Istanbul; a culminating city with a strong sense of history, culture and architecture. If you’re ever lucky enough to spent two days in the bustling city of Istanbul (or longer), trust me when I say there will be no shortage of things to do.
HOW TO GET TO ISTANBUL:
Due to travelling from the UK we flew direct from Stansted to Istanbul SAW airport. Booking flights through Skyscanner provided to be quite easy though if staying somewhere closer in Europe a train or bus is an option so make sure to check out Omio.
There are two international airports in Turkey. If flying you’ll arrive either at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) or Istanbul Airport (IST).
If arriving in SAW airport, like us, be prepared to spend some time getting to your accommodation. Roughly an hour got us to old town via transfer so if traveling by taxi it will be similar. However, if traveling by bus it will take longer as you may need to take multiple forms of transport (bus, ferry, taxi). Of course it all depends on the area you’re staying in so make sure to check and organise transport beforehand. For more bus info check out the Havabus website.
Due to arriving late we opted for a transfer as we didn’t fancy navigating a taxi or bus in the dark. KiwiTaxi took us straight to our door, cost €38.00 for two and is quite convenient as they greeted us at arrivals. Nothing fancy but a good service to get from A to B!H
TRANSPORT:
There are plenty of ways to get around Istanbul. Walking was our main form of transport but there are other options like taxi and train. Trains are all through town but as we were staying in old town walking was easiest. Of course this all depends on where you are staying and the sites you want to visit. For more information on local transport click here.
WHERE TO STAY:
Our accommodation was booked through BOOKING.COM. Manison Gorki is perfect for solo travelers and couples as they are little apartments. They are quite alty and super comfy and with being very close to all the main sites, you really can’t go wrong.
ACTIVITIES:
– Sunrise: Wake up early and experience sunrise outside the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. It may be a bit of a struggle at first but trust me, it is worth it.
– Indulge with a view: After an hour of exploring at sunrise we decided on splashing out for breakfast so check out ‘Where to eat / drink’ below for my favourite breakfast spot!
– Go inside The Blue Mosque: Because of the early start there was no wait. Arriving here just after opening meant that within half an hour we had taken our time to see the courtyard and interior. A perfect way to start the sightseeing.
– Go inside Hagia Sophia: In 2019 Hagia Sophia was still considered a Museum so entry costs were 72 TL per person, however it has now been converted into a Mosque so the entry fee is free. There was only a five minute wait at 9:45AM and I found 45 minutes was enough time to wander through both levels, take photos and soak it all in.
– Grand Bazaar Markets: One of the oldest undercover markets in the world. Two hours was more than enough time to get lost in these alleyways. It’s easy enough to find an exit but you will definitely get a little disorientated so just go with the flow and do a little shopping!
– Galata Bridge: Walking along here just before sunset you’ll watch the fishermen on the top level and the bustling restaurants on the bottom but if you’re short on time I’d say it’s not an absolute must!
– Have a drink at a rooftop bar: We did this after walking Galata Bridge. As a result we had the best view of the city for sunset. There’s no shortage of rooftop bars in Istanbul but if you would like to know my recommendation, check it out below.
– A day trip to Gallipoli: If you are a Kiwi like myself you will know how significant it is to visit this historic area. We took a day tour with One Nation Tours. Our tour guide Burak was professional, knew so much about the area and despite the severity of what happened here, kept it light and provided a few laughs. It cost €79.00 per person and was a long drive from Istanbul but definitely well worth it!
– Galata tower: With cute little cafes and shops lining the streets that lead to the Tower its perfect place to spend the morning. Going early means you have plenty of time to walk around and take a few snaps without the crowds.
– Visit the neighborhoods of Fener and Balat: These are the most colourful and quirky neighbourhoods that I saw in Istanbul! Kiremet Street along with the stairway leading up to İncir Ağacı Kahvesi are just two of the well known Instagram spots. Make sure to walk from Kiremit Street to İncir Ağacı Kahvesi as this also provides some incredible views over Istanbul.
– Visit Karakoy: Karakoy is known for its funky vibes and isn’t far from Galata tower. Definitely worth a visit as it is along the waterfront!
– Take a trip to Ortaköy: Unfortunately there wasn’t time to visit this waterfront town but I heard great things about it, especially when it comes to Ortaköy Mosque! So if you have extra time pop it on your itinerary.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK:
– Momento Hotel: We just happened to spot Momento Hotel from Galata bridge and what a sunset spot! If you’re wanting to splash out a little it cost us 105 TL for a cosmopolitan and baileys on the rocks. Worth it for the view and it wasn’t overcrowded with tourists which is always a winner in my books.
– Seven Hills Hotel Restaurant: I’d seen great things written about the Hotel restaurant for breakfast and it didn’t disappoint. This place has the BEST view of Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque and the Bosporus strait. For 80 TL we got the full Turkish breakfast. You can get one per person but it was more than enough for two to share. With an added coffee and free tea included it cost a total of 98 TL. Not bad!
– Mivan Restaurant & Cafe: Cannot recommend this restaurant enough! It was our first meal in Istanbul and I’ve never had anything quite like it. The service was top notch along with everything else! If you’re wanting to go traditional I would recommend ordering the alinazik kebaplar which was exceptional!
– Maide Cafe: When in Balat make sure you pop in here for a Turkish breakfast. Such a great spread and delicious! The owner is and super friendly, even went out of his way to order us a taxi!
HINTS AND TIPS:
– Start early! By earlier rather than later you will be able to see the main attractions without all the chaos and waiting in lines!
– Buy the museum pass: If you plan on being in Istanbul for a few days then definitely invest in a Museum Pass. This covers a few museums (including Hagia Sophia). For more information click here.
– The Blue Mosque entry is free but remember to cover up! Shoulders and knees must be covered for men and woman with women also required to have their heads covered also. If you don’t have a headscarf, not to worry! They have them for loan (for free) just outside of the mosque.
– We found a lot of restaurants will give you complimentary tea so definitely make the most of it. Apple was my favourite.
– As of October 2019 the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia were under construction. In 2021 I believe this is still true for the Blue Mosque but Hagia Sophia looks to be now finished. The exteriors alone are something to marvel at so this should not deter you from visiting these beauties.
– Bartering within the Grand Bazaar I found to be a bit of a hit or miss due to some store sellers being up for negotiation and others not so much. Try your luck though, it’s a bit of fun!
– Even though some of the English was limited we found the Turkish people very polite and helpful! Whenever we needed something or had any questions they went out of their way to make sure we were well looked after so don’t be scared to have a chat.
Exploring Istanbul was our first impression of Turkey. From the hospitality to the views and the food, it exceeded every expectation. If you’re on the fence about whether to visit, definitely book it in! It left me in awe and I’m 110% sure that it will leave you feeling the same.