<<< Please get in touch with me, if you wish certain dates for the trip >>> Hi, Wanderlust fellow! You want to visit Istanbul? But don't know where to start and what to do? Afraid of tourist traps? I hear you. My name is Gülçin. Call me GG. I am a history and culture geek based in Istanbul. And during this trip, I will be leading you. Don't worry! we will get along as long as you consider yourself the a history and culture geek ;) Let's see what the trip is basically about: The trip will be for 4 days starting from the heart of Istanbul; "Sultanahmet" the old town where most of Ottoman and Byzantine history is based on. Plus, the attractions of the old town are very close to one another, so, we will get those places on foot:) After the old town, we will visit the "slightly" modern part of the city and enjoy the breeze of the sea. Yes, we will be spending time near the sea :) Since this trip will be culture and history-oriented — and I know, you are particularly seeking that ;) — we will be visiting the most famous museums and attractions of the city. Yay! Plus, we will experience delicious Turkish cuisine and enjoy the bustle of the town while sipping our coffee. We will walk on the famous Istiklal Street in Taksim, and pay a visit to Pera Palace - the oldest and most famous hotel in Istanbul in which Ataturk, Hitchcock, Agatha Christie, and many celebrities had stayed. We can also have coffee and try delicious chocolates at Patisserie de Pera, a famous cafe in the hotel. One of the nights, we will go to a pub — there are plenty of nice pubs in Beşiktaş. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Let's check out our trip plan: 1st DAY: STARTS AT 10:30 a.m. in SULTANAHMET SQUARE * TOPKAPI PALACE (4-5 HOURS) * BLUE MOSQUE (15-20 MINS) * LUNCH (1 HOUR) * STROLLING AROUND THE HIPPODROME (20 MINS) * COFFEE BREAK (30 MINS) * HAGIA SOPHIA (15 MINS) * SRTOLLING AROUND THE TOWN ( 30 MINS) FINISH AROUND 7 p.m. --- 2nd DAY: STARTS AT 11 a.m. in TAKSIM SQUARE * ST ANTUAN CHURCH (15-20 MINS) * COFFEE BREAK ( 20 MINS) * PAINTING MUSEUM IN TAKSIM (2-3 HOURS) * LUNCH (30 MINS) * GALATA TOWER (1 HOUR) * STROLLING AROUND THE ISTIKLAL- TÜNEL (30-40 MINS) * PERA PALACE (25 MINS) * GETTING BACK TO ISTILAL STREET ( 30-40 MINS) * COFFEE BREAK (30 MINS) * STROLLING AROUND ISTIKLAL (30 MINS) FINISH AT 7 p.m. --- 3rd DAY: STARTS AT 10 a.m. in KABATAŞ * SELAMLIQUE (1 HOUR) * HAREM (1 HOUR) * PAINTING MUSEUM (1 HOUR) * LUNCH (30 MINS) * WALKING TO BESIKTAS ( 20-25 MINS) * NAVAL MUSEUM (1 HOUR) * COFFEE BREAK (30 MINS) * YILDIZ PARK (1 HOUR) * ORTAKÖY (1 HOUR) * DINNER (30 MINS) * PUB (1 HOUR) * GETTING BACK TO TRAMWAY ( 20 MINS) FINISH AROUND 10 p.m --- 4th DAY: STARTS AT 10:30 a.m. at HIPPODROME * TURKISH & ISLAMIC ART MUSEUM (1 HOUR) * BASILICA (30 MINS) * LUNCH (30 MINS) * ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM (2 HOURS) * STROLLING IN GÜLHANE PARK (30-40 MINS) * STOPPING BY AT THE COLUMN OF GOTHS ( 10 MINS) * MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN ISLAM (45 MINS) *COFFEE BREAK AT CAFE IN GULHANE PARK ( 30 MINS) FINISH AT 18:30 p.m. *** Sultanahmet Square will be our starting stop. The trip will basically consist of 24 destinations: 1- At Meydanı (Hippodrome) 2- Yılanlı Sütun (Serpent Column) 3- Alman Çeşmesi (German Fountain) 4- Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi- Pargalı Ibrahim Paşa Sarayı (Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum a.k.a. Palace of Ibrahim Pasha of Parga) 5- Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) + I. Ahmet Türbesi ve II. Abdul Hamid Türbesi (Ahmet I Tomb and Abdul Hamid II Tomb) 6- Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia) 7- Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapı Palace) 8- Aya İrini Müzesi (Hagia Irene Museum) 9- İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri (Istanbul Archaeology Museums) 10- Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Basilica Cistern) 11- İslam Bilim ve Teknoloji Tarihi Müzesi (Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam) 12- Gülhane Parkı (Gulhane Park) 13- Column of Goths 14- Taksim Meydanı (Taksim Square) 15- Cumhuriyet Anıtı (Republic Monument) 16- Pera Palas (Pera Palace) 17- Aziz Antuan Kilisesi (The Church of St. Anthony of Padua) 18- Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower) 19- Kabataş (Kabatas) 20- Dolmabahçe Sarayı (Dolmabahce Palace) 21- Besiktaş (Besiktas) 22- Istanbul Deniz Müzesi (The Istanbul Naval Museum) 23- Yıldız Parkı /Yıldız Park) 24- Ortaköy
Accommodation: Hostel for 3 nights — a Standard 6 Bed Dorm Ensuite. (For private room you need to pay extra for the hostel). On the last day, after check-out, you can leave your bags at the luggage storage and enjoy your last hours ;)
In case of in need, make sure to take more cash with you before you actually take the trip. You will also need an Istanbul Public Transport Card. You can buy it at the airport station. What is included in the cost? - Accommodation (hostel, shared rooms) - Breakfast - Local Guide *Additional Costs: Lunch, dinner, coffee, museum tickets, tramway, Istanbul Public Transport Card, alcohol. << Private room option >> (Not included in the price) <<< Extra service: Pick-up from airport >>> (Not included in the price) Ps. Allianz Travel Insurance is provided by JoinMyTrip for German and Austrian residents. Hope to meet you in person and see you there! :)
What's included?
Accommodation
Breakfast
Local Guide
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GG in short | illustrator🌌 with a wanderlust🛤 | 33
4.67 based on 3 reviews
Giacomo
5/5
Incredible experience I had exploring Istanbul with Gulcin as my guide! Her warmth and enthusiasm for sharing the rich history and culture of this beautiful and complex city were infectious. Gulcin's deep knowledge of ancient scriptures and hieroglyphs added a fascinating layer to our journey, making each site we visited come alive with stories from the past. And let's not forget about Dilara, Gulcin's delightful friend who joined us for part of the journey! Her infectious laughter and easygoing nature added an extra layer of fun to our adventures. Thank you, Gulcin, for being an exceptional guide and for sharing your love for Istanbul with me. I'll cherish the memories of this trip forever, and I can't wait to return and explore even more with your expert guidance!"
Topkapı Palace will be our first stop. There, we will spend a couple of hours. Our next stop will be the Blue Mosque. The biggest mosque by Ottoman. Afterwards, we will go to have lunch in the same area.
2
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Day 1
We will stroll around the square and enjoy the hippodrome. We will first visit the Obelisk of Theodosius, then the Serpent Column and Column of Constantine and lastly the German Fountain. Our last stop of the day will be Hagia Sophia.
3
Taksim Square
Day 1-2
On our second day, we will go for a walk on the famous Istikal Street in Taksim. We will pay a visit to the Republic Monument in the Taksim Square and take photos and stroll around. After our visit to the Republic Monument at the square, we will visit the Church of St. Anthony of Padua. Later on, we will visit Galata Tower. At Galata Tower, you will be able to enjoy the view from the top of it. After Galata Tower, we will pay a visit Pera Palace. There, we will enjoy the historical hotel.
4
Dolmabahçe Palace
Day 2-3
On our third day, we again will take the tram and get off at the Kabataş station. We will visit the Dolmabahçe Palace — a more modern palace by the Ottoman. There, we will spend quite some time. After we are done, we can go to one of the cafes nearby, and have something to eat/drink.
5
Beşiktaş
Day 3
After the palace ,we will go to Beşiktaş. Our next stop will be The Istanbul Naval Museum. After the museum , we will have a coffee break. Afterwards, we will go to Yıldız Park. After the Park, we will head to Ortaköy.
6
Basilica Cistern
Day 3-4
On our fourth —also our last day, we will go to the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. Spending some time there, our next stop will be the Basilica Cistern. At the Basilica Cistern, you will see the biggest cistern (water storage) of Constantinople.
7
Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Day 4
Afterwards, we will pay a visit to the Archaeological Museum. At the museum, we will spend quite a time since there is so much to see. All the Greek, Roman artefacts which were found in Anatolia are exhibited at the museum.
8
Gülhane Park
Day 4
At Gülhane Park, we will stroll around and see the Column of Goths. Then, we will visit the Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam. We can also visit the Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Literature Museum Library — one of the significant poets of Turkish history. Lastly, we will have a coffee break at one of the cafés located in the park.
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hostel
4 days trip
Topkapı Palace, Hippodrome of Constantinople & 6 more
Transportation
Trekking, Train
Questions and Answers
Hi GG! Can you give a forecast of transportation and museum costs? thank you so much Giacomo
It's max 40 euros in total.
Hi GG! Could be possible start the trip on 31th January? Thanks Giacomo
Hi, Giacomo! Thanks for your interest in my trip🙂 Sure, I can make an arrangement for the trip dates. Best! GG
What's excluded?
Food
Tickets
Transportation Card
Transportation
Alcohol
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