Istanbul Up Close: A Brief Travel Review

Last month we were on a trip to the very unique city of Istanbul. Located in two continents separated by the Bosphorus strait, Istanbul represents a place like no other with its rich culture, nature beauty, diverse sights and, why of course, the seagulls. Despite our not-so-long stay, we tried to make the best of our time to better discover the city and experience what it can offer. 

Where We Stayed

Regarding the hotel, we stayed in Grand Hayatt Istanbul, which was an excellent choice, as it is located in a relatively quiet, uncrowded  area, while being only 600 meters away (approximately 7 minutes of walking) from Taksim, the very heart of the city.

We booked a room that overlooks the Bosphorus Strait. The room is very cosy, the service is satisfying, the staff is very friendly, and the breakfast is tasty and variant, too.

Taksim represents a perfect place for shopping and walking. It is way more crowded by night, so shopping is preferable in the late morning or during the day. 

View from the hotel room.

The Bosporus Cruise

Among the first things we carried out after arriving to the city was going on a Bosphorus cruise and sightseeing along the strait many notable features of the city, including Dolmabahçe Mosque, Küçüksu Palace, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (AKA the Second Bosphorus Bridge), and many more. The duration of the cruise was approximately 2 hours, which was enough of a time to enjoy the bank-side of the city and take many photos. 

Dolmabahçe Mosque.

Küçüksu Palace.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge.

Princes’ Islands

Among the famous destinations to head to from Istanbul are Princes’ Islands, which are a cluster of nine islands located in the Marmara Sea. We got to visit the biggest two islands, Büyükada and Heybeliada. An interesting thing about these islands is the limited transportation methods, as there are no vehicles. Mostly, to be able to get around, people call for a phaeton (horse-drawn carriage), rent a bike, or simply walk.

Our first stop was Heybeliada, where we boarded on a phaeton (or fayton) and took a small tour around the island. We stopped in a lovely park to sit for a while and enjoy the splendour of the island. I call this place exactly photogenic and an appealingly instagrammble spot. 

A phaeton, Heybeliada.

A park, Heybeliada.

Once we were done with the small tour, we got on the ferry and set out for Büyükada to spend the day.

Possibly among the first sights you will come across in this Island is the Clock Tower, from which a number of main roads divert.

We headed to Sultan Ahmet Koftecisi restaurant and had Turkish kebab for lunch. The place was a little crowded, and the meal was okay. Nonetheless, the sea view was satisfying.

Afterwards, we took a walk in the markets, bought lovely souvenirs, and, as we should in the summer heat, treated ourselves with ice-cream from Mado. It’s a must-try! We thereafter chose a quiet café (Fayton Café and Restaurant) to relax and have a nice cup of tea by the seaside, where many of the beautiful seagulls gather around the place. 

Clock Tower, Büyükada.

View from Sultan Ahmet Koftecisi Restaurant.

Büyükada.

View from Fayton Café and Restaurant.

Sultanahmet

Our last visit was to Sultanahmet square, which is surrounded by a number of historical attractions, including the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) and Hagia Sofia (Ayasofya), which was once a church, later a mosque, and now a museum. The square is a beautifully-landscaped place to walk around and watch the world go by. We stopped in Derviş Cafe & Restaurant, which overlooks the Blue Mosque with its nearby location. Before leaving, we prayed in the Blue Mosque and took a round inside. Tourists are given plastic bags to keep their shoes and are requested to be dressed decently when going inside the mosque. 
As for means of transport, we used the metro from Taksim to Kabataş and finally Sultanahmet district. At first we had zero clue how to buy a ticket (or what is called a card), but after asking people here and there how to manage, things became easier and  the transportation method is exactly practical and convenient to wander the city. 

Hagia Sofia.

Interior ceiling, Blue Mosque. 

Hagia Sofia.

Sultanahmet Mosque.

Istanbul is exactly the destination that oozes with culture and profoundity. We stayed for only six days, and I know that that period of time is far from enough to enjoy and discover the beauty of the huge city. 

Simply put, Istanbul is an exceptional travel experience, and we definitely plan to visit again.