Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

What to Pack A Sturdy walking shoes or sandals – İstanbul’s footpaths are often cobbled and uneven. A Females will need a scarf or shawl to cover head and shoulders when visiting mosques; also a bikini to wear in hamams (optional). A Males should bring at least one pair of long pants to wear in mosques. A Electrical adaptors. Top Tips for Your Trip A Plan your itinerary – although İstanbul’s public transport system is excellent, criss-crossing the city will eat into your time. Instead, choose just one or two neighbourhoods to explore in a single day. A When you have prepared your itinerary, estimate how much museum entries will cost and then compare this figure to the cost of a Museum Pass İstanbul – you may save money (and time) by purchasing one of these. A Most major museums are closed on Monday; the exceptions are Topkapı Palace (Tuesday), the Kariye Museum (Wednesday) and the Museum of Turkish Jews (Saturday). The İstanbul Archaeological Museums, Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts and Basilica Cistern are open every day. Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi Palaces are closed on both Monday and Thursday. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday. A Even if you’re only here for a few days, it’s a good idea to purchase an İstanbulkart to use on public transport.

What to Wear