If you want to travel to Istanbul as a tourist like a pro, let's see what you can get from this article - from must-go attractions and shopping tips, to luxury travel lifestyle and authentic Turkish cuisine, everything that you should never miss while you were in Istanbul is all right here. Read on and don't miss out!
Read More: 6 Things to Do in Istanbul
1. Enjoy Your Time in a Restaurant or Sky Bar with View
Nothing is better than having your meal with a fantastic view of Istanbul, and we've found you 360 Istanbul that serves modern Turkish and global dishes with amazing DJs at the weekend. The atmosphere in there surely adds some points to the restaurant. This place is also a great spot for sunset. You should go there for an early dinner, enjoy a glass of wine or cocktail and take loads of pictures while waiting for your food.
2. Explore Ortaköy and the Nearby
Ortaköy is a bit far from town and it's ideal to get there by ferry. The pier with a view of a bridge connecting Europe and Asia is very iconic. In the nearby, there are a lot of different small shops and markets, restaurants and food stalls around. Kumpir, a Turkish styled Jacket Potato, is a street food that you can easily found in the neighbourhood. Make sure you try it out before leaving this bustling area!
3. Buy Your Favourite Souvenirs in Grand Bazaar
You can't travel to Istanbul without having a visit to the biggest market in the World - The Grand Bazaar is literally as big as a maze. Be prepared that you would easily get lost in there! Make a list of things that you would like to buy from there: carpets, mosaic lamps and ceramic coasters are quite popular as souvenir gifts. Oh, don't forget about their signature Turkish Delight, too!
4. Take a Trip on the Local Ferry
You should consider taking on a quick trip by the local ferry as one of the sightseeing activities that you can do in Istanbul. Why? The unforgettable experience is the main reason. Not only the ferry ticket is cheap, but also the view is overwhelming! Beside, you get a chance to travel around Istanbul like a local. This is definitely one of the highlights of your Istanbul's trip!
5. Have a Piece of Turkish Delight with Tea
It's essential to finish a meal with a small cup of Turkish black tea and a piece of Turkish Delight. They are perfect together since Turkish Delights are always sweet and it's a lot better to consume them with their strong black tea. Try them both after your meal and you will find out how refreshing to enjoy them together!
6. Visit the Former Church and Mosque - Hagia Sophia Museum
Hagia Sophia museum is very rich in history since it was a former church, then a mosque, and now a museum. It is very interesting to visit a religious place that was run with two similar yet very different faiths. The place is best known by its massive dome, and its interior is extremely magnificent. Take a closer look or you will miss the fading but meaningful religious painting on the ceiling and tiles.
7. Make Your Visit to the Well-known Blue Mosque
Perhaps you might ask: why is the Blue Mosque blue? The mosque is called blue simply because of the tiles inside. The exterior isn't as impressive as the interior. But actually, there's not only blue but it's super colourful inside. You can find their tiles in all sorts of colours, from blue and red to yellow and brown.
8. Wander Around the Area of Galata Tower
Another shopping area in Istanbul is in Karakoy, where you can find this Galata Tower sitting in the middle of uptown. Great art museums like Istanbul Museum of Modern Art and SALT Galata are very close to each other in the area that you should check them out when you have time. Grab a cup of coffee in some of the local cafes around when you are exhausted after your visits to museums and shopping time.
What would be your top thing to do in Istanbul?