Here are 7 Must-See Places and Why an eSIM Turkey is Essential

So, you’re thinking about a trip to Turkey, and specifically Istanbul? Brilliant. Just, brilliant. It’s one of my favourite cities in the world. It’s a place that buzzes with an energy all its own – a magnificent, chaotic, and utterly captivating crossroads between Europe and Asia. The history is staggering, the food is incredible, and the people are wonderfully welcoming.

You’re going to love it.

But here’s the thing about Istanbul: it can be a bit full-on. It’s a magnificent maze, and in my experience, the difference between a stressful trip and a brilliant one comes down to one simple thing: being prepared. I remember trying to figure out the tram system on my first visit, staring at a paper map that made no sense, watching packed trams go by. My mate, who had sorted his phone out, just coolly opened an app, figured out the route in seconds, and was on his way. I was left there feeling like a proper amateur.

It’s the little things like that. The small stresses that can pile up. So, here’s my personal, no-nonsense list of the seven places you absolutely cannot miss in Istanbul, and the one bit of kit I now consider completely non-negotiable for this trip.

The One Thing I Won’t Travel Without Anymore

Look, let’s get this sorted first, because it’s the key that unlocks a smooth trip. Staying connected. Using your UK data abroad can lead to a bill that’ll make your eyes water, and queuing at the airport for a local SIM card is, frankly, a classic holiday time-waster.

The modern solution is an eSIM.

If you haven’t used one, don’t worry, it’s not some complicated tech thing. It’s a digital SIM that’s already in your phone. You just download a data plan to it before you go. No faff, no fuss. So where do I get mine? I use a company called Commbitz. Their website is clean, you pay in pounds, and the whole thing is sorted in about two minutes. For me, the eSIM Turkey plan they offer is the perfect tool for the job. It’s reliable, and that’s what you need.

Right, now that’s sorted, let’s talk about the amazing places you’ll be using it.

My Istanbul Hit List: The 7 Places You Just Have to See

This is my personal take on the absolute essentials. You could spend a month in Istanbul and not see it all, but these are the big-hitters that will give you a real taste of the city.

1. The Hagia Sophia

You have to start here. This place isn’t just a building; it’s a heavyweight of human history. It was the largest church in the world for a thousand years, then a grand mosque, then a museum, and now a mosque again. When you step inside and look up at that colossal dome, the sense of scale and time is just overwhelming.

• Smart Tip: Download an audio guide to your phone before you go. Walking through with the stories and history explained in your ear brings the whole place to life.

2. The Blue Mosque

Directly opposite the Hagia Sophia is another masterpiece, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known to us as the Blue Mosque because of the tens of thousands of blue tiles that adorn its interior. It’s an active mosque, so it’s a living, breathing place of worship, which makes it feel all the more special.

• Smart Tip: It closes to visitors during prayer times. A quick search on your phone for “Istanbul prayer times” will tell you exactly when you can visit, saving you a wasted trip.

3. The Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar

Prepare for a full-on sensory assault, in the best possible way. The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world – a sprawling, chaotic maze of over 4,000 shops. The nearby Spice Bazaar is a riot of colour and smell, with mountains of fragrant spices, teas, and Turkish delight.

• Smart Tip: Haggling is part of the fun! Use your phone’s calculator for quick currency conversions so you know exactly what you’re offering.

4. Topkapi Palace

For centuries, this was the opulent home of the Ottoman sultans. It’s a vast complex of courtyards, pavilions, and gardens with incredible views over the Bosphorus. The treasury, with its jewel-encrusted daggers and the famous Topkapi Diamond, is just mind-boggling.

• Smart Tip: The palace is huge. Use your phone’s map to find your way to specific sections like the Harem (which requires a separate ticket, and is well worth it) without getting lost.

5. A Bosphorus Ferry Ride

This is, without a doubt, the best and cheapest sightseeing tour in Istanbul. Forget the expensive tourist boats. For just a few quid, you can hop on a local public ferry that zig-zags its way up the Bosphorus strait, the body of water that separates Europe from Asia. You’ll see palaces, ancient fortresses, and stunning waterfront mansions.

• Smart Tip: Use your phone to check the public ferry (Şehir Hatları) schedules. You can do a short circle cruise or a longer one that goes all the way to the Black Sea and back.

6. The Balat Neighbourhood

If you want to see a different side of Istanbul, away from the main tourist hubs, you have to visit Balat. This is one of the city’s oldest and most colourful districts. It’s a hilly maze of steep, cobbled streets, with brightly painted old houses and cool, quirky cafes. It feels a world away from Sultanahmet.

• Smart Tip: This is where your phone’s map becomes truly essential. It’s a brilliant place to just wander and get lost, safe in the knowledge you can always find your way back. A quick search for “near by attractions” here might lead you to a hidden Orthodox church or a local market.

7. A Proper Turkish Bath (Hamam)

This is an experience, not just a sight. Going for a proper hamam is a must-do to understand a bit of Turkish culture. You’ll sit in a hot, steamy marble room, get scrubbed down until you’re cleaner than you’ve ever been, and then get a brilliant massage with clouds of soap bubbles. You leave feeling like a new person.

• Smart Tip: Not all hamams are created equal. Use your phone to research and book a reputable, historic one beforehand. Places like the Çemberlitaş Hamamı or Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı are brilliant and will give you the authentic experience.

Why an eSIM Turkey is Genuinely Essential Here

You see the pattern, right? A reliable eSIM Turkey plan isn’t just for scrolling through Instagram. It’s a practical tool. It lets you check opening times, book tickets to skip queues, navigate a complex city, convert currency on the fly, and find hidden gems. It takes the stress out of the logistics, so you can focus on just soaking it all in.

Get Out There and Explore

Istanbul is one of the world’s truly great cities. It’s a place that will fill you with wonder and leave you with stories to tell for years. It’s a city that rewards the prepared traveller.

So do yourself a favour, sort your connectivity before you land. It’s the difference between being a stressed-out tourist and a confident explorer. Now, go book that flight.