Situated between two continents—and the former capital of two empires—the city of Istanbul teems with diverse cultural influences and a storied history. This alone makes the city a must-visit for travelers in search of fascinating discoveries. Add the fact that Istanbul also boasts a robust art scene, mouthwatering cuisines, and a medley of activities that tickle one's fancy and senses, and there is almost an endless list of things to do and places to see in this vibrant capital of Turkey. To help you plot your itinerary for your trip to Istanbul, here are some important facts and helpful travel tips you can follow.
A Brief Travel Guide to Istanbul, Turkey
How to Get a Visa for Turkey
First things first, you need to apply for an e-Visa for Turkey. Fortunately, Turkey provides e-Visa services to citizens from more than one hundred countries (the Philippines included). To apply for a Turkey visa, just follow these simple steps:
1. Open this website to apply for a visa to Turkey.
2. Click on "more about visa" to learn about requirements, cost, validity, and other useful information.
3. Click "Apply."
4. Fill up all required information fields.
5. You have the option to check "urgent delivery" for a little additional cost.
6. Click "Apply for visa" once finished.
Note: Philippine passport holders are given a Turkey visa with a maximum stay of thirty days valid for six months. The e-visa processing fee costs approximately $20.00.
Places to See in Istanbul
The district of Sultanahmet is the ideal place to start your Istanbul exploration. Kickstart your tour at the largest cisterns in Istanbul, the grand Basilica Cistern, then head out to the former site of the Hippodrome of Constantinople, in At Meydani. For a fix of great architecture, there is the spectacular Hagia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom) whose Byzantine design "changed the history of architecture."
Of course, you cannot visit Istanbul without laying eyes on the Sultanahmet—said to be the most beautiful mosque in the city. There is also the Ibrahim Pasa Palace, where you can find an astounding collection of rugs and calligraphy. The fifteenth-century Topkapi Palace and the Istanbul Archaeology Museum are also must-visits.
For some shopping delight, head out to the Grand Bazaar to not only find good quality clothing, carpets, jewelry, souvenir items, ceramics, and more—you can also witness a very vibrant market activity. A smaller market, but filled with natural ingredients like spices, nuts, dried fruits, and other Turkish goodies, the Spice Bazaar is another fascinating place to shop. While there, you can also check out the nearby Rüstem Pasha Mosque.
As you explore further inside Istanbul, you will come across the Galata Bridge—which is the gateway into exploring Beyoglu (a popular street in Istanbul where Istiklai Caddesi is located), the Galata Tower, and the Dolmabahce Palace (Turkey's biggest palace).
Things to do in Istanbul
As a city brimming with interesting things to offer, Istanbul boasts a myriad of goings-on every traveler can enjoy. Going on a culinary tour is one highly recommended activity. Dine at Ciya Sofrasi—one of the city's iconic culinary destinations—and discover more hole-in-the-wall dining places and cafes in the numerous local culinary alleyways found all over the city. You can easily get the services of travel companies offering daily gastronomic tours.
Follow up your culinary tour by enrolling in a cooking class. This will give you further understanding about Turkish food. For a more relaxed time, set out on a Bosphorus Boat tour along the scenic waters leading to the Anadolu Kavagi port in the Black Sea.
Go museum hopping by visiting these other museums: Panorama 1453 History Museum and Kariye Museum. Cap your days by experiencing Istanbul's fun nightlife at these highly recommended places: Nardis Jazz Club, Arcadia Blue Hotel's roof bar, and Büyük Londra Oteli, just to state a few. Otherwise, just walk the streets of downtown Istanbul, and chances are, you will find yourself in the middle of a cool and fun happening.
Where to Stay in Istanbul
Looking for accommodations in Istanbul does not present any problem, as various hotels and hostels catering from high-end travelers to midrange travelers and backpackers are located all over the city.
These high-end hotels come highly recommended: Ada Hostel Istanbul, Green Life Apart Hotel, Hotel Seraglio, Georges Hotel Galata, Nuru Ziya Suites, and more.
