Jun
27

24 hours in: Istanbul

June 27, 2017
Urban Adventures

The mighty Istanbul. Famous for straddling two continents, this city’s east-meets-west vibes have been attracting travellers for decades. The city can easily overwhelm the uninitiated, so we asked our local team of Istanbul tour guides to tell us what they would do with just 24 hours in Istanbul.

cup of Turkish tea and piles of Turkish delight

The classic tea and Turkish delight | Photo by Istanbul Urban Adventures

Morning: 7am – 10am

Enjoy breakfast on a hotel terrace (#localsknow tip: The And Hotel has incredible views!) then make your way to the Blue Mosque, preferably arriving between first and second prayer. Stroll past Topkapi and through the oasis of Gulhane Park to Eminonu, where you can catch the Turyol tourist ferry for spectacular views from the water.

Midday: 10am – 1pm

From Eminonu, follow the tram tracks across the bridge. For a true local lunch go left at the end of the bridge into the fish market and choose the fish that you want cooked for you. If that’s not your thing, head through the old Jewish neighbourhood, past the grand French schools, until you hit the Modern Museum. Here you’ll find contemporary art and a secret café with sweeping views, delicious pasta dishes, and mouthwatering cheesecake. Next, check out Dolmabahce Palace for the ultimate in opulence — a true Sultan’s palace.

Blue Mosque in Istanbul

You can’t come to Istanbul and skip a visit to the Blue Mosque | Photo by Istanbul Urban Adventures

Afternoon: 1pm – 6pm

Stop for a nargile (water pipe) at a beanbag café in Tophane, or continue past the end of the Tramvay to the local’s favourite of Ortaköy. People watching and looking through the crafty markets are highlights here. Jump in a dolmus, a shared taxi, to Taksim to witness Istanbul’s modern face. Head to the Arasta Bazaar and check out the store called Jennifer’s Haman, which sells good-quality woven towels and other gorgeous fabrics.

Evening: 6pm until late!

By night, ride a ferry to the cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Kadikoy. Grab dinner at Çiya, where you can find authentic Turkish cuisine made from recipes that are hundreds of years old. Afterwards, head back to Taksim and step into Arif Bar for live rocking gypsy music with a modern twist. Enjoy an Efes beer or a glass or two of raki, the local spirit that’s always served with a plate of meze.

Alternately, you could hop on our Istanbul Night Tasting Trail tour, which shows you the local side of life as the sun goes down. Sip raki, sample street food, and grab a coffee at a backstreet cafe.