Join Istanbul local Selin Halfon for a jam-packed day in her incredible city.
Think of a city with a long history, modern life, two continents (Europe and Asia), four seasons, men wearing Arabic robes, girls with blue hair, sky-scraping buildings, people with piercings everywhere, girls in skirts 4 cm long, men with pink pants, beaches, islands, huge shopping malls, taxis anytime, Turkish delights, Turkish coffee, kebabs, and really horrible traffic… It’s Istanbul of course!
By the Istanbul seaside
The gorgeous neighborhood of Ortaköy in Istanbul. Photo by paşanınyeri
Let’s talk about what can you do if you have a day off in Istanbul. I absolutely love being by the sea, so I go to “Bebek”, “Arnavutköy” or “Ortaköy” and find a place to have a great breakfast (a tough decision because we have so many great options).
The historic seaside neighborhood of Arnavutköy
While I am having my breakfast (should I mention that Turkish breakfast is one of the best in the world?) some people might come with a little lottery cards to gamble - I never win but it’s fun to try!
Rumeli Hisarı
Then I take a long walk to “Rumeli Hisarı” by the seaside. There are always crowded tourists boats on the sea so I wave at all the people - I just love it when they wave back! If you’d like to be on the sea in something more unique, there are Ottoman rowing boats that are decorated in gold ornamental details. Being chauffeured on one of these is certain to make you feel like a princess, or at the very least like you are in a movie.
Another thing you’ll see by the seaside are colorful balloons floating on the sea, and a guy with a rifle waiting on the land. Don’t afraid - it is just a game! Take the rifle and try to shoot the balloons, simple (or maybe not).
There is an island in the middle of the Bosporus sea called “Su Ada”. It is not an actual island; it just has couple of cafes, restaurants, a wedding venue and a pool. The view from that pool is amazing - think about it - you are in a pool on the sea in the middle of two sides of Istanbul in front of the Bosporus.
There are lots of private boats and ships on the sea (if you don’t have one all you can do is be jealous!). You can see the longest and biggest ships carrying containers (every time I see them I wonder if they are going to hit the bridge - but they never do).
Hey, who wants to eat corn or chestnuts? You’ll find some men selling them in a little wheelbarrows right next to you. Enjoy!
I love going to concerts. Turkish and foreign singers all say that the Kuruçeşme Arena is the best place to give a concert, because it’s outdoors and right next to the sea. You can be watching your favorite singer, singing along, looking at the moon and the Asian side of Istanbul all lit up, smelling the sea air, watching boats stop nearby with their passengers trying to watch…
Enjoy the historical Istanbul
Get among the people at the historic Grand Bazaar. Remember: haggling for a good price is a game! Photo by Svet.
Do you like historical places? Let’s go to “Grand Bazaar”. It is crazy and huge and fun and smells of Istanbul.
I should warn you though, they love to play with the prices! Do not buy at the first place with first price you are told. It is like a game and they love it with tourists. Join the game!
It is time to explore the Old City. If you are interested in palaces, mosques, castles, basilica cistern and the ottoman empire, they’re all in “Sultanahmet”. You should eat meatballs at “Sultanahmet Köftecisi”, a local legend since 1920.
Istanbul is the place to shop!
Shopping time! There are millions of shops in Istanbul! And the locals love their malls, which come in all shapes and sizes.
The “Kanyon” shopping mall is one of the popular. It is half outdoors half indoors, with the top floor full of restaurants and a cinema. It is the perfect place if you don’t know what to do on the weekend.
The “Sapphire” mall has a terrace with a 360 degree view of Istanbul from the top floor.
You can enjoy snow all the year round the “Torium” mall - it is even possible to ski there.
The biggest mall is “İstınye Park”, which is both indoors and outdoors. The outdoor part is shaped like a circle, with the biggest brands in the world like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada around the outside, and cafes are in the middle of the circle. You’ll find the normal mall inside, where you’ll find every brand under the sun along with a bazaar where you can buy fruit, vegetables, herbs and Turkish delights.
Istanbul never sleeps - nightlife like you’ve never seen it!
Time to have more fun. Nightlife! We have bunch of places to go.
If you like luxury and want to wear your elegant and stylish clothes, arrive by sea or land to “Reina” - an outdoor nightclub with a number of restaurants situated next to the sea.
The spectacular Cahide nightclub. Photo by bubu1979
Do you like places with special themes? Then let’s go to Cahide. The owner is Istanbul’s biggest name in nightlife.
Each season beings a new theme to Cahide - the latest one was Cahide in Wonderland. Everywhere you look you’ll see the Alice in Wonderland theme - the club entrance is even through a door shaped key hole.
One thing they don’t change every season is what makes them special: their fabulous male performers wearing women costumes. You cannot imagine how enjoyable it is. Some of them might come by your table and give you some drink from a fake syringe.
You might even find yourself on the stage with them. Bachelorette parties just love this place. Imagine a stage full of men in wedding dresses with the real bride-to-be in the middle. Fun! But remember to bring a full wallet!
The busy Beyoğlu. Photo by Murat Kalay
If you want to have a great night without bringing your wallet and wear your just jeans and a t-shirt, head to “Beyoğlu”. It is a long street (yes really long), blocked to cars, full of stores, cafes and lights, and a cute little tram running down the middle of the street.
Go there on Friday or Saturday night and live the experience. You will feel like everyone who lives in Istanbul is there right at that moment! The crowd is incredible - every kind of person is walking up and down Beyoğlu.
At the end of the street is “Asmalı Mescit”, which is full of small bars that you can enter without paying - some are for drinking, and some are for dancing. Beware of getting stuck in human traffic! There are so many young and foreign people whom are at least a little drunk.
After you finish your night and feel hungry you should walk back to the beginning of Beyoğlu - the street is now empty and full of drunk people - and have a late night snack or breakfast at “Bambi” (if you can find an empty spot! The busiest time at Bambi is at 4 or 5 in the morning! Enjoy!
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This article makes me want to book this first flight to Istanbul and there a growing feeling i will overstay as there are many places to see, many things to do, the experience is surely an attractive one.
Istanbul, Here I come!!!
So great to hear you’re inspired to visit Istanbul, it really is an amazing city! Happy travels!