RunCity

Istanbul on foot: a self-guided walking route

This route takes you past 11 of Istanbul's best-known sights, including Taksim Square, Galata Tower, Galata Bridge and more. It is about 10.5 km on foot, roughly 3.5 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Follow the list on your own, or play it as a free GPS checkpoint game with RunCity and race the clock on the Istanbul leaderboard.

  • 11Stops
  • about 10.5 kmDistance
  • 3.5 hoursWalking
  • about 85 minRunning
Play Istanbul in RunCity

Free during launch. Runs in your phone's browser; the app is in English, German and Hungarian.

Istanbul
Photo: Hunanuk · CC0

This route crosses Istanbul from Taksim Square in Beyoğlu over the Golden Horn to the old city of Sultanahmet. It starts at the Republic Monument on Taksim, heads down past the Galata Tower and crosses the Galata Bridge, where anglers line the rail. On the far side come the Spice Bazaar, the Süleymaniye Mosque on its hill and a gate of the Grand Bazaar.

The Hippodrome with its Egyptian obelisk sits between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, and the route ends at the gate of Topkapı Palace. The bonus stop, the Valens Aqueduct, strides across Atatürk Boulevard to the west. The walk from Taksim to the bridge is downhill; the historic tram on İstiklal and the T1 tram in the old city are easy shortcuts. Mosques close to visitors at prayer times, and shoulders and knees should be covered inside.

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Download the route as GPX (for Komoot, Strava or a watch)

The stops

A suggested order. In the game you can visit them in any order.

  1. Taksim Square

    Taksim Square

    The big square with the Republic Monument at its centre.

    Photo: Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 2.0

  2. Galata Tower

    Galata Tower Photo

    The round stone tower and its conical cap above the Galata streets.

    Photo: GrandEscogriffe · CC BY-SA 4.0

  3. Galata Bridge

    Galata Bridge Photo

    The bridge across the Golden Horn lined with fishing rods.

    Photo: Rrburke · CC BY-SA 3.0

  4. Spice Bazaar

    Spice Bazaar

    The L-shaped market hall full of spices and sweets.

    Photo: Robot8A · CC BY-SA 4.0

  5. Süleymaniye Mosque

    Süleymaniye Mosque Photo

    The great domes and four minarets on the hill above the Golden Horn.

    Photo: Hunanuk · CC0

  6. Grand Bazaar

    Grand Bazaar Photo

    A gate of the covered bazaar, with its painted arches and crowds.

    Photo: Laima Gūtmane (simka… · CC BY-SA 3.0

  7. Hippodrome (Obelisk of Theodosius)

    Hippodrome (Obelisk of Theodosius)

    The Egyptian obelisk in the old chariot-racing ground.

    Photo: Apaleutos25 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  8. Blue Mosque

    Blue Mosque Photo

    The six minarets and cascading domes of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, seen from the Hippodrome side.

    Photo: Norbert Nagel · CC BY-SA 3.0

  9. Hagia Sophia

    Hagia Sophia Photo

    The great dome and buttresses of Hagia Sophia, seen from Sultanahmet Park.

    Photo: Adli Wahid · CC BY-SA 3.0

  10. Topkapı Palace

    Topkapı Palace

    The gate and walls of the Ottoman sultans' palace.

    Photo: Carlos Delgado · CC BY-SA 3.0

  11. Valens Aqueduct

    Valens Aqueduct Bonus Photo

    The double-storey Roman arches striding across Atatürk Boulevard.

    Photo: Laima Gūtmane (simka… · CC BY-SA 3.0

Play Istanbul in RunCity

Leaderboard

    Questions

    Can you see Istanbul on foot in one day?

    Yes. The 11 stops on this route add up to about 10.5 km, roughly 3.5 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Some stops are far apart, so you may want public transport for a leg.

    Is this self-guided walking tour free?

    Yes. The route and map on this page are free, and the RunCity game for Istanbul is free during launch.

    How does the RunCity game work in Istanbul?

    Open Istanbul in RunCity, walk to a stop and tap Validate: your phone's GPS confirms you are there. Some stops also ask for a photo. Timed runs go on the Istanbul leaderboard.

    Where does the route start?

    This page suggests starting at Taksim Square and finishing at Valens Aqueduct. In the game you can take the stops in any order.

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