An Istanbul stopover: how to spend a day or two

Tuyba's 2027 Umrah flights from New York connect in Istanbul. Most travellers simply change planes. Some prefer to break the long journey with a night or two in the city, before Umrah or on the way home. This article covers what is worth knowing before you decide.

Before or after Umrah?

A stopover before Umrah breaks up the flight and lets you adjust to the time difference before the days of worship begin. A stopover after Umrah is a chance to rest before the return to New York. Some people do both. Tuyba builds its own stopover packages, with hotels, transfers and visits; whether one fits your dates and flights is something your specialist confirms with you.

Practical points

• Istanbul Airport is far from the old city, and the drive can take an hour or more in traffic.
• Check Türkiye's entry rules for your passport before you plan to leave the airport.
• Türkiye uses the lira. Cards are widely accepted, but small cash helps in markets and for tips.
• Mosques are open to visitors outside prayer times. Women cover their hair, and everyone dresses modestly and takes off their shoes.

The old city

Most of the famous sights are close together in the Sultanahmet district.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, was built between 1609 and 1616 and is still a working mosque. Across the square is Hagia Sophia, completed in 537 as a church, converted into a mosque in 1453, made a museum in 1934, and opened again as a mosque in 2020.

A short walk away is Topkapi Palace, the home of the Ottoman sultans for centuries. Its Privy Room holds sacred relics, including items associated with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which many Muslim visitors come to see.

Eyup and the Golden Horn

At the far end of the Golden Horn is the Eyup Sultan Mosque, next to the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. He was the companion who hosted the Prophet in his home when he first arrived in Madinah. The district is a quieter, more devotional part of the city.

Suleymaniye

The Suleymaniye Mosque, built in the 1550s by the architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleyman, sits on one of Istanbul's hills with wide views over the Golden Horn. It is often less crowded than the mosques of Sultanahmet.

On the water

A Bosphorus cruise is the easiest way to see the city from the water, passing palaces, waterfront mansions and the bridges between Europe and Asia. Boats leave from Eminonu and other piers.

How long to stay

One full day is enough for the old city. Two days leave time for a cruise, Eyup and the Grand Bazaar at an easier pace. Tell your specialist what you would like when you request a quote.