Short layover (3-6 hours, in airport)
Istanbul Airport (IST) is massive. IGA Lounge or Turkish Airlines lounges are excellent. Spa + showers + restaurants. Tarmac transport between gates.
Long layover (8-12 hours)
Train/Havaist bus to Sultanahmet (45-60 min). Visit Hagia Sophia + Blue Mosque + Topkapi quickly (4 hours total). Or Galata Tower + Karaköy lunch. Return to airport 3+ hours before flight.
24-hour stopover
Pre-9am Hagia Sophia + Blue Mosque. Morning Topkapi Palace + Harem. Lunch at Hocapasha food alley. Afternoon Bosphorus ferry to Asian side (Kadıköy). Evening Galata Tower at sunset. Dinner at Karaköy Lokantası.
48-hour stopover
Add Grand Bazaar + Spice Bazaar morning. Hammam afternoon at Cemberlitas (1584). Princes' Islands day-trip on day 2 OR Asian side deep-dive (Çiya Sofrası + Moda district).
72-hour stopover
Add Cappadocia day-trip option (1-hour flight). OR detailed Beyoğlu + Karaköy contemporary Istanbul scene. Day 3: Bosphorus dinner cruise + Suleymaniye Mosque + farewell hammam.
