Day 1 - 01.11.2023

• arrived at Istanbul International Airport and made our way to the hotel

Day 2 - 02.11.2023

Grand Bazaar

Roman Hippodrome

Ancient Turkish Bath House

• we enjoyed a delicious local breakfast on our hotel terrace overlooking the Bosphorus Strait
• spent the morning getting orientated with local history and customs by participating in a Walking Tour of the City’s Historic District - highly recommended!!
• strolled through the Grand Bazar’s endless shops
• experienced a traditional Turkish Bath

Day 3 - 03.11.2023

Basilica Cistern

Topkapi Palace

Bosphorus Straight

Golden Horn

• Woke up early to visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia only to find out they are closed on Friday mornings - Went to Basilica Cistern (Featured in the James Bond movie “From Russia with Love” instead
• Visit Topkapi Palace - A must see ! - Amazing collection of clothing, furniturn, weapons, and religious artifacts
• Enjoyed a boat cruse of the Bosporus Straight and Golden Horn
• Visited the Asia side of Istanbul and sampled a number of local delicious including; stuffed mussels, pomegranate cider, fish sandwiches and Turkish pastries

Day 4 - 04.11.2023

Taksim Square

Istiklal Street

Galata Tower

Galata Bridge

Old Spice Market

Hagia Sopia

• Took the Tram System from the Historical District to Kabatas District and then the Funicular to Taksim Square
• Walked down Istiklal Street shopping at the unique shops along the way in an effort to support the Turkish economy
• Visited Galatea Tower
• Walked cross Galata Bridge dogging local fisherman’s reels hanging over the side of the bridge
• Visited the Old Spice Market
• we visited the Hagia Sophia in the evening and enjoyed exploring the historic structure with no crowds rushing us

 

Day 5 - 05.11.2023

Golden Horn

Uskudar District

Karakoy District

• spent the early morning bargain hunting in the shops surrounding the Grand Bazar
• watched the first runners cross the finish line of the Istanbul Transcontinental Marathon
• adventured on the intercity ferry system
• explored the Uskudar District where we enjoyed authentic Turkish Coffee
• met up with an old Friend for coffee at Takim in Square and took in the energy of a night lit Istiklal Street

Day 6 - 06.11.2023

Blue Mosque

Yeni Cami Mosque

Rushem Pasha Mosque

Sulaymanie Mosque

• woke early to arrive at the Blue Mosque as it opened for the day
• watched the city wake from a comfortable bench in Sultan Ahmet Park while enjoying coffee and a Turkish bagel
• since we dressed conservatively for our visit to the Blue Mosque, we decided to make it “Mosque Day” and visit Yeni Cami, Rustem Pasha and Suleymaniye Mosques
• visited the original Istanbul Train Station where the Orient Express arrived and departed - While enjoying a beer at the Orient Express Cafe a local cat jumped on the table and into my arms - I Love the Istanbul Cats
• made a quick stop at a traditional Turkish barbershop and enjoyed a straight razor head shave
• filled the evening with more shopping and Turkish food

Day 7 - 07.11.2023

Blue Mosque

Grand Bazar

Old Spice Market

• woke extremely early in the morning and attended Sultan Ahmet Park before sunrise in an effort the photograph the sun raising over many of the city’s iconic structures
• in the afternoon we visited the Grand Bazar and the Old Spice Market
• concluded another wonderful day in Istanbul with traditional Turkish food and drink

Day 8 - 08.11.2023

Balat District

• we spent the morning wandering the colourful streets of the Balat District
• more shopping in the afternoon (Yes, more shopping )
• spent the evening enjoying one last Turkish traditional meal

Day 9 - 09.11.2023

• early flight home

• STAMBUŁ – NAJWIĘKSZE ATRAKCJE NA STYKU KONTYNENTÓW

• Stambuł – 21 rzeczy, które musisz ZROBIĆ i zobaczyć w Stambule

• Istanbulkart – karta publicznego transportu w Stambule

• Top 10 Things To Do In İstanbul

• STAMBUŁ – 10 MIEJSC, KTÓRE MUSISZ ODWIEDZIĆ

• 22 MUST-HAVE EXPERIENCES IN ISTANBUL

• 27 BEST THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL

• Where To Eat In Istanbul – 15 Best Restaurants In 2023

• 44 Fun Things to Do in Istanbul

GENERAL

• we were there the first week of November - 21-23 degrees, need for a fleece in the evening
• it's worth learning to at least say "thank you" - the easiest way is to quickly say a combination of English words "tea sugar a dream"
• ATMs are everywhere - they charge 5-10% and limit each withdrawal of 4000₺
• some restaurants add 10% of the service fee
• sometimes when you pay by card (we used Revolut, it works everywhere) - they say that the bank charges 6%
• a country with a predominance of Islam - clothing is rather modest, it is worth wearing your scarf if you want to visit mosques
• entry to all Mosques is free - open to visitors, except during praying times, women have to have their hair cover, no shorts and tank tops
• tap water is NOT suitable for drinking - in the store, 1.5 liters - 12₺, small - 5₺
• SIM card - at the airport, e.g. Turkcel 12 GB - 43 euros; we have already bought Vodafone 20GB in the city - 900₺ (30 euros)

ISTANBUL AIRPORT

• no visas for Polish Citizen, Canadian Citizens need a visa, we bought an e-visa online (quick survey, paid 63 USD, Visa arrives by e-mail within minutes, You just have to print it). At the airport Visa upon arrival $70 USD,
• new and beautiful (and gigantic) Istanbul International Airport - easy and efficient, there is an additional duty-free shop at arrivals,
• unfortunately, the new airport is far from the city - there is a shuttle bus, metro, but direct line to the center is not working, you have to transfer a few times (German friends later said that it took them over 3 hours by bus); we took a taxi (we were delivered at the doors to our accommodation in the centre of the city in about 60 minutes - on the meter it is 830₺)
• we stayed at the Stadpoli Hostel - basic, but clean, very helpful service, 2 minutes from the Blue Mosque plus an amazing breakfast

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

• we bought a Istambulcard at the yellow machine - they are everywhere - the card costs 70₺ and you have to top it up (100₺, 200₺, 300₺, etc.) - one trip on the tram is 15₺, metro - 17₺. Don’t be surprised if the machine does not work – They are chronically broken!
• IMPORTANT - you only need to have one card per pair/group - each of you scans the same card and passes through the gate
• the card works on everything - metro, buses, trams, ferries
• we read before arrival to be careful with the machines, because they often eat up your money - our card shows up without a problem, but of course when we tried to get a second card it charged us us 70₺ for the card and 200₺ to top it up, and the card does not appear
• our guide told us to be careful with Uber - that often during the course the driver cancels the order and thus the cost of the trip disappears from our phone and then driver requires a larger amount - I don't know, we haven't tried

ATTRACTIONS

• Free Walking Tour - as always, I highly recommend it 🙂 free so you give the guide a tip at the end; we randomly chose https://www.viaurbis.com/ and our guide was very good, in 3 hours we walked around most of the old city and learned a ton of useful information
• HAGIA SOFIA - closed Fridays until 2:30 p.m., huge queue during the day, we entered at 8:00 p.m. when there was no one there (open until 10:00 p.m.), you leave your shoes in the locker at the entrance, women must have their hair covered (you can buy scarf), long legs and long sleeves
• BLUE MOSQUE - free entry, closed on Fridays until 2:30 p.m., open between prayers, just like Hagia Sofia during the day, mega queues, we were there at 8:00 a.m. - two people were waiting), you leave your shoes in the locker at the entrance, women must have their hair covered (you can buy a scarf for 50₺), long trousers and long sleeves
• BASILICA CISTERN - 450₺, opens at 9:00, there is already a small queue, but it's worth being early, the place itself is magical but I don't know if it's worth such a ticket
• CAMBERLITAS HAMMAM - 1,500₺ (use the code: 6,000 for a small discount and a free face mask) - an interesting experience; open until 24:00 so we went in the evening; men and women separately; you pay and then you get a towel, disposable panties - plastic shoes - upstairs there are changing rooms with lockers with keys - a shower - and you go to a room where it is very pleasantly hot - in the middle there is a marble counter on which you bask - once you sweat properly, one of the working people ladies there ask you for a massage/peeling/washing - very pleasant - then a face mask - shower - tea - very relaxing experience
• TOPKAPI PALACE - closed on Tuesdays - at 10:00 a small queue for tickets, but a large one next door for the audioguide (included in the ticket price, but you have to leave a photo ID) - 950₺ for the Palace and Harem - we spent 4 hours - beautiful and very interesting
• KADAKOY DISTRICT - streets full of pubs and shops, it's worth going for a walk, delicious food, street food, teeming with life in the evening
• GALATA TOWER - top of the tower is closed for renovation, there is a big queue of people to the middle section, our guide suggests that it is better to go for a drink to the observation deck of the Anemon Hotel Galata
• BOSPHORUS CRUISE - prices from $10-$20 euros - we elected for the $15 euro option - full boat, 2 hours with guide commentary, we sail around the Golden Horn and a piece of the Bosphorus, we end in Asia and the guide takes us to the local Fish Market
• ÜSKÜDAR DISTRICT - a district in the Asian part of the city, prices half as much as in the center, delicious food, Fish market - seafood restaurants, access either by ferry (17₺ or by metro)
• TAKSIM and ISKIDAR - square and main shopping street - promenade full of people, (access via T1, then fenicular - i.e. metro) there is a beautiful historic red tram
• BALAT DISTRICT - easy access via T3 from Galata Bridge, a district of colourful houses, charming cafes and artistic corners
• SULEIMAN MOSQUE - the largest mosque, inside there are nice volunteers who are happy to talk about history and Islam

FOOD

• generally amazing, delicious seasoning for meat, fresh and crispy vegetables 🙂
• typical fast food - roll with baked mackerel - 80₺
• delicious pomegranate juice - 50 - 150₺
• coffee - 60₺, try traditional Turkish coffee cooked in the hot sand - 70₺ - delicious!!
• cool local place next to Blue Mosque - Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi