Hello! Hallo! Hola! Bonjour! 🙋🏻♀️ My name is Gülçin but you can call me GG:) I was born in a spring🌸 evening🌜 in Aargau, a canton in Switzerland🇨🇭 and have been living in Istanbul🌉 for quite a long time. *** This trip is a culture & history-oriented trip to experience both the traditional side and the modern side of Istanbul. Plus, a budget-friendly trip led by a local — me 😁 *** The trip consists of 30+ stops for 4 days. 🕤Starting point: 📍Old town (Sultanahmet) 🗺️Destinations: 📍 Old Town / Sultanahmet (European side) 📍 Taksim (European side) 📍 Besiktas (European side) 📍Üsküdar (Asian side) 📍Kadıköy (Asian side) 📌Trip will consists of ✓ Both European and Asian sides ✓ Local food ✓ Bosphorus Tour ✓ Free of tourist traps ✓ Historical palaces
📌Transportations used during the trip: ✓ Tramway ✓ Metro ✓ Bus ✓ Ferry (Transportation card is available at the airport) *** 🛎️ Accommodation: - Shared room - Private room optional — not included in trip price
📌Facilities: - Breakfast (included in price) - Wi-fi - Hot water - Café - 24/7 Reception service - 24/7 Security 📌Additional: • Museum tickets approximate costs max € 50-60 • Language during the trip: English In case of in need, make sure to take more cash with you before you actually take the trip. You will also need an Istanbul Public Transport Card. You can buy it at the airport station. ✈️ Pick-up from airport, if needed (Not included in price) *** Hope to meet you in person and see you there! :)
What's included?
Local Guide
Accommodation
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Gůlçin, thank you for your knowledge of Istanbul. Unfortunately your time management disappointed me. Telling me you’re not a foodie also made me feel quite awkward. Good luck!
On our first day, we will go for a walk on the famous Istikal Street in Taksim. We will pay a visit to the Republic Monument in the Taksim Square and take photos and stroll around. After our visit to the Republic Monument, we'll visit the Church of St. Anthony of Padua⛪. After that, we can visit the Painting🎨 Museum and relax. Or we can just stroll around the town and have dinner.
2
Galata Tower
Day 1
Our next stop will be the Galata Tower. At Galata Tower, you will be able to enjoy the view from the top. Then, we'll have our first Turkish coffee ☕ near the tower;) After the Galata Tower, we will pay a visit to Pera Palace —the oldest hotel of Istanbul where many historical and famous people had stayed including Ataturk the founder of Republic of Turkiye.
3
Üsküdar
Day 1-2
On our second day, we will meet at Üsküdar. It is located in the Asian side of the city. Our stop will be the Maiden's Tower. The Maiden's Tower is a tower on a small islet at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus strait. We will cross by a small boat🛶 to reach the tower and we'll enjoy the view in the middle of the sea.
4
Dolmabahçe Palace
Day 2
Next, We will go to Kabataş by ferry⛴️. We will visit the Dolmabahçe Palace — a more modern palace by the Ottoman. There, we will spend quite some time. After we finished, we will have lunch🍽️with a seaside view.
5
Beşiktaş
Day 2
Next, we'll take a Bosphorus tour🚢 departing from Kabatas. The tour will take 1 hour and 15 minutes. After the boat trip, we can go to the Naval Museum in Besiktas. There you can explore the marine world of Turkiye. Or we can have a ☕ break near the area.
6
Ortaköy
Day 2
Then, we will go to Yıldız Park. It is a beautiful natural park where you can encounter ducks🦆 & turtles🐢 There are a couple of cafes where you can try Sahlep — a local hot drink☕ Then, we will head to Ortaköy on foot. It is a seaside place where you can take beautiful night photos 📸 near the Bosphorus Bridge🌉 We can have kumpir — a tasty local food famous in the area :)
7
Topkapı Palace
Day 2-3
On our third day, Topkapı Palace🏰 will be our first stop. There, we will spend a couple of hours. It is the first Ottoman palace built in Istanbul. Our next stop will be the famous Blue Mosque — it derives its name from its blue tiles around the minarets.
8
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Day 3
We will proceed with the Hippodrome. We'll first visit the Column of Constantine, the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and lastly the German Fountain. And finally, you will be able to see the famous Hagia Sophia — first a church⛪ then a mosque🕌
9
Balat
Day 3-4
After lunch, we will go to Balat — another corner of the old town. We'll see the famous colourful slope with stairs and the old colourful houses🌈🏘️ The next stop will be the Phanar Roman Orthodox Lyceum — a famous historical school around the town. Then we'll have a ☕ break at one of the cosy cafés around the town.
10
Basilica Cistern
Day 4
After Balat we'll be back to Sultanahmet. Our next stop will be the Basilica Cistern — the biggest cistern (water storage) of Constantinople. Then, we can pay a visit to the Archaeology museum🏛️ if you're into archaeology. In this museum you can see all the Greek, Roman artefacts🏺 found in Anatolia. It is essentially the ancient side of Turkiye.
11
Gülhane Park
Day 4
After the Archaeology Museum, we will go to Gülhane Park, a beautiful natural park with greenery sceneries🌷 There we will pay a visit to the Column of the Goths -a Roman victory column dating back to the third or fourth century A.D. which makes it one of the oldest structures in that area. Then, we will have a ☕ break at one of the cafes in the park.
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hostel
4 days trip
Taksim Square, Galata Tower & 9 more
Transportation
Trekking, Train, Boat
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What's excluded?
Food
Tickets
Transportation Card
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