I’ll be in Istanbul the beginning of October and will have a guide for a day. Get in at 3PM on Saturday. My choice is to have guide on Sunday or sometime during the week. Monday would be a preference.
Is there a best day to be a tourist?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
A number of sites are closed Monday so that means Topkapi Palace, which is open, a tourist and bus tour zoo. Sundays have locals wandering and in and around mosques and neighboring parks and sidewalks.
I was there Saturday to Tuesday (a.m. departure) and it was challenging to get in what I wanted to see.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2673 posts
Google "what is open in Istanbul on Sunday/Monday/Tuesday" and you'll get plenty of info about what is open/closed. As noted many things are closed Monday, but things like Grand Bazaar are closed on Sunday. But you'll need to double check for your specific travel dates and the specific sites you're interested. There could be a holiday (at least one in October) or some other event that might restrict access. Also make sure to check prayer times for your dates if you're planning to visit mosques so you can plan accordingly.
Posted by
London
1241 posts
Friday is going to be the main day for prayers. Turkey is more secular than many places and many don't worship at all, but the folks who aren't going to the mosque every day will often go for afternoon prayers on a Friday.
I've never been to Turkey btw, but there's lots of Turkish people in my community in London.