The Top 10 Things to Do in Istanbul

Fenerbahce really epitomizes what Istanbul is about. It’s a small, quiet neighbourhood situated in the Kadikoy district on the Asian side and is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul. Peacefully located by the seaside, Fenerbahce has some of the best sunset views in the city and is a great way to spend an evening. Brimming with with smooth beer, potent raki (the strong, national drink also known as Lion’s Milk) and well-loved Turkish dishes and appetizers, Fenerbahce'scafes and restaurants line the marina. Fenerbahce Park provides a serene pause from the hustle and bustle of the busy city streets. The area is accessible by public transport. From the European side, you can take the ferry from Eminonu or Karakoy which lasts around 20 minutes, then a 'dolmus' or taxi and you'll be there in about 15 minutes. Take a walk, enjoy the views and explore a seaside area of Istanbul.

From Kadikoy to alt Bostancı, yellow minibuses are available to transport you to the picturesque coastal district of the southeast region. Upon reaching Bostancı, look out for the famous Bagdat Caddesi street and start your walk along the coastline of the Sea of Marmara back to Kadıkoy. Bagdat Street offers a feel of the real Istanbul, where locals shop, meet for drinks and go for a night out. The most popular part of the street is filled with boutiques, cafés, restaurants and benches. Mornings are best if you want to window shop and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the boulevard. Well-known for its posh shops with world famous and local brands, shopping malls, department stores, both local and international cuisine restaurants, cafes and pubs, Bagdat Street is great for anyone who loves shopping, eating and drinking. Since this is an Istanbul nightlife area as well as a shopping district, evenings and weekends are lively and atmospheric.

Facing Aya Sofya or the Hagia Sophia Museum across a small park and mirroring its domed silhouette, the early 17th-century Blue Mosque is one of only a handful of mosques in the world to hold six minarets. It’s one of the best historical places in Istanbul. Also known as the Sultan Ahmet Camii or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the breathtaking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in Turkey. Constructed between 1609 and 1616, by architect Mehmet Ağa and instructed by Sultan Ahmet I. Designed as an imperial show of strength to complement the imposing Hagia Sophia, which faces it across Sultanahmet Square. It holds over 20,000 handmade ceramic Iznik tiles that decorate the interior, featuring many different tulip, rose, carnation, and lily designs and is lit by 260 windows.

The Bebek neighbourhood is located right by the beautiful Bosphorus and is a well loved area for delicious cocktails, like mojitos and satsuma vodka. Lucca is a great, fancy spot, loved by locals in the Bebek area. At 11pm, the bistro transforms into a vibrant bar where people can be seen dancing and enjoying quality music. It’s one of the first places that comes to mind for socialising, eating and drinking. Many locals head here after work to feed their stomachs with delicious food and their souls with good music. It’s open til late - around 2am. Squeeze this one into your Istanbul night tour.

Topkapi Palace is one absolute must-see when in Istanbul and is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Istanbul; home to generations of sultans and their families. Opulent, decadent, and steeped in history, it offers visitors a chance to get to know the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire more intimately. Built in 1461, the palace grounds are home to a lush leafy courtyard, the Imperial Treasury, an 86 carat diamond, and beautiful views over the Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus, and Golden Horn. The secretive harem family quarters are a warren of lushly-tiled rooms encompassing a gem of a Turkish bath. You can easily spend three hours in the gigantic Topkapi Palace as there’s simply so much to see. The entrance fee is 40 Turkish Lira per person. To visit the Harem it is an additional 25 Turkish Lira per person.

One of the top Istanbul attractions, the Yerebatan Sarnici or Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city. The cistern, located 150 meters southwest of the Hagia Sophia, on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565). The big underground water reservoir is called as “Yerebatan Cistern” because of the grand, underground marble columns. There used to be a basilica in the place of the cistern, so it is also known as Basilica Cistern. The head of each column bears different features. 98 of them reflect the Corinthian style and part of them reflect the Dorian style. Two Medusa heads, which are used as supports under the two columns at the northwest edge of the cistern, are a great work of art from the Roman period. Legend has it that Medusa is one of the three Gorgonas, or female monsters, in the underground world in Greek mythology. The snake-head Medusa has the power of gorgonising the ones that happen to look at her. The head of medusa was put in the cistern for protection.

Istanbul is steeped in culture, art, and music. There are many galleries and places to enjoy traditional Turkish music. Head for an Istanbul meyhane (tavern) and enjoy a raki-fuelled night of Turkish fasil (song and dance). A great night spent in Istanbul is at Bina Kadıkoy, a record event exhibition where you can drink wine, play old records and buy the records you’re listening to. With a laid-back atmosphere, the spot is representative of Istanbul’s great music scene. Bomonti is another great space for live music. Formerly the factory for Bomonti beers, the huge renovated area has become one of the best places to hang out in the Şişli neighborhood at night. Bomontiada has everything in one area; restaurants, bars, and a live concert venue. Have a few drinks at a bar then head to The Populist which often has live DJ music, or hit up the Babylon concert hall for a night of live performance. Check out the Pilevneli Gallery for exhibitions and contemporary art.

Ice cream is the queen of desserts in Istanbul, along with Turkish delight, and offers numerous flavors as well as presentations. An age-old tradition means enjoying the slightly chewy, delicious ice cream from a local vendor dishing up refreshing and original flavors. In the quaint neighborhood of Moda, since 1969, Dondurmacı Ali Usta has served up some of the most traditional scoops of Turkish ice cream such as Santa Maria, Hazelnut, Walnut and Melon. As the city's most historically famous neighborhood ice cream shop and landmark of the ice cream world, in both summer and winter, queues can form outside of the shop. But it’s well worth the wait for the chewy delight.