{"id":3421,"date":"2025-12-09T08:04:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T06:04:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorewithangel.com\/?p=3421"},"modified":"2025-12-09T10:12:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T08:12:02","slug":"15-things-to-do-in-istanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorewithangel.com\/el\/15-things-to-do-in-istanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"15 THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL"},"content":{"rendered":"

One trip I have made so many times, one city that I love to come back to over and over again! Istanbul is magnificent! The largest city in Turkey but not the capital of Turkey (Ankara), constituting the country’s economic, cultural, and historical heart!\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

ACCOMMODATION<\/strong>: <\/span>If you visit Istanbul for the first time, choose to stay in the European side for sure. Either Sultanahmet, Taksim, Besiktas or Nisantasi if you want a high end neighborhood.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

DURATION:<\/strong> At least 4 days to take a taste and see the major highlights.<\/span><\/p>\n

POPULATION:<\/strong> Istanbul will be crowded whenever you visit as it is a city that 16 million people live in (the whole population in Greece is 10-11 million people).<\/span><\/p>\n

CURRENCY:<\/strong> Turkish Lira.<\/span><\/p>\n

BEST SEASON to visit:<\/strong> All year long Istanbul is great, maybe spring, early summer and fall are ideal though! Last time I visited, was in June and it was absolutely perfect!<\/span><\/p>\n

PLUGS:<\/strong> 2 plug types, types C and F<\/span><\/p>\n

ADVICE:<\/strong> Renting a car in Istanbul is not so easy as they drive like crazy and traffic can be very chaotic. I use uber\/taxis every time I am there since they are not expensive and I would recommend the same. For my transportation from\/to the airport<\/a> I book online in advance (last time I paid around 55 euros) or call an uber (much cheaper than regular taxis)!<\/span><\/p>\n

FUN FACT:<\/strong> Istanbul lies directly on the border of Asia and Europe! As such, it is a city situated on two different continents with the Bosporus strait deviding the city into its European and Asian side.\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

15 THINGS TO VISIT\/DO IN ISTANBUL:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Visit \u0397<\/strong><\/span>\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc20\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc1a<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>\ud835\udc12\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc29\ud835\udc21\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc1a.<\/strong> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A great architectural beauty and an important monument both for Byzantine and for Ottoman Empire. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 as a section of the so called the Historic Areas of Istanbul. Originally built as a Byzantine church in the 6th century, it later became a mosque, then a museum, and is now a mosque again\u2014though primarily visited as a historical site.<\/span>\u00a0If you are Catholic, don’t miss the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, alternatively known as Sant’Antonio di Padova Church<\/strong> ,the largest Catholic church in Istanbul. If you are Orthodox, St Stephen Bulgiarian Orthodox church is very impressive! Angel’s tip:<\/span><\/strong> Entrance for Hagia Sophia is 25 euros pp!<\/span>\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2. Visit at least one \ud835\udc0c\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc2c\ud835\udc2a\ud835\udc2e\ud835\udc1e.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

beyond Hagia Sophia\u2014which, while iconic, is no longer considered a functioning mosque in the traditional sense. Istanbul is home to over 3,000 mosques, the highest number in Turkey, and showcases some of the most impressive examples of Ottoman architecture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few I highly recommend:<\/span><\/p>\n