Top Things To Do In Istanbul

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Tourist posing in front of Maiden's Tower at sunset in Istanbul

Top things to do in Istanbul

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

Must see Istanbul with a local
Suggested product owner City Unscripted Original

Istanbul Must see Istanbul with a local

A mosaic encrusted Byzantine basilica, continent hopping, and syrup-soaked baklava.

$227.89 per person

8 hours

  • (64)

Family day in Istanbul with a local
Suggested product owner City Unscripted Original

Istanbul Family day in Istanbul with a local

The Grand Bazaar and Turkish delights (we don’t just mean the sweets).

$123.17 per person

4 hours

  • (60)

Eat like a local in Istanbul
Suggested product owner City Unscripted Original

Istanbul Eat like a local in Istanbul

Baklava dripping in honey, flaky pastries and the best kebab in the city.

$132.69 per person

3 hours

  • (41)

Half day in Istanbul with a local
Suggested product owner City Unscripted Original

Istanbul Half day in Istanbul with a local

Vibrant culture, a very Grand Bazaar, and impossible to resist mezze.

$123.17 per person

4 hours

  • (48)

Istanbul’s history: where Europe meets Asia
Suggested product owner City Unscripted Original

Istanbul Istanbul’s history: where Europe meets Asia

2500 years of history, Ottoman mosques, and a mosaic-encrusted Byzantine basilica.

$123.17 per person

4 hours

  • (95)

Shopping Istanbul’s markets & bazaars
Suggested product owner City Unscripted Original

Istanbul Shopping Istanbul’s markets & bazaars

Yeşilköy, Kapali Çarşi and perhaps a market whose name you can pronounce first time.

$96.99 per person

3 hours

  • (32)

A night in Istanbul with a local
Suggested product owner City Unscripted Original

Istanbul A night in Istanbul with a local

Jewel-hued lanterns, billowing shisha smoke, and Lion’s Milk.

$135.66 per person

4 hours

  • (61)

Escape the airport: see Istanbul on your layover
Suggested product owner City Unscripted Original

Istanbul Escape the airport: see Istanbul on your layover

The Grand Bazaar, meze platters, and some serious haggling.

$211.82 per person

5 hours

  • (35)

See all
Tourist posing in front of Maiden's Tower at sunset in Istanbul

Wondering what to do in Istanbul?

Perched in its prime position straddling two continents, Turkey’s capital is the personification of “the best of both worlds”. Over several centuries, traveling merchants from all over the world liked the city enough to stay, contributing to the colorful cultural diversity that Istanbul retains today. Uncovering the physical reminders of these cultures, both in the heart of the city and in its outskirts, are among the most incredible things to do in Istanbul – but the city is more than an open-air museum. Modern Turkey is a festive world of friendly locals, tea gardens, coffeehouses, Turkish taverns, and a host of unexpected things to do in Istanbul.

Meet some of our Istanbul local hosts

Tourists posing in front of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul

East meets west

As the final stop on the ancient Silk Road, Istanbul has seen its fair share of visitors – Greeks, Romans, Venetians, and Ottomans – over the centuries. Relics of these civilizations lay peppered through the city, and the things to do in Istanbul span hundreds of years. The city’s storied past, and its European and Asian influences, are visible in each of its amazing attractions. From trawling the centuries-old Grand Bazaar to marveling at the historic center’s mosaic-adorned mosques, frescoed churches, and cascading domes, the things to do in Istanbul are like interactive history lessons.

A typical scene of a store in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

A myriad of markets

Shopping is one of the best things to do in Istanbul thanks to its colorful, chaotic markets. The city may be home to the world-famous Grand Bazaar, the sprawling covered market dating back to 1461, but this iconic attraction is just the tip of the iceberg. Over 200 traditional markets set up shop in the city each week selling virtually everything. Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, fine textiles, traditional hats, or a Turkish tea set, you’ll find it in the crisscrossing lanes of a local marketplace. Of all the things to do in Istanbul, browsing a market is top of the list.

Tourist enjoying a meal with a local guide at a typical restaurant in Istanbul

Fantastic food

Turkish food is some of the most famous in the world, and it isn’t difficult to figure out why: the flavors are out of this world. In fact, the foodie things to do in Istanbul could very well be the things that will have you planning your second trip. You might try Şiş Kebap, a juicy skewered kebab straight from the glowing coals, or grab a Turkish coffee and lahmacun (a flatbread topped with minced meat, veggies, herbs, and spices) at a local café. Perhaps you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth with jewel-toned Turkish delight or baklava dripping in honey. Either way, you’re in for a treat.

Istanbul travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Istanbul and around the world recommended by our local hosts

VIEW MORE

Latest reviews from our guests

    I liked that we walked the whole way and it felt very personable since it was just me and a local

    22 February 2026

    Thais A

    Great!!

    25 January 2026

    Jill S

    I had a wonderful custom day tour in Istanbul with my guide. Ipek was incredibly knowledgeable, and you could genuinely feel her passion for what she does. Beyond her expertise, she was also very kind and attentive. What I appreciated most was the pacing — the day never felt rushed or crammed with too many activities. She thoughtfully designed the itinerary so we could truly soak in the city, be present, and enjoy each place at a meaningful pace. It made the experience feel personal rather than transactional. Highly recommended if you want a deeper, more intentional way to experience Istanbul.

    12 December 2025

    Vivian C

    We had a wonderful custom day tour in Istanbul with our guide. Ipek was incredibly knowledgeable, and you could genuinely feel her passion for what she does. Beyond her expertise, she was also very kind and attentive. What I appreciated most was the pacing — the day never felt rushed or crammed with too many activities. She thoughtfully designed the itinerary so we could truly soak in the city, be present, and enjoy each place at a meaningful pace. It made the experience feel personal rather than transactional. Highly recommended if you want a deeper, more intentional way to experience Istanbul.

    12 January 2026

    Vivian C

See more reviews

Explore other popular cities

See all destinations

Experiences for all types of travelers

^
curious

Experiences
for all types
of travelers

Couple on a tour of Istanbul with a private local tour guide

Private Tour Guides In Istanbul

Walking Tours In Istanbul

Walking Tours In Istanbul

Istanbul private tours

Istanbul private tours

Istanbul Food Tour

Istanbul Food Tour

Istanbul Layover Tours

Istanbul Layover Tours

City Unscripted Destinations