Stepping into the capital of Turkey, I was quite surprised to see how expensive it had become. As a budget traveller, I couldn’t afford to spend much on entrance tickets and restaurants. However I still wanted to make the best of my time here. Despite the high costs, I set out to explore finding affordable alternatives and hidden gems along way. I compiled a list of free things around the city and a few activities that are less than 5€ per person.
Keep reading until the end as I’ll give you some additional tips to stay on a budget in Istanbul.
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Table of Contents
- Free things to do in Istanbul
- Day trip from Istanbul on a budget
- Tips for budget traveller in Istanbul
- Where to eat
- Where to stay
Free things to do in Istanbul
In Istanbul, many tickets are more than 25€ per person. For example, the Topkapi Palace is 45€ as well as the Sophia Hagia is 25€ per peson since 2024.
As a budget traveller, it is challenging to spend a 100€ per day on entrance ticket alone. Perhaps I’d recommend you picking a sight you really want to visit and pay the entrance ticket and then spend the rest of the day visiting free things around Istanbul.
The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque is an absolute must-see for every tourists even those on a budget, because it is one of the free sights in Istanbul.
Built between 1609 and 1617 the mosque is a stunning example Ottoman architecture. You will probably notice it because a lot of the mosques look like the blue mosque around Turkey.
Despite the Blue Mosque being free because it is still running today, I believe it is important to have entrance fees to help with renovation and preservation. You can let a small donation if you wish.
The Sunset on the Bosphore
IBB Sarayburnu Park : For a panoramic view over the other side of the city, visit this park. Go at sunset to witness the beautiful colours in the sky and watch the boats navigating the waters.
Uskudar Coast Walkway : Located on the other side of the old town, this walkway offers a path where you can enjoy a stroll at sunset over the historic skyline.
Take the public boat way and back. There are several boat stops in Istanbul and I’d recommend you to go from Kabatas to Kadikoy and back. The ticket was 25 lira one way (0.70€).
Gülhane Park
Istanbul can get hot in the afternoon, and this park provides some shade and benches for resting. Located amidst all the old monuments, it’s a perfect spot to relax. You can have a drink to go and unwind here after your visit.
Pantocrator Monastery
There are a few free things that I haven’t got the time to visit it myself and this beautiful church/ mosque is one of them. Originally built in the 12th century the complex was once served as a church but today it is the Zeyrek Mosque. It is one of the most significant Byzantine structures in Istanbul.
Balaat area
This area is a historical neighborhood known for the vibrant and colorful houses. Historically it was home to the Jewish, Greek and Armenian communities. Some free things are also the most simple like a walk around.
Walk around, get a drink, pet the cats but I wouldn’t advise you to eat here! Head somewhere else to get lunch for cheaper prices.
Streets of Galata
This is my favourite part of Istanbul! The area is known for narrow streets, cafés, boutiques and galleries. The Galata Tower overlook the neighbourhood. You can also walk up the medieval stone tower and witness a great view over the city. However this is not a free thing to do.
Take a Guru Walk
I started to use this app since I am travelling on a budget and I always had very good experience. Guru Walk offer guided tour services and even if it is not technically « free » it is based on donations. You can give the amount that fits your budget.
However I would recommend to give at least 10€ per person when the guided tour is 2h and more. I would also recommend giving more if you’re the only ones with the guide.
In my experience, We gave around 10€ per person when we were more than 5 tourists and between 15-20€ per person if we were less. It is clearly worth the price as usually the guide provides a lot of informations. Moreover traditional guided tour can be really expensive so it is definitely a budget friendly way to get some more insights on the city.
The Grand Baazar
Wander in this huge bazaar and stroll around the cute and colorful shop.
You don’t need to buy anything if you don’t want to but I warn you that it’s also hard not to get a small souvenirs…
The Egyptian Bazaar for the spices
Near by the Grand Baazar you can find the spices bazaar which has a lot of colorful shops with lots of food and of course lots of spices on display.
Day trip from Istanbul on a budget
Explore the picturesque islands called the Princes’ islands near Istanbul. Take advantage of the public transport available from Istanbul. Boats depart regularly from Kabatas or Kadikoy, offering access to all four islands. Whether you choose to visit a single island or embark on a day of island hopping, tickets are still affordable. One way ticket is around 1.5€.
It is an ideal opportunity to enjoy a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle while exploring charming towns and nature.
If you Fany staying a night on one the Islande it is actually possible. There are several hotels around for all types of budget. Here are some of my personal recommendations :
Budge friendly options:
Other recommendations :
Tips for budget traveller in Istanbul
If you’re traveling with companions, consider purchasing a single public transportation card. It can be used by multiple people. Don’t waste your money on buying a card per person.
Additionally SIM cards can be pricey in Turkey! I paid 25€ for mine. Instead, consider using Airalo, which offers affordable options. For a couple of bucks, you can get 2G of data for a week, which I think it’s enough if you have wifi in your hotel.
- eSIM Turkey: 2GB for 15 days OR 5GB for 30 days.
- eSIM Europe
Where to eat
We ate in a few different restaurants and cafés during our 4 days in Istanbul. We especially liked two of them that offer Turkish dishes:
Where to stay
I recommend staying in the Taksim area if you’re on a budget. They are a lot of affordable hotel’s and appartement prices. The area itself is a great location in the center with a vibrant atmosphere. You will find a lot of restaurants and shops around the neighbourhood.
Find a hotel on Agoda or choose one of my recommendations :
You’re ready to visit Istanbul on a budget! If you are looking for other European cities you might be interested in my post 35 things to do in Paris.