Istanbul Old City walking tour — a calm street walk through the historic heart of Istanbul (no narration, just the atmosphere).

Route / Highlights
Hagia Sophia (East Side) → Basilica Cistern → Topkapi Palace (Harem) → Blue Mosque → Grand Bazaar

My notes (from this walk)

Hagia Sophia: Going early was the best move — fewer people and no long lines.
When I visited, some areas were under renovation (scaffolding visible).

Topkapi Palace: The line can get huge. A guided tour felt worth it because it can save a lot of waiting time.
The palace has multiple courtyards, and the Harem requires an extra ticket/fee.
It’s a big site — I’d allow ~2–3 hours (approx.).

Blue Mosque: Free entry, but visitor hours are limited, so it’s worth checking the schedule before you go.

Basilica Cistern: The entrance is a bit easy to miss — keep an eye out.

Grand Bazaar: It really feels like a maze — easy to get lost. So many shops.
I also saw lots of “designer-style” items (many looked fake).

Street snack: Roasted chestnuts (Kestane) are a classic Turkey street snack — best when freshly roasted (hot + smoky).

Filmed by me
All footage in this video was filmed by me.

#istanbul #oldcity #hagiasophia #topkapi #grandbazaar