Istanbul (not Constantinople) for a day.

[bigjobs]

I am fortunate enough to have a day in Istanbul this coming weekend and then another day about 10 days later.

Suggestions on how to spend my time, getting around etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

[casanovawa]

Haj Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Bazaar, ferry across the bosphorous... I think I was able to walk or tram for most of these... I just like looking at all the ancient monuments, in the hippodrome etc... Sorry just writing from memory so might be getting some of the names slightly wrong... The underground cistern things are pretty amazing... I walked past the rather non descript building at ground level which leads down to the biggest one...

I also took a bus on a day trip down to Gallipoli, took about 5 hours to get down there, about 5 hours looking around and then 5 hours getting back up which you might not have time for...

 

[KitKat]

I think you would need to start early in the day, target Hagia Sophia and then Topkapi Palace in the morning, having lunch in the Topkapi Palace with views over the Bosphorus...

In the afternoon, have a look at the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern then wander to the Grand Bazaar

Have dinner at somewhere in Sultanahmet


For the other day, wander down Istiklal Cadessi, keep eye out on the architecture of the buildings and side streets (some interesting shops in the sidestreets)..., grab a cab and cross over the Golden Horn to the Chora Church

Get back into the central area by cab and have a look in the Spice Bazaar and surrounding mosques

In the evening, cross over to the Asian side by ferry to view the sunset.


*check opening days and hours of attractions

 

[infinity]

I think you would need to start early in the day, target Hagia Sophia and then Topkapi Palace in the morning, having lunch in the Topkapi Palace with views over the Bosphorus...

In the afternoon, have a look at the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern then wander to the Grand Bazaar

Have dinner at somewhere in Sultanahmet


For the other day, wander down Istiklal Cadessi, keep eye out on the architecture of the buildings and side streets (some interesting shops in the sidestreets)..., grab a cab and cross over the Golden Horn to the Chora Church

Get back into the central area by cab and have a look in the Spice Bazaar and surrounding mosques

In the evening, cross over to the Asian side by ferry to view the sunset.


*check opening days and hours of attractions

Both suggestions are spot on

Food/wine are cheap as well as taxis

 

[BensAdventures]

Both suggestions are spot on

Food/wine are cheap as well as taxis

Big Tick for the Hagia Sophia and Bascilica Cistern. Blue Mosque is great too.

I did a 2 hour Bosphorus cruise, it was great. A longer cruise would have been better, but I had no more spare time. I was there in June and loved the city! Traffic can be horrible though, especially around the city center.

Enjoy!

 

[Happy Dude]

I can't add to the suggestions but just wanted to acknowledge the They Might Be Giants reference. No doubt you'll be humming that tune the whole time there......

 

[Alanslegal]

Enjoy a turkish tea and baklava inside the Grand Bazaar and watch the buzz/activitiy of things happening inside.

And after that enjoy more baklava ... yes I have a verrrrrrrrrrrry sweet tooth

And to burn off all those calories, then everything above suggested around Sultanamhet I would do. After the big walks, enjoy a body scrub and wash at a traditional turkish hamham