Istanbul, in my humble opinion, may very well be one of the greatest cities in the world. It played a hugely influential role in history and was the capital of four major empires – the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. Bridging Asia and Europe, Istanbul is both a culturally modern Western city and a traditional Eastern city, a unique blend of ancient and modern. A lively cafe culture, robust restaurant scene, and buzzing nightlife can be found alongside historic mosques, palaces, bazaars, and traditional hammams. Anywhere you look in the city, there is a piece of history close by.

Below, I cover the places I went while in Istanbul, but I highly encourage you to do your own research. The most famous landmarks are the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, the Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar – none of which you should miss. Make sure you also indulge in a traditional hammam (Turkish bath), feast on an absurdly large but satisfying Turkish breakfast, and spend some time admiring the “cats of Istanbul” – an essential part of Turkish history and Istanbul’s culture (and my personal favorite part of the city).

Basilica Cistern

I found the Basilica Cistern to be hauntingly beautiful and an absolute must see. Built in the 6th century, it’s the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul. It provided a water filtration system for Topkapi Palace, storing up to about 2 football fields worth of water. It’s over 100,000 square feet and has 336 marble columns to support it, including two columns carved with the upside down head of Medusa. Although I didn't visit with a tour guide, I would highly recommend doing so to learn more about the history of the place.

Hagia Sophia

Located right across the street from the Basilica Cistern, this massive architectural marvel is breathtaking – I legitimately almost cried when I walked through its doors. Originally built as an Eastern Orthodox church, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque following the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire in 1453. What blows my mind is that it’s been around for approximately 1,600 years, withstanding wars, natural disasters, and changes in regimes and religions. You can just feel the history seeping through the walls as you gaze around in awe at the mosaics. I would recommend going to the mosque either very early in the morning or late at night as the lines can be hours long. Also, make sure to look up prayer times, as the mosque shuts down during those hours.

Topkapi Palace

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit Topkapi Palace, which means I will be coming back to Istanbul. The palace was the primary residence for about 30 Ottomon sultans for more than four centuries and is spread out over several wings. Don’t miss out on the Harem section, which contains over 400 rooms where the Sultan lived alongside his wives, concubines, children, extended family and their servants.

The Grand Bazaar

Make sure to put your bargaining hat on when you enter the Grand Bazaar, one the world's oldest and largest covered markets featuring thousands of shops spread across dozens of streets. It’s an absolute labrynth inside, so prepare to get lost in a world of Turkish rugs, ceramics, lamps, and anything else you desire. I had no room to bring anything home with me, so instead I feasted on all the Turkish delights and took awkward photos as people judged me (see photo below for reference).

Istanbul Archeology Museum

Fun fact – Istanbul has over 80 museums, which means that there is something for everyone. When I was young I wanted to be an archeologist, so I obviously chose to visit the Istanbul Archeology Museum. Although I’m not typically a fan of museums, I spent about 4 hours here on a rainy day and fell in love. There are three major sections; the Archaeology Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Tiled Kiosk Museum. They have an entire wing dedicated to the history of Troy (which I have always been obsessed with) and a section on the history of coins and jewelry. There is a large collection of Turkish, Hellenistic, and Roman artifacts gathered from the vast former territories of the Ottoman Empire. Not to mention, it’s incredibly inexpensive.

Turkish Hammam

The public hammam is still a major part of Turkish culture and an absolute must while visiting. However, I must warn you that it is not your average spa experience – you may feel a littttlee uncomfortable at times. A traditional Turkish bath package includes 45 minutes of “washing,” which literally consists of someone covering your body in foamy suds and then scrubbing it with a handwoven wash cloth while you lounge on a heated stone (told you it’s a little strange). You will leave feeling like a fresh, newborn baby. I went to Cukurcuma Hamami 1831, which I loved, and also heard great things about Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam.

Cuma

Now, you’ll notice I don’t have that many restaurants listed. That’s because for the most part, I ate Turkish nuts and figs all day long (I’m not even kidding, the nuts and dried fruit are out of this world). However, Cuma is an absolute must visit. A little on the pricier side for Istanbul, it is next door to Cukurcumam Hamami (the hammam listed above) and on the Michelin Guide list of restaurants to visit. We went for breakfast and dinner – you honestly can’t go wrong with any meal here. And sorry, no photos of this place – I was too busy devouring the Georgian dumplings and sea bass we ordered.

Sokak Lezzeti Tarihi Balık Dürümcü Mehmet Usta

A tiny hole in the wall food stand close to the waterfront in Karakoy, this place serves the best fish sandwich wraps you will ever have for about $2. With over 1,142 Google reviews and a 4.6 star rating, prepare to stand in a line as long as the name of this place. But, I can confirm that it’s worth it. My only regret was not ordering 2 sandwiches for myself.

Traditional Turkish breakfast

A traditional Turkish breakfast is no joke. The spread usually includes black and green olives, cucumbers, cured meats, dips and sauces, eggs, fresh cheeses, fresh tomatoes, fresh-baked bread, fruit preserves and jams, the best honey you will ever eat in your entire life, pastries, sweet butter, and more. Bring a friend, try to pace yourself, and mentally prepare to fall into a deep food coma while also being overly caffeinated from Turkish coffee and tea.

The Cats of Istanbul

Last but certainly not least, this guide would not be complete without a section in honor of the cats of Istanbul. They are everywhere – on the streets, in the grocery stores, inside your favorite coffee shop and restaurant. In fact, sometimes they are sitting in the chair that you yourself were hoping to occupy. People view them as “communally-owned pets” which means they are well fed, clean, and extremely friendly. It also means that there are practically zero rats anywhere in the city. Please enjoy the montage of all my fury friends below, and prepare to fall in love.