A Day Full of Discovery in Istanbul - Mosques, Bazaars and Local Flavors

Hello everyone. On our next day in Istanbul, we planned a busy sightseeing itinerary. After having breakfast with döner and pide at a restaurant near our hotel, we set off to explore the city. We had already visited most places before. But since it was the first time for my friend’s family and sibling, we wanted to show them the most important sights.

First we went to the Süleymaniye Mosque. It's located at the top of a steep hill and it was really hot, so we took a short break and went inside.

The Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the most important mosques in the city. It was built by Sultan Suleiman for Hürrem Sultan. She is buried there in her own mausoleum. Entry is free. At the entrance, there’s a large courtyard where you can walk with your shoes on, but you must take them off before entering the mosque. Taking photos is allowed, which is nice. The mosque is large and its interior is really beautiful and majestic.

Everyone is given a headscarf before entering. And some tourists were even given skirts. The carpets inside are soft, clean and pleasant. The stained glass windows and chandeliers are stunning. This is one of the most popular places in Istanbul. If you visit the city, this mosque is a must-see.

Unfortunately, the section with Sultan Suleiman’s tomb was closed due to renovations. But Hürrem Sultan’s mausoleum was open, so we went in. In addition to Hürrem, her son and, I think, her nephew are also buried there. Their names are written on the tombstones. The largest tomb belongs to Hürrem. The others are smaller.

After the mosque we walked to the nearby park and viewing terrace next to Süleymaniye. Honestly, though, the viewpoint we visited in Kadıköy the day before was more impressive. Here, a wall partially blocks the view. Still we took some photos.

Then we headed down to the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı). It's probably the biggest market we’ve ever seen. You can find everything: electronics, underwear, socks, clothes... and prices are quite reasonable. Colorful lanterns, quality bags... We entered the covered section from the outdoor market. Inside, prices are generally higher. Bargaining is essential. Prices change depending on the vendor you meet. There are no price tags. Sellers try to guess where you're from and price accordingly. Only near the entrance did we see price labels.

The Grand Bazaar is almost like a city of its own. There are ATMs, currency exchanges, bathhouses, schools, even prayer rooms. The one downside is that people smoke everywhere inside. Since it's enclosed, the smoke becomes overwhelming and the smell is everywhere.

The entrance says Grand Bazaar – 1461. But personally this kind of shopping isn't really my thing. There’s too much of everything and it’s hard to decide what to buy. Some items were on sale, like Indian-style pants for 200–250 lira, which is about 5 euros. At least in some places, prices were visible. The crowd was incredible. People everywhere, a constant flow. But there’s also a lot of competition. Every seller offers a different price. Sometimes you find great deals. For example, we saw sneakers for 400 lira (around 10 euros), though others were priced between 500 and 950.

We slowly made our way out. It was really crowded and noisy. We saw lots of shops with good prices and compared a few expensive ones too. Our schedule was packed, but since my friend’s family was on vacation, they wanted to bring some things home. We live more like nomads, always traveling with hand luggage, so we didn’t need to shop much. They bought a few things in small quantities.

We continued our day because we still had many plans. The market experience was unique. We probably spent at least three hours there. I had to guide the family because we don’t know if they’ll ever return to Istanbul. This place could be considered the largest market in the world. We explored and shopped. Then we reached the main square: Sultanahmet Square, one of Istanbul’s most famous spots. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are located here. There’s also a rooftop area with many seagulls flying overhead.

If you’ve never been to Istanbul, you can follow this route for a walking tour. I think we covered the most essential parts of the city. Since we got hungry, we grabbed some corn as a snack. But I couldn’t quite figure out how it was prepared, boiled first and then roasted? It cost 30 lira, cheaper than where we got it before. Not bad for a quick bite.

We arrived at Hagia Sophia. The entrance fee is 20 euros. It’s half church, half mosque. Right behind it is the Topkapi Palace. The ticket price has doubled. It used to be 1000 lira, now it’s 2200 lira, about 50–60 euros. It’s a big palace. We had visited it before. You can also get an audio guide, which I recommend if you’re interested.

The square and park area between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque is also lovely. There’s a decorative fountain in the center, but oddly enough, it wasn’t working again this time. Usually, they turn it on every 5–10 minutes.

Last time we came, we didn’t notice the tomb next to the Blue Mosque. It turns out that Sultan Ahmed I, his children and grandchildren are buried here. There are carpets inside, beautiful stained glass and stunning ceiling decorations. I used to think Süleymaniye had many tombs, but this might actually be the largest burial site in Istanbul.

Yes, Sultan Ahmed I is buried here. The large tomb in the center belongs to him. He only lived for 27 years. We looked it up online. He died from a stomach illness. His tomb is huge and the smaller ones around it belong to his children and grandchildren. Each one has a name written.

So if you’re visiting Sultanahmet Square and the Blue Mosque, definitely check out this tomb too. It’s worth seeing.

If I remember correctly, the park area isn’t officially part of Sultanahmet Square. The actual square and the mosque’s entrance are right here. Entry is free, but last time there was a long line.

There were lots of people at the main entrance of the Blue Mosque. Guided tours are also available. This mosque is unique because it has six minarets, whereas others usually have four.

Inside you’re given a shawl and everyone must dress modestly. There are many tourists, often visiting in groups. Last time it wasn’t this crowded. Now there was no line, but more people inside. We had also stayed in Tarlabaşı back then.

Only certain people can enter the main prayer area, probably for prayer only. The chandelier, stained glass and ornate dome are really impressive. If you come to Istanbul, this is one of the must-see mosques.

After that we went to probably the most famous place around: the rooftop terrace of a hotel with a restaurant. You can go up and take photos without needing to order anything. It’s one of the few spots where you can see both the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia at once. You can also rent traditional clothes and have professional photos taken.

We went up to the rooftop of Seven Hills Hotel. The entrance is gold-colored. It's a luxury place. A night costs around 500 dollars. On the rooftop, you can take pictures in traditional clothes or flowing dresses. There are thrones, carpets and a wonderful view of Hagia Sophia and the seagulls. It’s very impressive.

But it was really hot. Sitting on the terrace was hard, you bake in the sun. The best idea is to take your photos and head back down.

Later, we found a fish sandwich place near Istiklal Street. We had been there before, it was great. For 120–130 lira, you can get mackerel in bread or wrap form. It's freshly made with salad. Our guests wanted to try fried anchovies too. There are also places to sit.

I got a fish sandwich. It was a nice coincidence to come back here on our third visit. The price is very reasonable. We also got some beer because the day had been exhausting. The anchovies come with lemon and onions. Among Istanbul’s flavors, these are my favorites: döner and fish sandwiches.

After eating we walked to Istiklal Street. The historic tram is still running. The crowds were intense, but that’s always the case here. In the evenings, everything lights up: chestnut and corn sellers, shops, cafes, restaurants, dessert shops... The street is for pedestrians only, perfect for a peaceful walk. There are shops selling all kinds of sweets: Turkish delight, candies... Some have been around for 50 years.

At one dessert shop, we found something similar to the famous Dubai chocolate from TikTok. We bought a small pistachio one, but honestly, it wasn’t very impressive. I think you need to go to Dubai to taste the real one.

We arrived at the Galata Tower. We wanted to see if the restoration was done. It had been closed on our previous visits. Now there was a crowd, but we could see people at the top, so it was open. There were chestnut and corn vendors nearby and a popular cheesecake cafe as well. Prices are around 10 euros, which is fair given the location.

We ended our tour with a lovely evening walk...