2023 Magic Travel Tips for Istanbul
You have a plan to visit istanbul and looking for some ideas to discover the magical points of the city. Istanbul is a mega city and growing everyday, so sightseeing itineraries also need update always. You may see our last tips about istanbul.
Old City
- Of course, our favourite is OLD CITY which the first settlement is istanbul located here by Rome empire. We may see city walls, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome square. Also the most popular museum, Topkapi Palace will be another highlight. Museum entrance fee is 25 euro. Next stop in old city should be underground magical Basilica Cistern. If you are a shopping fan, you must visit the biggest street mall, Grand Bazaar and see some gift, souveniers and jewellery. You may also do some shopping in Laleli district. Old city also has a wide range of museums, like, Serefiye cistern, Mosaic museum, Islamic art museum, Archeology museum, Hagia Irene. Rustempasa mosque, Spice bazaar and Eminönü port will be other points you may have a look. Another monument in old city is Soliman mosque which is one of the biggest ones.
If you like small streets with some art, you may walk to Fener and Balat district and have some Turkish coffee in small cozy cafes in the neighborhood. You may also visit Fener Rum Saint George's Church and Ecumenical Patriarchate. Saint Mary and Bulgarian St. Stephen Church also other options to visit. Eyup Mosque is also another important spot in istanbul. Last stop in old city is Chora church.
- When we check the best places for Turkish cuisine, surely we first see street food and fast food around. Simit, corn, chesnuts, street bakeries and sandwiches, Turkish ice cream, of course mussels. Turkish Doner Kebhap, Kokorec and cigkofte are also kinds of fast foods. For some local good quality kebhaps, you may check Aksaray village and see some restaurants like Kebapçı Mahmut, and Medeniyetler sofrasi. For some panaromic view you may check Sultanahmet area and get a nice meal at Finedine restaurant, 360 Panaroma restaurant, and Seven hills restaurant. For some traditional taste you may go, Albura kathisma restaurant or Palatium Magnaura Cafe.
- Another area with rooftop bosphorus view is Suleymaniye next to Soliman mosque. You may visit Bab-i Ali cafe or Hurrem cafe. Akbiyik street is one of the fancy streets with some bars and pubs. For pipe(huqqa) and sisha lovers, best local place will be Chorlulu Ali Pasha cafe . What about seafood ? You may get some fresh fish in the restaurants at Fish Market Kumkapi, Galata Bridge or Karakoy Golden Horn. Do not forget to stop at Pierre Loti hill for a cup of black tea. Miniaturk is also another museum you may visit, which offers small models of monuments in Turkey.
Hamam & Turkish Bath ? Yes, if you are in istanbul, no escape from having a bath in an ancient hamam. Turkish bath is a must in your journey. At the moment most popular one is Hurrem Sultan bath but also you may check Cemberlitas and Cagaloglu baths. Suleymaniye bath and Galata baths are other options.
Beyoglu Pera Galata
Second destination in istanbul is Beyoglu town which includes, Galata Tower, istiklal street, Taksim square, Karakoy village and more. This area is the most popular area for locals also, with its shopping area, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, and night clubs. Almost all night this part of city is awake.
Galata tower is the well known highlight in Beyoglu, which is a kind of museum today and you need to pay to go to the top of the tower. You may see all istanbul with a panaromic 360 degree view. Also neigborhood of tower, there are lots of boutique coffee shops and rooftop cafe.
Konak cafe and Clementine is the ones we recommend.
Neve Shalom Synagogue is also next to galata tower. Down of the Galata, there are two location for some dining and drinks. One is Golden horn side, which is next to Galata bridge on the coast. There are lots of small, cozy, boutique fish restaurants. If you like seafood, the area is good for you. Second location is known Karakoy and street name is
Kilic Ali Pasha Street and Mumhane Street which are very popular by locals for early evening, for dinner and drinks with small pubs.
Pera is another spot for nightlife upside of Galata Tower, also known Asmalimescit, similar to Karakoy, narrow streets, small restaurants and bars, live music. You may visit Narmanlı Han for some coffee or Celtic Irish pub, shot bars, or local pubs called Meyhane. Corridor Pera bar is a recommended one for some shots. Then we reach to Istiklal street, means Independent street and see lots of embassies, schools, churches, shops, restaurants, clubs and more. In a busy time, especially weekend you couldnot walk propery because of crowd. Triada church, Church of St. Mary Draperis and Church of St. Mary Draperis are located on istiklal street and you may visit during the daytime.
Nevizade is another famous spot for nightlife with its street food, restaurants, bars especially Meyhanes. Famous Fish market street and
Flower Passage(Çiçek pasaji) is very popular. If you are a rock lover or club lover, this streets offers you nice options. We recommend
Sanat , James Joyce iris pub and
Kastel Night Club. You may also have a look Eskici Arkabahce and
Vosvos cafe bar. Area also perfect place for tattoo lovers. At the end of istiklal street we reach to Taksim square. You may have some delights at
Hafiz Mustafa. On the rightside of Square we reach to Cihangir district, also famous especially for youth. There are lots of small cafe and bars. We recommend
Riddim night club and
Roxy RX club.
Bosphorus Cruise
As you can hear from many of your friends, you should take a boat on the bosphorus to understand istanbul much better. These boat cruises are about 2 hours, with a sightseeing of two continents of istanbul. Along that cruise, you will see lots of monuments and highlights in istanbul, like Bosphorus bridge, Maiden tower, Dolmabahce Palace museum, Ciragan palace, Four Seasons, Haydarpasha train station, Ortakoy, Beylerbeyi palace, Rumeli Fortress, Anadolu Fortress, Emirgan and Bebek district, and lots of Villa, Summer Palace, Pavillon, Shore Mansion.
Besiktas
If we go to the north of city, we will reach to Besiktas town next to bosphorus. The first monument we will see is summer palace of Ottoman empire,
Dolmabahce Palace museum. Next to museum you will see Yildiz Park. On the coast line, we will see Ciragan Palace and Four Seasons. In the center of Besiktas, you may visit
Navy Museum. This area, you will see lots of cafe and restaurants on the seaside. Also famous Kokorec and mussel spot
Midyeci Ahmet is in Besiktas. Kurucesme and Ortakoy villages are other spots on the bosphorus. Especially
Ortakoy has a panaromic view of Bosphorus bridge with Mecidiye mosque. Along the bosphorus, you may have a stop at
Bebek village which is the richest part of istanbul. If you like big gardens and flowers, you may walk in the
Emirgan Park. If you visit in April you may catch Tulip festival. Another monument in the neighborhood is
Rumeli fortress, including a castle with towers on the bosphorus. From Besiktas till Sariyer town, you may discover lots of amazing fish restaurants, fancy cafes, clubs and bars.
Sisli
After we pass Taksim square we will reach to Sisli town which is the central part of city. Especially Finance and Banking companies located in this district. you may see lots of high residences and skyscrapers. Also hot shopping destinations like
Nisantasi and Zorlu center, you may find lots of luxury and famous brands and have some shopping. Also most of the brand hotels located in this area.
Asian Side
When we pass to Asian side of istanbul we will see Uskudar and Kadikoy towns. Especially
Kadikoy is the center of Asia side and very popular also for locals. You may visit
Maiden tower and haydarpasa train station. The most popular district in Kadikoy is
Moda where you can find old churches and mosques, like
Efimia and Takavor. You may discover best street foods in moda, lots of special Turkish coffee spots, kebhap restaurants, seafood restaurants, bars and clubs. You may have a stop at candy shop,
Sekerci Cafer Erol. The area is awake almost all night.
Camlica
One of the best views in istanbul, you may get in
Camlica hill. The hill has a panaromic view of istanbul. You may get some food or drinks at the cafe on the top of the hill. You may also visit the highest building in istanbul,
Camlica Tower or visit one of the biggest and new mosques in the city
Camlica Mosque.
Princess island
The Princes’ Islands (“Adalar” in Turkish) are an archipelago in the Sea of Marmara, they are a small haven of peace in Istanbul and a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. During summer, we recommend you to get there on weekdays rather than weekends because they are invaded by the townspeople and the tourists. They owe their name to the fact that during the Byzantine period the imperial family and disgraced aristocrats were exiled in the monasteries on the islands. They then became the favorite weekend destination of the Ottoman aristocracy, and even today you will find many Victorian-style villas.
Things to do
When you travel to istanbul you should have a list of MUSTs. here we made a list for you.
- Having a bosphorus boat cruise
- Visiting Old city
- Having some Turkish kebhaps
- Seafood and fresh fish
- Meze, dolma, haydari and Babagannus
- Drink Turkish Raki
- Try Doner kebhap
- Some Kokorec, cigkofte, mussels
- Drink Ayran
- Simit, Pogaca, Corn
- Drink some Boza and Sahlep
- Have a Turkish icecream
- Drink Turkish coffee
- Try Turkish delights
- Lokum and Baklava
- Kunefe and Gullac
- Shopping at bazaars
- Spice, leather, jewellery, imitation
Daily Excursions from Istanbul
If you have some time more than a loyover you may have a look of list for some excursions.
Ephesus
You may visit one of the oldest ancient cities in Turkey, Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary in Kusadasi village. It is possible to make a daily tour from istanbul by plane. You may see in your tour, Basilica of John, Mary’s House and Artemis Temple.
Pamukkale
If you interest with history and like thermal hot spring, Pamukkale will be a good travel spot for you. You may see Hierapolis ancient city, Cleopatra pool, hot springs and calcium terraces.
Cappadocia
The most popular touristic destination in Turkey, Cappadocia, lands of beautiful horses, will admire you with magical valleys, fairy chimneys, cave house and hotels, underground cities, open air museum and especially hot air balloon flight. You may have a daily tour but also 2-3 days packages with a cave hotel and balloon flight.
Bursa
The first capital of Ottoman empire, and Uludag mountain will supply you a lovely day. You may see Grand mosque, Greem mosque, Silk bazaar, and a cable car to Uludag mountain which is the most popular skiing spot in Turkey.
