Itinerarly
One day in Istanbul: a walking route in the best order
Istanbul's most famous sights are on both sides of the Golden Horn. This plan follows the Complete Istanbul audio tour in the Itinerarly app: Galata, the Spice Bazaar and the Süleymaniye in the morning, crossing the Galata Bridge, then the Sultanahmet monuments in the afternoon.
At a glance: 7 stops, about 4.5 km in straight lines between them (expect a bit more on foot), and about 2 h 20 of walking and listening, plus the time you spend inside the sights.
Morning: Galata Tower, Egyptian Bazar, Süleymaniye Mosque
- Galata TowerWelcome to the Galata Tower, the stone sentinel that has dominated Istanbul's skyline since 1348. Built by the Genoese as a watchtower, it rises 67 meters above the Beyoğlu district.
- Egyptian BazarWelcome to the Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Market—an unforgettable sensory journey in the heart of the Eminönü district. Beneath its magnificent masonry vaults dating back to 1660, you will be immediately enveloped by the scents of cinnamon, saffron, mint, and freshly roasted coffee.
- Süleymaniye MosqueThis is the Süleymaniye Mosque, the absolute masterpiece of the legendary architect Sinan and a pinnacle of Ottoman art. Built for Suleiman the Magnificent in the mid-16th century, the mosque proudly dominates Istanbul's third hill.
Afternoon: Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern
- Topkapı PalaceThis is Topkapı Palace, the beating heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries. This massive complex, overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, is not just a palace but a city within a city where thousands once lived.
- Hagia SophiaWelcome to Hagia Sophia, one of the world's most extraordinary monuments, witnessing over 1,500 years of imperial history. Built in just six years by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, it served as the largest cathedral in Christendom for nearly a thousand years before being converted into a…
- Blue MosqueYou are looking at the Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, famous worldwide for being the only mosque in Istanbul to boast six majestic minarets. Built in the early 17th century directly across from Hagia Sophia, it was intended to assert the power of the Ottoman Empire.
- Basilica CisternWelcome to the Basilica Cistern, known as the 'Sunken Palace'—a mysterious underground cathedral located beneath Istanbul's busy streets. Built by Justinian in the 6th century to store the city's drinking water, this massive structure is supported by a forest of 336 marble columns salvaged from…
Only have an hour?
Take the Sultanahmet Express tour instead: 3 stops, about 1 h: Hagia Sophia → Blue Mosque → Basilica Cistern.
Practical tips
- Mosques close to visitors during the five daily prayers, and for longer on Friday at midday. Plan your visits around them.
- In mosques, women cover their hair and everyone covers shoulders and knees; scarves are often lent at the entrance.
- Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
- Hagia Sophia is a working mosque again: expect queues and check the visiting hours before you go.
- Cross the Galata Bridge on foot between Galata and the Spice Bazaar for the views of the Golden Horn.
Do it with a story at every stop
This route is the Complete Istanbul tour in the free Itinerarly app. It walks you from stop to stop and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese. See all the audio tours of Istanbul.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you see Istanbul in one day?
- You can see the main sights from the outside and visit one or two of them inside. This route links 7 of them in an order that avoids backtracking.
- What is the best order to visit Istanbul's main sights?
- One efficient order is: Galata Tower → Egyptian Bazar → Süleymaniye Mosque → Topkapı Palace → Hagia Sophia → Blue Mosque → Basilica Cistern. It is the order used by the Itinerarly Complete Istanbul audio tour.
- Is there a free audio guide for Istanbul?
- Yes. The Itinerarly app has 3 free self-guided audio tours of Istanbul, narrated in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.