Istanbul Travel Experience: Honest First Impressions, Food, Transport & Hidden Gems

Introduction

I will be honest with this Istanbul travel experience— before arriving in Istanbul, I genuinely did not know what to expect. For some reason, I had built this image in my head of complete chaos. I imagined aggressive street sellers constantly trying to pull you into shops, endless traffic making the city stressful, and a transport system that would feel old and difficult to use. Maybe that says more about how people online describe big cities than the reality itself, but Istanbul completely caught me off guard in the best possible way.

Our stop in Turkey was actually only meant to be short. We had planned just two days in Istanbul before flying onward to Bangkok, so this was never supposed to be some deep exploration of the country. It was more of a teaser stop during a longer backpacking trip. Because of that, I expected the city to feel rushed and overwhelming. Instead, I found myself slowing down almost immediately after arriving.

The first thing I noticed was the atmosphere. Despite being one of the biggest cities in the world, parts of Istanbul felt surprisingly calm to walk around. Yes, there was noise, traffic, and busy streets, but it never felt unbearable. Around Sultanahmet especially, there was this strange balance between tourism, history, local life, and relaxed cafés that made wandering around genuinely enjoyable.

Istanbul also has this feeling of layers. Ancient buildings sit beside modern shops. The call to prayer echoes through streets filled with tourists carrying cameras and locals grabbing coffee. It somehow feels both incredibly old and alive at the same time. I did not expect the city to have that effect on me so quickly.

We only had a short amount of time, so we tried to cram as much into those two days as possible. That meant long walks, sightseeing in the heat, trying local food, navigating busy roads, and occasionally standing around wondering if our hop-on hop-off bus was ever actually going to arrive.

Even with some frustrations along the way, Istanbul ended up being one of those places that stays in your head long after you leave.

Arrival and Preparation

Flying into Istanbul was smoother than I expected. Airports can sometimes set the tone for a destination, and thankfully this one did not feel stressful. It was busy, of course, but fairly organised considering the amount of people moving through it. Immigration queues moved faster than I thought they would, and once we got outside, the warm air immediately reminded us we were definitely no longer in Ireland.

The heat hit us quickly. Coming from cooler weather, Istanbul felt intense at times during the day, especially when walking around with backpacks. That was probably one thing I underestimated before arriving. Comfortable shoes and lighter clothes are absolutely worth bringing because you will end up walking far more than you expect.

We stayed at Second Home Hostel near the Blue Mosque area, and honestly, the location could hardly have been better for a short stay. Being able to walk to major attractions made a huge difference when you only have limited time in the city. The hostel itself had a genuinely friendly atmosphere. The staff were welcoming, the rooms were comfortable enough, and the rooftop terrace ended up becoming one of my favourite little spots in the evenings.

There was only one real downside to the hostel, and that was the stairs. No elevator meant carrying large backpacks up multiple flights, which after travelling already felt slightly brutal. Anyone travelling with heavy luggage should definitely prepare for that. Still, the rooftop views made up for it. You could see Galata Tower off in the distance, especially around sunset when the city started glowing under the evening light.

The street around the hostel was also unexpectedly entertaining. There were endless Turkish delight shops everywhere, along with stores selling some of the wildest chess sets I have ever seen. Massive decorative pieces, colourful boards, elaborate carvings — honestly, if I had not been travelling long term with limited luggage space, I probably would have bought far too much. There were moments I genuinely considered coming back later with an empty suitcase just for shopping.

Because we only had two days, planning became important. We tried using the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus to save time and cover more ground. In theory, it sounded perfect. In reality, Istanbul traffic had other ideas.

The buses were often delayed, packed with people, and slower than we expected because of congestion around the tourist areas. Sometimes you would arrive at a stop only to realise you had just missed one and had to wait again in the heat. At first, it became slightly frustrating, but eventually we adjusted expectations and accepted that this was simply part of navigating a massive city.

Even with the delays, I still think it was worth using for such a short trip because it helped us see far more than we could have managed purely on foot.

My Istanbul Travel Experience Exploring the City

Walking Through Sultanahmet

Most of our time naturally revolved around Sultanahmet because so many famous landmarks are concentrated there. What surprised me most was how walkable the area actually felt despite the crowds. Streets constantly opened into beautiful squares, old stone pathways, cafés, hidden alleys, and market stalls.

The Blue Mosque was one of the highlights almost immediately. Even if you have seen photos online, standing in front of it in person feels different. The scale alone is impressive, but it is also the atmosphere around it that stands out. People sit on the grass nearby relaxing, tourists take photos from every angle, and the sound of the city blends with the call to prayer echoing around the area.

At night, the mosque becomes even more beautiful. The lighting completely changes the mood of the city. Istanbul genuinely knows how to show off its architecture after dark.

Inside, the experience felt peaceful despite the number of visitors. I always think places like this deserve respect regardless of personal beliefs. I am not particularly religious myself, but beautiful buildings connected to faith fascinate me. Whether it is a mosque, synagogue, church, or temple, I appreciate the history, rituals, and craftsmanship behind them.

That is something I would strongly recommend to anyone visiting Istanbul. Respect the local customs. If a mosque requires head coverings or specific clothing, just follow the rules. You are a guest in another country. It costs nothing to show respect.

Hagia Sophia Left a Huge Impression

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was another place that completely lived up to expectations. Again, photographs really do not prepare you properly for the scale of the building. The mixture of Christian and Islamic history inside creates this unique atmosphere that feels unlike anywhere else.

Walking through it slowly, looking upward at the massive domes and ancient details, you can almost feel the layers of history surrounding you. Even people who are not deeply interested in religion or architecture would probably still find it impressive.

Outside the building, the surrounding area stays busy all day long. Street vendors, cafés, tourists, local families, and photographers constantly move through the square. It somehow manages to feel lively without becoming overwhelming.

The Grand Bazaar Experience

I am honestly not a huge shopper. I am the type of person who usually walks past stores unless I specifically need something. Since we were travelling for months, I also had to constantly think about luggage space. Every unnecessary item becomes another thing you need to carry across airports and hostels.

But the Grand Bazaar still managed to pull me in.

The place feels endless. Every turn leads to another corridor packed with lamps, spices, carpets, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, sweets, and souvenirs. Some areas feel chaotic while others suddenly become quieter. It is incredibly easy to lose track of time wandering through it all.

Even if you buy nothing, the atmosphere alone makes it worth visiting. The colours, sounds, conversations, and movement all combine into something that feels uniquely Istanbul.

I did notice shopkeepers trying to encourage people inside their stores, but honestly it never felt aggressive in the way I had feared before arriving. A simple “no thank you” was usually enough.

The Turkish delight shops became dangerous for me though. There were so many flavours and varieties that I nearly abandoned all long-term travel logic and bought an unreasonable amount.

Food in Istanbul

Of course, we had to try kebabs while in Turkey. It would almost feel illegal not to.

Interestingly though, the kebabs were probably one of the few things that slightly surprised me in a less positive way. Compared to what I was used to back home in Ireland, I found some of them drier than expected. That is obviously personal preference, and I am sure there are incredible places we simply did not discover in our short time there.

That said, the food overall was still enjoyable. Turkish tea appeared constantly wherever we went, cafés smelled incredible, and there was always fresh bread, grilled meats, pastries, and desserts around every corner.

One thing I appreciated was how relaxed many restaurants felt. Nobody rushed us out quickly after eating. People sat chatting for long periods, enjoying coffee slowly, which matched the calmer vibe I experienced throughout much of the city.

Photography and Atmosphere

If you enjoy photography, Istanbul is honestly brilliant for it.

Everywhere you turn there seems to be another interesting frame. Cats sitting beside ancient ruins, sunset light hitting mosque domes, narrow side streets filled with colourful signs, rooftop views across the skyline, ferries crossing the water — the city constantly gives you things to photograph.

The rooftop terrace at our hostel became one of my favourite spots for photos. Seeing Galata Tower sitting in the distance while hearing the city below created one of those travel moments that feels strangely cinematic.

Night photography was especially rewarding. Buildings like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia light up beautifully after sunset, and the atmosphere becomes far calmer once some daytime crowds disappear.

Hotels in the Area

For travellers wanting luxury near Sultanahmet, I would probably recommend places like Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, AJWA Sultanahmet, and Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul. These hotels suit people looking for comfort after long sightseeing days, and they place you within walking distance of major attractions while still offering peaceful spaces away from the crowds.

For something more balanced in terms of budget and comfort, Hotel Amira Istanbul, Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel, and Recital Hotel felt like strong options from what I saw and heard from other travellers. These types of hotels work well if you want convenience without spending excessively, especially for shorter city stays.

Budget travellers honestly have plenty of good choices too. Second Home Hostel worked perfectly for us because of its location and friendly atmosphere. Antique Hostel and Cheers Hostel also seemed popular among backpackers looking to stay close to the historic centre while meeting other travellers along the way.

Location matters massively in Istanbul, especially if your trip is short. Staying around Sultanahmet saves huge amounts of time because so many major attractions sit within walking distance.

Highlights and Standout Moments From My Istanbul Travel Experience

Looking back, several moments genuinely stand out from the trip.

Seeing the Blue Mosque illuminated at night is probably near the top of the list. During the daytime it is impressive, but once the lights come on and the crowds thin slightly, the whole area becomes calmer and more atmospheric.

The rooftop terrace at the hostel also became unexpectedly memorable. Sometimes travel moments are not necessarily famous attractions. Sometimes they are simply sitting quietly above a city after a long day, hearing distant sounds below while watching the skyline change colours.

Walking through the streets around Sultanahmet late in the evening also left an impression on me. Istanbul somehow balances being busy while still feeling comfortable to wander around. We never felt unsafe during our stay. Of course, like any major city, you should stay alert for pickpockets and keep basic awareness, but overall I felt relaxed walking around even as obvious tourists looking slightly lost half the time.

The Grand Bazaar was another standout simply because of how overwhelming and fascinating it feels all at once. Even as someone who dislikes shopping most of the time, I still enjoyed exploring it.

And honestly, one of the biggest highlights was simply realising how wrong my expectations had been before arriving.

Honest Review of Istanbul

Overall, yes, I absolutely enjoyed Istanbul.

That does not mean everything was perfect, and I think honest travel reviews are far more useful than pretending every destination is flawless.

Traffic can definitely become frustrating. If you are trying to fit lots into a short timeframe, delays can eat into your day surprisingly quickly. The hop-on hop-off bus sounded efficient but sometimes became slower than simply walking.

The heat also drained energy faster than expected, especially when sightseeing all day. Taking breaks becomes important.

Crowds around the main tourist areas can become intense during peak times too. Places like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque attract huge numbers of visitors for obvious reasons, so patience helps.

Food-wise, while I enjoyed eating around the city, I probably would spend more time researching restaurants next time rather than randomly choosing places nearby when hungry.

But the positives massively outweighed any negatives.

Istanbul felt safer than I expected. The atmosphere felt more relaxed than I imagined. The historical buildings genuinely impressed me. The city offered far more beauty, calmness, and character than I had prepared for mentally before arriving.

Would I go back? Definitely.

And next time, I would stay longer.

Two days felt more like an introduction than a proper experience. Istanbul deserves time. There are entire areas we never reached, public transport systems we never fully explored, and countless cafés, streets, and viewpoints we simply ran out of time for.

I think Istanbul suits a wide range of travellers too. History lovers will obviously enjoy it, but photographers, food lovers, backpackers, solo travellers, and even people simply wanting a culturally rich city break would probably appreciate it as well.

FAQ About Visiting Istanbul

Is Istanbul worth visiting for a short trip?

Yes, absolutely. Even with only two days, we still managed to experience major highlights like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar. You will not see everything, but Istanbul still works surprisingly well as a short stopover destination.

What is the best time to visit Istanbul?

I imagine spring and autumn would probably be ideal because the summer heat became quite intense during long walking days. Even so, summer still offered beautiful evenings and great atmosphere around the city after sunset.

Is Istanbul safe for tourists?

During our stay, we felt safe the entire time walking around tourist areas both during the day and evening. Like any major city, you should stay aware of your surroundings and watch for pickpockets, but overall the city felt welcoming and comfortable.

Is Istanbul easy to walk around?

Around Sultanahmet especially, yes. Many major attractions sit fairly close together. Comfortable shoes are important though because you will likely walk far more than expected.

Is public transport good in Istanbul?

We mostly used walking and the hop-on hop-off bus. Traffic slowed things down significantly at times, so next visit I would probably try more of the train and tram systems instead.

Is Istanbul expensive?

Compared to some European cities, Istanbul felt fairly reasonable overall, especially regarding accommodation and food. Shopping can become dangerous for your wallet though if you love markets and souvenirs.

Is Istanbul good for photography?

Definitely. Between the mosques, rooftops, markets, street scenes, sunsets, and skyline views, the city constantly provides great photography opportunities throughout the day and night.

Is Istanbul suitable for solo travellers?

From my experience, yes. The tourist areas felt active and social, hostels seemed welcoming, and getting around the main attractions did not feel intimidating.

Final Thoughts on My Istanbul Travel Experience

Before arriving in Istanbul, I expected stress, chaos, aggressive crowds, and transport headaches.

Instead, I found a city full of history, incredible architecture, welcoming people, beautiful night views, fascinating streets, and an atmosphere that felt surprisingly relaxed considering its size.

Was it perfect? No.

Traffic tested my patience sometimes. The heat could become exhausting. Some tourist areas were crowded. But none of those things outweighed the experience itself.

Istanbul ended up being one of those destinations that quietly surprises you. The kind of place where expectations completely shift once you start wandering through the streets yourself.

Even though our stay was short before heading to Bangkok, it left a lasting impression on me.

And honestly, that is probably the best compliment I can give any city.