We’ve put together the perfect 2 day itinerary for those of you that will be visiting Istanbul on your FREE stopover with Turkish Airlines- a whirlwind of history, culture, and cuisine! As always, you can follow along on our Instagram Stories.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL:

1. Visit the Hagia Sophia : A majestic ancient cathedral-turned-mosque that’s an architectural wonder. 

2. Blue Mosque:  A beautiful mosque famous for its intricate blue tiles and architecture.

3. Explore the Grand Bazaar:  A bustling, historic covered market with over 4,000 shops. You can find everything from souvenirs to trendy clothing. 

4. Wander around the Spice Bazaar:  A fragrant market selling a wide variety of spices, teas, and sweets.

5. Enjoy Turkish Cuisine with Lunch at Ciragan Palace: A luxurious meal at an opulent Ottoman Palace overlooking the Bosphorus.

6. Shopping on Istiklal Street: A trendy shopping district with boutiques, cafes, and street performers. Shopping in Turkiye is amazing- due to the currency exchange, you can find brand-name items for almost 25% less than back home!

7. Climb the Galata Tower: A historic tower with stunning panoramic views of the city, don’t forget to get lost in the picturesque streets surrounding the tower.

8. Relax in a Turkish Bath: A traditional Turkish bath, or hammam, is a must-try experience for those looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatment.

9. Photoshoot at Rooftop Galata: You can’t leave without getting the Insta-famous photos against the backdrop of Istanbul!

We packed so much into our 2 days, and loved every moment of it, and we hope that you do too!

BEST PLACES TO EAT IN ISTANBUL

We might be biased because of Kaan being from here, but we LOVE Turkish Cuisine. We seriously can’t get enough of it- it’s a mix of Mediterranean cuisine and Arabic, meaning you get the best of both worlds.  Some of our favourite dishes are: Manti (Turkish Ravioli), Kofte (beef meatballs), iskander kebab (this mouth watering kebab with tomato sauce and yogurt) and pide (turkish pizza).

360 Istanbul: An iconic rooftop restaurant and bar with a breathtaking view of the city.

Murver Karakoy: A fine dining Turkish restaurant located in the Novotel with beautiful views of the Bosphorus. 

Iskander Kurulus 1867: The home of the Iskander kebab (aka Claudia’s favourite dish ever)

Simone Bar Food & Wine: Trendy rooftop restaurant in the Galata district.

1924: A Eastern European Vodka bar, where they create over 20 different flavoured vodkas (I loved the smoked salmon flavour).

La Sirene Bebek: Here you can experience an incredible Traditional Turkish breakfast. 

WHERE TO STAY IN ISTANBUL

Ruz Hotel- A trendy boutique hotel located in the Galata district. They have a great rooftop bar and restaurant- Simone Bar Food & Wine.

Hotel Mest- A cute boutique hotel with stunning views of the Yeni Cami Mosque and Bosphorus River. It’s located right across from the Spice Bazar.

Kempinski Palace: Ever wanted to stay in a beautiful palace? This iconic 5 star hotel is conveniently located on the Bosphorus River.

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