ISTANBUL TRAVEL GUIDE

ISTANBUL TRAVEL GUIDE

If you’re looking for an Istanbul Travel Guide and wondering what the best things to do in Istanbul are as well as the best places to eat, then you’re in the right place! Istanbul is a unique country considering it sits on two continents, both in Europe and Asia. It’s a destination that I’ve always wanted to check off and this time felt right. I have compiled a comprehensive list that summarizes must visits for first time visitors, so here’s your ultimate Istanbul Travel Guide. 

 

I spent a total of four full days (with an extra two in Cappadocia) in Istanbul and visited towards the end of September. It was a beautiful time and the weather matched the  appropriate fall temperatures. When planning this trip, I made sure my itinerary had a combination of adventure, culture, exploration and relaxation. 

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL:

Visit mosques: If you’ve seen pictures of Istanbul, then photos of mosques might come to mind. There are several must visit mosques including:

The Süleymaniye Mosque:

This is the first mosque that I visited when I was in Istanbul and I must say it was a great way to introduce myself to Istanbul’s history. I arrived here around 8 am and there were barely anybody there. I had a peaceful moment to myself as I soaked in the mosque’s interior decor and ambiance. My favorite part was the entrance because once I stepped in, I could feel a sense of calmness rush through my body. This mosque was built by legendary architect, Mimar Sinan, and is considered one of his largest designs and masterpieces. It took eight years to build and the beautiful interior would explain why.

Hagia Sofia:

The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the world’s oldest and fastest-completed cathedral, and was constructed three times in the same place, with noticeable changes in the architecture. Upon entering, I was completely mesmerized not only by the interior and structure, but also by the original colored stone mosaics. It is massive, so be prepared to be in awe of its beauty. (Please also remember to visit mosques, whether you or Muslim or not, you must take off your shoes and have appropriate attire. Women must have a head covering).

Topkapi Palace Museum:

The Topkapi Palace is a sight not to be missed in Istanbul especially if you are a fan of museums, culture and history. It served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans and has many exhibition halls. In addition, there are also four courtyards, the imperial gate, the harem, and outer gardens, all with its unique history and layout.

Blue Mosque:

The Blue Mosque also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is an Ottoman imperial mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. As the name suggests, the mosque is evidently blue and is famous for its 6 minarets. It also has five main domes and eight secondary domes. Furthermore, it’s a beautiful mosque that shines in its marble interior decorations and interior lighting. Some say that this is a rival to Sophia Hagia, but regardless, as first time visitors in Istanbul, I think it would be a great idea to visit both mosques because they are both special in its own way.

Shop at Grand Bazaar:

Whether you enjoy shopping or not, the Grand Bazaar is a must visit because it’s the largest covered bazaar in the world. You might get lost because there are 66 streets and over 4,000 different shops, separated by categories and sections. I would also warn that it is very chaotic and can be a little overwhelming with all of the shop owners calling for your attention. However, if you learn to just embrace the chaos and be present, then it would be an experience you won’t forget. My favorite shop was Brother’s Lamp, not only because the shop sells beautiful lamps but the owner was extremely friendly. We had great conversations so make sure you pay him a visit if you’re there!

 

Balat and Fener:

If you love colorful buildings, then you have to visit Balat and Fener. This area can be argued as one of the most Instagrammable spots in Turkey. The Balat district is the former Jewish quarter of Istanbul and is very charming. The Fener district is home to several places of worship and contains many beautiful homes. There are photo opportunities in every corner so if you enjoy taking photos, then this is the place for you. There are also cute alleyways with shops, which resembles small villages.

Visit Galata Tower and the Galata bridge:

You can’t visit Istanbul and not see Galata Tower or Galata Bridge. My Airbnb was near Galata Tower, so I was able to see it everyday.  The Galata Tower is one of the most important structures that make up the silhouette of Istanbul and was used as a watchtower. The street leading up to the tower is very popular, so it does get packed with both tourists and locals. The area is surrounded by cafes and restaurants, which is a great excuse to grab coffee and do some people watching. The Galata Bridge is also nearby and spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul. The walk across the bridge offers beautiful views of the city and I would recommend walking over during the early morning so you can enjoy it all to yourself. Just make sure you grab a simit along the way!

Enjoy Turkish cuisine:

Arada Blue City:

Arada Blue City is a Lebanese restaurant located in Üsküdar, which is a residential area on Istanbul’s Asia side. If you’re already planning to explore that part of Istanbul, then this is a great place to visit especially if you want something aside from Turkish cuisine. What’s unique about this restaurant is the beautiful interior and decor. The color blue is seen throughout, which may be obvious due to the name.

There are three floors, with the top offering an outdoor view and the second offering a more of an intimate vibe with pillows and cozy corners. I dined on the third floor and we ordered a mixed grilled platter as well as a few sides containing dips, spreads and vegetables. Everything was beyond delicious and it was a great way to unwind and spend the morning. I would also recommend visiting the second floor especially in the room that is photographed above. As you can see, there are beautiful lamps, pillows and carpets which gives a beautiful backdrop for photos. The first floor, which is also the entrance of the restaurant has more of a shop and cafe feel so make sure to stop by there as well before leaving!

 

Seven Hills Restaurant:

If there’s only one restaurant you can visit in Istanbul, then I would say make sure it’s Seven Hills Restaurant. Dining here will give you the ultimate feeling of being in Istanbul. The terrace offers amazing views of the city as well as Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. You can also feed the seagulls here so if you want a photo with them in the background, then chances are you’ll get that. I would suggest making reservations in advanced and request for a table closest to the outside, so you can admire the views without any obstruction.

Other than the views and ambiance, the food was also scrumptious! We came here in the morning and ordered the Turkish breakfast. As demonstrated, it’s truly a breakfast for champions! I really enjoyed this type of meal because I loved the variety of food options and I was able to try a little bit of everything. We lucked out in having great weather so this ranks as a highlight of my trip!

Almedar Restaurant & Cafe:

This restaurant was on my list of places to dine at. I actually stumbled across this randomly and realized it afterwards. What drew me in to this place the most was the inviting entrance. There is an open area where people sit comfortably with pillows. We actually had to take off our shoes so that made me relax immediately. Since my friend and I had been touring the whole day, we spent about three hours there conversing with each other. We also made great conversations with other tourists and with the waiters. The staff ended up giving us Fez hats and we decided to have our own Turkish dance party. Needless to say, it was an unforgettable memory and great way to leave the restaurant!

Arya lounge:

If you love rooftops and sunsets as much as me, then you need to visit Arya Lounge. I dined at the rooftop terrace during sunset and the views were stunning to say the least. It is a cool hangout spot that offers international fare, plus hookah. You can also opt to dine indoors if you want to be away from the crowds. On the evening that I was there, I was lucky enough to see fireworks and that was a pleasant surprise! I also met the owner who was extremely friendly so I highly recommend this place to spend a beautiful evening.

Turkish coffee reading:

I wasn’t familiar with Turkish coffee reading until a friend told me about it. Once I heard about this popular ritual, I made sure to add this to my list. Tasseography is the academic term for Turkish coffee fortune telling and dates back to the 16th century. When I was dining at a restaurant, I noticed one of the staff member was reading someone’s coffee nearby. As a result, I felt like it was the right place to do mine.

To demonstrate, the process begins with drinking the coffee and then swirling the remaining grounds in the cup. Afterwards, you flip the cup on the plate and then let the grounds dry. The images and shapes created in the coffee ground are then interpreted by the expert. I also made a wish before flipping the cup as instructed by the reader. My reading lasted about ten minutes and I was very impressed by what my reader told me. She touched upon my wish, life, dreams, past and future. Whether you believe in the process or not, this would still be a unique experience to do while you’re in Istanbul.

Turkish ice cream:

I’m sure some of you are aware of what happens during the Turkish ice cream experience. To clarify, the vendor performs tricks when you order ice cream. I’ve seen this on videos and I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant to try it. However, I also knew this was something I wanted to try. The vendor was actually very entertaining and I embraced the whole experience. I chose the vanilla flavor since that’s my favorite and I was a bit taken back by the texture. When I had my first bite because I kept thinking, why does this taste chewy (regardless it was delicious!). When I did my research, I discovered the ice cream is made with a starchy root of wild orchids called salep. Moreover, that specific ingredient is what makes Turkish ice cream stretchy, and chewy at the same time. Although this is different from traditional ice cream, I still enjoyed it. 

*Make sure you save this Istanbul Travel Guide for the next time you visit Istanbul