15 Mistakes to Avoid in Istanbul: What Not to Do as a Tourist

ByOlga M

Istanbul is one of those cities that is a mix of chaos and charm. First time I landed there, I made just about every mistake you shouldn’t – from getting scammed and overcharged to wasting time in the wrong queues.

The city’s magical, yes – but as every city, it has some sides and specifics you should now how to deal with. Here are the biggest mistakes I’ve made (or nearly made) that you can avoid. It’ll make your trip smoother and way less stressful.

1. Only Visiting the European Side

You’d be surprised how many people never make it across the Bosphorus, which is huge mistake in my opinion.

Pro Tip: Take the ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy in the late afternoon and stay for dinner.

2. Taking Random Taxis

Unfortunately, taxi scams and overcharging is one of the most common situations in Istanbul you need to try avoiding, if you can.
I would recommend getting Istanbulkart and using the public transport as much as you can – take a taxi only if there is absolutely no other way getting to the location.
From the airport, choose one of the official yellow/orange, blue or luxury black taxis.
Another way to catch a reliable one is to book through official websites like Booking or ask your hotel to book it for you.
If it’s necessary to take a taxi, here are some things to watch for:

  • Some taxi drivers will “forget” to turn the meter on and then charge you 5x the real price. Make sure they always use the taximeter
  • Others will take the long route unless you know better. Or drive through paid routes and charge more because of the toll fees. Make sure to have your route on Google maps or confirm the route from the beginning
  • Download and use the official BiTaksi app (Uber is also available, but not officially allowed in Turkey). These are the most reliable taxis around Istanbul. However, even with them tourists reported being overcharged and treated disrespectfully.


3. Trying to Do Too Much in One Day

Istanbul is a huge city – you might think you can fit Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and a Bosphorus cruise into one day, but you’ll end up exhausted from Day 1. For sure this is not what you want from your trip, at least not at the beginning,
So follow my advice to avoid this mistake and to enjoy Istanbul the most:

  • Traffic is intense and the walking distances are also no joke.
  • Most attractions take longer than you think, especially with security lines.
  • And trust me – rushing through Topkapi Palace is a waste of a ticket. Take your time and enjoy it.

Tip: Limit yourself to one or two big must-sees in Istanbul per day. That way you’ll be satisfied from what you’ve seen, tired enough but not too overwhelmed, so you still have the energy for the next day.

4. Not Dressing Properly for Mosque Visits

If you visit Istanbul in the summer, you’ll be most likely wearing tank top or shorts to be comfortable in the heat. I totally get you, but this way you’ll have to wait in line for a wrap skirt outside the Blue Mosque. So this is another thing not to do in Istanbul – dressing not properly is a common mistake you can avoid very easily:

  • How to dress: Mosques in Istanbul are open to tourists but you need to dress appropriately: shoulders and knees covered, and women need a headscarf covering their hair.
  • Coverings provided vs. your own: Most mosques provide coverings for free, but have in mind these scarfs were used by plenty of people before you. So if you think of hygiene, it’s better if you bring your own.
  • Taking off your shoes – that’s another rule in the mosques. You need to take off your shoes.Depending on the weather and your shoes, you can enter the mosque barefoot, but believe me – walking like that on a carpet where hundreds of people did it before you – is one of the things you don’t want to do. Almost every mosque floor is covered by a carpet, so it will definitely feel more comfortable for your feet, but regarding hygiene – this is another mistake to avoid. Wear a pair of extra socks you’ll use only in the mosques.

Tip: Carry a lightweight scarf in your bag and a pair of socks – it’ll save you every time.

5. Eating at Overpriced Tourist Restaurants

This is another thing not to do in Istanbul: believe me, the restaurant with the giant menu, the neon signs, and the guy shouting “Come in, my friend!” is not where locals eat.

  • Recognize them everywhere: These spots are everywhere near Sultanahmet and Taksim, and they look tempting when you’re tired and hungry.
  • Overpriced: they usually serve overpriced, average quality of food that’s 100% not worth it.
  • Where to go: You’ll get better meals for half the price in quieter side streets or on the Asian side.

Tip: Follow locals or look for places with no English signs and a short menu. This is where you can go for an everyday meal. Of course, for special occasions, you can try one of the recommended Rooftop restaurants in Istanbul, or even the Michelin-starred ones.

6. Skipping the Museum Pass (Or Not Planning for It)

If it’s your first time, then you’ve typically planned to visit multiple of the must-see attractions in Istanbul in a couple of days. Consider getting a Museum E-Pass to skip the long lines in front of each landmark.

  • Cons: The Istanbul Museum Pass can save you time and money if you’re visiting multiple attractions.
  • Coverage: It covers big ones like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and even the Archaeological Museum.
  • Is it worth it: it only makes sense if you’re actually planning to visit 3-4 sites within five days.

Tip: Check opening days too – some museums are closed Mondays or Tuesdays, which can throw off your plan.

7. Not Carrying Cash (Or Small Change)

A lot of smaller shops, public restrooms, street food vendors and even some ferry kiosks still don’t accept cards. So make sure to carry some cash converted in the local currency – Turkish Lira

  • ATMs are everywhere, but they sometimes run out of lira.
  • Keep coins and small banknotes with you for toilets and small purchases.
  • Also, don’t expect everywhere to take foreign cards – especially outside tourist zones.

Tip: Withdraw cash from ATMs connected to real banks (like Ziraat or Garanti) to avoid sketchy fees.

8. Expecting Everyone to Speak English

While many people in touristy areas do speak basic to decent English, don’t count on it – especially with taxi drivers, market vendors, or in local neighborhoods.

  • Learn a few basic Turkish phrases:
    “Merhaba” (Mehr-hah-bah) (hello), “Teşekkür ederim” ( Teh-shehk-yoor eh-deh-reem)(thank you), “Ne kadar?” (Neh kah-dahr) (how much?), “Güle, güle” (bye bye)
  • Use basic words when speaking in English and avoid complicated sentences
  • Google Translate: And when all else fails, Google Translate is a lifesaver.

Tip: Even just saying “merhaba” and smiling often changes everything.

9. Skipping Off-the-Beaten-Path Places

It’s easy to stay in the tourist triangle – Sultanahmet, Galata, Taksim, but honestly there’s so much more to see and do in Istanbul, so don’t make that mistake.

  • Neighborhoods like Balat, Fener, Moda, and Kuzguncuk are full of charm and Instagram-worthy spots on each corner.
  • They’re where you’ll find authentic local shops, old churches, vintage cafés, and real street life.
  • Less touristy and fewer crowds.

Tip: Just pick one off-the-path neighborhood and spend a morning wandering. You’ll remember it exactly that much as the big-ticket sites.

10. Underestimating the City’s Hills and Stairs

Maps don’t show elevation, but Istanbul is full of sneaky steep slopes and uneven stairs.
So another thing not to do in Istanbul is wear uncomfortable shoes or even clothes.

  • Shoes really matter in Istanbul – wear comfortable ones and forget about flip-flops.
  • Dress light in the summer – it gets really hot! But for the other seasons – you need to have layers.

Tip: Plan routes using Google Maps’ terrain view, and allow extra time for uphill climbs.

11. Ignoring Food Safety 

Street food in Istanbul is amazing – you will dream about the stuffed mussels and grilled corn by the waterfront long after your trip. But if you’ve got a sensitive stomach (like me) or it’s the middle of July with the typical heat here, you HAVE to be a little cautious.

  • Not all vendors follow the same hygiene standards, especially in tourist-heavy areas.
  • Foods sitting out in the sun – like köfte or döner (especially the food with meat in it) — can cause real trouble fast.
  • Try to go where there’s a line of locals. That could be your best bet, because the food will be fresh. However, have in mind that locals’ stomachs are used to the food hygiene more that you are, so trust also your hygiene instincts

Tip: Carry some stomach medicine like Imodium or activated charcoal – especially if you’re visiting in summer or coming from a country not used to different bacteria. I always travel with some now after learning the hard way.

12. Not Getting an Istanbulkart for Public Transport

This is one of those little things that makes a huge difference. The Istanbulkart is the city’s transportation card – and it works on metros, ferries, trams, buses, and even funiculars and public toilets. So skipping the Istanbulkart is another mistake you don’t want to do in a huge city like Istanbul

  • If you’re buying single-ride tickets every time, you’re paying almost double.
  • Some machines don’t give change, and not all accept cards.
  • You can pick up an Istanbulkart at most major stations for a small deposit and top it up as needed.

Tip: Get one as soon as you arrive – even better, ask your hotel or Airbnb host if they’ve got a spare you can use or recharge.

13. Expecting You Can Use a Credit Card Everywhere

Cash is still a king in Turkey, and so in Istanbul. You can pay with a card at most of the places, they even try to apply it at the public transport, but it still doesn’t work everywhere.

  • A lot of smaller cafés, taxis, local shops, and even some mid-range restaurants only take cash.
  • It’s easy to get stuck if you’re relying only on cards or digital payments.
  • Foreign cards also sometimes glitch in local card readers.

Tip: Always carry enough cash and small banknotes for the day – and don’t assume card signs always mean the terminal works.

14. Drinking Too Much Turkish Tea (It’s Stronger Than It Looks)

Turkish tea (çay) is everywhere – after meals, in shops, even offered for free at markets or ferry terminals. It’s social, it’s cozy, and it feels wrong to say no. But don’t overdo it.

  • Turkish black tea is strong, and while it’s often diluted with water, the tannins can irritate your stomach or it can keep you awake until late.
  • It’s not like herbal tea; think of it closer to espresso, just in smaller doses.

Tip: One or two glasses a day is perfect. More than that, and you might get dehydrated – especially if you’re walking in the heat or it could cause you insomnia.

15. Buying All Your Souvenirs at the Tourist Bazaars

The Grand Bazaar is iconic for sure, but it’s also where you can pay triple for a regular item you can buy everywhere. Also most of the things are definitely made in a factory, not handmade or so authentic.

  • Places like the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are fun to wander, but prices are often high for tourists.
  • Vendors expect you to bargain – if you can’t, then it’s not exactly your place, you’ll almost always overpay.
  • You can find the same scarves, ceramics, and spices in less crowded shops for way less.

Tip: Head to local markets like Kadıköy Çarşı or Arasta Bazaar near Sultanahmet – better prices, and you’re more likely to find handmade stuff.

Istanbul will test your patience sometimes, but it’s definitely worth it. You don’t need to plan every second but avoiding these common mistakes can save you a ton of time, money, and stress.

Love to stay connected in the socials for updates and recommendations?
Join my Facebook Community!

join the fb community now >

Similar Posts