Visitors 4 in Istanbul - Day of Sights, Sounds and Lots of People

[Visitors4]

Istanbul is a city to see and experience. With its history, it is also a modern and vibrant one. It was our first time in Istanbul, and our cruise itinerary had an overnight in Istanbul (arrived at 12:00 PM and departed next day at 1:00 PM). Our ship docked at the new, modern and very large Galataport. For us, it was about a brisk 20 minute walk through the port terminal to meet our private tour guide. Our ship provided guests with documentation to scan at the terminal’s turnstiles for entry and exit to the terminal. Once you exit the terminal, make note of landmarks for when you return, especially if you are touring on your own - the signs leading to the terminal are not well placed. 

 

Here is how we did our 24 hours in Istanbul - 

• For several reasons, we opted to do a private guided tour on our first day in Istanbul. For first-timers, my recommendation is to do a ship shore excursion or a local guided tour. The information a guide provides is invaluable in appreciating and understanding the historical sites in Istanbul. We used the company, Ephesus Shuttle which does private and group tours. We chose the tour that used the tram from the port to Istanbul’s Old City where most of the major historical sites are located. A tour with car service is an option but traffic in Istanbul can be very hectic. The experience on the tram helped us on the second day when we went back on our own to the Old City. The following impacted our experience - 
  • The Blue Mosque’s interior is under renovation and likely still in 2023. The state of renovation and scaffolding does not enable full appreciation of the Mosque’s interior beauty. We knew this beforehand, and decided to only view the Blue Mosque from the outside. 
  • Hagia Sophia - we visited in early September on a Saturday afternoon and the line to enter was extremely long all afternoon. There is no shade where the line forms. We decided to tour the exterior, rather than wait (see Second Day below).
  • Grand Bazaar was hectic and lots of people. In my opinion, it’s worth experiencing the atmosphere and enormity of one of the world’s largest and famous markets at least once.

 

• We had lunch at Seven Hills Restaurant. It is a huge and very busy spot with locals and tourists and is very close to the historical sites. The food was average and plentiful, and the rooftop has amazing views and photo opportunities of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Guests can go to the rooftop to take photos.

 

• We toured Topkapi Palace. It is an amazing site and very large complex of buildings, and well worth the visit.

 

• Second day - having a better sense of the Old City and what to expect, we took a taxi ourselves from Galataport to Hagia Sophia early in the morning. We arrived an hour before it opened and were fifth in line. As it got closer to opening time, the line was long like the prior day. It’s definitely worth the effort to see the Hagia Sophia close-up and more in-depth. We took the tram back to the port and enjoyed a view of life in Istanbul's Old City. The tram passed the Spice Bazaar, crossed over Galata Bridge and stops near Galata Tower area). Buy your tram ticket at the machine, and just confirm with other people waiting for the tram that you are on the correct platform for heading to the port.

 

Closing Thoughts - On a map, Galataport looks walkable to the Old City, however, having rode the tram and seen the walking route, I would recommend taking the tram or a taxi to the Old City. The Galata Bridge is over a mile from the port and that doesn’t include the walk inside the port terminal. Riding the tram is a nice inexpensive way to see where the main sites are, how far they are, and where you want to spend your time. If you have limited hours in Istanbul, focus visiting the sites you really want to see. Definitely, need a return trip to Istanbul!

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Our thoughts and prayers for Turkey and its people after today's devastating earthquake.

[Travelswithmycamera]

Thank you so much for such valuable information on Istanbul.  Travelling in August as our last cruise stop and planning an extended stay.  My husband has some mild mobility issues and it was so helpful to know how much walking is necessary to reach the tram.  We are planning a two night say in the main old town area so as to limit his walking but still be able to see a few sights.  We will take an early taxi to our hotel on disembarkation day.  Thank you again.  

[John Bull]

10 hours ago, Travelswithmycamera said:

Thank you so much for such valuable information on Istanbul.  Travelling in August as our last cruise stop and planning an extended stay.  My husband has some mild mobility issues and it was so helpful to know how much walking is necessary to reach the tram.  We are planning a two night say in the main old town area so as to limit his walking but still be able to see a few sights.  We will take an early taxi to our hotel on disembarkation day.  Thank you again.  

 

Good little report from Visitors4.

 

Yes - altho a guided tour in a vehicle makes sense in most of the world, the tram is the way to go in Istanbul whether DIY or guided tour - it has its own dedicated centre of the road and breezes past the usually-logjammed traffic. The sights in Sultanahmet are close together, and a guided tour by car needs both a driver and guide because parking in Sultanahmet is very difficult. The only real advantage of a car is somewhere to stash your bits and any purchases.

BTW ships' tours are in large buses so travel is slow, and most include lunch (perhaps wasting valuable time) and a stop at a carpet or jewellery workshop" (definitely wasting valuable time). The only reports I've seen or heard of ships' Istanbul tours have been overwhelmingly negative.

 

Last time we visited Istanbul by cruise ship was before Galataport was built, and cruise ships berthed closer to the Galata Bridge and just one block from a tram stop.

But I understand its a much longer walk from a ship in Galataport to the tram. Hopefully Visitors4 will respond on that.

 

A single day in Istanbul isn't really long enough to go on the water, but if you're there longer - and especially if you stay a few days pre or post-cruise - use local ferries to sail up the Bosphorus or across to the Asian side (that side not interesting in itself) or up the Golden Horn. Silly-cheap ferry fares.

 

Super-interesting city, lovely people, you'll enjoy.

And yes, a hotel in Sultanahment is absolutely the place to stay

 

Oh - and yes, a taxi from hotel to cruise port.

We didn't - we're cheapskates so we used the tram. Big mistake with luggage 😄

 

JB 🙂

[Visitors4]

Thank you "Travelswithmycamera" and "John Bull". It is a long walk from disembarking the ship to the port terminal exit. After disembarking the ship, you'll walk and then go thru a duty-free shop, and then the turnstiles. After the turnstiles, the walk continues and there are also escalators along the way. Think of a long space where one is not sure when it ends (especially first time going thru). Being a new and modern facility, there's likely elevators and wheelchair assistance available - definitely research that is the case so you're prepared. Great idea to do a hotel stay during your time in Istanbul. 

 

Same for us - the reason we opted not do a ship shore excursion was because of the large group size and the retail demonstration stops. As first-timers, the reasons we did not tour on our own were the possible challenges we may have - in language communications; finding our way around a large and urban city, possibly losing our way, walking extra distance and losing time; and lastly, not getting the insight and knowledge of a professional tour guide. From our touring experience and particularly in large, foreign cities, it is very helpful to take a tour if first-timer. I also find that a private or small group tour enables more fluidity and agility in getting around the crowds and inside the historical sites and of course, not having to wait for delayed fellow guests in a tour group. 

 

Enjoy your visit in August, bring fluids when you go out (it likely be warm) and pace yourself! 

 

[Travelswithmycamera]

Thank you again for so much useful information.  I should inquire with you if taxis are readily available at the port for our disembarkation day?  I plan on a quick breakfast and off we go to the town.

 

[Visitors4]

Yes, in the terminal there is a sign for taxis about midway or so in the walk to the port terminal exit. Normally, taxi stands are outside a port terminal exit, but at Galataport, it's before the final exit. It's not a large taxi sign. Follow that sign and it will lead you outside where there should be taxi dispatcher. We had no issues getting a taxi. If you're getting wheelchair assistance, ask the port staff to direct you to the taxi area. 

[mevs904]

This thread has been very informative.  We will have one day in Istanbul during our April Mediterranean cruise and we definitely would like to take a guided tour of the major sights.  Yes, the reviews of the ship’s tours have not been encouraging, but we’re just not sure of which alternatives to consider.  Will consider Ephesus Shuttle.