Over 18.6 million tourists visit Istanbul each year, and it's easy to see why! Historically, Istanbul has always been a key imperial capital. First, it was Constantinople, the capital of the Roman Empire. After it was the heart of the Byzantine Empire. Then, in 1453, Sultan Mehmed II conquered it, making it Istanbul, the new capital of the Ottoman Empire.
Because of this long and rich history, there's a lot to see and do. There are museums filled with historical treasures, old churches and mosques, ancient water systems (cisterns), and opulent royal palaces with beautiful gardens where real Ottoman sultans once lived, all waiting for you to explore.
And thanks to the MegaPass’ Istanbul City Pass, I had the chance to visit and explore some of the most popular attractions in Istanbul without the hassle of researching, trying to book tickets, or waiting in long lines. Istanbul City Pass took care of all of it for me. It even included the necessary public transportation tickets, a cruise on the Bosphorus, a private tour guide for the most popular two attractions on my itinerary, and audio guide files for all the attractions.
If you're visiting Istanbul and want to make the most of your trip without the hassle, I highly recommend looking into their city pass packages and tour options.
Instant access, no lines, budget-friendly.
With MegaPass, travelers can explore Istanbul’s top sights with one digital pass — including museums, guided tours, and public transport. Available instantly online. Check out MegaPass.
About MegaPass
If you want to get the most out of your trip, MegaPass is your perfect starting point. This digital pass makes it easy to discover top sights, from museums and guided tours to exciting attractions in over 50 countries. Available instantly online!
Plus, you can find combo packages that include free public transportation passes, hop-on hop-off bus tours, and skip-the-line tickets. Their customer service is also always ready to help with any questions throughout your trip.
I am sure you can find something interesting for you with MegaPass. Check their packages and prices here.
What to Expect from the MegaPass Istanbul Premium City Pass
MegaPass offers hundreds of activities and tour options in Istanbul. I especially like their city pass packages that bundle the best sights and activities together, which makes them a great bargain! Currently, MegaPass offers 3 city pass packages for Istanbul:
- Istanbul City Pass Classic
- Istanbul City Pass Premium
- Istanbul City Pass Deluxe
The main promise is the same for all the packages Blue Mosque Tour, Bosphorus Cruise, 5 Ride Public Transportation Card, Audio Guide for the Attractions, 24/7 Customer Support, and all tickets are valid for 7 days. However, the difference is how many activities and sights to visit you can pick.
With Istanbul City Pass Classic, you can pick 2 additional experiences, while 4 in premium and you get to experience all of them in deluxe. Here is a list of all additional options you have:
- Hagia Sophia Ticket
- Topkapi Palace & Harem Ticket
- Basilica Cistern Ticket
- Dolmabahce Palace & Harem Ticket
- Asian Side Walking Tour
- 1 Day Hop On Hop Off Bus
- Turkish Bath / Hamam
- Dervish Ceremony Ticket
- Dinner Cruise on Bosphorus with Turkish Night, Food & Drinks
- Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks
I chose their Premium City Pass since I only planned to spend two days in Istanbul. It included a guided Blue Mosque tour, a Bosphorus cruise, and I decided to visit Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace, and take a guided tour to Topkapi Palace & Harem. Thanks to the five-ride public transportation card included in the city pass, I got to skip the hassle of getting one myself.
I truly appreciated that all my attraction tickets came with an audio guide and clear instructions, which really helped me fully immerse myself in the experience. It was also incredibly convenient having all the necessary files and tickets right on my mobile phone, making it super easy to keep track of everything as I visited attractions. And their customer support team was excellent, always ready to help 24/7 on WhatsApp with any questions I had.
Blue Mosque Guided Tour
The Blue Mosque, officially called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a historic imperial mosque from the Ottoman era. It was built between 1609 and 1617, commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I. Today, it's considered one of the world's most beautiful mosques.
My guided tour began in front of the Blue Mosque. After explaining what to expect, our expert guide took us first to the courtyard. He told us about the history and architecture of the mosque, as well as the broader context of Istanbul and the Marmara region. We also learned about Islam as a religion and the symbolism of the Blue Mosque. It was incredibly convenient to hear the history of the Blue Mosque and the surrounding area directly from an expert. Getting that local insight was far more engaging than reading from a small brochure, and I definitely enjoyed my experience a lot more.
Once inside, we explored the incredible artistry and handwork displayed in the tiles and architecture. We also had great discussions with our guide about the historical and cultural depth of modern Turkey and the Ottoman Empire, and he answered all our questions.
Right after my Blue Mosque tour, where I spent a couple of hours, I headed for the Bosphorus cruise on my itinerary. It's worth noting that all tickets are valid for 7 days, giving you the flexibility to plan your activities as you wish.
Bosphorus Cruise
The Bosphorus cruise starting point was just a 10-minute tram ride away from the Blue Mosque, but I chose to walk through the historic streets of the Sultanahmet and Eminönü districts. On my way, I passed by iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Gülhane Park, and Egyptian Bazaar.
After a pleasant walk along the coast, enjoying views of the Bosphorus and the floating Balık Ekmek stalls, I arrived at the cruise entrance. They simply scanned my online ticket's QR code, and I boarded. It wasn't crowded, so I had plenty of room to move around the double-decked ship, which has an open roof. This was perfect for feeling the cool breeze on a hot summer day. The ship also had a small kiosk, so I grabbed some Turkish tea to enjoy during my trip. It was a 90-minute round-trip cruise, and we sailed past most of the major sights along the shore, including the famous Bosphorus Bridge, Maiden’s Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Anatolian Fortress, and Çırağan Palace. Since it was around sunset, the views were truly breathtaking.
After getting off my Bosphorus cruise back at our starting point, I decided to treat myself to one of Istanbul's iconic traditional foods: Balık Ekmek (a fried fish sandwich). I also had some refreshing pickle juice along with my meal (another must in Turkey!) before heading back to my hotel to end the day.
Instant access, no lines, budget-friendly.
With MegaPass, travelers can explore Istanbul’s top sights with one digital pass — including museums, guided tours, and public transport. Available instantly online. Check out MegaPass.
Hagia Sophia
I visited Hagia Sophia on the second day of my trip, early in the morning, to avoid any crowds. However, I was surprised to see the long ticket lines when I walked to the entrance. Thanks to MegaPass, I had my ticket right on my mobile phone, and I directly moved to the security check and then the inside, where we observed the magnificent architecture and Christian mosaics preserved throughout the years.
What particularly struck me were the mosaics of the two hexapteryga (six-winged angels) on the ceiling. This was a notable contrast within a mosque, reflecting Hagia Sophia's layered history as a church before its conversion. Since depicting faces is generally forbidden in Islamic art within mosques, it reminded me how Istanbul is a place where East and West peacefully coexisted for thousands of years. Thanks to my audio guide, I also learned about the history of Hagia Sophia without doing any research beforehand. I learned that Hagia Sophia, built between 532 and 537, was considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture.
It served as the religious and spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly a thousand years! Throughout its history, it transformed from the cathedral of Constantinople to an Ottoman-era mosque, then became a museum! Today, the lower floor of Hagia Sophia functions as a mosque, while the upper floor has returned to its role as a museum.
Right after I visited Hagia Sophia, I quickly headed to the Basilica Cistern, just a five-minute walk away. With a busy day ahead, I wanted to stay ahead of the crowds as much as possible.
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern, the largest of Istanbul's hundreds of ancient underground cisterns, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. I was incredibly excited to visit such a place, since where else can you walk inside a 6th-century structure that supplied water to millions, including the Great Palace of Constantinople and the Ottoman Empire's Topkapı Palace?
Inside, light shows illuminate the space, and you'll find the famous Medusa head pillars. Their origins are a mystery, but it's thought they were brought here from a late Roman building.
I also learned that the cistern has made its way into popular culture, most notably appearing in the 1963 James Bond film, From Russia with Love. While it looked somewhat different than on screen, it was still the same mysterious and captivating cistern that held my interest.
Instant access, no lines, budget-friendly.
With MegaPass, travelers can explore Istanbul’s top sights with one digital pass — including museums, guided tours, and public transport. Available instantly online. Check out MegaPass.
Topkapi Palace & Harem
After my early morning visits to the Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern, I headed to the designated cafe near Topkapı Palace for a quick coffee break before our group departed right on time for the tour.
On our way, our guide explained what to expect from the tour and shared fascinating facts about Topkapı Palace. After a quick security check, we finally stepped inside the palace, where real Ottoman sultans and their families lived for hundreds of years.
We passed the Hagia Irene Museum (also known as Aya Irini) in the First Court before arriving at the central, park-like Second Court. Here, we passed by various buildings, including pavilions, kitchens, barracks, audience chambers, kiosks, and sleeping quarters.
Then, we paused in front of the Imperial Council Chamber, where the Ottoman council once met to discuss matters of state. Here, our guide explained the palace's layout and the best way to explore it. From this point, we parted ways, and I began to explore Topkapı Palace on my own.
I first entered the Harem Section, a fascinating area where the imperial family and as many as 300 concubines once lived. Inside, I explored the Corps of the Palace Guards, the Courtyard of the Black Eunuchs, and the Courtyard of the Concubines and Sultan's Consorts, as well as various baths, hammams, and fountains. I also visited the Valide Sultan's splendid reception room, beautifully decorated with 17th-century Kütahya and İznik tiles.
After exploring every part of the Harem section, I headed to the Third Court, entering through the Gate of Felicity, I was finally in the sultan's private domain. Inside, I visited some impressive structures such as the Sultan’s Audience Chamber and, Library of Ahmet III.
After catching my breath, I moved on to the Sacred Safekeeping Rooms, decorated with İznik tiles, and housing many relics of the Prophet. Next, I visited the Imperial Treasury to look at the famous Topkapı Dagger and the Kasıkçı (Spoonmaker’s) Diamond and other invaluable treasures.
Finally, I arrived at the Fourth Court, with its beautiful Marble Terrace featuring pools and pavilions. Here, I took in the breathtaking scenery of the Bosphorus and Istanbul. It was truly the best view of the city I had witnessed so far! I also explored pleasure pavilions like the Mecidiye Kiosk and the Kiosk of Mustafa Pasha.
My visit to Topkapı Palace lasted over three hours, and I was completely mesmerized by its sheer size and grandeur. However, nothing could prepare me for what I would witness at my next stop: Dolmabahçe Palace.
Dolmabahce Palace & Harem
Even after a morning and afternoon packed with some of Istanbul's most popular attractions, I was still full of energy, likely fueled by all the amazing sights I’ve seen so far. So, instead of taking the tram straight to Dolmabahçe Palace, I decided to get off near Galata Tower and enjoy a walk through Istanbul’s popular districts: İstiklal, Taksim, and Beşiktaş, before finally reaching the Dolmabahçe Palace.
After my long walk through Istanbul and a quick lunch break at Taksim Meydanı, I reached Dolmabahçe Palace in the late afternoon. I took a moment to visit the nearby Dolmabahçe Mosque before finally passing through the Gate of the Treasury near the Dolmabahçe Clock Tower. And, I found myself in a stunning garden with incredible views of the palace.
Once inside, my audio guide explained that Sultan Abdülmecid I commissioned the palace’s construction between 1843 and 1856. The goal was to replace Topkapı Palace as the royal residence, which was then considered outdated compared to the modern style, luxury, and comfort of other European palaces. I also learned that Dolmabahçe Palace served as home to six different Sultans from 1856 until the abolition of the Caliphate in 1924!
The interior was every bit as magnificent as one would expect. Can you believe that fourteen tonnes of gold were used to gild the ceilings, and over 100 kg of gold decorated the rest of the palace? And in its Ceremonial Hall, you can see the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier!
After exploring the main palace for at least an hour, I headed to the Art Museum of Dolmabahçe Palace, which displays a collection of 202 oil paintings. From there, I moved on to the Clock Museum. I was completely captivated and spent my next few hours immersed in both collections.
At the end of my visit, I relaxed by the Bosphorus Gate of Dolmabahçe Palace, enjoying the fresh breeze and watching ferries speed by. There are also a couple of cafes within Dolmabahçe Palace, so you can easily enjoy a cup of tea with some dessert if you want.
I ended my two-day Istanbul trip, having visited six of the city's top attractions thanks to MegaPass' Premium City Pass. The convenience of having all my tickets and audio guides readily available on my phone meant no waiting in lines or dealing with advance bookings. If you're looking to explore Istanbul's best sights without the stress, I highly recommend checking out their packages and tours here.
Is MegaPass Worth It?
Yes! MegaPass is definitely worth every penny. MegaPass bundles Istanbul’s top sights and activities into 3 neatly organized packages, and even offers flexibility by letting you choose what to experience.
After setting your own unique itinerary with their help, MegaPass supports you throughout your trip. They conveniently send all your tickets and audio guide files to your mobile phone, and their excellent support team is always ready to answer all your questions. It was truly one of the best tour experiences I’ve ever had! Check their packages and prices here.
—by İsmail Can Turan