Here are some of the most important traveling suggestions in order to make your stay in Istanbul less stressful. You may thank us later.
Tourist Visa.
Yes, you will need a tourist Visa to visit Turkey since it is not part of the European Union. Beginning in 2013, you may apply for your visa before landing at the airport; however, they moved the procedure online to assist with long queues. It costs $20 for Americans and must be completed on the Turkish Customs website HERE. It's really simple: just fill out an application and pay for it, then print it off from home.
How and When to Use Your Time.
It's critical to know how to split your time while visiting a city with so many attractions. It may be difficult to determine what are the most essential things to see and how to use your time effectively, so we've taken care of it for you. Whether you're in Istanbul for 1-4 days or more than a week, we've put up the best itinerary possible. Check out our Suggested Itineraries for Istanbul if you want some ideas on where to go and what not to miss when in Turkey.
Visiting Istanbul is one of the most extraordinary experiences that a traveler can have, with its rich history dating back thousands of years. Knowing about this lengthy history will go a long way toward allowing you to appreciate the sites you'll see. The city's rulers, including the Roman and Ottoman Empires' kingdoms such as Byzantium and Caliphs, established their capitals here, extending the tale. To assist you plan your trip, check out our Historical Timeline of Istanbul guide..
Visiting A Mosque.
The North West entrance is only open to tourists during non-prayer hours. Modest attire is required for men and women, with shoulders and knees covered; most significant Mosques will allow you to borrow a wrap if you aren't. A scarf, which may be borrowed but not purchased in any market, is also required for women.At all times, people may be praying, therefore no running or screaming is permitted. Do not take photographs of worshipers without permission, as this is prohibited at any place of worship. Remember that non-Muslims must remain behind the wooden barrier surrounding the main prayer area.
Shoes must be removed before entering the Mosque at the raised platform next to the entrance. Before climbing up on the platform, you should remove your shoe without letting your foot touch the ground beneath it according to good manners. This procedure ensures that both your feet and the platform remain clean as you enter; if you are wearing socks, they will usually stay on. To transport your shoes or leave them outside in the racks by the entrance, you may use a plastic bag or they will be perfectly safe.
Visiting Hours.
The White Mosque is open to the public every day of the year, one hour after sunrise until one hour before sunset. Starting 30 minutes before each of the five daily prayer times, it is shut off for tourists. Services generally last around 30 minutes, although the Friday mid-day sermon may go on for an hour or more.The Most Popular Time To Visit: Between 9am and Noon, because it is the biggest gap between services. Here's a list of prayer times for Istanbul daily to assist you plan your day. Cost: Free
Food & Drink Tips.
Many people are aware that Turkish Delight sweets and pomegranates are quite popular, but there are several food and drink hints to assist you. Doner is a typical street meal made with meat that's similar to a Greek gyro. Turning in both languages simply implies how the meat is cooked while continually turning. When ordering, you may ask for a Doner Kebab (meaning on a skewer), followed by the sort of meat you want. Our favorite dish is Testi Kebab, which is a flaming clay pot stew. Rucka is Turkey's national drink, and it tastes just like Greek ouzo. Cheers!(Sher-a-fa)
Although Istanbul is a large city, with several main districts to see, a number of transportation suggestions will take the headache out of traveling around town. The primary neighborhoods are easy to walk around in, so traffic jams won't make cabs crawl. With a few major tram lines and a couple of funicular lifts, getting between areas is considerably simpler than it used to be. Check out our guide on how to get around Istanbul for more information.
There are a few excellent choices for traveling from Istanbul's Atatürk Airport to the heart of town. The hard part is choosing what is best for you. Shuttle buses and taxis from inside the airport are generally prohibitively expensive. However, there are several cheaper and reputable taxis just outside the terminal.The good part about taxis is that, although they may only take 30 minutes, they might take up to 2-3 times as long in heavy traffic or rush hour. A popular choice is a mix of subway and tram, which takes 45 minutes regardless of how much traffic there is. The metro has its disadvantages; for instance, if you have a lot of luggage and it's closed from midnight to 6am. Visit our page on How to Get to Istanbul From the Airport for further information.
It's difficult to know where to stay in Istanbul, but it gets simpler if you have a map of the city's top sights. There are several budget hotels close by the Hippodrome with excellent views of both Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, as well as Restaurant Row. Outside of the core area, there are still plenty of hotels worth considering. Read our list of the Best Places To Stay In Istanbul.
