Best things to do in Istanbul on a layover? Our ultimate 24 hours in Europe's largest city.

A layover doesn't have to be a waste of time. For several years now, Turkish Airlines has offered a smart option for travelers with a layover in Istanbul: you can choose a layover of one or two nights , including a free hotel stay with breakfast (depending on your ticket conditions and availability). When we discovered this, we didn't hesitate for a second. Because honestly: Istanbul in 24 hours ? That sounds like a dream scenario for anyone who's never visited the city.

In collaboration with Turkish Airlines and ODS Turkey , we made the most of our short stopover. Here are our tips and itineraries for those wondering what to do during a layover in Istanbul —with highlights, a food tour, and practical tips to maximize your time.

Free hotel during your layover in Istanbul: how it works (and where we stayed)

After landing at the airport, we're politely picked up and taken to our "free" hotel. Turkish Airlines uses a list of several (luxury) hotels, and you choose based on availability.

We chose the Mövenpick Istanbul Marmara Sea , a 5-star hotel in Zeytinburnu . A major advantage: the metro is just around the corner and takes you easily to the historic center. Ideal if you only have 24 hours and don't want to waste time in traffic jams.

Tip: Plan your layover wisely. With one overnight stay , you can enjoy both an evening in the city and a full day of sightseeing.

Evening 1: Rooftop dinner with a view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus

We're starting Istanbul off right: with a fantastic view of the city. For our first evening, we choose Okra Restaurant (near Taksim) . The restaurant is located on a rooftop and immediately gives you the feeling of Istanbul's grandeur: lights, the skyline, the Bosphorus glistening somewhere in the distance.

The menu features typical, refined dishes: think of fish with bread , octopus with truffle , aubergine with a seafood sauce , and to finish, a surprising pumpkin dessert with ice cream .

Then we head up one floor to the Upperist rooftop bar , where cocktails, a DJ, and that typical Istanbul energy come together. Perfect for kicking off your layover like a mini city break.

Morning: Visit Hagia Sophia (do this early)

The next morning we get up early, because this is the most important tip for anyone who wants to see Istanbul in one day : start with the classics before the crowds . Especially when cruise ships dock, the lines can quickly build up.

Hagia Sophia: church, museum and mosque in one building

A visit to the Hagia Sophia is simply a must. This building isn't just impressive in size—it's also a place where you can almost literally see history unfold in layers.

Once a Christian church, it later became a mosque (after the Ottoman conquest in 1453), then a museum under Atatürk (1934), and has been a mosque again since 2020. The Byzantine mosaics and murals were covered with plaster during the Ottoman period, making the contrast between the different eras even more palpable today. It's best to visit the Hagia Sophia with a guide, so you can better appreciate the beautiful details. ODS Turkey provided us with a fantastic guide to Istanbul's historic center.

Entrance ticket: €25

The Blue Mosque: Iznik Tiles and Pure Grandeur (Free)

Directly across from the Hagia Sophia is the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), built in the early 17th century. Its nickname is no coincidence: inside, you'll find blue Iznik tiles everywhere, giving the space a soft, almost serene glow.

Practical:

• Free admission

• Wear covering clothing

• Take off your shoes when entering

Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı): the film set under Istanbul

If you only visit one place that feels just a little bit more mysterious, make it the Basilica Cistern . This 6th-century underground water storage facility, built by Emperor Justinian, is truly impressive: a forest of columns, reflecting water, and an atmosphere you immediately grasp the moment you step inside.

It can store up to 80,000 m³ of water . Some columns have been reused from other sites, and two well-known pedestals depict the head of Medusa —a detail that makes it even more iconic.

It is no coincidence that this place was used in films such as From Russia with Love (James Bond) and Inferno (Dan Brown).

Practical:

• Open: weekdays 9:00–22:00

• Ticket for tourists: ± €33.50

Afternoon: Food tour in Taksim with Chef Attila Acet (Concept Team)

In the afternoon, we head to Taksim Square for one of the most enjoyable parts of our 24 hours in Istanbul: a food tour with Chef Attila Acet (Conceptteam) . Attila is a household name in Turkey, having previously organized high-end events for international royalty and celebrities—yet his tour is surprisingly accessible and, above all, deliciously authentic.

Stop 1: Simit – the street classic

We start with simit , the Turkish "bagel" with sesame seeds, sold at stalls throughout the city. Simple, but it immediately sets the tone: Istanbul is a city you savor in small bites.

Stop 2: Karadeniz Pide Salonu – the best pide

Then we went to Karadeniz Pide Salonu , a simple place that proves you don't have to be fancy to taste fantastic. We tasted:

• pide with kaşar cheese

• pide with ground beef

Serve with a glass of ayran (yogurt with water and salt)—a taste that takes some getting used to, but which goes perfectly with warm, savory dishes.

Stop 3: Zübeyir Ocakbaşı – kebab “on the fire”

At Zübeyir Ocakbaşı (literally: "by the fire"), you can watch kebabs being prepared traditionally. You sit close to the fire, watch, and immediately experience why this concept is so popular. We also enjoy a glass of raki (with water and ice), a classic that still holds its place in Istanbul.

Stop 4: Saray Muhallebicisi – pudding with a twist

One of the most surprising dishes of the day: tavuk göğsü . It sounds innocent enough until you hear the translation: "chicken breast." And yes—it's a creamy pudding with finely shredded chicken breast, topped with cinnamon. Once served to the Ottoman sultans, it remains a national classic today.

Stop 5: Bomonti beer in an old opera house

In a former opera hall (now a cozy gallery) we taste Bomonti , a Turkish beer name that dates back to the 19th century—and also brings with it a little piece of history of ancient Constantinople.

Foodtour in Istanbul

From Cathedral to Pera Palace: The Last Walking Route

We end at St. Anthony's Cathedral , the largest Catholic church in Istanbul, notable for its neo-Gothic Venetian style and its links with the city's Italian community.

To conclude, we'll make a stop at Pera Palace Hotel —a place that exudes grandeur. Agatha Christie once stayed here (you can even still book her room), and it boasts one of the oldest working elevators in Europe . It feels like you're standing on the edge of a novel, even during a short layover.

Practical tips: Istanbul in 24 hours (layover-proof)

• Start early at the highlights (Hagia Sophia / Blue Mosque) to avoid queues.

• Choose a hotel with metro access (such as Zeytinburnu) so you don't waste time in traffic.

• Wear comfortable shoes : Istanbul is hilly and you will be walking a lot.

• For mosques: wear covering clothing and take prayer times into account.

• Want to see a lot? Combine: Sultanahmet (morning) + Taksim (afternoon/evening) .