On April 2024, we took a trip to Uzbekistan. We flew there with Turkish Airlines and took advantage of their free Stopover in Istanbul option to spend 24 hours in Istanbul with our kids. Of course, 24 hours was not nearly enough, but we got a good sense for the city, and it left us wanting to go back to see more.
Where To Stay
Even though we could’ve booked one free night of lodging via one of Turkish Airlines partners, we chose to stay at the Walton Galata Hotel instead. A good friend of mine who travels to Istanbul quite frequently recommended we stay in the area around Galata Tower, so we took her advice and that’s how we chose our hotel. We really benefited from the off season as we got a double room at this hotel for almost half the regular price! The hotel staff was incredibly friendly, and they helped us arrange transportation from and to the airport. Our stay included a delicious breakfast spread and a complimentary cocktail for us and a mocktail for the kids as well.
We could’ve alternatively stayed in the Sultanahmet area, which is much closer to the main sights of Istanbul, but we wanted a quieter and less touristy area to come “home” too. Plus, when you stay around Galata, you get to take in the gorgeous view of Istanbul from one of the many roof terraces in the area. We loved watching the sunset from the roof deck at the Walton Galata Hotel while enjoying a delicious meal after a full day of exploring Istanbul!
What To Do And See
After dropping off our bags in our room, we headed straight out to explore. But first, we grabbed some kebabs from a little shop by Galata Bridge. We had all been craving some Turkish food after 10 days of eating only Uzbek food!
We arrived in Istanbul on the last day of Ramadan, which meant some sites were closed for the holiday. In general, we decided this time we would just walk around and admire the monuments from the outside to avoid spending too much time in line waiting to enter places. This was more of a walking tour to admire a handful of the main monuments.
Galata Bridge
The bridge is such a fun place to walk! There were lots of people fishing for sardines, hanging out, and we even saw someone walking a sheep on it! Plus, the views of both Sultanahmet and Galata are amazing from here! To reach the actual bridge, you have to go underground to cross the road, and there you’ll find all kinds of fun stores to check out!
Spice Bazaar
We joined the masses for a stroll around Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. This bazaar dates back to the early 1660s, and it is one of the biggest in the city.
We had a wonderful time walking around it, smelling the spices and teas, and sampling some Turkish delights. This is a great place to get your souvenirs. Just make sure to keep an eye on your kids because it can get crowded and you don’t want to be separated.
Tea Stop
Turkish tea is delicious, so we were happy to find a quiet tea shop to relax after the hustle and bustle of the spice bazaar. We had been awake since really early, so it was nice to take a second to rest.
Topkapi Palace Museum
A friend had recommended we visit Topkapi Palace, but we knew the actual palace would be closed due to the end of Ramadan. Fortunately, the grounds were still open, and we happened to be there during peak tulip season! The grounds were so pretty, and we saw tulips of all colors.
The palace was completed in 1465, and it was originally called the “New Palace.” It was given the name of Topkapi (cannon gate) in the 19th century.
Hagia Sofia
We only saw the Hagia Sofia from the outside because we hadn’t booked tickets in advance. I guess we could’ve tried to purchase them on the spot, but the line was insanely long. We all agreed to leave that for our next time in Istanbul. It was still super exciting to see the Hagia Sofia from the outside. It is such a beautiful building, I can only imagine how stunning it must be on the inside!
The Hagia Sofia is an architectural masterpiece! Its origins go back to the year 360. Visiting the Hagia Sofia is at the top of my list for the next time we visit Istanbul!
Blue Mosque
Like with the Hagia Sofia, we only saw the Blue Mosque from the outside. It was so beautiful! By this point our kids were super tired from the short night’s sleep on the plane, so we walked around the square, sat on a bench to admire the Blue Mosque, and then called it a day.
Officially known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque, this imperial mosque was built between 1609 and 1617, and it is still used for worshiping.
Galata Tower
The morning before we left Istanbul, we went to see Galata tower up close. The walk from the hotel to the tower was steep but quick, and the kids enjoyed looking for cats on the way there. Galata tower was under restoration when we visited, so we couldn’t visit the inside. The area surrounding the tower was super lively, even in the early morning. There were lots of different cafes, sweet shops, and other stores, all painted in bright colors on the outside.
A symbol of Istanbul and one of the oldest towers in the world, Galata tower was built by the Genoese in 1349. It was used as a surveillance tower by the Genoese, and later as a prison during the Ottoman Empire. Galata tower is now a museum and is open to the general public. The tower would be such a great place to catch the sunset over Istanbul!
Twenty four hours in Istanbul was nowhere nearly enough for even scratching the surface of the city. However, we are so happy we opted to take the extended layover option to at least get a general overlook of what the city has to offer. I would love to go spend a week there, exploring the different areas, having Turkish tea atop roof decks, and taking ferries across the Bosphorus at sunset!
We are a Peruvian-American family of four who moved from San Francisco, California to Lisbon, Portugal. We love traveling, and are always planning new adventures. To learn more about our life in Portugal, click here. To explore more places to travel to, click here.
