What to do in Istanbul

Tours

GALLERY VISIT

Our friend and Canadian artist Ed Burtynsky has an exhibition called Shifting Topographies at Borusan Contemporary. Brigitte and Howard will be visiting the gallery on Sunday, June 14 at 4:30pm after the farewell brunch. 

If you would like to join them please email our wedding planners at hello@matthewoliver.co.uk

PRIVATE EXCURSIONS
Private tours with personalised itineraries can be booked through our local tour guide Serkan Fırat - +90 530 767 50 30 (call or WhatsApp). Please mention you are a guest of Jasmin & Sam.

GROUP TOURS

Friday June 12th 09:00-15:00

We have arranged an old city tour with an English-speaking guide, which includes all entrance tickets and a private vehicle. If you are interested, kindly complete THIS FORM.

Where to Visit

HAGIA SOPHIA:
UNESCO world heritage site that has served as a Byzantine cathedral, Ottoman mosque, secular museum and now a mosque again. Known for its massive dome, mosaics, and layered religious history.

BASILICA CISTERN
An underground Byzantine water reservoir with eerie lighting, forest-like columns, and the famous Medusa head sculptures. 

TOPKAPI PALACE
The opulent former residence of Ottoman sultans. Lavish courtyards, the Sultan’s harem and the eunuchs who tended to it, and sweeping views of the city. A fascinating look at palace intrigue, architecture and traditions of the Ottoman sultans.

GRAND BAZAAR
One of the world’s oldest covered markets, packed with thousands of stalls selling carpets, vintage jewellery, spices, ceramics, souvenirs, (and the occasional counterfeit Hermes). 

ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
A complex of museums housing vast collections of ancient artefacts from civilizations across the Middle East and Mediterranean.

PERA PALACE HOTEL
A historic luxury hotel famous for hosting notable guests like Agatha Christie where she wrote Murder on the Orient Express. Blends old-world elegance with cultural heritage. Many believe it to be haunted. A wonderful place to have a drink and imagine.

NAVAL MUSEUM
A maritime museum showcasing Ottoman naval history, including imperial boats and naval artefacts.

WALKING THROUGH GALATA BRIDGE
A lively bridge connecting old and new Istanbul, known for fishermen, street food, and scenic views of the Golden Horn.

HAMMAM KILIC ALI PASA
A beautifully restored 16th-century Turkish bath, offering a traditional hammam (a relaxing Turkish bath, including a steam session, full-body exfoliation, and a foam massage) experience.

Most hotels also offer hammam experiences if you prefer something closer to home.

BARS
Recommended to us by one of our Turkish friends. The first four are on a street officially named Kadife Sokak, but better known by the people as “barlar sokağı” (bars street)

  • Karga

  • Arka oda

  • Buddha

  • Hera

  • Dorock (closer to the shore, big space, usually rock)

  • Tasra kabare (close by to dorock, various styles)

  • Gitar cafe (small space, world music, chill)

  • Living room (Jazz)

  • Agac ev (rock, blues, jazz)

  • Zor bar (electro, house, small space)

  • Sunny days

  • Ugur Ildiz

ART AND ARCHETECHTURE

CENTRAL HISTORICAL ESPLANADE

  • Aya Sofya (be careful with schedule of openings)

  • Yerebatan Sarnıcı Citerne basilica (the best ones)

  • From there walk down hill to: Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, one of the most interesting SINAN for the geometry of its cupola

  • Just a few steps away: Restaurant Garden 1897. Typical fresh istanbul food, shaded garden)

WEST OF THE GALATA BRIDGE

  • Spice bazar

  • Rustem Pasha Mosque (one of the most interesting SINAN mosque, for its integrated program in section

  • Walk up to Süleymaniye mosque, the SINAN gem, walk around also to see all the urbanistic quarters around it (hamam, mederse, shools, etc)

  • Small kebab family restaurant: Mahir Ocakbaşı Kebab and the small rooftop:Lucia Lounge Süleymaniye

NORTH WEST NEAR THE PAST ROMAN WALLS

  • Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, SINAN, very impressive construction, stone detailing and beautiful sequence fRom court to cupola to esplanade

  • Close by:The bizantine: Saint-Sauveur-in-Chora

CAPITALISE: THE BEST BATHS: FROM SINAN, VERY GOOD RENOVATION

FERRY

  • Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Üsküdar

  • Nışançı Mehmed Pasha Mosque

  • Yavuz Sultan Selim Medrese

SOME CONTEMPORARY WORKS

  • Santralistanbul by EAA Emre Arolat Architects

  • Fish market in Besiktas by Gokhan Avcioglu & GAD

  • Beyazit State Library restored by Tabanlıoğlu Architects

  • Taksim Art Gallery

  • Han Tümertekin

  • Rami Kütüphanesi - Yeni Rami Mahallesi, Rami Kışla Cd. 98/1, 34055 Eyüpsultan/İstanbul, Turquie

OTHER

  • Go on a short Bosphorus cruise leaving at 2:30 from Eminonu: http://en.sehirhatlari.istanbul/en/timetable/short-bosphorus-tour-363.html. It takes a couple hours and gives you some awesome views of the city. Can be kinda hard to find the right terminal because there a few there. I found a guy wearing a Big Bus Tours shirt. They run the tours.

  • Go to Van Kahvalti Evi: https://www.yelp.com/biz/van-kahvalt%C4%B1-evi-istanbul-2 for breakfast. It’s this great style of Turkish breakfast with lots of different small plates

  • Walk around Karakoy, Galata neighbourhoods. Lots of good cafes and restaurants.

  • If you have time I would recommend taking the ferry to the Asian side and going to Kadikoy. I think ferries go right there from Karakoy or Eminonu (Karakoy and Kadikoy are different neighbourhoods which can be confusing.) Kadikoy is a very trendy neighbourhood with lots of bars.

  • Besiktas is another one of my favourite neighbourhoods for food and bars (good place to watch the world cup). You can just walk into the streets and find any spot that looks good but this place has incredible kebab: https://www.tripadvisor.com.tr/Restaurant_Review-g293974-d1908693-Reviews-Karadeniz_Doner-Istanbul.html.

Local Options

If you don’t want to venture too far, below are some quick and casual recommendations within walking distance of our wedding venue.

NOSTALGIA CAFE KARAKÖY
Street side cafe with Shisha, chess, and Turkish tea.

KARABATAK CAFE
Morning coffee and cat watching.

WALKING GALATA BRIDGE
Fisherman and fish restaurants with views of the Golden Horn.

GALATA TOWER
Medieval tower in the hills surrounded by gift shops.

MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
Modern and contemporary Turkish an international art housed in a building designed by Renzo Piano. Worth seeing and discovering the roof top. Nice restaurant overlooking the Bosphorous

THE ISTANBUL PAINTING & SCULPTURE MUSEUM
Very close to the Istanbul Modern, exhibits Turkish painting and sculpture from late Ottoman times to present, modern calligraphy and Turkish abstract art.

KILIÇ ALI PASHA MOSQUE

SINAN, one of his latest works, interesting typical complex (merdersa, fountain, hamam, t!urbe)