Istanbul is so much more than the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. This city, breathing on both sides of the Bosphorus, hides lesser-photographed mosques, markets that open before sunrise, and a ferry crossing that takes you from one continent to another in 25 minutes—without your passport ever leaving your backpack. Getting to these corners is easy: trams, metro, and ferries cover almost everything, and the daily budget is moderate, considering street food and boat trips. Stick with us to the end to understand why this crossing between Europe and Asia is, for many, the most memorable moment of the trip.
Mosques beyond the famous ones
“Is the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia all there is to see?” No. Istanbul has over 3,000 mosques, and some of the most interesting ones are just a few minutes’ walk from the obvious routes, almost always empty of tourists compared to the two monuments that show up in every profile picture.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and built in the neighborhood that bears its name, the Suleymaniye is the work of architect Mimar Sinan, considered the greatest name in Ottoman architecture. Entry is free, as it is in most working mosques in the city, and the outer courtyard offers one of the most complete views of the Golden Horn, the arm of the sea that cuts through the European side of the city. Visiting hours follow the breaks for the five daily prayers, so avoid arriving right at the time of the azan (call to prayer) if you want to enter without rushing. Take off your shoes at the entrance, bring a scarf to cover your head if you’re a woman, and set aside about 40 minutes to walk through the adjoining cemetery, where the tombs of Suleiman and his wife, Hurrem Sultan, are located.
New Mosque (Yeni Cami)
It’s literally right next to the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü, making it one of the rare spots in the city where faith and commerce share the same sidewalk. It took over 60 years to complete, spanning the reigns of several sultanas-mother, which is why it carries the informal nickname of “the mosque of the harem women.” The central dome and white marble courtyards contrast with the colorful chaos of the market next door—one of the city’s most interesting contrasts for photography lovers.
Rüstem Pasha Mosque
Small, discreet, and hidden above a handful of shops in the Eminönü neighborhood, this mosque often goes unnoticed by those walking too fast. It’s worth the effort of climbing the narrow staircase: the interior is covered in original 16th-century İznik tiles, with the same floral patterns that decorate parts of Topkapi Palace, only here without any lines.
Eyüp Sultan Mosque
Located at the far end of the Golden Horn, off the walking circuit of the historic center, it’s sought out more by Turkish pilgrims than foreign tourists. The site holds the tomb of Eyüp Ansari, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, making the complex one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Sunni Islam outside Saudi Arabia. To get there, take the cable car (Eyüp-Piyer Loti) that goes up to the Piyer Loti café, atop the hill, where the view covers the entire length of the Golden Horn to the modern buildings on the more distant European side.
Markets and bazaars: where Istanbul haggles
“Besides the Grand Bazaar, is there anything else?” There is, and for many travelers, the smaller markets end up being the highlight of the trip, precisely because they stray from the beaten path.
Grand Bazaar without falling for tourist traps
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) has around 4,000 shops spread across covered corridors, and rule number one is: the first price quoted is never the final price. Haggling is expected and even seen as part of the experience—start by offering much less than the initial asking price and work your way up slowly. The quieter entrances, with less jostling, are usually the ones near the Beyazıt Mosque, while the gates facing Sirkeci see the heaviest flow of tour groups.
Mısır Çarşısı, the Spice Bazaar
Next to the New Mosque, the Egyptian Market is smaller, easier to explore in an hour, and is packed with piles of spices, dried fruits, teas, and the classic lokum (the Turkish delight sometimes called “Turkish delight” in Portuguese). The name refers to the spice trade coming from Egypt during the Ottoman period, when this was one of the entry points for Middle Eastern goods into Europe.
Neighborhood markets on the Asian side
In Kadıköy, on the Asian side, the Tuesday Market (Salı Pazarı)—as the name suggests, it runs on Tuesdays—brings together local producers selling cheeses, olives, and vegetables at prices well below those on the touristy European side. It’s the closest you’ll get to what it’s like to shop like an Istanbul local, with no tourist staging.
The Bosphorus crossing: two continents in one day
“Can you cross continents without booking a tour?” You can, and it’s cheaper than it seems. The urban ferries of the public company Şehir Hatları make this trip every day, all year round, as part of the city’s regular public transport—the same one locals use to get to work.
Which ferry to take
The shortest route connects Eminönü, on the European side, to Üsküdar, on the Asian side, in about 20 to 25 minutes, with a fare of around 53 Turkish liras in 2026 (check updated prices on the Şehir Hatları website before you travel, as adjustments are frequent). Another option is the route to Kadıköy, a younger neighborhood full of bars and bookstores, with a fare close to 59 liras and a longer view of the city’s skyline along the way. Payment is made with the Istanbulkart card, the same one used on the metro and buses, available from machines at the terminals.
What to see during the crossing
From the deck, you can spot the minarets of the Blue Mosque, the Galata Tower on the European side, and the residential hills of Üsküdar on the Asian side all at once. Seagulls often follow the boat for much of the journey, and it’s common to see vendors selling simit—the ring-shaped bread covered in sesame seeds—right at the terminal entrance, a scene as iconic as any mosque on the itinerary.
Is the tourist Bosphorus cruise worth it?
There’s also the longer tourist cruise, which goes up the strait towards the Black Sea and back, usually with a guide and a photo stop at the Ottoman fortresses on the water’s edge. It’s a different experience from the urban ferry: more expensive, longer (between 1.5 and 2 hours), and aimed at those who want to leisurely see the summer mansions (yalıs) along the Bosphorus. For those who just want to feel the crossing between two continents, the regular ferry does the job—and costs a fraction of the price.
Where to eat on this itinerary
“After all that walking, where do you stop to eat without falling into a tourist trap?” Around the Suleymaniye, look for the kuru fasulye houses (white beans stewed and served with rice and pickles), a simple dish that the neighborhood’s own residents eat for lunch, usually for a much lower price than the tourist-oriented restaurants in the Sultanahmet area.
Near the Spice Bazaar, the balık ekmek counters (grilled fish sandwich, traditionally sold from boats anchored in the Golden Horn) remain a quick, cheap option for eating standing up while watching the dock’s bustle. On the Kadıköy side, after the ferry crossing, it’s worth setting aside time to stroll along Moda Caddesi and sample assorted meze at the neighborhood taverns, with prices more affordable than the trendy restaurants of Beyoğlu.
One detail that goes unnoticed: many street vendors in these more local neighborhoods don’t speak fluent English, so bring the name of the dish written down or a photo on your phone to make ordering easier.
Practical Tips
It’s worth setting aside a full half-day just for the itinerary of smaller mosques and markets, without trying to fit it into the same day as the Hagia Sophia — for the complete Istanbul itinerary, see our general guide, which covers the most famous sights, viewpoints, and neighborhoods to stay in.
Istanbul also works as a natural stopover for those continuing on to the Middle East: a good portion of the flight connections to Tehran pass right through here, so it’s worth considering adding a few days to the city before or after the Iranian leg — the Iran guide covers visas, travel advisories, and the complete itinerary through Isfahan, Shiraz, and Persepolis.
The local currency is the Turkish lira (TRY), and international credit cards work in most formal markets, but bring cash to haggle at the Grand Bazaar and to buy from street stalls, where not every vendor accepts cards. A local SIM card or e-SIM helps a lot for using maps while crossing between neighborhoods, since public Wi-Fi is unreliable at the ferry terminals.
A common mistake is trying to visit the Suleymaniye and the New Mosque during Friday noon prayers, when the flow of worshippers is heavier and parts of the interior are closed to visitors. If your goal is to photograph the interior at a relaxed pace, prefer mid-morning on weekdays.
Brazilians don’t need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in Turkey, but the rules change frequently — always double-check the official visa rules before buying your ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to enter Istanbul’s smaller mosques?
No. Entry is free at the Suleymaniye, the New Mosque, and most working mosques in the city. A symbolic donation in the box near the door is appreciated, but it’s not required.
What’s the difference between the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar?
The Grand Bazaar is larger, with thousands of shops selling carpets, jewelry, ceramics, and clothing, while the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) is much smaller and focused on spices, teas, dried fruits, and sweets, making it quicker to browse.
How much does the ferry between Istanbul’s European and Asian sides cost?
In 2026, the fare for the urban ferry between Eminönü and Üsküdar is around 53 Turkish liras, and between Eminönü and Kadıköy, about 59 liras, paid with the Istanbulkart card. Check updated prices before your trip, since adjustments are common.
Is the commuter ferry or the Bosphorus sightseeing cruise more worth it?
It depends on how much time you have. The commuter ferry is fast, cheap, and already gives you the feeling of crossing continents. The sightseeing cruise is longer, pricier, and better for those who want to take in the historic mansions along the waterfront at a leisurely pace.
Can I visit the smaller mosques and the markets on the same day?
Yes, especially if the itinerary starts in Eminönü, where the New Mosque and the Spice Bazaar sit side by side, then continues on foot to the Suleymaniye, wrapping up with the ferry crossing to Üsküdar or Kadıköy in the late afternoon.
Conclusion
Istanbul between two continents is less about checking sights off a map and more about understanding how faith, commerce, and geography intersect in a single afternoon: a nearly empty mosque, a noisy spice market, and a ferry that swaps continents in half an hour. Explore the other destination guides here on Voyage Voyage.