The Ultimate Istanbul Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Istanbul, Turkey? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

The largest city in Turkey, with a population of more than 15.6 million people.
The transcontinental city, one of four in the world, straddles the Bosphorus, also known as the Istanbul Strait, connecting East and West.
It is the country’s economic, historical and cultural centre, founded in 660 BC as Byzantium and formerly known as Constantinople.
One of the world’s most visited cities.
Nickname: City of the World’s Desire

Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY).
Spoken languages: Turkish, French and English.
Best time to visit: from April to May or September to October for the best weather. Summer is generally oppressively hot and crowded, while winter sees fleet and snowfall.
Arriving via airport: Istanbul Airport (IST) is serviced by the metro system line M1 for 1.95 Lira or shuttle bus for 17 Lira. Taxis charge 40-45 Lira for the inner city destinations.
Emergency numbers: 155 (Police), 112 (Ambulance), 110 (Fire)
Useful phrases: Acil (Emergency), Doktora ihtiyaç var (Need a doctor), Bana yardım edin (Help me), Soyuldum (I was robbed)

Best hostel for solo travelers: Wabi Hostels – Istanbul. If you can snag a spot, it’s like staying in a modern hotel for hostel prices. No curfew, 24/7 security.
– Rooftop bar with views of the city, a 5-minute walk from Taksim Square.
– Free morning snack buffet (8:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
– Clean rooms/facilities and super friendly staff
– Book ahead to reserve your spot!
Sultanahmet is the Old City and Istanbul’s prime location for sightseeing, complemented by a wide array of accommodation, cafés and restaurants.
Taksim is the other popular choice, while Kadikoy is also convenient (while considerably less touristy).
Across the inlet of Golden Horn there’s Beyoğlu, the cosmopolitan district known as the heart of the entertainment and leisure of the city:
Tünel and Galata are gentle neighborhoods off the main tourist trail, still imbued with local flavour.

IETT runs the local public transportation network of metro, bus, tram and seabus lines. Fares can be paid with smart cards called akbil which also provide a 10% discount or by tokens purchased at dedicated machines throughout the city.
The pre-paid Istanbulkart card allows passengers to conveniently pay for transportation. Contactless and rechargeable. Works on buses, trams, ferries, and funiculars.
– Cost: 130 Turkish Lira for the blank card.
Public transportation fares: 20 Turkish Lira (single ride). Standard bus ticket: 27 Lira. Metrobus: 40 Lira.
Google Maps is a useful app for navigating public transport in Istanbul.
Taxis run on meters. Call 553 773 21 42 or 216 361 1807 to book.
Vehicles crossing between European and Asian sides (Metrobus, Marmaray, certain buses) charge extra.

Drinking age is 18, and last call 3 AM.
Taksim Square throbs with the partying crowd thanks to its multitude of bars and nightclubs.
Istiklal Street is busy day and night, a constant whirlwind of people flocking to its numerous cafés, restaurants, lounge bars and dance floors.
Kadife Street is popular for its hip, alternative music scene and mega nightclubs.

Basilica Cistern used to bring drinking water into the city from Thrace; forgotten for centuries, it has been refitted with lights and music.
Hagia Sophia served as the most magnificent church in Christendom for nearly a thousand years until the Conquest. Today, it is a fully functioning mosque. Entrance fee: 25 euros
– Foreign tourists must use a special tourist entrance gate (leads only to upper floor galleries).
Blue Mosque (facing Hagia Sophia) mirrors much of its lineaments and was supposedly designed to rival it in beauty.
Topkapi is a must-visit monument, former residence to generations of sultans and their harems.
Day trip ideas: take a ferry to the Princes’ Islands (Adalar) or Bursa.

Taksim to Karaköy (via Galata): great for people watching, hitting the main attractions, and visiting the hipster establishments. Lots of street art and great cafes along the way.
Taksim to Beşiktaş (via Maçka and Dolmabahçe): great neighbourhoods and parks. Highlight: Tree Street. Beşiktaş is a great end point, with plenty of bars and cafes.
Beşiktaş to Ortaköy: see the Çırağan Palace (hotel), and reward yourself with a warm kumpir and some Turkish coffee at the end.
Walk along the Theodosian Walls, the mostly intact fortified complex that marks the western boundaries of the peninsula.
Visit the sacred district of Eyüp along the embankments of the Golden Horn to discover the city’s first and holiest mosque.
Walk up Çamlıca Hill, one of the highest peaks above Istanbul. A restaurant and a smattering of cafés work for the crowds who make the trek.
Find the Egyptian spice bazaar and the authentic food stalls in Eminönü.
Explore the historic neighborhoods of Balat and Fener (colorful houses, cafes, charming streets, formerly home to Jewish and Greek communities)

Want a great sampling of Turkish food? Here are some you should tick off your list: Baklava, Doner, Iskender, Kofte, Pide, Lahmacun, Lokum (aka Turkish delight), Sarma, Kokoreç, Ayran (refreshing yogurt drink), and Mantı (dumplings).
Popular street food areas or markets: Kadiköy Market or the famous Simit (sesame-covered bread) vendors.
Foodie neighbourhoods: Kadıköy and Beyoğlu for both traditional restaurants and modern hotspots.
Foodie experiences in Istanbul:
– Trending restaurants: Mükellef in Karaköy and Galeyan in Sultanahmet
– Meyhanes (traditional taverns for appetizers and raki)
Where to find good cheap eats: Ortaköy and Karakoy are excellent haunts for simple yet effective meals.=

Sultanahmet is home to a few historical hamam or Turkish baths, ideal for relaxing and winding down after a week of sightseeing.
Wear modest clothes when visiting mosques (this includes headscarves for women).
A smile and a simple “Merhaba” (Hello) goes a long way when meeting someone.
For shopping, head to Istiklal Street.
The nargile or Turkish water pipe has been used to smoke different flavors of tobacco for over 500 years. Originating from India, it is an established feature of the Turkish lifestyle and culture.
Dangerous areas: scam artists and pickpockets have been known to target tourists in the Taksim area, although police patrol the main districts religiously. Specific areas to avoid: Bagcilar, Tarlabasi, and Esenyurt.

Recommended trip duration: 4-5 days