Last Updated on 15th May 2025 by Sophie Nadeau
This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.
It’s a Sunday and you’re in Europe’s most populous city wondering: how on earth can I have a relaxing (yet adventure-packed) day in Istanbul? The good news is, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy a slower paced Sunday here. From copious cups of tea and delectable delights, to wandering through colourful neighbourhoods and soaking in the beauty of the city’s religious landmarks — here’s your ultimate guide to the perfect Sunday in Istanbul!
Is Sunday a busy day in Istanbul?
Despite Ankara being Turkey’s capital city, Istanbul has an estimated 16 million residents (2025), making it Europe’s most populous city. So, it’s almost certain that no matter what day of the week, Istanbul will always be busy. how to spend 3 days in Istanbul
Is everything open in Istanbul on Sunday?
While the city remains bustling and most of its main attractions are still very much open, there are a few things you should expect to be closed on Sundays. The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul’s famous covered marketplace (one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world) is closed, and as are banks and some businesses.
Getting around
The centre of Istanbul is very walkable, albeit quite hilly, particularly in its historic areas. However, there are also plenty of options when it comes to public transport, all of which are fairly straightforward to navigate and affordable.
Istanbul’s modern tram system operates on the European side of the city and runs between the hours of 6 am and midnight. The best way to take the tram is to first purchase an Istanbulkart card – this prepaid public transportation card gives access to the metro, buses, trams and some ferries. You can purchase the card from a vending machine at any major transport hub, and you just need to top it up as you go.
Suggested Sunday itinerary
Turkish breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi
The best (and only way) you can start the day in Turkey is by sampling a Turkish breakfast. The Turkish word for breakfast is ‘kahvalti’, and it originates from words that translate as “before coffee”.
Breakfast in Turkey is a daily ritual, this sharing experience has a long and rich history that dates back to the Ottoman Empire. A Turkish breakfast traditionally comprised of fresh cheeses, breads and olives. Today, it has evolved into an abundant feast of both sweet and savoury delights, and lots of tea!
Van Kahvaltı Evi was one of the highest-rated spots we found — and trust me, it did not disappoint. The breakfast was delicious, our tea was refilled before it was even half empty, and partway through the meal, the roof opened up, letting the morning sun pour in and warm up the buzz of breakfast goers below.
Visit Istanbul Cat Museum
If there’s one thing you should know before visiting Istanbul, it’s that there are a lot of stray cats. Indeed, Istanbul has earned its nickname, the “City of Cats” or “Catstanbul”, for good reason!
Of course, the best way to get an insight into the city’s intertwined history with cats, is a visit to its very own Cat Museum. The museum is relatively recent, having only opened officially in 2023, but it can be found tucked away on the cobbled streets of Galata and is completely free to visit (donations welcomed).
Inside, you’ll find a brief history of cats and their links to the city, as well as various artworks, and even some resident cats!
Have a Turkish coffee in front of Galata Tower
Galata Tower is a medieval Genoese tower that boasts being one of the oldest towers in the world. This iconic landmark was originally built as a watchtower, thanks to its high vantage point, but today it serves as a museum and viewpoint.
Here, you can decide whether or not to queue and go up Galata Tower, or enjoy the view of the tower itself from a café on Galip Dede Street, sipping on a strong Turkish coffee. We opted to get a coffee, while the cafés are much more expensive in this area because of it being so touristic, they are still a fraction of the price for a ticket to the top of Galata Tower.
Wander around the Egyptian Bazaar
Next, you’ll want to head across the water over the Galata Bridge to visit Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar. While the Grand Bazaar steals the show for being the most popular marketplace, the Egyptian Bazaar is certainly the most colourful!
Known both as the ‘spice’ and ‘Egyptian’ bazaar, the market is said to have taken this name because it was built with the money paid as duty on Egyptian imports. The bazaar was first constructed in 1660 as part of the New Mosque complex, with hopes that revenue generated from people having stalls here, would pay for the mosque’s upkeep.
The Egyptian Bazaar is the heart of Istanbul’s spice trade, though its popularity with tourists has driven prices up. Upon stepping inside the building, a külliye, (traditional Turkish architectural complex centred around a mosque) you’ll be greeted by endless rows of vividly coloured spices, stacks of Turkish delight, and loose teas that scent the air.
One thing you should note before visiting any of Istanbul’s bazaars, or general tourist areas, is that the Turkish selling culture can come across quite persistent, and in some cases, aggressive. The “hard sell” will fall short as long as you don’t engage and carry on walking.
See Yeni Cami (New Mosque)
Next, head around the corner to visit Yeni Cami, which is also referred to as the New Mosque. Though ‘new’ is in its title, the Ottoman imperial mosque was completed some time between 1660 and 1665. Yeni Cami actually took several decades to be built, thanks to its complex and intricate design.
The mosque is a significant landmark of the city, and also stands as a powerful testament to the influence of Ottoman women during the Sultanate of Women era. Yeni Cami was first ordered to be built by Safiye Sultan, who was the wife of Sultan Murad III, and later became the Valide Sultan (Queen Mother) to their son, Sultan Mehmed III.
Before heading to the mosque, be sure to be aware of the visiting etiquette. Firstly, make sure not to visit during call to prayer times, while some mosques don’t have a rule for this, out of respect, it’s advised not to visit at these times. See live updates of prayer times here.
Women are required to cover their hair with a scarf, shawl or hood before entering the mosque, as an expression of modesty and out of respect for religious customs. If you don’t have one, don’t worry, as they typically provide coverings at the entrance.
You’ll also be asked to remove your shoes, and if you are a non-Muslim, do not enter the prayer areas; it is very obvious when you are inside where visitors are allowed to be. You can take photographs, but again, be respectful. This means, avoid taking pictures of people, don’t use flash, and generally being quiet.
Yeni Cami, like all the mosques we visited in Istanbul, was simply breathtaking. The interior is intricately decorated with colourful tiles, calligraphy and stained glass windows, and you could easily spend hours marvelling at the detail!
Stop for tea
I suggest heading back through the Egyptian Bazaar towards either the tram or the walkway, which will take you to the Fener and Balat neighbourhoods. Along the way, enjoy your lazy Sunday like a local, and stop for a cup of tea.
Tea is known as “çay” in Turkish, and on a per capita basis, Turkey takes the crown as the reigning champion of tea consumption in the world! It’s estimated that they consume an average of 3.16 kg of tea per person annually… so, yes, tea is a thing in Istanbul.
More than that, tea is a social ritual that connects people. It’s central to Turkish culture and a symbol of hospitality. It’s for this reason that, no matter where you go in Istanbul, you’ll likely see clusters of people along the street or on front porches, with full ince belli’s in hand.
Ince belli, which translates literally as “slim waisted”, is the name of the iconic tulip-shaped glasses from which tea is served in Turkey.
Walk along to the Fener and Balat neighbourhoods
Weather or energy energy-dependent, you can either walk along the waterfront (which takes around 40 minutes) or pop on the tram to reach the Fener and Balat neighbourhoods.
Despite being lumped together, often referred to as Fener Balat, these two neighbourhoods are separate but situated close to one another. For convenience’s sake, I will refer to them as a whole.
It will be obvious when you’ve arrived in the area, because this pocket of Istanbul is uniquely painted in a spectrum of vibrant hues, cosy cafés line the cobbled pathways, and small art installations are perched in unassuming places. This area of the city reveals its remnants of Jewish, Armenian, and Orthodox heritage.
The best way to enjoy this part of the day is to simply stroll around and soak up the artsy vibe of the neighbourhoods. There are several hills from which you can take photos of the coloured houses from above, and it makes for a pleasant afternoon to get lost down the alleyways, visit a café, or mooch through the gift shops.
Step inside the Bulgarian St. Stephen Church
While in the area, an interesting site to visit is the Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, which is also known as the Bulgarian Iron Church, thanks to its construction from prefabricated cast iron elements in the Neo-Byzantine style.
The prefabricated cast iron components were manufactured in Vienna sometime between 1893 and 1896. A whopping 500 tons of material was then shipped to Istanbul via the Danube River and the Black Sea, and the church was completed in 1898. Today, it belongs to the Bulgarian Christian minority in the city.
Watch sunset over the Golden Horn
End your day, as all the best endings usually are, with a sunset. The Golden Horn is the estuary that separates Istanbul’s Old City and New City, flowing into the Bosphorus Strait. You’ll likely find yourself crossing over the waterway several times, as both sides are filled with attractions and sights worth visiting.
When we visited (mid-January), the sun set just behind Yeni Cami Mosque, making for an enchanting display while the countless seagulls swooped around the Golden Horn. You’ll also find, particularly along Galata Bridge, that there are several people fishing, especially on a Sunday afternoon!
Pick up baklava from Gokcin Baklava
After sunset, follow the bridge towards Galata Tower, just before heading up the hill, you’ll see a little baklava shop tucked away on the corner. Pop in here to pick up some sweet treats for the walk home.
Oozing with orange flower blossom honey syrup, layers of flaky pastry and finely chopped nuts, baklava is the ultimate iconic sweet treat in Turkey. A personal favourite is the Cevizli Baklava (walnut) flavour.
A friend from Istanbul recommended Karaköy Güllüoğlu for the best baklava, which is also definitely worth a stop if you have the time!
Head out for dinner (and beer!) in Taksim
For dinner, head out to Taksim, where you’ll find everything from traditional Turkish cuisine to international dishes. This bustling neighbourhood has alleyways filled with shisha bars, pubs, and eateries.
If, after seeing all the fishermen on Galata Bridge, you fancy something more fish-focused for dinner, then be sure to head back to the waterfront where seafood restaurants are abundant, with stunning views.
Where to stay in Istanbul
Istanbul is a vibrant, culturally rich, historic city that makes for an excellent place to stay and explore over the course of several days. Thanks to its excellent public transport system and the walkability of the city, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where to stay. Here are a few suggestions of where to stay (based on web reviews):
(Budget-friendly) Aria Palace Taksim – We stayed in this accommodation. Found down a narrow street in Taksim, this hotel is perfect for those looking for a basic stay in a convenient and well-connected location. Check prices and availability here.
(Upmarket-ish) Hotel Sultanahmet Palace – Situated in the heart of Sultanahmet, this 4-star hotel boasts proximity to the Blue Mosque and offers sweeping vistas overlooking the Marmara Sea. Elegant and chic, it’s still moderately priced accommodation. Check prices and availability here.
Enjoyed reading our guide on how to spend the perfect Sunday in Istanbul? Pin this article now, and read it again later:
