Guidebook for Istanbul
Food Scene
This is a restaurant by the city administration of Fatih. They have good food, reasonable prices and a great sea view. It's good if you just arrived and want to eat something or for breakfast.
6 locals recommend
Cankurtaran Sosyal Tesisleri
Kennedy CaddesiThis is a restaurant by the city administration of Fatih. They have good food, reasonable prices and a great sea view. It's good if you just arrived and want to eat something or for breakfast.
This is a top restaurant frequented by locals. It offers a fixed menu and it specializes in Greek food and fish. Highly recommended.
9 locals recommend
Giritli Restaurant
no:9 Keresteci Hakkı Sk.This is a top restaurant frequented by locals. It offers a fixed menu and it specializes in Greek food and fish. Highly recommended.
The name of the restaurant means "Mind your own business". This restaurant was built before the coastal highway in 1956. Back then it was the only establishment out of the gate. Great sea food.
Karışma Sen Balık Restaurant 1938
No:10 Kennedy Cd.The name of the restaurant means "Mind your own business". This restaurant was built before the coastal highway in 1956. Back then it was the only establishment out of the gate. Great sea food.
Hamdi is a historical restaurant with an amazing view. The food never disappoints you. It has a great selection of kebabs and Turkish olive oil dishes. The prices are reasonable since it serves a mix of tourists and local customers.
49 locals recommend
Hamdi Restaurant Eminönü
No:11 Kalçin Sk.Hamdi is a historical restaurant with an amazing view. The food never disappoints you. It has a great selection of kebabs and Turkish olive oil dishes. The prices are reasonable since it serves a mix of tourists and local customers.
Arts & Culture
This is a usually missed jewel. The Nakkas carpet store has a beautifully preserved cistern underneath the shop. Just ask for permission to view it. Sometimes they host art exhibits and events.
Nakkaş
No:13 Nakilbent Sok.This is a usually missed jewel. The Nakkas carpet store has a beautifully preserved cistern underneath the shop. Just ask for permission to view it. Sometimes they host art exhibits and events.
After seeing the Basilica Cistern pay a visit to the Cistern of Philoxenos. Slightly smaller but deeper than the Basilica Cistern, it hosts weddings and events.
10 locals recommend
1001 Direk Cistern
After seeing the Basilica Cistern pay a visit to the Cistern of Philoxenos. Slightly smaller but deeper than the Basilica Cistern, it hosts weddings and events.
You can see churches, cathedrals, mosques all over the world, but the cisterns are unique to Istanbul. It has an amazing atmosphere and you'll never realize that there was a cistern benath you.
638 locals recommend
Basilica Cistern
1/3 Yerebatan Cd.You can see churches, cathedrals, mosques all over the world, but the cisterns are unique to Istanbul. It has an amazing atmosphere and you'll never realize that there was a cistern benath you.
Sightseeing
The remains of the first Byzantine Palace. It was occupied during the IV. Crusade by the Latins and later abandoned. It's visible below the sea walls.
Bucaleon Palace
The remains of the first Byzantine Palace. It was occupied during the IV. Crusade by the Latins and later abandoned. It's visible below the sea walls.
Visiting the Topkapı Palace is a must for every visitor of the city. The jewels, the armory, the view. It gives you an opportunity to witness the life of an Ottoman Sultan.
717 locals recommend
Topkapi Palace
Visiting the Topkapı Palace is a must for every visitor of the city. The jewels, the armory, the view. It gives you an opportunity to witness the life of an Ottoman Sultan.
Everything Else
The former church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus was converted to a mosque by Husein Aga, the chief black eunuch. It is still a functional mosque with a Christian background. Don't miss it.
63 locals recommend
Little Hagia Sophia
No:20 Küçük Ayasofya Camii SokagiThe former church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus was converted to a mosque by Husein Aga, the chief black eunuch. It is still a functional mosque with a Christian background. Don't miss it.
Drinks & Nightlife
Kumkapı is not far from you and it is a great dinner location. Greek style sea food and drinks are served with appetizer plates (meze). Might be full of tourist groups, so arrive early.
29 locals recommend
Kumkapi Railway Station
Kumkapı is not far from you and it is a great dinner location. Greek style sea food and drinks are served with appetizer plates (meze). Might be full of tourist groups, so arrive early.
Entertainment & Activities
The Cemberlitas public bath is both historical and affordable. Locals from all around Istanbul still use this hamam and you get the best quality without touristical prices. A masterpiece by Sinan.
71 locals recommend
Çemberlitaş Bath
No:8 Vezirhan Cd.The Cemberlitas public bath is both historical and affordable. Locals from all around Istanbul still use this hamam and you get the best quality without touristical prices. A masterpiece by Sinan.
Parks & Nature
The Rose Gardens, locally called Gülhane are the gardens of the Topkapı Palace. It offers a very peaceful stop for the weary traveller. It used to host a zoo in the past. You can give a little break here for some good food at the social center.
159 locals recommend
Gulhane Park
Kennedy CaddesiThe Rose Gardens, locally called Gülhane are the gardens of the Topkapı Palace. It offers a very peaceful stop for the weary traveller. It used to host a zoo in the past. You can give a little break here for some good food at the social center.