Wroclaw or Istanbul a vs city comparison and travel guide

You can unearth some seriously jaw-dropping sights, taste some unforgettable food, and get a grounding in Turkish history with only 48 hours to spend in Istanbul.

Day 1: The perfect starting point is Sultanahmet, epitomizing the iconic imagery of Istanbul with its minarets and grand mosque domes. Dominating the skyline is the colossal Hagia Sophia, a historic gem with over 1,500 years of history, transitioning from an Orthodox cathedral to a mosque, and now a museum. Inside, visitors are captivated by exquisite mosaics and frescoes, with the dome, boasting a remarkable 30-metre diameter, being the centerpiece.

Directly to the south sits the majestic Blue Mosque, constructed in the early 1600s and still in use today. A short walk northwards takes you to the Topkapi Palace Museum, once the residence of Ottoman sultans, now a UNESCO World Heritage site commanding a magnificent view over the Bosphorus.

Ensure you make a stop at Tarihi Sultanahmet Kofta House, renowned since the 1920s for its traditional Turkish meatballs.

From there, it's not far to the Grand Bazaar. One of the world's largest markets, it's a haven for haggling and souvenir shopping, where lantern sellers converge on sari stalls and shisha houses.

Galata tower is at the heart of the Beyoglu district

Day 2: Big, modern Taksim Square starts day two with a sighting of what 21st-century Istanbul is all about. Be sure to take a glimpse of the honorific statue at its heart.

That's the Republic Monument, made to celebrate the foundation of the Turkish state in 1928. Nearby Istiklal Street has abundant choices on the food front, no matter if you're craving a gritty Turkish coffee or a regional breakfast spread of mezze cheeses, flatbreads, and olives.
It's also a busting artery of the city, with high-street shopping and a classic trolley car running its length. One thing you can't miss – literally! – here is Galata Tower. Built by the Genoese to protect their European strongholds from the east, it's a mind-blowing fortification that boasts sweeping panoramas from its top floors.

Your afternoon session should be dedicated to exploring the Bosphorus. There's really no better way to do that than on a boat. Some cruises even offer stops in Asian Istanbul and meals with the sunset to boot.

The entrance to the Blue Mosque

The Beylerbeyi Palace was the summer residence of the Sultan

48hours in Wroclaw
Two days is all that's needed to explore Wroclaw from top to bottom. Most of your time will be spent in the charming Old Town area, but a few jaunts to parklands and other districts can combine with lively nights on the beer to boot…
The interactive map below shows a suggested route for the 48 hours in Wroclaw, with day 1 highlighted in green and day two in yellow.

Day 1: Every history lover, people watcher, foodie and sightseer will want to see the Stare Miasto district. That's the Wroclaw Old Town; the piece de resistance of this southern city. It begins around the wide boulevard of Piłsudskiego, passing through a few blocks of Soviet-era tenements before hitting the historic area proper. That starts in earnest by the Fosa Miejska, a centuries-old moat that was part of the town's medieval fortifications until it was destroyed by Jérôme Bonaparte, the brother of Napoleon.

On the left as you make for the heart of the quarter is the elegant Wrocław Opera House, while the leafy walks of Park Staromiejski are the perfect place to go for a picnic in the summer. Keep going north and you'll eventually arrive at the Rynek. This is the beating kernel of the Old Town, where you'll find the most amazing sights of all.

The Gothic-styled Old City Hall draws the eye first, followed by the German-built housing blocks of 1931 – considered by the locals to be among the ugliest in town! Be sure to check out the narrow alleys that weave through the middle of the square at the Sukiennice. Also keep the eyes peeled for the little dwarf statues that dot the plaza. They're a kitschy addition to the cityscape that you'll find on many random street corners.

As the afternoon turns into evening, consider settling in for a beer tasting at the hearty Spiż microbrewery. Or, head for Setka, where Communist paraphernalia adorns the walls and you can sample potent vodka with pickled herring.

The Most Tumski Bridge, where romantics leave love locks attached to the rails and throw the key in to the Odra River. To the rear is the spire of the Bartholomew’s church and the twin spires of the cathedral

Day 2: Having explored the Old Town, our second day begins with an exploration of the surrounding islands on the Oder River. There is a plethora to see, but the highlight is undoubtedly the iconic Ostrów Tumski.
Crossing the picturesque bridges to reach it, you will find yourself in the oldest part of Wroclaw.
The Wrocław Cathedral, with its towering twin spires, dominates the skyline, marking the most majestic church in the city. Inside, you can admire the exquisite stained-glass windows and the soaring vaulted apses.

From there, proceed to Słodowa Island, particularly delightful in the summer months when people gather by the riverside with their BBQ grills. Another worthwhile stop is Wyspa Piasek, renowned for its attractive chain bridges and quaint cobbled streets.

In the afternoon, take tram numbers 2, 4, or 10 from the Old Town to Centennial Hall, a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its revolutionary concrete architecture and a dome reminiscent of Rome's Parthenon.
Adjacent to it are beautiful gardens, with the serene Ogród Japoński as the highlight – an ideal spot for contemplation and reflection on Wroclaw's rich history.

The Centennial Hall may cause divisive opinions, but it was one of the first large reinforced concrete structures that ushered in the era of Modernism.

The modern Istanbul New Airport is the main hub serving this big city. It handles the largest amount of air traffic in Turkey, so expect to find lots of connections in from Western Europe and beyond. Regular shuttle buses link the terminals with the downtown in around 50 minutes to one hour, but, be warned, travel times can vary greatly depending on traffic. The smaller Sabiha Gokcen International Airport hosts most of the services coming in from across the Middle East. It's over on the south side of the metropolis.

Public transit in Istanbul is just what you might expect from a vast, consistently expanding megacity. The best way to go about getting from A to B is to bag yourself an Istanbulkart. It's an all-in-one pass to the town's multi-faceted transport networks, allowing holders to use buses, trams, trains, metros, and even a few of the ferries. You'll need to buy your card from a kiosk and then top it up with credit to make journeys.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque

Istanbul's tourist areas suffer from the same scams as many other European cities. Fake guides, pickpockets and unregistered taxis are particularly common, so be sure to have your wits about you when sightseeing. Be wary when converting cash in the Old Town area too, because extortionate commission rates and even fake banknotes have been reported.

Choosing a hotel in Istanbul really depends on what you want. Sightseeing in Sultanahmet is what most people come for and there are loads of hotels to pick there, even if paying a premium is normal. Beyoglu is better if you're after chain hotels and boutique stays, and it's right on the more modern and happening part of town. Asian Istanbul will likely be cheaper, but also a ferry ride from the most famous attractions.

The ever-expanding Wrocław–Copernicus Airport is now served by loads of routes coming from across Poland and Europe. It's even possible to arrive on long-haul connecting flights thanks to Poland's flag-carrying LOT airline. There's a bus that leaves the terminals for the centre of town every 20 minutes throughout the day. Tickets cost 3 PLN and the ride is around half an hour.

You can also arrive from Krakow, Warsaw or Katowice by rail. Wroclaw's train station is considered a work of art in itself, so be sure to check out the yellow-painted façade and its grand crenulations as you leave.

Getting around Wroclaw should be easy. The town centre isn't only walkable but a real pleasure to explore on foot. There are lovely bridges linking the little isles on the Oder River, parks connecting the banks of the old city fortifications, and plenty of pedestrianised areas within the confines of the Old Town.

Many of Wrocław oldest builds, were constructed use red bricks

To get out to the Centennial Hall, Wroclaw Zoo, or other districts, you can make use of the efficient tram network. Buy tickets at the MPK Wroclaw machines at any bus or tram stop and then validate them as you board. Basic fares cost 3 PLN per ride, but you can also score passes for several days using the Urbancard website.

Hotels in Wroclaw are generally all located within the ring road of Piłsudskiego. Roughly speaking, the closer you get to the Rynek square the better the location, though staying right on the main plaza might be noisy at night. There are also some lovely boutique stays and B&Bs to find north of the Oder River.