Istanbul Guide
What to know before you go and what you'll wonder once you're there: tickets, hours, getting there and the stories behind the places. Every piece shows when it was last updated.
Karaköy, Istanbul: Things to Do, What to Eat and the Ferry Pier
Things to do in Karaköy, Istanbul: Bankalar Caddesi, Camondo Stairs, Galataport, baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu, fish sandwiches and the Kadıköy ferry.
Maiden's Tower: Tickets, Opening Hours and How to Get There
Maiden's Tower tickets cost €27 plus the boat. Boat piers and times from Salacak and Karaköy, opening hours, Museum Pass rules and the tower's legends.
Ortaköy Guide: Ortaköy Mosque, the Square, Kumpir and the Waterfront
How to get to Ortaköy, the story of Ortaköy Mosque, Ortaköy Square and kumpir street, the best photo times, and a half-day Bosphorus walk to Bebek.
Picnic Spots in Istanbul: Best Parks and Forests on Both Sides
Where to picnic in Istanbul: Belgrad Forest, Emirgan Park, Polonezköy and Fethi Paşa Grove. Entry fees, public transport and tips for a day outdoors.
Bosphorus Cruise from Eminönü: Public Ferry Times, Piers and Prices
Take the public Bosphorus cruise from Eminönü: long and short tour times, October 2026 fares, stops, private boats, and which side of the ferry to sit on.
Free Museums in Istanbul (and Other Free Things to Do)
Free museums in Istanbul: SALT Galata, İş Bankası Museum, Pera Museum's free Friday evenings, Sakıp Sabancı's free Tuesdays, plus free mosques and walks.
Galata Tower: Tickets, Opening Hours and How to Get There
Galata Tower tickets cost €30 and it opens daily 08:30–23:00. How to get there, Museum Pass Istanbul rules, night visits and the tower's story.
Galataport Istanbul: How to Get There, Opening Hours, Parking and Bosphorus Tours
How to get to Galataport Istanbul, opening hours, parking, Bosphorus tours from the quay, the underground cruise terminal and the waterfront's history.
Museum Pass Istanbul vs Müzekart: Which Card Do You Need?
Museum Pass Istanbul or Müzekart? Who can buy each, 2026 prices, what's covered (Topkapı, Galata Tower), what's not, and when a single ticket is better.
Spice Bazaar Istanbul: Opening Hours, How to Get There, What to Buy and History
Spice Bazaar Istanbul (Egyptian Bazaar): opening hours, Sunday and holiday closures, how to get there, what to buy, bargaining tips and history.
Serien und Filme
Balat Filming Locations Walk: Çukur, Haysiyet and the Real Fener
A 9-stop walk through Balat and Fener, where Çukur, Haysiyet and Yeraltı were filmed: getting there, timing, etiquette and the real history of the streets.
Bosphorus Mansions from Turkish TV Series: Where They Are and Which You Can Visit
Where are the Yalı Çapkını and Aşk-ı Memnu mansions, the Yaprak Dökümü villa and James Bond's Küçüksu Palace? Which to enter, which to see from the water.
Istanbul Filming Locations: TV Series and Films Shot in Istanbul
Where were James Bond, Taken 2 and The Night Agent filmed in Istanbul? Plus the real locations of hit Turkish dramas, and which ones you can visit.