Turkey, Istanbul

Turkey - Part 1, Istanbul

We spent 2 weeks in Turkey in 2021 and visited Istanbul, the turquoise coast and the Cappadocia.

We spent few days in Istanbul at the beginning of our trip and at the very end, I recommend you to stay in Galata neighborhood, there is a great atmosphere.

Day 1

We went to Santa Sofia very early in the morning – highly recommended if you want to take some nice pictures.

Then we joined a free tour in the morning, we had traditional lunch at a restaurant recommended by the guide and the we did a boat tour trip in the afternoon through the Bosporus and ended up in Besiktas where we had some drinks at night in a live music place.

Day 2

We went to Balat, the alternative neighborhood. Really nice area where you can take thousands of photos, then we walk to the center and stopped in different mosques:

Yavuz selim Mosque

Fatih Mosque

Sehzade mosque

I have to add that sometimes you get a better experience in a little mosque where there is nobody.

We watched the sunset from a rooftop, Nova Santiye Café,  with view to Suleymaniye mosque and visited Suleymaniye mosque at night.

There are several rooftop in the area.

Day 3

We visited Nuruosmaniye mosque, the grand bazar and the egiptian market (spices market).

Then we headed to the airport to travel around the country.

We came back and continue visiting Istanbul.

Day 4

We visited the galata neighborhood and had lunch in a roof top restaurant, Mukellef Karakoy. This area is plenty of cool restaurants.

Day 5

We did another free tour and then explore freely.

You get a nice view of Galata tower from Galata konak café.

Day 6

We visited Topkapi Palace Museum

We watched the suntet from a cool roof top in Istikal.

Day 7

We did some shopping and left to the airport.

 

Tips

Bring long sleeves to cover your arms and legs to enter the mosques.

Check timetables before going to mosques and markets.

Visit the little mosques, they are the best.

 

My fav

Egyptian market

Sehzade Mosque

Rustem Pasha mosque

Balat neighborhood


See more: Istanbul


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