Istanbul- discovering a beautiful city

Bosphorus

ISTANBUL ROUTE TIPS

Istanbul, for me is the most beautiful city in the world. Time is never enough to discover the splendor of this city.

I had made a low-budget to-do list for a friend last year. Here it is, I hope it will be helpful for all who would like little some off-touristic tips from a local.

I would repeat that Istanbul is too big and there is something for every single taste, but these are my “bests” of Istanbul. As it will take many days to discover all, one should be selective even from this list.

Most of the things in the below list require very low budget.

Boat tour from Ortakoy- and fresh brewed tea :))

1- Take a boat tour from Ortakoy. 45 min. Good view every time, day and night views are very different and still both beautiful

2- Have a walk along the Bosphorus. I recommend Bebek to Rumeli Hisarı route. One can also buy a waffle or an ice cream from Bebek to accompany this fresh air trip, watch chic rich people exercising dogs, friends having a coffee... route 2 km.

3- See Sultanahmet area. Topkapı, Yerebatan, Ayasofya, little Ayasofya, Blue Mosque, Turkish-Islamic arts museum. Archeological Museum is also important.

4- At that area, one can enter the streets and discover many more. I love all the ancient mosques. For a foreigner it can be very interesting to see the Namaz, the prayer times, the crowds praying at the same time. I would eat at Sultanahmet köftecisi… Have a hookah at Corlulu Ali Pasa.

5- Go to Grand Bazaar, in the Bedestens there are little authentic coffee shops, drink a Turkish coffee there

6- Go to a hammam. Cagaloglu hammam or Cemberlitas Hammam. Amazing experience. 1-2 hours.

Uskudar- a historical mosque

7- Take a boat from Besiktas to Kadıkoy or to Uskudar, to discover the Asian side. See the Maiden’s Tower.

8- Take a walk among Istiklal Street 3km, discover the Churches alongside, then from Tunel take the cable car, go down to Karakoy, eat a fish sandwich at the Haliç bridge.

Galata tower

9- Galata Tower is also beautiful, there is an elevator which takes you up, from there, Voila!!!, you have 360 degree view of Istanbul

10- Fener-Balat area is the most ancient part of the city, but it is neglected and not-cared, but still interesting and non-touristic. Real Byzantian history.There is Kariye Museum as well, I didn’t see it however ...

11- Nişantaşı is a very chic area. Levent area is the modern part with skyscrapers, and shopping malls. Beşiktaş and Kadıköy resemble each other, not historical or anything but they are crowded, lively, natural… I love to see the crowds in their daily rushes there.

View from Sapphire Terrace

To drink and eat I have a separate list.

Enjoy :)