on 4 July 2024: the stairs inside the tower wall, the Golden Horn chain, the flight simulation, the Istanbul model and the views. Every photograph is ours, and faces are blurred.
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Inside the Galata Tower Museum: Our Floor-by-Floor Visit
We visited the Galata Tower Museum on the afternoon of 4 July 2024, and this is the account…
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The Golden Horn Chain and Other Objects on Display at Galata Tower
On the fourth floor of the Galata Tower Museum a length of heavy iron chain lies in a…
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Hezârfen’s Flight Simulation at Galata Tower: Our Experience and the Legend
On the second floor of the Galata Tower Museum a giant screen shows the legend of Hezârfen Ahmed…
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Galata Tower’s Seventh Floor: The Istanbul Model, Binoculars and Window Views
The seventh floor of the Galata Tower Museum has a big model of Istanbul, a ring of arched…
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Galata Tower with a Child: What Worked for Our Family
Is the Galata Tower Museum a good visit with a child? For our daughter, yes. We went on…
OUR OWN VISIT
Inside the Topkapı Harem: Our Photos and Notes
A series written from our own family visit to the Harem of Topkapı Palace on 26 July 2026. Every photograph was taken by us on that visit, and every observation comes from our notes. It is first-hand coverage, not a rewrite of other guides.
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Inside the Topkapı Harem: A Room-by-Room Walk Through Our Visit
A first-hand walk through the Topkapı Harem: courtyards, staircases, tiled rooms and water niches, with our own photos…
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Iznik Tiles in the Topkapı Harem: Cypress Panels, Tree of Life and Blue-and-White
Iznik tile panels in the Topkapı Harem: a tree-of-life panel, a blue-and-white fireplace, tile arches and a sample…
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Stained Glass, Mother-of-Pearl and Gilding: Craft Details in the Topkapı Harem
Stained glass, a mother-of-pearl door and painted domes in the Topkapı Harem, shown in our own photographs and…
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Women of the Topkapı Harem: Valide Sultans, Concubines and the Myths
Valide Sultans, concubines and Harem myths: what the rooms of the Topkapı Harem told us on our own…
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The Cevri Kalfa Staircase in the Topkapı Harem: The Story and What You See
The Cevri Kalfa Staircase in the Topkapı Harem: what we saw on our visit, the 1808 story and…
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The Imperial Hall of the Topkapı Harem (Hünkâr Sofası): Ceremony, Tiles and Gilding
The Imperial Hall (Hünkâr Sofası) in the Topkapı Harem: the largest domed hall, its tiles and gilding, shown…
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Latest Istanbul Guides
Fresh, practical advice to help you plan your visit to Istanbul.
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Istanbul in October: Weather, F1 Weekend and Republic Day
Istanbul in October is mild and golden early in the month, then wetter and darker by the end.…
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Istanbul in September: Weather, Warm Sea and Crowds
Istanbul in September keeps the summer warmth and drops much of the crowd. Average highs are 25.9°C (79°F),…
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Istanbul Tourist Map: Where the Main Sights Are
This Istanbul tourist map shows where the main sights lie, so you can see at a glance which…
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Istanbul in August: Heat, Warm Sea and Victory Day
Istanbul in August is as hot as July, with average highs of 29.7°C (86°F), and it has the…
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Istanbul to Antalya: Flight, Bus and Train Options
To get from Istanbul to Antalya, fly. Nonstop flights take about 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 35…
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Istanbul in July: Heat, Crowds and Visitor Numbers
Istanbul in July is the hottest and busiest month of the year. Average highs reach 29.7°C (86°F), the…
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