Stopover Magic: 5 Cities to Visit While Passing Through Istanbul

Sometimes the most unforgettable trips aren’t the ones you plan months in advance—they’re the ones you stumble into between flights. With Pegasus Airlines, your Istanbul flight ticket can open the door to not just Türkiye, but a world of stopover adventures that let you taste, see, and feel a new city in just a couple of days.

Maybe you’re routing through Türkiye on cheap flight tickets to Türkiye or building your own multi-stop itinerary (for tips, see Flight Hacks: How to Plan a Multi-Stop Trip with Pegasus). Either way, a layover in Istanbul isn’t a delay—it’s Step One of your adventure.

Step 1 to an Action-Packed Layover: Istanbul Itself

Before you even hop to your stopover city, you’ve got Istanbul—the city of empires, minarets, and a thousand flavors. Spend your first day wandering the Historic Areas of Istanbul (a UNESCO World Heritage Site—for more, see UNESCO Uncovered: Traveling Through Time in Türkiye) before diving into a meze feast and watching the sun set over the Bosphorus. And for the particularly adventurous, there’s a secret rooftop on the top of Büyük Valide Han in the Historic Peninsula that only the most ITK find, but it also affords the most stunning views of the city. It’s your best bet for the first adventure of your whirlwind tour.

Or wake up early to explore the Spice Bazaar, take a ferry to Kadıköy for a coffee crawl, and maybe squeeze in a hammam session before your connecting flight. Istanbul is a city that thrives on movement—you’ll feel its rhythm in every step.

(For more local tips, see Stopover Europe: Where to Go with One Istanbul Ticket and Tips for a Smooth Transit Through Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport.)

Baku: Culture & Caspian Breezes in 48 Hours

Flying a cheap flight to Baku drops you into a city that’s equal parts medieval romance and modern swagger. Picture yourself walking the cobbled alleys of Icherisheher with the Caspian breeze in your hair, then catching the mirrored glow of the Flame Towers as night falls. The air smells faintly of saffron and grilling lamb, and everywhere you turn there’s another tea house inviting you to slow down.

Must-Sees

• Icherisheher (Old City): Wander through UNESCO-listed streets filled with stone caravanserais and hidden courtyards.
• Palace of the Shirvanshahs: A masterpiece of 15th-century architecture.
• Baku Boulevard: Perfect for an evening stroll along the Caspian waterfront.
• Heydar Aliyev Center: Zaha Hadid’s futuristic design is worth the photo stop.

(For more on blending Türkiye with nearby countries, see Cross-Border Adventures: Türkiye and the Balkans on a Budget.)

Belgrade: Street Art, Coffee, and River Views

On a cheap flight to Belgrade, you land in a city that moves at its own unhurried pace—but knows how to party when the sun sets. Your days are filled with riverside walks, ducking into narrow streets painted with bold murals, and lingering over coffee so strong it could double as rocket fuel. At night, the floating clubs on the Sava thump with music until dawn.

Must-Sees

• Kalemegdan Fortress: Overlooking the meeting point of the Danube and Sava.
• Knez Mihailova Street: Lined with shops, cafés, and street performers.
• Savamala District: The heart of Belgrade’s street art and creative scene.
• Ada Ciganlija: An island-turned-park for swimming and cycling.

(For more short city escapes, see Affordable City Breaks You Can Reach from Anywhere.)

Tbilisi: Wine, Hills, and Sultry Nights

A cheap flight to Tbilisi is your ticket to a city that feels like a storybook—pastel houses with carved balconies, wine cellars hidden behind unmarked doors, and hills that glow gold at sunset. Evenings are for clinking glasses of amber qvevri wine, listening to live folk music, and wandering cobblestone lanes where every doorway feels like a secret.

Must-Sees

• Old Town: Wooden balconies, churches, and winding streets.
• Sulphur Baths: Relax like locals have for centuries.
• Narikala Fortress: Panoramic views over the city.
• Rustaveli Avenue: Culture, museums, and theatre.

Rotterdam: Modern Architecture and Waterfront Charm

Step off your cheap flight to Rotterdam and into a city where the future feels like it’s already here. Cycle past tilted Cube Houses, explore cutting-edge art galleries, and snack on stroopwafels from a market stand. Every corner offers another photo op—especially when the light hits the Maas River just right.

Must-Sees

• Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen): Iconic tilted architecture.
• Markthal: A food hall under a massive, colorful arch.
• Erasmus Bridge: The city’s modern landmark.
• Kunsthal Museum: Bold contemporary exhibitions.

(For more ideas on slowing down to enjoy a city, see What Does Slow Travel Mean and How To Do It?)

Oslo: Nordic Calm & Fjordside Strolls

Your cheap flight to Oslo lands you in crisp Nordic air that smells faintly of pine and sea salt. Wander the waterfront, hop a ferry across the Oslofjord, and find a quiet bench to watch sailboats drift by. When the cold bites, duck into a cozy café for cinnamon buns and coffee strong enough to power you up the surrounding hills.

Must-Sees

• Viking Ship Museum: See ancient ships preserved for over a millennium.
• Oslo Opera House: Walk its sloping roof for harbor views.
• Frogner Park: Home to over 200 Gustav Vigeland sculptures.
• Akershus Fortress: Medieval walls and sweeping city views.

Booking Tips: Stopover Flights 101

When booking your airline flights tickets, search for routes with 24–72 hours in your stopover city. Pegasus makes these breaks budget-friendly, especially if you’re savvy about how to find cheap flights. If booking separately, double-check visa requirements before you commit.

Luggage Strategy for Multi-Stop Trips

Stick to carry-on luggage when possible—check the baggage allowance page before you pack. If you must check a bag, confirm whether it can be sent through to your final destination while keeping your essentials with you for the stopover.

(For more on smart packing, see The Smart Traveler’s Toolkit: Booking, Baggage & Beyond.)

Adventures Between A to B

A layover doesn’t have to be a wait—it can be a whole new adventure. With cheap flight tickets to Türkiye and beyond, you can sip tea in Baku, bike Rotterdam’s bridges, clink wine glasses in Tbilisi, dive into Belgrade’s street art, or breathe deep by Oslo’s fjords—all without adding weeks to your trip.

So next time you’re booking that Istanbul flight ticket, think bigger. Your journey doesn’t have to start or end in Türkiye—it can be a tapestry of cities stitched together by Pegasus.