How to have fun and the ‘must-sees of Istanbul!
In case this is your first read of my travel blogs on this amazing city we call Istanbul, let me introduce myself quickly! I am a passionate travel business owner with three decades of travel experience behind me….. 20 years living in Istanbul and another 10 travelling extensively through Turkey and other overseas destinations. I feel an obligation and privilege to help you and others make the most of their stays when visiting this special place!
With a lot to share, I have broken it down into two parts:
Part 1: Logistics covering topics such as travelling from the Istanbul airport to other places, where to stay, and how to remain connected (Wi-Fi), Click here!
Part 2: Fun and Sights – Where to shop and drink, what to eat and ‘must sees’ in Istanbul, Keep reading!
WHERE TO SHOP IN ISTANBUL
If you are keen to hit the shops, Besiktas and Nisantasi are the best for those looking for a ‘boutique’ experience …whether it be clothes, homewares, shoes and everything in between. Between the two, Nisantasi tends to be a little more on the expensive side! For a more unique and cultural experience, don’t miss out on a shopping session at the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) and Spice Bazaar (Misir Carsisi)! Bargaining at the bazaars adds to the experience and is likely to get you a much better price. When shopping at the bazaars, almost all shop owners will offer you Turkish tea or coffee. This is all part of Turkish hospitality, so please don’t feel you have to buy that rug if you don’t want to! If you escape the Bazaar and venture into the side streets you can find similar products but at a much cheaper price. For those of you seeking high-end brands, head straight for Istinye Park, a big shopping centre packed full of stores selling lux and elegance!
DRINKING IN ISTANBUL
It is no secret that Istanbul is known for its party culture! Loads of bars and night clubs are open until the early hours of the morning. Beyoglu, Besiktas and Kadikoy are great locations if you are searching for more casual drinking hide-outs like local pubs and bars with indoor and outdoor seating options. All are easily accessible using public transport. If you want some serious night life action wait till 9pm before venturing out. Beyoglu and Galata are areas known for their hidden rooftop bars and niche little pubs!
If you are after something a little more up-market, try Bebek and Yenikoy, situated along the waterfront edge on the European side of Istanbul.
WHAT TO EAT IN ISTANBUL
If you chat to tourists about their visit to Istanbul, most likely the topic of Turkish food and great hospitality will be the first things to be raised and it’s what this city is famous for! While you may have to wait to personally experience both of these fabulous things for yourself, you can start dreaming and drooling now with this essential list of amazing Turkish delicacies and the best places to experience them.
Doner Kebap– Besiktas Karadeniz Donercisi! Order a ‘yarim ekmek’ which means half a loaf of bread filled with delicious beef doner (marinated beef cooked on an upright rotisserie). You can try an ‘Ayran’, a salty drink made from yoghurt, but a word of warning…. It’s not to everyone’s tastes so best to pair it up with some water or a can of soft drink. This place is popular for a reason so be prepared for a queue and keep in mind that their doner is almost always sold out before 3 pm, and they are closed during Ramadan and most public holidays.
Simit – Crunchy Turkish bagel covered with sesame seeds. Our favourite thing to do is to buy one of these from a street vendors with their cute little carts and then find a good spot to sit along the waterfront. Eminonu is the perfect location for it. My suggestion – sit in front of Yeni Camii, next door to the Spice Bazaar, grab your tea from the guy who walks around with a tray full of Turkish tea and devour that simit! Sellers of Simit usually provide spread options like Nutella or cream cheese too!
Manti- Askana Manti, Ulus. Mouth-watering, tiny, lamb-stuffed dumplings topped with three sauces: caramelized tomato sauce, brown butter sauce, and garlicky yogurt sauce…not so well known by tourists but an absolute favourite for locals!
Turkish Breakfast (Kahvalti)- One of the best things you can do for yourself while in Turkey is to sit down and experience a long Turkish Breakfast! It usually includes fried or boiled eggs, salami, sucuk (Turkish chorizo), different types of olives and cheese, tomatoes and cucumbers, honey, jam, cheese/spinach/potato/meat filled savoury pasties (borek or pogaca), and LOTS of bread and tea. Is your mouth watering yet? There are special breakfast cafes spread across the city and most hotels have breakfast included in their prices, but our favourite place to experience a long Turkish breakfast is Lokanta Feriye, Ortakoy. It is situated amongst historical buildings along the water’s edge offering amazing views.
Chestnuts and Corn– These two food items are a street food favourite for locals. Chestnuts are typically in season in autumn, and I have to say….corn on cob in those massive pots always remind me of my childhood summers. Depending on which season you are visiting, you must try either of these.
Fish Sandwiches (Balik Ekmek) – Freshly caught fish in half a loaf of bread with lettuce, onion and tomato. So simple, yet so delicious! The best spot to experience this is at Eminonu or Karakoy, just in front of the bus stops, across from the Spice Bazaar. There are boats going to all sorts of places from Eminonu so hop aboard, enjoy the ride while you snack on your fish sandwich. Alternatively, you can walk to Galata bridge and take a seat at one of the many restaurants.
Ice Cream – The ice cream itself is quite delicious, but the whole experience is rather special! Before you order your ice cream, make sure someone is ready to hit record to capture the guaranteed entertainment when you get served. You will see these ice cream stalls everywhere across the old city as well as in Istiklal Caddesi.
MUST SEE PLACES
Istanbul is a VERY big city and every inch is full of things to see. It can be hard to narrow it down to a few experiences but I am hoping my list below helps you short-list what I think are some ‘must-sees’ before you leave.
Dolmabahce palace – where Ataturk took his last breath….it is by the water and not as touristy as Topkapi Palace.
Topkapi Palace – ensure you get the audio guide; it is well worth it! Check for dates as parts of it can be closed on certain days.
Blue Mosque – currently the majority of it is under renovation but it’s still worth the visit. If you want to see the ‘muezzin’ singing the call to prayer, wait outside…facing the mosque and look to the far-left corner.
Suleymaniye Mosque – Less touristy than other mosques but arguably more beautiful.
Balat – a small neighbourhood full of colourful houses and cute little cafes, showcasing a melting pot of cultures and religions.
Princess Islands – hop aboard a boat at Eminonu and hop off at Buyuk ada! Hire a bike and make a full day trip out of it. Princess Islands- image link.
Galata Tower – go all the way to the top for guaranteed breathtaking views of the old city!
Hagia Sophia – parts of it are still under renovation but don’t let this deter you….it’s still a ‘must see’ while you are in Istanbul.
Ortakoy – Try walking from Besiktas to Ortakoy, sit at one of the cafes by the water and watch resident cats lazily stroll by.
Kuzguncuk – a small, colourful neighbourhood on the Asian side of Istanbul. It would seem this place is a bit of a well-kept secret, even to many of the local, however it definitely worth a visit!
At Hidden Wonders, we specialise in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey, however we also have extensive experience and knowledge of greater Turkey. If you have any questions or would like us to organise tours to places not yet listed on our site, feel free to send us an email at adventure@hiddenwonders.com.au and we can make it happen!
Have you been to Istanbul yet? Did you discover some secret spot or tips that you would like to share with others?