Hi guys! 🙋🏻♀️The history, the people, the food, the amazing architecture... Everything in Istanbul feels magical! On this trip, I will show you the historical old town of Istanbul, important museums, old and modern city architecture, and the cool hidden spots that make everyone love this city! We will discover the city by walking around the neighborhoods, visiting museums, and visiting the important monuments I'll be showing you. I want you to experience Turkish cuisine and Meyhane culture (drinking raki and eating tapas) too of course. Every day we will walk around the city, have drinks on cool rooftops in hip districts, watch the sunset looking at the beautiful Bosphorus, and eat Turkish food at our favorite restaurants to relax and have a good time! We'll be exploring the city like a local (using public transportation and walking around). The trip is planned but also can be very flexible. Every day we can talk over our plan for that day and make arrangements according to your wishes. I'm always open to any suggestions! What do I expect from TripMates? If you like: culture, history, breathtaking views, food, like to walk a lot, take it easy, and are open-minded then you are perfect for this trip! What is included in the price? - Accommodation (Airbnb flat with separate rooms) - Personal guide to show you around for 3 days Trip excludes: - Flight tickets to Istanbul - Personal expenses like public transportation, shopping, meals & drinks etc. - Tickets to museums Do you have a question? Please let me know in the Q&A section!
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Hi guys! 🙋🏻♀️I am Tuba from Istanbul. Let’s make unforgettable memories together!
You can chat with Tuba once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
1
Hagia Sophia
Day 1
The Hagia Sophia was built three times in the same spot during the time of the Byzantine Empire. The final version, opened in 537, is the one that’s lasted all the way to the present day. It was built to rival Solomon’s temple and was the largest church for over 1000 years. During the Ottoman Empire, the Hagia Sophia was converted to a mosque and the mix of Christian and Islamic elements are fascinating to see. To become a mosque, the church’s magnificent dome was joined by the four minarets we see today.
2
Topkapi Palace Museum
Day 1
Topkapi Palace is a legendary place to visit in Istanbul! It was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453 and was home to the Sultans until the late 19th century. Don’t miss the Outer Treasury, one of the most impressive sites on this Istanbul itinerary! It contains a stunning collection of jewels and armor.
3
Basilica Cistern
Day 1
The Underground Cistern (also known as the Basilica Cistern) was built by Byzantine emperor Justinian in the 6th century to hold the water aqueducts brought from the Belgrade Forest. It’s a large and mysterious place that really is worth putting on your Istanbul itinerary!
4
The Blue Mosque
Day 1
The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque due to the use of blue tiling throughout, was commissioned by the eponymous Ottoman sultan to boost national morale after the empire suffered defeat by the Persians. Work started in 1609 and the mosque was opened in 1616 to wow worshippers (and tourists) ever since!
5
Sultanahmet Square
Day 1
The Sultanahmet square is named after the builder of the Blue Mosque, Sultan Ahmet I, but the use of the area for public gatherings dates back to the Byzantine Empire when it was a hippodrome, or a sports arena. The section of the Obelisk of Thutmose III that you see today originates in this era, while the towering Walled Obelisk dates from the 10th century!
6
Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Day 1
The Istanbul Archaeological Museum is an impressive home for fascinating archaeological finds! It’s actually comprised of three museums, all with interesting exhibits! The Ancient Orient Museum houses artifacts from the pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Anatolia. Seeing the world’s oldest known peace treaty (The Treaty of Kadesh signed in 1274 BCE) and its oldest known love poem from Babylon are some of the most humbling and awesome experiences on our 3-day itinerary in Istanbul!
7
Dolmabahçe Palace
Day 1-2
It was Sultan Abdülmecid who, after deciding that the lavish Topkapi Palace was not European enough, commissioned the splendid Dolmabahçe Palace. The world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier can also be found in the palace, courtesy of British Queen Victoria! You can also one of the more unusual Istanbul attractions at the palace: the room where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, lived and died.
8
Taksim Square
Day 2
Surrounded by boutiques, shops and restaurants, Taksim square is the city center of Istanbul. Taksim is a cosmopolitan region, communications hub and an important commercial, entertainment & shopping area for the tourists for having a nice Istanbul city walking tour. We can stroll around the Taksim Square, watch the crowd, take photos and then pass through the famous Istiklal Street.
9
Cihangir
Day 2
Cihangir is a “bohemian” zone where painters, caricaturists, actors, writers, journalists, foreigners, and minorities live. A “Bohemia”, where cinema, theater, literature, and philosophy are discussed at countless corners, banquettes, alleys, cafés along the road, and bistros.
10
Galata Tower
Day 2
Galata neighborhood, famous for its narrow streets housing a variety of lovely cafés, restaurants, and of course the very famous Galata Tower, topped with a distinctive witch’s-hat roof, and one of the most impressive and popular landmarks of the city.
11
Asmalı Mescit
Day 2
With it being a ritzy neighborhood, art in shapes and forms plays a large role in the attractions found in Asmali Mescit. There are many art galleries, museums, bars, cafés and is a great neighborhood for nightlife.
12
Grand Bazaar
Day 2-4
Covering an area of 47,000 m2, the Grand Bazaar is a plus 550 years old covered market, also one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. You are able to find about anything in Grand Bazaar from the finest silky shawls and scarves in traditional patterns to traditional items, from antiques, leather goods, ceramics to the famous carpets, from spices, beautiful handicrafts to gold and jewelry.
13
Egyptian Bazaar
Day 4
The historical Egyptian Spice Bazaar is a colorful, mystical, covered spice market lined with spice stalls on Eminonu coast. You can find about every kind of herb and spice at the market, as well as ingredients for cooking, Turkish delight, and Turkish coffee. It is a perfect place for tourists to end their Istanbul visit by shopping for souvenirs for their beloved ones before leaving Istanbul.
14
Beyazit Square
Day 4
Beyazit Square is another beautiful part of Istanbul. Slightly less hectic than the grand bazaar, this is the perfect place to relax and grab a coffee, juice or quick bite to eat. There are several landmarks worth taking a gander at here, including some lush gardens. The square itself was built by Emperor Theodosius, almost 400 years before the birth of Christ.
15
Suleymaniye Mosque
Day 4
On the peak of a hillside on the Golden Horn sits the largest mosque in Istanbul, a must-see on your Istanbul trip itinerary! It was built by architect Mimar Siman for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent from 1550 to 1557.
16
Moda
Day 4
Kadikoy is one of Istanbul’s trendiest districts, and Moda (one specific neighborhood in Kadikoy) is its coolest quarter. This is where young, trend-focused Istanbulites come to see and be seen, to shop, to eat and especially to drink! Kadikoy is an art, culture, shopping, entertainment, education, and sports hub. Kadikoy offers visitors a look into modern Turkish life, and a day spent in the heart of Kadikoy and Moda is an essential addition to any Istanbul itinerary.
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Apartments & Other
4 days trip
Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum & 14 more
Transportation
Train
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