How To See Istanbul Like a Local
- August 19, 2010
- 1,726 Views
Writer
Rosemarie_Lennon
Experience the real Istanbul — and avoid tourist traps — with these insider tips.
You Will Need
- Sense of adventure
- Offbeat destinations
- Raki (optional)
Step 1: Visit the smaller markets
Enjoy the famous Grand Bazaar. But don’t miss these local favorites — Balik Pazari, the Fish Market; Cicek Pasaji, the Flower Passage; and the Kadikoy Market. For a truly hidden treasure, visit the Kasimpasa Kastamonu market; it’s only open from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sundays, but the delectables are worth an early wake-up call.
Step 2: Check out the new art
After you’ve admired Istanbul’s ancient treasures, check out the robust modern art scene at the Istanbul Modern Museum and the Haaz Gallery.
Step 3: Head to the islands
Spend a day exploring the Princes’ Islands, a chain of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara. Four are open to the public and accessible by ferry.
Buyukada is the largest of the islands, and also the most crowded. If you’d prefer a less touristy retreat, go to Burgazada.
Step 4: Enjoy happy hour
Head to Istiklal Avenue at sunset; that’s where Istanbul residents pack the taverns for after-work drinks and mezes — small plates of nibbles similar to Spain’s tapas. Also check out the Cihangir area, known as the Soho of Istanbul, and nearby Cukurcuma, which is filled with antique shops.
Try raki, an aniseed-flavored alcoholic beverage that’s considered the national drink; other spirits are quite pricey.
Step 5: Trip the light fantastic
When happy hour ends, move on to the rest of Beyoglu, where you’ll find lots of restaurants serving traditional fare and bars and nightclubs featuring Turkish pop music. Pooped? Have a Turkish coffee!
Istanbul has the second-oldest subway in the world still in operation, built in 1875.
Something wrong? Report this How-To
Comments (4)
Package tours Turkey offers you the best price and service in Istanbuland all Turkey. St. Sophie, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, BasilicaCistern are only a minute away from our office. http://www.packagetoursturkey.com - http://www.touroperatoristanbul.com TTG - Package tours turkey provide all kind of Turkey Tours such as Cappadocia, Ephesus, Gallipoli, Troy, Pamukkale, Mediterranean.We're providing opportunity of having regular Blacksea tours to meet with green Blacksea uplands and also we're offering regular East Turkey tours which let you to dive in totally authentic East Culture and you to watch sunrise from Mountain Nemrut.
about 1 year ago by Harun_Ergn
Istanbul transfer is the leading istanbul low cost airport transfers bus and coach service for all airline travellers http://www.istanbultransfer.net with fast, direct and frequent 24 hour services to and from central istanbul and ataturk airport and sabiha gokcen airport The earlier you book online before your travel date the more you could save compared to booking late. Book early, save more
about 1 year ago by Harun_Ergn
I spent a wonderful 2 days tour in Gallipoli Troy by TTG Travel. Everything was well organized. It was really worth the visit since we visited almost all historical places. Turkey Travel Group is really professional http://www.toursingallipoli.com my Turkey trip was great. I love Turkey - especially Istanbul and Troy - It is a wonderful place with wonderful people. I had a great stay in Istanbul and Gallipoli. I was given a nice room by the hotel and people were very polite at the front desk and they were smiling all the time so i felt fine.
10 months ago by galharun
Last week i visited Istanbul that i want to say taht is a splendit city. We arranged a half day morning Bosphorus with Dolmabahce Palace tour from this site and they did a good job. We were picked up from our hotel in the morning at they arrived at the exact hour they give me. I loved that because i don’t like to wait. It was a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus and the view and all the beauties are worth to see www.privatetoursinistanbul.com It is the only place where to see the Asia and the Europe in the same time J you must do this cruise on the sun set. After this lovely cruise we wisited The Dolmabahce Palace... wow... it is an amasing palace with such luxary inside. The Ottoman Sultans had spent a lot of money to built it All the trip was very lovely. Thank you for this unforgetable short tour...
4 months ago by pirharun
Sign in or create an account to post a comment. Or, sign in using your Facebook to comment
and share your activity with your friends