Top 9 Things to Do When Visiting Istanbul

The concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus recommends the top nice experiences for those visiting Istanbul.

1.       Travel by a private boat

Istanbul is the city where Europe and Asia meet. You can rent a boat tour for you and your loved ones from various locations of Istanbul to travel from one continent to another by sea. With this experience, you’ll get the chance to enjoy watching the Bosphorus from a unique view. While you are watching the glorious view of Istanbul from the sea, do not forget to sip your Turkish tea.

2.       Have a proper Turkish breakfast

Breakfast culture in Turkey is extremely important for locals. We like to start the day with a special breakfast that provides numerous selections to eat. A traditional Turkish breakfast includes eggs, fresh-baked bread, jams, spreads, black and green olives, cheese, cucumbers, tomato, pastry, and of course, Turkish tea. To find a good restaurant, we advise you to wander around Bebek and Arnavutköy. First, you can savour on a delicious breakfast while watching the Bosphorus and then take a walk along the coastline to relax.

3.       Shop at a bazaar

Bazaars are excellent for getting to know Turkish culture and going shopping. They will be packed and possibly chaotic most of the time but it is a nice method to blend in with the locals and come into close contact with Turkish culture. Although Grand Bazaar is the most famous one with no question, Spice Bazaar is also a wonderful choice to take amazing photos and buy exceptional souvenirs such as but not limited to dried fruits, Turkish delight, oils and essences.

4.       Drink Turkish coffee

Wherever you go or whatever you choose to do in Istanbul, there is one thing you must experience for sure before you leave: drink Turkish coffee. It is the best for snack time in the morning or the afternoon. To get the best taste out of Turkish coffee, you should try local cafes that cook it in the sand. Local tip: Turkish delight "lokum” and any chocolate is a fantastic match that goes with Turkish coffee.

5.       Have a meyhane experience

Meyhane is not an ordinary restaurant. From the moment you step in until the moment you leave the place, it offers an entire dining experience including tasty meze varieties that fill the whole table and great conversation with your family and friends. Meze can be described as an appetizer or a cold starter. Locals prefer to go to the meyhane on different occasions whether it is for a celebration or to get over a sad event. In a traditional meyhane, the restaurant plays Turkish classical music while you are eating and having a chat. To have a meyhane experience like a local, you should visit Asmalımescit in the Beyoğlu district.

6.       Visit an art gallery

The variety of galleries in Istanbul presents a great opportunity for people who are passionate about arts and culture. Here are some of the good locations to visit exhibitions of Turkish artists: Istanbul Modern Museum, Pera Museum, SALT Galata and Arter. Before you arrive, take a look at the upcoming or current exhibitions in these museums and visit the one that touches your soul the most.

7.       Eat street food

Street food culture has a significant place in Turkish cuisine. No matter where you are in Istanbul, it is always possible to come across a street food stand outdoors. Simit (Turkish bagel), kokoreç (grilled lamb intestines), köfte ekmek (meatball sandwich), balık ekmek (fish sandwich), midye (mussels), tavuk pilav (chicken and rice) and kestane (roasted chestnuts) are the most popular ones however the options are endless and the list goes on. Whether it be a snack, lunch, or dinner, you can try street food anytime. Even when it is late at night and the restaurants are closed, it is a very high possibility that you'll find a street food stand if you look around. Do not return to your home country without trying at least one of these delicious meals.

8.       Hike and have a picnic in a forest

Since Istanbul is home to millions of people and the city is surrounded by buildings of diverse shapes and sizes, locals tend to escape to nature whenever they can. The secret is to find out where the picturesque parks and forests are located and make a plan right away. With 5,500 hectares (13,600 acres) of forest, Belgrade Forest is on the European side and the trendiest choice for locals who like to run, climb, hike, and have a picnic. Polonezköy Nature Park is usually the choice of locals that reside on the Anatolian side. Even though you can do the same things here, on top of that you can also try other fun activities such as camping, trekking, and orienteering.

9.       Take a trip to the Princes’ Islands

Prices' Islands are a small chain of islands in the Marmara Sea. Although there are nine of them, only four of these islands, namely Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kınalıada, are open to the public and locals usually visit them during spring and summer seasons to have a break and be with nature. They are accessible by ferry from both the European and Anatolian Sides. The islands stand out for their background of cultural and religious aspects containing a mixture of different ethnicities including Greeks, Armenians, and Jews. Cars are not allowed on the islands, therefore, you can explore them by walking or cycling. You'll be mesmerized by the beauty of the landscape and the well-thought architecture. If you visit the Princes' Islands during summer, you can even sunbathe and swim in the Marmara Sea.