Istanbul by Sea: 2 Days Exploring a City That Spans Two Continents
Sep 7, 2025
đ Port Stop: Istanbul, Turkey
đłď¸ Cruise Line: Virgin Voyages | đ˘ Ship: Resilient Lady
đď¸ Dates Visited: August 13â14, 2025
đ Tour Type: Private Guided Shore Excursion via Viator
đ Arrival Highlight: Sailing in through the Dardanelles Strait under the worldâs longest suspension bridge!
Istanbul: The Port We Didnât Expect to Love So Much
We werenât sure what to expect from Turkey. It was one of those ports that felt intriguing but unfamiliarâan exciting wildcard on our itinerary. But after two full days exploring Istanbul, we can say this without hesitation: it ended up being our favorite stop on the entire cruise.
With over 18 million residents, Istanbul is a sprawling, electric mix of old and new, East and West. It straddles two continents, boasts layers of history, and still manages to feel vibrant and welcoming. From grand mosques and Byzantine ruins to bustling bazaars, fragrant spice shops, and artisan findsâwe were captivated at every turn.
This city has soul. And weâre already dreaming of a return trip.
Letâs rewind to the magical sail-in...
We hit the ground running after a breathtaking early-morning arrival into Istanbul. Sailing through the Dardanelles and into the Bosphorus was truly magicalâpassing under the massive suspension bridge (the largest in the world!) is something Iâll never forget.
Day One: Mosques, Palaces & Markets via a Private Guide
We booked a private city tour with Sercan, our amazing local guide via Viator. I highly recommend a private tour for a city of this size as you ca pick and choose the amount of time you want to spend in each place and they can offer local recommendations that suit your wants/needs.
Here's how we spent the day:
đ Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Built in the 6th century, this incredible structure has been both a Christian church and Islamic mosque. Itâs now open to all, with an impressive audio guide system provided by the mosque itself. The interior is truly awe-inspiringâbring a head covering and prepare to be humbled by the history.
Sercan started our tours here as he had local knowledge that the lines can get up to 2 hours long in the afternoon and it was the best place to start the day. We only waited around 30 minutes to queue and get our ticket and Sercan offered tons of knowledge and information on the history while we waited. He shared that he had degrees in history from university and I would not want to face him on Jeopardy! đ
Check out the video here:
đ Blue Mosque & Sultanahmet Square
Next we walked over to the Blue Mosque and it did not disappoint, and neither did the square around it, once the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
Just a heads upâthere are modest dress requirements when visiting mosques (shoulders and knees must be covered, and shoes must be removed inside). There are separate entrances for men and women, and I brought a scarf to cover my hairâcultural respect is a must.
If you donât have the appropriate attire, they do rent ponchos you can wear during your visit. It was surprising how many tourists showed up in crop tops and shorts, clearly unpreparedâand at times, honestly, a bit disrespectful.
Itâs important to remember that when you're traveling, you are the visitorâand showing cultural respect is essential.
Check out the video here:
đ Monuments of the Ancient Hippodrome
Outside of the Blue Mosque we visited Sultanahmet Square. It was once the heart of Constantinopleâs social lifeâthe ancient Hippodrome where chariot races, imperial ceremonies, and public games took place. Today, youâll still find remnants of that grandeur standing proudly in the open-air square.
đ The Serpent Column
Originally crafted in Delphi, Greece in the 5th century BC, this twisted bronze column was brought to Constantinople by Emperor Constantine. It once had three serpent heads (now lost) and commemorated the Greek victory over the Persians. Itâs one of the oldest artifacts in Istanbulâstanding for over 2,500 years! Youâll find it tucked unassumingly between the other obelisks.
đż Obelisk of Theodosius (Egyptian Obelisk)
This towering pink granite column came all the way from Egypt, originally built for Pharaoh Thutmose III in the 15th century BC. The base was added later and features beautiful Byzantine carvings of Emperor Theodosius watching chariot races. Itâs crazy to think this obelisk is nearly 3,500 years oldâand still looks incredible.
ⲠThe German Fountain
This ornate Neo-Byzantine fountain was a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany during his 1898 visit to Istanbul. It stands out with its dark green dome and mosaic-tiled interior. You canât miss itâitâs the most photogenic of the three and a shady spot to cool off for a minute.
đ˝ď¸ A Floor-Level Feast & Rug Shop Shenanigans
One of our most memorable moments in Istanbul was stopping for lunch at a local spot that gave us a taste of traditional Turkish hospitality. We sat cross-legged on colorful rugs, tucked inside a cozy restaurant where the floor seating and patterned cushions made it feel like a scene from a movie. No shoes, just vibes. It felt cozy, authentic, and totally transportive.
We cooled off with a couple of Efes beers and shared a plate of Beytiâa flavorful grilled ground meat kebab wrapped in lavash, topped with tomato sauce, and served with creamy yogurt. The flavors were bold, savory, and just what we needed after a full morning of sightseeing. Will, however, could not resist the urge to order a plate of spaghetti - it's a theme. đ
Afterward, we wandered into a nearby Turkish rug shopâadmired the artistry, listened to the pitch... and walked away rugless. đ But hey, the experience was priceless.
đ Basilica Cistern
My favorite of the day and a total surprise! This subterranean wonder was built in the 6th century to store water. Itâs moody, cool (literally), and cinematicâthereâs even a Medusa column at the base that gave me chills.
The origin of the Medusa heads is still debated, but most scholars agree they were likely brought from a late Roman-era building, perhaps a temple or palace, and were reused purely for their practical architectural function, not symbolic meaning.
Regardless of the reason, the Medusa heads have become icons of the Basilica Cistern, evoking mystery, myth, and the layered history of Istanbul itself.
Check out the video here:
𧾠Grand Bazaar & Local Handicrafts
With 4,000+ shops, the Grand Bazaar is overwhelming in the best way. We bought:
đŹ Turkish Delight & saffron (Iranian, no less!)
đ¨ Framed art for our travel wall from a local artist
đ A Louis Vuitton purse from a lovely vendor⌠possibly authentic? Possibly not? đ
You could literally get lost in this Bazaar for days on end and still not hit up every shop. We had to decide: Buy a suitcase and fill it up, or leave with our memories and what we could fit into our carry on. We chose the latter and therefore we must go back. đâ¨
After weaving through the Grand Bazaar, sampling sweets, and soaking in the last bits of history, we hopped on the metro back toward the cruise port. Our guide, Sercan, made sure we were safely returned with hearts full and cameras loaded. It was a whirlwind of culture, flavor, and beautyâa day weâll never forget, in a city that left its mark on us forever.
⨠If you want to book this exact private tour with Sercan, click here to view it on Viator.
Check out the Bazaar video:
Day Two: Local Living & Hidden Gems
We loved Istanbul so much we opted for a lighter second day to wander, revisit spots, and explore on our own.
đ Public Transport
Istanbul is massiveâwith over 18 million residents and multiple ways to cross the strait between Europe and Asia. Youâll see ferries, a subway under the Bosphorus, ride-share scooters, and trams. We used the Metro and had no issues, even as visitors.
Sercan told us over 1 million people cross the strait daily. The city buzzes with life, but we always felt safe and welcomed.
â Coffee, Tea & Community
We met up with the artist from the Grand Bazaar and bought the finished piece Will wanted from yesterday! (He couldn't take it the day before as it was fresh and still wet!) Below are pics of our art purchases. Mine is gold leaf painted on top of an antique Ancient language book page. The vendor met us near the cruise port for an easy exchange. We also stopped for tea and people-watching.
đ Blending Cultures, Faiths, and Flavors
Istanbul felt like the ultimate fusion of old and new. While the Muslim influence is present, itâs also a very modern and progressive city. We saw women in hijabs next to girls in jeans and crop tops, tech-driven city systems, and global fast food chains next to 1,500-year-old ruins.
What to Pack:
Lightweight scarf for mosque visits
Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestone is no joke!)
Long skirt or pants for both men and women
Reusable water bottle
đ˘ Port Tips for Virgin Voyages Guests:
Several Virgin routes give you 2 full days in Istanbulâuse them!
Private tours via Viator were 100% worth it. We avoided the massive crowds and had time to linger.
Istanbul is walkable, but very spread out. Youâll want some form of transportation.
Don't be afraid to shop and negotiate in the Bazaarâitâs all part of the fun.
Ready to Travel Like a Rockstar?
Istanbul was an unforgettable part of our Mediterranean adventure. Whether youâre cruising, backpacking, or flying straight in, I can help you build a custom itinerary with private guides, VIP access, and curated local gems.
đ§ Letâs make your bucket list happen:đ www.travelmorewithkristin.com
⨠Travel More. Feel More. â¨
