Tag: Things to Do in Istanbul

Istanbul's yearly calendar is jam-packed with fantastic events and entertainment to suit everyone's interests. Our guide will teach you about and allow you to participate in some of Istanbul's most well-known festivals and events, including what they have to offer, locations, festival programming, and more! 

Aside from the winter months, Istanbul organizes several art festivals and music performances. It offers its visitors a wide variety of social activities. This page isn't intended to be a comprehensive list of all Istanbul festivals and events. Instead, a simple guide on the most significant or well-known events that you should not overlook. 

Tulip Festival in Istanbul 

Tulips owe a great lot to the Ottoman Empire and Turkish culture. Gulhane Park in Sirkeci, Sultanahmet Square in Sultanahmet, Yildiz Parki Besiktas, Emirgan Park in Emirgan, Fethi Pasa Grove and Camlica Hill in Uskudar, Cubuklu Grove in Cubuklu, and Beykoz Park in Beykoz on the European side of Istanbul, and Fethipaşa Grove. 

This is free festival is a great way to celebrate the spring with billions of tulips in 120 different kinds. During the festival, visitors can enjoy a range of cultural and artistic activities in Emirgan Park and Sultanahmet Square.

Istanbul Theatre Festival

The Istanbul International Theater Festival, lasts two weeks and takes place in every two year. During Istanbul's leading art festival in November, art and theater lovers will enjoy outstanding local and international performances and theatre activities, as well as dance and music events, and some free workshops at several venues in Beyoglu, Besiktas, Fatih, Uskudar, and Kadikoy districts. 

Istanbul Biennial

The Istanbul Biennial has been held at the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts since 1987. The goal of the biennial is to bring together artists from all walks of life in the area of visual art in Istanbul, as well as the general audience. The fifteen biennials in Istanbul that have been organized to date have fostered the establishment of an international cultural network between local and international art circles, artists, curators, and art critics by bringing together fresh breakthroughs in contemporary art every two years. 

 

The Istanbul Biennial, rather than depending on national representation, uses an exhibiting format that enables artists and the general public to interact with their work. The curator is chosen by an international advisory board, resulting in a framework driven by a varied community of artists. All eligible artists and projects from across the globe are invited to participate in the show. Art in Istanbul is developing at a quicker pace than ever before thanks to these biennales. See everything this biennial has to offer while you're in Istanbul! This biennial takes place every odd-numbered year. 

Akbank Jazz Festival

The Akbank Jazz Event is a ten-day jazz festival sponsored by Akbank Sanat Art Venue (a renowned Turkish bank). In the capital, at many excellent venues with cheap costs, and at this top music festival in Istanbul throughout October, as well as in Turkey, you will witness some popular and exquisite jazz artists from all over the globe. Other features include panels, lectures, and documentaries. 

The Akbank Jazz Festival has taken on a major role as an attraction that serves not just to jazz lovers, but also to fans of other genres, as a member of the European Jazz Network. The Festival takes place in several lovely settings, including Akbank Sanat and Hagia Irene Museum, one of the best museums of the city. 

Puppet Festival International 

This historical Ottoman art style, which is now almost lost, was formerly extremely popular. This is a great chance to watch puppet, marionette, and shadow theatre in action. Because the bulk of the plays are calm, they are suitable for both children and adults. (2nd week of May, several tiny venues around the city)

There is no shortage of activities to take part in a city like Istanbul. There are always more museums to visit, more historical sites to explore and more restaurants to give a try. While these are all great, many people overlook the value of learning a new skill. Joining workshops is the most social and fun way of doing this without locking yourself in your room and watching videos. If you are visiting Istanbul soon, consider joining these great workshops in Istanbul.

Atolye Arasi

Want to learn how to create stuff out of wood with your hands? Then Atolye Arasi is the perfect workshop for you. Here, you will learn about carpentry, a profession that faces the danger of being lost because of the superiority of the machines. One of the great things about this workshop is that they use environmentally friendly, %100 recyclable materials and they do not use any chemicals while processing the wood, and they teach you how to do it as well.

This workshop was founded by an interior architect and a senior mechanical engineer, which means you will learn about both the aesthetical and the technical perspective of carpentry. For some people, creating an entirely new thing out of plain wood is one of the best therapies in the world. If you think it will be the same for you, give this workshop in a try. It is on the Asian side of Istanbul, in the Atasehir district, near the 3001 Cadde stop of the 11M, 20K and 20Ü numbered IETT buses.

Aylin Bilgic Seramik Atolyesi (Aylin Bilgic Ceramic Workshop)

Founded by the ceramic artist Aylin Bilgic, a Marmara University Fine Arts Faculty Ceramic and Glass Department graduate, this workshop teaches its students how to create elegant and out of the box yet functional ceramic objects. You will learn how to sculpt the ceramic into daily objects like glasses, plates and cups. It is one of the best workshops in Istanbul for those who want to use their own creative designs in their home.

Aylin Bilgic Seramik Atolyesi is located in the Kadikoy district. From the European side, you can reach Kadikoy with ferries from either Besiktas or Eminonu, or you can transfer to Kadikoy – Tavsantepe metro after getting off at the Ayrilik Cesmesi station of Marmaray. After coming to the Kadikoy pier, either with metro or a ferry, get on the Kadikoy – Moda tramway line and get off at the Moda Ilkokulu station. The workshop is minutes away from the station by walking.

 

Studio Masterpiece

This art house was founded by a painter and a lawyer who decided to teach people art for even just a day. In a good month, they can sometimes even manage to put one workshop in every day. Their workshops range from painting, sculpture, mosaic, calligraphy to ebru, glazed tile and ceramics, just anything creative you can think of. If you want to take a quick break from your busy life and get involved in art even just a little bit, Studio Masterpiece is one of the best classes & workshops in Istanbul for you.

Studio Masterpiece has branches all over Turkey, and 3 in Istanbul: Galata, Maslak and Goztepe. Masterpiece Galata is located in the Beyoglu district, near the Sishane stop of the M2 Yenikapi – Haciosman subway line. Masterpiece Maslak is in the Sariyer district and is right next to the ITU Ayazaga station of the same subway line. Masterpiece Goztepe, however, is on the Asian side, in Kadikoy district. The Goztepe metro station isn’t exactly close to the metro line, so we recommend taking the IETT buses that go through the Kadikoy Ilce Emniyet Mudurlugu stop, which is right next to the Masterpiece Goztepe. 2, 10B, 14AK, 14CE, 14ÇK, 17, 17L, 19ES, 19F, 19K, 19M, 19S, 19Y and ER1 numbered IETT buses go there.

Gallery Les Arts Turcs

Located in the famous Blue mosque area, Les Arts Turcs gives many workshops about local Turkish arts, like marbling ebru, felt making, ceramic design, henna workshop, Turkish cooking and belly dancing. While you can take any of these if you are interested, the one we recommend the most is the Ottoman calligraphy workshop.

While touring the Ottoma relics in Istanbul, especially the religious ones, you must have seen the aesthetically hand-written inscriptions with Arabic alphabet. That art form is called calligraphy, and you can learn it too! Plus, you do not have to use the Arabic alphabet. In this workshop, you will learn the art of decorative writing.

Gallery Les Arts Turcs is located in the Sultanahmet neighborhood in Fatih district. To find it, get on the T1 Kabatas – Bagcilar tramway line and get off at the Sultanahmet stop.

1200 Derece Glass Workshop

1200 Derece (means “degree” in Turkish) is one of the best and most popular glass workshops in Istanbul. It takes its name from the working temperature of glass, and has been teaching people how to create glass in Istanbul since 2015. It also has a café that uses the elegant and creative glasses made in the workshops. The workshop teaches how to produce glass objects with desktop shaping with flame and pipe glass blowing. They also have separate workshops for kids in Istanbul. Besides organizing daily workshops for both adults and children, it also produces specially designed glass products.

1200 Derece Glass Workshop is near the Fener pier of the Fatih district. The closest bus stop is Fener, and you can go there with 33ES, 35D, 36CE, 41Y, 44B, 48E, 55T, 99, 99A, 99Y, 399B, and 399C numbered IETT buses.

Burak Bulut Photography Workshop

Do you want to capture your best moments during your Istanbul tour in the best way possible? Then consider being a part of the Burak Bulut Photography Workshop. You will be tutored by Burak Bulut, one of the prominent photographers in Turkey, in different areas of photography, ranging from basic education to Instagram and mobile photography courses and advanced photography courses. He is a very friendly and helpful coach that is both talented and experienced.

Burak Bulut Photography Workshop is located in the Sisli district, just west of the Kanyon Shopping Mall. You can easily take the M2 Yenikapi – Haciosman metro line to the Levent station to reach this workshop.

When you travel to Istanbul, you may be overwhelmed with the city from time to time. If you are looking for a place to get away from the urban city life, and want to experience the wild spirit of the jungle, Safari in Istanbul is just for you. When you go to Safari, you become the protagonist in your own story. You will have a great time on your Safari trip and be ready for any surprises. Pick up an adventure map at the Jungle Istanbul ticket office, follow the directions, and you may even win a treat!

However, only a small percentage of visitors come to Jungle Istanbul with the intention of enjoying only one attraction. We strongly advise you to visit the Dungeon and Jungle Park while you're there. The Dungeon is a scarier version of Safari, though Jungle Park is the place's main attraction. More than a hundred animal species on the verge of extinction can be seen there. Some rare and exotic species can be seen! If the virtual safari in Istanbul's Jungle Park did not meet your needs, book a Sapanca Lake & Maşukiye Daily Trip to see one of the country's most naturally breathtaking locations, not only in the Marmara Region.

Where is Safari in Istanbul?

Safari Istanbul, like the Dungeon and Jungle Park, is located in the Jungle Istanbul, and it is also located in the Isfanbul Shopping Mall in Eyup. Unfortunately, there is no metro line that runs there, but buses can also be used to get there. The IETT buses with the numbers 39, 39Y, 39D, 39O, 47, 47L, 47E, 47T, 49A, 49G, 49Y, and 49T stop by or next to Isfanbul Shopping Mall, so you can take the one that departs from or passes by the bus stop nearest to you. If you need to get to the Safari Istanbul from Asia, the easiest way is to take the Marmaray to Yenikapi station and then switch to the 39 or 39D buses. Buses with the numbers 47 and 47E also run from Eminonu to the Isfanbul Shopping Mall, which can also be reached by ferries from Uskudar or Kadikoy in Istanbul.

Is Safari in Istanbul Covid-safe?

Jungle and Safari staff take precautions very seriously. Other than that, in comparison to other countries, Istanbul is a low-risk travel destination, and travel experts are also very cautious about Covid measures. During your safari experience, social distance is preserved. At any given time, the number of visitors is restricted. Furthermore, if you buy Istanbul Tourist Pass, you also choose Covid safe travel, as there is a lower risk of transmission when registering or visiting Istanbul's attractions such as Safari, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace.

What is Istanbul Tourist Pass?

Everyone is aware that the city never ceases to amaze its visitors. There are plenty of historical landmarks, cultural attractions, and museums to visit in this cosmopolitan metropolis. Istanbul's magic derives not only from its historical sites but also from its inhabitants and living culture. When you visit Istanbul, you'll want to get to the center of the city's culture as quickly as possible. As a result, we recommend that you buy an Istanbul Tourist Pass for your journey to Istanbul. This way, you'll be able to see what the city has to offer when staying under your budget. Istanbul Tourist Pass allows you to save a great amount of money. You can find more information about the Pass on our website.

Istanbul Tourist Pass goes beyond and above your expectations, and every plan includes a one-day Bursa trip! If you're planning a day trip to Bursa, you'll probably want to know what there is to see, taste, visit, and enjoy in the city. Bursa, like Istanbul, is brimming with legendary Turkish historical sites. So, here's some more information on what to do in Bursa.

Bursa, Turkey's metropolis in northwestern Anatolia, is a vibrant and ancient city with numerous points of interest, but what to see and do in Bursa depends primarily on your interests. If you are a fan of history, authentic Turkish food, and winter tourism, Bursa is the best destination for your upcoming trip.

Bursa's history can be dated all the way back to 5200 B.C. when the area was first settled. Between 1335 and 1363, what is now Turkey's fourth-largest city passed through the hands of the Greek, Bithynia, and Roman Empires before becoming the Ottoman Empire's first major capital. Let's discover this charming city that bears witness to history.

Grand Bazaar in Bursa

The Grand Bazaar in Bursa is one of the best shopping areas in the world. During the Ottoman era, the city was known for producing high-quality silk products. Fine silk can be found in 40 shops on the top floor of the bazaar's Koza Han section. 

Vendors selling shoes, clothes, carpets, belts, jewelry, antiques, and souvenirs, as well as dried fruits, nuts, locally grown cheeses and honey, and a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, can be found in the bazaar, as well. The best part of it all is that these are all handmade stuff! So, there is so much to buy for yourself or for your loved ones as a souvenir in Bursa.

Go Skiing in Uludag

If the city's hustle and bustle become tiring (and it does!), you can flee to the top of Uludag (Great Mountain), the ancient province of Bithynia's Mount Olympus. It rises to the south of the settlement, which is constructed on the slopes of the mountain. In the summer, a Teleferik (cable car) east of the city center takes you to near the summit, where you can go hiking (or just get some fresh, cold air) and ski in the winter. 

Uludag Mountain, the ancient province of Bithynia's Mount Olympus, rises 2543 meters (8343 feet) to the south of the settlement, which is constructed on its slopes. Discover this giant mountain and enjoy winter in a breathtaking view that offers the best skiing slopes in Europe.

Eat Iskender Kebab

The original Iskender Kebap Restaurant, located in a blue house in Bursa, is well worth a visit if you're looking for traditional Turkish cuisine. The restaurant was established in 1867 and is named after Iskender Efendi, whose signature dish is also known as Iskender Kebap. It is made of bread, juicy meat, yoghurt, tomato sauce with spices, and butter, and it is totally out of this world! if you visit Bursa, you must try this popular Turkish kebab!

Visit Grand Mosque in Bursa

The Grand Mosque, which was constructed between 1396 and 1399 and has twenty domes and two minarets, is located in the old city center. It is Bursa's largest mosque and a prime example of early Ottoman architecture. 

The mosque's white, black, and gold interior is spacious and dimly lit, creating a serene and somewhat intimate atmosphere. The museum is open to the public, but people must remove their hats and shoes before entering, and women must cover their heads with a scarf. Without a stop here, no tour of what to see and what to do in Bursa is complete.

Does Istanbul Tourist Pass cover Bursa day-trip?

Definitely! Apart from iconic Istanbul landmarks such as Galata Tower and Hagia Sophia, with Istanbul Tourist Pass, you get more than what you pay for. The Pass includes a one-day trip to Bursa, a city 2 hours away from Istanbul. You do not have to confine yourself to Istanbul, get your pass, and explore the getaways from Istanbul with ease and comfort. Make sure that you travel to Bursa with Istanbul Tourist Pass, and save up to 75%!

Below the city's skyline of historic architectural marvels, there are plenty of fun activities to do in Istanbul with your family. The young ones may enjoy a day out at one of the many theme parks, some of which provide roller coaster rides while others focus on encouraging their creativity. Consider leaving Istanbul entirely with a cruise over the narrow Bosporus Strait once you've visited the exciting places in and around the city. You may even take a boat out to an island where time has stood still and enjoy family riding experiences. To help you plan your next thrilling family trip, here are some of the finest family-friendly locations in Istanbul. 

Rahmi M. Koc Museum

This one-of-a-kind museum in Istanbul's Golden Horn waterfront has a vast collection of historical Turkish exhibits related to transportation, industry, and communications. Antique automobiles, trains, vintage airplanes, and even a submarine are on display. There's also a planetarium on the premises. Enter the cockpit of a Bellanca aircraft for a fun, hands-on experience, or conduct scientific experiments in the interactive gallery. The Rahmi M Koç Museum costs approximately 21 lira to enter, with additional expenses for the submarine and planetarium. 

Bosphorus Cruise

Take a ferry or a private boat to the Bosporus and take in the views of Istanbul from one of the world's narrowest natural straits. Many additional companies offer cruise cruises and Bosphorus sightseeing excursions, including the Istanbul municipal department of transportation's ehir Hatlar passenger boat service. As you travel by the Golden Horn, Ortakoy, and Bebek skylines, you may sit back and relax. Eminönü is a popular ferry port. 

 

Visit Miniaturk

Enjoy a fun family trip that allows you to explore all of Turkey's most famous sights in one day. Miniaturk's 650,000 sq ft garden grounds are home to well over 100 1:25 scale structures. You’ll find the small scaled versions of many places like Dolmabahce Palace, Galata Tower and more. The park is located on the north-eastern coast of the Golden Horn, about 20 minutes north of Istanbul. 

Istanbul Aquarium

This huge, themed Istanbul Aquarium, near the Marmara Sea, is a great place to spend a day with the family. Over 1,000 species are housed at the Istanbul Aquarium, which is divided into a dozen areas. The Pacific, Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Black Sea ecosystems are all covered in detail in each section. You can use pathways to go from one location to another, but you'll probably spend more time in the Amazon jungle and attempting to escape the mirror labyrinth. 

Visit Beyoglu District!

Make time in your schedule to just enjoy the scenery. Visit Galata Tower for spectacular views of the city (not ideal for little legs, but there is a lift), then stroll around the nearby streets. 

This region is renowned for its artisan culture and delicious cuisine. Take a walk along ancient Pera Route; Istiklal Caddesi is the major retail street and home to a plethora of art galleries, theaters, libraries, patisseries, nightclubs, and more. You'll arrive in Taksim Square, Istanbul's beating heart! 

Istanbul's Parks 

The quantity of outdoor play parks – they were everywhere! – was one thing I noticed with my ever vigilant mother eye. Although Istanbul lacks a big central park, there are many smaller parks with enough room for running. If you want to go exploring and playing, plan on leaving the city for half a day. Belgrad Forest, located 15 kilometers northwest of Istanbul in the Sariyer District, is one of Istanbul's best-kept secrets. There are jogging paths, picnic spots, and an arboretum on the 55,000 hectares of protected woods.

Istanbul is one of the world's major metropolises, having been coveted by empires for ages and spanning both Europe and Asia. Founded about 1000 BC, the Byzantine Empire's great capital, Constantinople, developed into the Byzantine Empire's great capital, and after the Ottoman conquest of the city, it kept its magnificent position as the empire's heart. The city (formally called Istanbul following the Turkish Republic's establishment) is strewn with magnificent relics of its long and famous past, and even the most monument-weary tourist will be impressed by the sights here. 

Apart from the city's most well-known tourist sites, such as Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque, Istanbul also has bustling bazaars, evocative ancient districts, and vibrant eating and nightlife scenes to explore. 

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace is one of Istanbul's must-see sites, combining history and breathtaking beauty in an experience that should not be hurried. The magnificent Topkapi Palace served as the royal home of the Ottoman Empire's sultans for almost four centuries. It is one of the biggest surviving palaces in the world. Sultan Mehmed II began construction on the palace soon after the capture of Constantinople in 1453 and resided there until 1481. 

There are four main courtyards and numerous outbuildings in the Ottoman palace. The first courtyard, known as the Janissaries Court, was where elite palace guards kept watch. The plaza is home to a beautiful fountain and Emperor Justinian's Byzantine cathedral of Hagia Irene, which was built in 548. The Ottomans used the chapel as a storeroom and imperial armory, thus it survived. 

Hagia Sophia Mosque

With its enormous dome (102 feet or 31 meters in diameter) that covers what was for over 1000 years the world's biggest enclosed area, the Hagia Sophia is a masterpiece of Roman engineering. Hagia Sophia is the Greek word for "Holy Wisdom," and it alludes to Jesus Christ, the second member of the Holy Trinity. Built under the instructions of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian between 532 and 537, the building was an Eastern Orthodox cathedral until 1453, with the exception of approximately 60 years in the 1200s when it was a Roman Catholic cathedral. 

Visitors may enter the central nave via the Imperial Gate and gaze up at the dome's magnificent interior, which has a mosaic-covered ceiling. 

Dolmabahce Palace

The Dolmabahce Palace, which has been likened to the Palace of Versailles, has been described as "luxurious, plush, and magnificent." Turkey's most opulent palace, built in the 19th century with 14 tons of gold leaf, combines traditional Ottoman architecture with Neoclassical, Baroque, and Rococo European styles. 

From 1856 until 1924, it was home to six Sultans, as well as the world's biggest Bohemian crystal chandelier, a gift from Queen Victoria. The location of the Dolmabahce Palace is breathtaking: it was constructed along the Bosphorus shoreline. 

Grand Bazaar

Travelers who like shopping can pay a visit to the Grand Bazaar, which has 5,000 stores and is one of the world's biggest indoor markets. The bazaar, which attracts over a quarter-million people each day, sells jewels, carpets that may or may not fly, spices, antiques, and hand-painted pottery. 

The bazaar, which originates from 1461, now houses two mosques, four fountains, two hammams (steam baths), and the Cevahir Bedesten, where the rarest and most expensive goods have historically been found. Old coins, jewelry with valuable jewels, inlaid weaponry, and ancient furniture may all be found here.

Explore the City With Istanbul Tourist Pass!

With the first and the best tourist card for Istanbul, Istanbul Tourist Pass, you’ll save over 50% while gaining access to the best attractions in the city! With plans of 3, 5 and 7 days, you can find the most suitable pack for yourself on our website!

In many major cities throughout the globe, touring a city in an open-top double-decker tourist bus is extremely frequent. So it is with Istanbul. On this article, you'll discover all the information you need about the Panoromic Istanbul bus trip, including insider tips. So it's time to take a bus trip to see the finest areas of the city while relaxing in your comfortable seat! It is one of the most efficient modes of transportation in the city. 

What is the Istanbul Panoramic Bus Tour? 

On this approximately 120-minute panoramic Istanbul trip, you will be shown the major attractions of Istanbul, as well as the finest picture opportunities. Museums, historic cathedrals, royal palaces, magnificent mosques, the Grand Bazaar, and the spectacular Bosphorus are just a few of the attractions that Istanbul has to offer. With our Istanbul Vision red bus, you can take in everything.

Panoramic Bus Istanbul is a service-attraction, both at the same time! You can use this bus tour to explore the most famosu areas of the city. This will allow you to travel while you are sitting, and you can see many important places on your seat. It is one of the most efficient Istanbul bus tours as you can see, because as the name suggests, it is panoramic. You see the most important places of the city all at once!

This Panoramic Istanbul tour is recommended to all Istanbul tourists who want to explore the city's attractions and landmarks in a wonderful, quick, convenient, and inexpensive manner. What better way to start and organize your Istanbul days than to leave your hotel, relax at a café, and drink? You will undoubtedly save time. 

 

Istanbul Panoramic buses are the most unique and comprehensive method to see the city's most important sights and attractions. On our convertible (for wet days) open top bus, the newest technological advantages will serve you as a multilingual audio guidance system in 8 languages (English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic, and Turkish) with personal headphones.

A Panaromic Tour of Istanbul

Enjoy an in-depth view at the living neighborhoods of Byzantine Jews, Italian merchants, and other non-Muslim minority from the top deck of the open-top bus. Get a real understanding of the Balat and Metal Church's history. View attractions like St. Stephen the Bulgarian and get a peek of life in the Jewish Hospital. Take a walk around the Byzantine city walls, go shopping at the Spice Bazaar, and more. English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic, and Turkish are among the languages offered for commentary. 

The 2 hour trip will show you the attractions of Istanbul, as well as the finest picture opportunities, against the beautiful background of minarets and mosques. The historic city of Istanbul stands like a step back in time. The only city in the world built on two continents, Europe and Asia, standing on the banks of the Bosphorus and guarding the priceless relics of the three world-dominating empires, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, of which she was the capital, she is a unique link between East and West, past and present. Explore the Basilica Cistern, Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia and more!

Panaromic Istanbul Bus Tour Tickets

The majority of visitors choose to purchase Istanbul Panoramic Bus tickets online in order to prevent missing the bus due to crowds, as well as because it is less expensive than purchasing on the spot. You may purchase tickets onboard, but be aware that they will be costly and that you will have to wait in line, which can be very lengthy during peak season. In order to skip the lines, you can just purchase an Istanbul Tourist Pass! With Istanbul Tourist Pass, you can save a huge amount of moneey (over 50%) and gain access to more than 100 attractions.

One of the included attractions in Istanbul Tourist Pass is of course Panoramic Istanbul Bus Tour. If you use this service with Istanbul Tourist Pass, you will not have to wait in lines- you can skip them immediately for every attraction! You also do not have to buy seperate tickets because all your tickets will be included with the pass application. Amazing, right?

A person looking for the first time about Istanbul will have a particular query in mind: what is a Bosphorus Cruise? 

The Bosphorus is a waterway in Istanbul that connects the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea, as well as separating Asia from Europe. Naturally, it divides the city of Istanbul into two halves. It was formerly a river, but it is now a deep strait that allows ships to travel from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. This makes it one among the world's most important rivers, particularly for Russia. 

The beauty of the Bosphorus may be viewed from many perspectives, captivating you with magnificent castles, pavilions, fortifications, and three suspension bridges, regardless of whatever continent you are on. During your private Istanbul tour, your guide will give you an in-depth history of the region based on your interests, and you will get the opportunity to experience being between continents while traveling on a boat, commonly known as a Bosphorus Cruise. Your private guide in Istanbul should be an experienced, licensed guide who has been giving tours for many years and can tell you about the most fascinating parts of the city that you may be interested in. 

Benefits of a Bosphorus Cruise 

A private Bosphorus cruise differs from many other (public) tour choices not just in terms of privacy, quiet, and a pleasant environment. The skipper cruises the boat considerably closer to the various landmarks than any other vessel I've ever been on. There is also no hurry, which is a huge bonus. The skipper does not go back and forth with the ship. You may even request that the captain make a short halt so you can get that ideal shot. You may even request a short visit to the Asian side or a swim in the Bosphorus. As long as you don't exceed the two-hour time limit. 

 

At Night on the Bosphorus 

Joining a dinner cruise that cruises up to the second bridge for approximately 3 hours is one of the finest ways to view the Bosphorus at night. You may spend the remainder of the night on the boat between continents seeing belly dancers and traditional dances that reflect the culture of various areas of Turkey. 

Why Should You Take A Cruise On The Bosphorus? 

While traditional daytime sightseeing cruises down the Bosphorus are a popular and unique experience in Istanbul, those that include supper and entertainment at night may be the greatest choice for doing something unique and memorable in Istanbul. 

There are many tour companies that offer a variety of dining cruises on Bosphorus that will allow you to enjoy more than just the sights and sounds of Istanbul with breathtaking views of the waterfront palaces, mosques, and bridges, as well as have the perfect package for a great night out in this magical city.

Bosphorus Cruise with Istanbul Tourist Pass!

Istanbul Tourist Pass includes a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Shows, an amazing occasion you will never forget! In this cruise, you will be served amazing Turkish meals while listening to the beautiful oriental Turkish music. Moreover, you can join a daily Bosphorus tour if you want to experience the historical beauty in the daylight. Visit our website to learn more about the 100+ attractions included with Istanbul Tourist Pass, and save over 50%!

Sea Life Istanbul, among the numerous tourist attractions in Istanbul, may be one of the most interesting locations to visit. It is the world's fifth largest aquarium, and it attracts visitors of all ages, regardless of their interest in marine life. If you want to visit Istanbul Aquarium, which has a variety of fascinating sea animals and observation places, keep reading to learn all you need to know before your visit. 

Explore Istanbul Aquarium

With its journey route, thematization, interaction, rainforest, and cutting-edge technology, it is the newest aquarium of its kind featuring fish species residing in the world's oceans. Due to its size, diversity of fish species, and activities along travel routes, İstanbul Akvaryum is a global leader among aquariums.

By following a geographical path, tourists journey from the Black Sea to the Pacific, passing through 17 themes and one rainforest. Cultural, geographical, historical, and architectural characteristics of each place emerge in the thematization of the spaces, along with appropriate ornamental elements, interactive games, videos, and visual graphics that give information about the region. Each space's sound and lighting systems have been organized in accordance with this thematization. 

In every way, Istanbul Aquarium is handled by experts in their area and in accordance with international standards. All living species in Istanbul Akvaryum continue to exist in circumstances that are as close to their natural environment as possible. As a result, you may get a close look at their wonderful life. Because visiting Istanbul Aquarium is a kid's favorite, it's one of the greatest attractions to visit with your child! 

Apart from visiting the huge Forum Istanbul Shopping Mall's numerous shops, cafés, and restaurants, the next greatest attraction you can do with your kids near Sea Life Istanbul is visit the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Istanbul. Kingdom Quest, Creative Workshop, and Merlin's Apprentice Ride are among the numerous fun and instructive areas for your children at Turkey's first LEGOLAND. 

 

Turtles in Istanbul Aquarium

The Sea Life Aquarium Istanbul is part of the Sea Life franchise, which is the world's largest commercial aquarium network. They have over 50 locations across the globe, including the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and many more. Merlin Entertainments is the company that owns them. In October 2009, Sea Life Istanbul opened in Bayrampasa's Forum Istanbul retail complex. It was formerly known as Turkuazoo, but after a short time, it was acquired by Merlin Entertainment, which also owns Madame Tussauds and Legoland. 

The only private Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in Turkey is located in Sea Life Istanbul. They bring in injured sea turtles discovered in the wild and cure them. Another fascinating feature is the stingray bay, where you can observe big, gorgeous rays with smiling faces. Jelly fish tanks may also be found around the property, including above the café, gift store, and children's section. Sea Life Istanbul can not only take you on a wonderful journey through the ocean's marvels, but it can also host one of your special occasions, such as birthday parties, where guests are served juice, cake, pizza, and presents. 

Ticket Prices at the Istanbul Aquarium 

If you want to visit Sea Life Istanbul is open every day of the week from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last admission at 5 p.m. We also recommend purchasing your tickets online to avoid long queues and to take advantage of online ticket savings. The cost of admission to the Sea Life Aquarium varies based on the ticket class. There is a 20% discount on Forum Istanbul Aquarium tickets purchased online, so unless you want to visit the aquarium at the last minute, it is recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance.

Of course, if you want to see all of these sites, as well as many other cultural and historical attractions in Istanbul, you can get an Istanbul Tourist Pass, which includes all of them. With the Istanbul Tourist Pass, you may enter the Istanbul Aquarium for free and discover much more!

What's There?

Besiktas JK, one of the top soccer teams in Turkey, opens the doors to its home stadium in Istanbul, the Tupras Stadium, with a tour which you can attend thanks to the Istanbul Tourist Pass®.

Get access to private areas of the stadium, learn about the glorious history of the successful soccer team, and enjoy an unbelievable experience that many would only dream of. With the guided tour, you will visit the press tribune, the press lounge, the management hall, the press conference room, the locker rooms of Besiktas JK, the soccer field and more!

It's definitely an experience to tell your friends about!

 

Tupras Stadium is in a great location, very close to Dolmabahce Palace and the shore of the Bosphorus Strait, so you can plan a full day of sightseeing around your Besiktas stadium tour! 

What's Included?

An amazing tour on the days when there are no soccer matches in the stadium. The tour is in Turkish, but you can rent audio-guides at the stadium.