Since 2020, Hagia Sophia has been operating as an active mosque again—and that has changed how visitors experience Istanbul’s most famous monument. Today, non-Muslims pay an entrance fee (around €25) to access the upper gallery, while the main floor is reserved for prayers, with free entry for those coming to worship. It’s a recent change that still confuses many people researching the destination with outdated information.
Aside from that detail, Istanbul remains one of the most complete destinations in Europe-Asia: the only major city in the world split between two continents, with over 2,500 years of history stacked in layers—Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern, all visible at once on the same streets.
This guide covers the tickets worth booking in advance, airport logistics, and the neighborhoods that make sense for a short visit.
Hagia Sophia: The Monument That Became a Mosque Again
The ticket for the upper gallery of Hagia Sophia costs around €25, payable by card or cash, and grants access to a bird’s-eye view of the original Byzantine structure, including mosaics that have survived over a thousand years of history. Visiting hours run from 9 AM to 7 PM daily, with a break between 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM on Fridays for the weekly communal prayer.
Keep the dress code in mind: shoulders and knees covered for everyone, and a headscarf for women—usually available for loan at the entrance, but it’s worth bringing your own so you don’t have to rely on that. Removing your shoes is mandatory when entering the prayer area.
Blue Mosque, Topkapi, and the Basilica Cistern
The Blue Mosque, right across from Hagia Sophia on the same square, has free entry for all visitors—it follows the same dress code rules and restricted hours during prayers. It’s one of the most photographed postcards in the city, with its six minarets and an interior covered in blue tiles that give the monument its popular name.
Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, charges a separate entrance fee (similar to Hagia Sophia’s) and houses part of the imperial treasury, including jewels and religious relics. The Basilica Cistern, an underground water reservoir built in the 6th century, also has its own ticket and never fails to impress with its atmosphere—illuminated columns reflected in the water, in a setting that has served as a movie backdrop.
Grand Bazaar and Istanbul’s Historic Commerce
The Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, has free entry and brings together thousands of shops in corridors that crisscross like a maze—carpets, jewelry, ceramics, and spices share space with shops clearly aimed at tourists. Haggling over the price is expected and even part of the experience, but it’s worth having a reference price in mind before you start negotiating.
One tip that helps a lot with bargaining: compare the same item in two or three different shops before deciding, since the initial price offered to tourists usually comes in well above the final price the seller expects. The tea offered during the conversation is part of the haggling ritual, not a purchase obligation.
It’s also worth remembering that Istanbul is a massive city—over 15 million residents—so surface traffic can be much slower than it looks on the map. Whenever possible, prefer the metro, ferry, or the historic funicular (the Tünel, in the Beyoğlu area, is one of the oldest underground metros in the world still in operation) over taxis during peak hours.
Nearby, the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) is smaller and more food-focused—teas, Turkish delights, and spices sold in bulk, with a scent that fills the entire corridors. The two markets are a short walk from each other, within the historic Eminönü district.
The Bosphorus: Crossing Between Europe and Asia
Crossing the Bosphorus Strait on a public ferry is one of the cheapest and most memorable experiences in Istanbul—with an Istanbulkart, the crossing costs the same as any regular public transit ride in the city, far cheaper than the private sightseeing tours sold as “Bosphorus cruises.” The view includes waterfront palaces, Ottoman fortresses, and a skyline blending the two continents.
For those who want more comfort and tour narration, there are paid cruises with longer durations, stopping at specific points—but the regular public ferry already delivers a big chunk of the view for a fraction of the price, perfect for those who just want to “feel” the crossing between Europe and Asia without spending much.
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sultanahmet | Historic, touristy, central | First-timers, close to the main monuments | Pricier and crowded with tourists |
| Beyoğlu | Modern, bohemian, nightlife | Those seeking bars, restaurants, and local life | Farther from the historic circuit |
| Kadıköy | Asian side, authentic | Those who want to see everyday Istanbul | Requires a ferry to the European side |
| Karaköy | Up-and-coming, waterfront | Cafés, design, proximity to Galata | Steep streets, less flat |
Galata Tower and Karaköy: The View from the Other Side of the Golden Horn
Galata Tower, built by the Genoese in the 14th century, offers another great viewpoint over the city, with views of both sides of the Bosphorus and the historic Sultanahmet peninsula across the Golden Horn. The ticket is paid and there’s usually a line, so it’s worth arriving right at opening time or near the end of the day.
Around the tower, the Karaköy neighborhood has transformed in recent years into one of the hottest spots for specialty coffee, galleries, and design—quite a contrast to the more traditional vibe of Sultanahmet, just minutes away across one of the bridges over the Golden Horn.
Getting from the Airport and Getting Around the City
Istanbul Airport (IST) is connected by the M11 metro line to Gayrettepe, with trains departing every 8 to 10 minutes between 6 AM and midnight. A single ride costs about 42 TL with the Istanbulkart, a contactless card that costs 130 TL (and can be shared by up to five passengers on the same trip).
After midnight, when the metro stops running, the Havaist bus operates 24 hours and covers routes to areas like Sultanahmet, with fares between 170 and 420 TL depending on the destination—it also accepts the Istanbulkart. It’s worth buying the card right upon arrival at the airport, at the automated machines scattered around the terminal.
The local currency is the Turkish lira (TL), and while some tourist spots accept euros or dollars, paying in lira usually gets you the best exchange rate. Exchanging money at street exchange offices (called “döviz”) is generally cheaper than at banks or the airport itself—it’s worth comparing a few rates before you commit.
Best Time to Visit Istanbul
Spring (April to May) and fall (September to October) offer the best balance between weather and tourist crowds: mild temperatures, without the heavy summer heat or the damp winter cold. These are also the most recommended periods for doing a lot of walking, since much of what’s worth seeing in Istanbul requires navigating uneven cobblestone streets and hills.
Summer (June through August) brings more heat and more tourists, especially in July and August, when Europeans on holiday pick the city for a mix of beach time and history. Winter is cold and occasionally rainy, but rarely drops below freezing—a solid option if you’re prioritizing lower hotel prices.
Where to eat: from simit to kebab
The simit, a sesame-covered ring sold from street carts all over the city, is Istanbul’s most common and cheapest snack—practically a symbol of the Turkish breakfast, usually paired with black tea served in little glass cups. You should also try balık ekmek, a grilled fish sandwich sold from boats anchored near the Galata Bridge, a tradition that goes back decades.
And of course, there’s kebab in all its forms—döner, İskender, adana—almost always cheaper and tastier at small, no-frills joints than at the flashy restaurants of Sultanahmet. To cap off the day, a Turkish tea or a coffee (served strong, with grounds settled at the bottom of the cup) at a traditional café in Beyoğlu completes the experience.
It’s also worth setting aside time for a hammam, the traditional Turkish bath with exfoliation and massage—some of Sultanahmet’s historic hammams have been operating since Ottoman times and welcome visitors at set hours, separated by gender or in distinct spaces depending on the house. It’s not the cheapest splurge of the trip, but it’s often cited as a highlight by those who’ve done it—book ahead at the more famous houses, which tend to fill up on weekends.
Before you go
- Visa: waived for Brazilian passport holders for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- Best time to visit: April–May and September–October for mild weather and less heat.
- How long to stay: 4 to 5 days covers the essentials on both sides of the city.
- Getting from the airport: M11 metro to Gayrettepe, from 42 TL with an Istanbulkart.
- Book ahead: Hagia Sophia tickets, especially for the shorter queue times.
- Dress code tip: cover shoulders and knees for mosque visits—bring your own scarf.
Quick questions
Is the Hagia Sophia still a museum? No—since 2020 it has been functioning as an active mosque again, and tourist access today is limited to the upper gallery with a paid ticket.
Is the paid Bosphorus cruise worth it? Only if you want the guided narration and specific stops—the regular public ferry already shows you a big chunk of the views for a fraction of the price.
Is Istanbul safe for tourists? Yes, especially in the main tourist areas—the basic street smarts you’d use in any big city, like keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded spots, covers most of the risk.
Istanbul rewards those who walk between two continents
Between the Hagia Sophia, the maze of the Grand Bazaar, and the simple ferry ride across the Bosphorus, Istanbul delivers a density of history few cities in the world can match—all while still feeling like a modern, constantly moving metropolis. It’s a destination that rewards both travelers who just want to check off the monuments and those who’d rather get lost in the streets with no set plan.
Book your Hagia Sophia ticket in advance, set aside an afternoon for the Grand Bazaar without any pressure to buy, and cross the Bosphorus by ferry at least once—it’s the simplest way to literally feel what it means to be between two continents at the same time.