Am on a cruise ship but would like to do own tour. Hve to be back to the port by 5pm latest. Any suggestions OR can we walk around to a lot of things from the port?
Posted by
Dunwoody, Georgia
338 posts
The top sites are in Sultanahmet. I'm not 100% sure of the location of the cruise ship terminal, but I don't believe its within easy walking distance. If its close to the ferry terminal, its about a mile or so away to the southwest. Since you won't have much time, I'd take a cab into Sultanahmet. I am assuming that you've never been to Istanbul. If that's the case here are my suggestions for one day - Topkopi Palace and Aya Sophia. You could probably squeeze in both, depending on what time you arrive. The Topkopi takes 5 or 6 hours to see and the Aya Sophia takes a couple of hours. They are right next to each other. Good luck.
Posted by
Boscombe, Dorset, UK
964 posts
I've recently spent a week in Istanbul on a Rick Steves tour. The Blue Mosque is also right there by Hagia Sofia and Topkapi Palace, and I personally would hate to go to Istanbul and miss it. IFor a change of pace, you can also get to the Grand Bazaar (especially worth seeing the gold merchants) very easily from there (one stop on the tram). Alternatively, the Spice market is also great, and I think it's not far from where the cruise ships arrive (but please check!)
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Both the grand bazaar and the egyptian spice market are closed on Sunday.