Imagine being in a grand, historic place surrounded by beautiful old buildings. A place where almost every corner has its own stunning view. Where can you find that kind of majestic place? We are talking about Istanbul.

Istanbul is a great city to visit for many reasons. It is one of the largest cities in Turkey. There are lots of fun things to do in Istanbul. The food is amazing, and the views are beautiful. Istanbul is a great choice, especially if you need a place to calm your mind and escape from the hustle and bustle of reality.

Do you want to make Istanbul your top travel destination someday? Before we talk too far about Istanbul, here are some tips you need to know.

The first thing you need to pay attention to before going to Istanbul is the best time to visit. Even during the low season, you can still find tourists from around the world in Istanbul.

Usually, the peak tourist season in Istanbul is during the summer, from June to August. These are the busiest days in Istanbul compared to the rest of the year. Even though the weather won’t be up above 30 degrees Celsius, the sun will be shining during the day, and it's relatively dry.

Consider visiting Istanbul in the spring (April to early June) and fall (mid-September to early November) when there are fewer tourists. However, visiting Istanbul during the winter can also be a great choice, as the city will be covered in beautiful white snow.

Since every corner of the city offers a unique and different story, no matter how many days you spend in Istanbul, it feels like it will never be enough. If you only have limited time to spend here, three days in Istanbul would be enough to visit some famous places around the city.

However, if you want to discover Istanbul thoroughly yourself by walking around the city, 10 days should be enough!

To save time while preparing for your holiday trip to Istanbul, consider applying for an e-visa. E-visa was first launched in 2013 and is now available in more than 40 countries around the world.

If you are interested, apply for the Turkish e-visa on the official website of the Republic of Turkey Electronic Visa Application System. You must complete an online form and pay with an international card. Usually, your e-visa will be emailed to you within an hour.

This city offers you various accommodation options you can use as a temporary home, ranging from hotels, resorts, and even local neighborhoods.

If you are wondering where to find the best accommodation in Istanbul, you can use Traveloka to find one that suits you. Traveloka offers you various accommodations based on your needs and budget. You can find a place to stay using the filtering feature based on your desired location.

While Istanbul does accept various forms of payment, such as credit or debit cards, and even cardless payment methods, it's worth noting that small shops around the city streets often prefer cash over cashless payment. Therefore, it's recommended to carry some cash with you, especially when you plan to shop at local markets or small stores.

You can exchange your currency for Turkish Lira (TRY) upon arriving in Istanbul. Don’t forget to take small bills for tips and small purchases while exploring Istanbul.

There’s no need to worry about public transportation! Istanbul has excellent public transportation, and it is also cheap! Besides, it is also easy to use and very reliable. There are various forms of public transportation you could find, such as dolmus vans, the metro, ferries, buses, and even trams.

Last but not least, don’t forget to create a bucket list of places you’d like to visit while in Istanbul. There are so many great and fun destinations to choose from. So, choose them wisely!

Those are the essential tips you need to know before vacationing in Istanbul. Are you ready to have some fun in Istanbul?

Also read: Event: Istanbul Tulip Festival in Turkey