Things to do in Istanbul, Turkey: One day three ways

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This was published 8 years ago

Things to do in Istanbul, Turkey: One day three ways

By Brian Johnston
A crescent moon over the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

A crescent moon over the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.Credit: Alamy

PENNY PINCH

Stay at spotless, friendly Side Hotel and Pension (sidehotel.com; $55) and save on transport, since old Istanbul's sights are within walking distance. Great street food will provide pastries for breakfast ($5) as you make your way to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (free), popularly known as the Blue Mosque for its sumptuous interior tiling. Nearby, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art (tiem.gov.tr; $10) has gorgeous treasures that include illustrated Korans, inlaid boxes and swooping calligraphy. A 20-minute walk takes you to Galata Bridge, where you can buy fresh-grilled fish on bread for lunch ($10). Take a bus (iett.gov.tr; $1) across the bridge to Taksim Square and stroll down bustling, trendy Istiklal Caddesi​ for the contemporary Istanbul of shops, fish markets, beer halls and taverns. Dine on meat skewers, flatbread and salads at Canim Cigerim (162 Istiklal Caddesi; $15).

TOTAL: $96

EASY DOES IT

Meander the morning away at vast Topkapi Palace (topkapisarayi.gov.tr; $22 including harem), pleasure ground of the Ottoman sultans, where Arabian Nights architecture combines with glittering treasures and Bosphorus views. Nearby Aya Sofya (ayasofyamuzesi.gov.tr; $15), decorated with Byzantine mosaics and Arabic calligraphy, is majestic. Lunch on kofta and white-bean salad at Sultanahmet Koftecisi​ Selim Usta (sultanahmetkoftesi.com; $11). It's a 10-minute walk to the gigantic Grand Bazaar (free), with its fourteenth-century arcades and commercial frenzy. Finish the afternoon at the elaborately tiled Rustem Pasa Mosque (free) and spice-laden Egyptian Bazaar (misircarsisi.org; free) before watching the Golden Horn sunset by the Galata Bridge. Have a great kebab meal at Hamdi (hamdi.com.tr; $25) – and leave room for the baklava. Stay in the linked townhouses of the Empress Zoe (emzoe.com; from $195), which mixes character with charm and leafy courtyards.

TOTAL: $268

SPLASH OUT

Start at the Archaeological Museum (istanbularkeoloji.gov.tr; $7), a superb clutter of statues, mosaics and ancient objects. Feeling acquisitive? Head to Istanbul Handicrafts Market (Kabasakal Caddesi; free), where artisans preserve Ottoman craft traditions such as hand-painted silk, glassware and porcelain. Indulge in fresh fish and mezze​ at Balikci Sabahattin (balikcisabahattin.com; $50). Spend the afternoon at Cagaloglu Hamami (cagalogluhamami.com.tr; $70), the full Turkish bath experience with massage in an upmarket 1741 hammam. A quick taxi ride ($5) takes you to the austere but beautiful Suleymaniye Mosque (free), where Suleiman the Magnificent is buried. Sunset views spread over Istanbul. Taxi across the water ($8) to rooftop Mikla (miklarestaurant.com; tasting menu $123) for contemporary Anatolian cuisine and incredible minaret-studded views. Stay in style at iconic Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah (jumeirah.com; from $310), which retains its nineteenth-century atmosphere and oriental style.

TOTAL: $573

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