Walking routes in Istanbul

Self-guided routes through Istanbul — every stop timed, mapped and in the order that works on the ground.

The Greek Patriarchate, an iron church shipped down the Danube, the red castle of a school, the painted houses of Balat and the Byzantine mosaics of Chora.

Ecumenical Patriarchate · Bulgarian St Stephen Church · Phanar Greek Orthodox College · Balat · Chora

1.5 km on foot 5 stops 2h 20m total

3h Budget

Galata and Beyoğlu in three hours

Over the bridge from the old city, up to the tower, then the length of İstiklal to Taksim.

Galata Bridge · Karaköy · Galata Tower · Çiçek Pasajı · Taksim Square

2.4 km on foot 5 stops 2h 51m total

3h Budget

Kadıköy and Moda in three hours

The ferry across to Asia, Kadıköy's market streets, its art deco opera house and the seafront of Moda at sunset.

Ferry from Eminönü · Kadıköy Market · Bahariye Caddesi · Moda

1.3 km on foot 4 stops 2h 27m total

3h Budget

Üsküdar in three hours

Two mosques by Sinan, a third on the water's edge, the Maiden's Tower on its rock and tea on the shore as the sun goes down behind the old city.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque · Yeni Valide Mosque · Şemsi Paşa Mosque · Maiden's Tower · Salacak

0.6 km on foot 5 stops 2h 18m total

6h Luxury

Dolmabahçe to Ortaköy in six hours

The last sultans' palace on the water, their hilltop park, Ortaköy's mosque under the bridge, the village of Bebek and the fortress at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus.

Dolmabahçe Palace · Yıldız Park · Ortaköy Mosque · Ortaköy square · Bebek · Rumeli Hisarı

4.2 km on foot 6 stops 5h 36m total

6h Mid-range

Süleymaniye, the aqueduct and Zeyrek in six hours

The spice bazaar, a mosque lined with İznik tiles, Sinan's masterpiece, the Roman aqueduct and the hilltop church of the Byzantine emperors.

Spice Bazaar · Rüstem Paşa Mosque · Süleymaniye Mosque · Şehzade Mosque · Valens Aqueduct · Zeyrek Mosque · Fatih Mosque

2.6 km on foot 7 stops 4h 40m total

6h Mid-range

Sultanahmet in six hours

Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the cistern, the sultans' palace, and the covered market at the end.

Hagia Sophia · Blue Mosque · Basilica Cistern · Topkapi Palace · Grand Bazaar

2.9 km on foot 5 stops 5h 38m total

12h Mid-range

Istanbul in a day: the palace to the Asian shore

Topkapı at opening, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, the cistern, the Grand Bazaar for lunch, Süleymaniye, the spice market and a ferry to Asia at sunset.

Topkapı Palace · Hagia Sophia · Blue Mosque · Basilica Cistern · Grand Bazaar · Süleymaniye Mosque · Spice Bazaar · Kadıköy

3.3 km on foot 8 stops 8h 49m total

Planning the rest of the trip

These routes cover the walking. The Istanbul guide has where to stay, what a day costs at each tier, and what to book before you go.