From “ISTANBUL ONE DAY ITINERARY / THE ULTIMATE GUIDE” by Kristina Houwer
Istanbul in One Day: Mosques, Bazaars and the Bosphorus
One day in Istanbul, from mosques to the Bosphorus.
Key points
- Make the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) the main attraction of the day, and visit the square around it even if you are not especially interested in mosques. 1:58
- Expect the longest queue at Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century Byzantine cathedral that stayed the world's largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years, but the video considers the wait worth it. 3:58
- Women must cover their heads to enter mosques, so pack a scarf, and expect airport-style metal detectors at tourist sites, hotels and the Grand Bazaar. 4:57
- If you visit in December or January, expect typical temperatures of about 0 to 5°C and dress in layers, although the presenter's January trip was unusually warm at about 14°C. 5:37
- In the Grand Bazaar, shopkeepers will approach you, so politely walk away, keep your bag zipped close to you and keep valuables in zipped pockets. 9:43
Stops along the route
- 1. Sultan Ahmed Square — The host and guide Kamal point out the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque from the large square. 1:42
- 2. Blue Mosque — Inside the mosque; Kamal explains the windows and the architecture's details. 2:40
- 3. Basilica Cistern — A dark underground reservoir with Roman columns and green lighting. 3:33
- 4. Hagia Sophia — Visitors wander the interior under gold chandeliers; she describes its history as a cathedral. 4:06
- 5. Topkapi Palace — The host and Kamal sit by the palace walls; she mentions it was a head office for about 400 years. 5:19
- 6. Grand Bazaar — A long covered arcade crowded with shoppers and shop fronts; the host explains its trade history. 9:10
- 7. Bosphorus waterfront — A sunny promenade along the water with walkers and views of the old city skyline. 11:40
Things worth a second look
- Milli Saraylar sign — A white banner with blue text reading 'MİLLİ SARAYLAR' hangs by the walkway near the palace entrance.
- Cat on the table — A tabby cat stands on a wooden table beside the lunch setting and a pen on a notepad.
- Grand Bazaar entrance — The arched entrance sign reads KAPALIÇARŞI GRAND BAZAAR with a Kurkçüler Kapısı gate below it.
- Obelisk in the square — A tall carved stone obelisk stands in the square near the mosques, its hieroglyph-like inscriptions visible.