Istanbul Travel Forum

Arriving by cruise ship in July. From 8:00am to 6:00pm.
1. What MUST we see and do?
2. From where the ship docks, is it easy to get to the city center and all the sites?
3. What is the best way to get around the city? Ship Excursion, taxi, bus, transit?

a visit toi the part of twon called sultanahmet is an absolute must.
that is where you have the blue mosque, the hagia sofia mosque and the topkapi palace among many things.

a tour could be an option, but you can get there cheaply by taxi too.
the istanbul taxis run by meter and are generally very cheap.
there is also a good tram and metro system in istanbul if you prefer to use that.

It's an amazing place is Istanbul. Having only ever flown there though i have to admit to not knowing where the cruise ship docks. A useful website for you to look at is : http://www.toursistanbul.com/istanbul-shore-excursions.htm
That will give you some idea of what attractions are must see's.

the cruise ships mostly docks near taksim and the dolmabache palace.
that is a very central location.

Stay in Sulthanamet and see the museums and usual tourist spots and I would get a taxi as far as Hagia Sofia and then walk - everything you want to see is a good walk around this area and there are lots of smashing restaurants close by for lunch. Enjoy - istanbul is the best city trip I have ever done :o)