What is there to do in Istanbul?

Answer 1

There are many historical sites to visit including palaces like the Dolmabace and the Topkapi. The Princes Islands make a day's visit. There is the Bazaar, the Beyazit Tower and Istiklal Street as well as the Art Museum, the Blue Mosque and the Aya Sophia. There is also some of the best food to be had on the planet, including Lokhum, Kebab, Baklava and Turkish breakfasts. The waterfront provides a good walk and villages like Kadikoy, Ortakoy, Mecediyekoy, Uskudar etc also make a great visit. It is worth keeping in mind that Istanbul is massive, and most tourists see very little of it. It is a city where east meets west, where traditional thought meets progressive vision, and those contrasts are both visible and impressive if you get away from the typical tourist attractions. If you truly want to enjoy and get a feel for Istanbul, do everything you can to directly experience the culture and the people. Ask not "what is there to do in Istanbul, as only, what ISN'T there to do?"