Istanbul, Turkey Trip- Old Town, Maiden Tower, Taksim, Kadikoy

Hosted by

Gülçin

Guided trip
What's special?
special Local Tripleader+Free from tourist-traps
special Both European and Asian side of Istanbul
special Boat Trip & Discovering the sea world
<<< Please get in touch with me, if you wish certain dates for the trip >>> Hi, Wanderlust fellow! Come and join me, and we can get the show on the road together! If you have been planning to visit Istanbul for a cultural trip, then you are lucky, you've come across me! :) While with me, you will enjoy the city without worrying about tourist traps ;) GRAB YOUR CAMERA! Because, we will have a BOSPHORUS Tour! YAY! You know what they say, the best way to explore Istanbul is via the sea:) Let's see what the trip is basically about! The trip will be for 5 days starting from the heart of Istanbul; "Sultanahmet" the old town where most of Ottoman and Byzantine history is based on. Plus, there are many attractions in the city around the same area. After the old town, we will visit the "slightly" modern part of the city and enjoy the breeze of 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. Plus, we will experience delicious Turkish cuisine and enjoy the bustle of the town while sipping our coffee. We will walk along 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 paid a visit and actually stayed. We can also have coffee and try delicious chocolates at Patisserie de Pera, a famous café in the hotel. Lastly, we will discover the sea world at Istanbul Aquarium, and carry on our trip to Kadıköy — the Asian side of Istanbul. And lastly, we will visit the famous Maiden Tower in the Asian side:) --- 1st DAY: STARTS AT 09:30 a.m. in SULTANAHMET SQUARE * TOPKAPI PALACE (4 HOURS) * BLUE MOSQUE (15-20 MINS) * LUNCH (30 MINS) * BASILICA CISTERN (30 MINS) * ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM (2 HOURS) * GÜLHANE PARK (30 MINS) * COLUMN OF THE GOTHS (15 MINS) * COFFEE BREAK (30 MINS) * HIPPODROME (15 MINS) * HAGIA SOPHIA (15 MINS) FINISH AT 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 (1 HOUR) * PERA PALACE (25 MINS) * GETTING BACK TO ISTIKLAL STREET ( 30-40 MINS) FINISH AT AROUND 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) * BOSPHORUS TOUR (1 HOUR 15 MINS) * NAVAL MUSEUM (1 HOUR) * COFFEE BREAK (30 MINS) * YILDIZ PARK (1 HOUR) * ORTAKÖY (1 HOUR) FINISH AT AROUND 8 p.m. --- 4th DAY: STARTS AT 10 a.m. in FLORYA AKVARYUM * AQUARIUM (2 HOURS) * BAKIRKÖY BY MARMARAY (15 MINS) * KADIKÖY BY FERRY (40 MINS) * KADIKÖY PIER SQUARE (15 MINS) * LUNCH (30 MINS) * STROLLING AROUND KADIKÖY (30-40 MINS) * COFFEE BREAK (30 MINS) * HAGIA TRIADA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH (30 MINS) * MODA (1 HOUR) * ALL SAINTS MODA CHURCH (30 MINS) FINISH AT AROUND 8 p.m. --- 5th DAY: STARTS AT 10 a.m. in ÜSKÜDAR * MAIDEN TOWER (1 HOUR) * THE MIHRIMAH SULTAN MOSQUE (30 MINS) * FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM (1 HOUR) * COFFEE BREAK (20 MINS) * BEYLERBEYI PALACE (1 HOUR) * KÜÇÜKSU PAVILION (1 HOUR) * STROLLING AROUND KUZGUNCUK (40 MINS) * LUNCH (30 MINS) * COFFEE BREAK (30 MINS) * STROLLING AROUND THE TOWN (1-2 HOURS) FINISH AT AROUND 8 p.m. Below you will see the destinations we will stop by. The trip will basically consist of 33 -and more- destinations: 1- At Meydanı (Hippodrome) 2- Yılanlı Sütun (Serpent Column) 3- Alman Çeşmesi (German Fountain) 4- Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) 5- Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia) 6- Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapı Palace) 7- Aya İrini Müzesi (Hagia Irene Museum) 8- İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri (Istanbul Archaeology Museums) 9- Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Basilica Cistern) 10- Gülhane Parkı (Gulhane Park) 11- Taksim Meydanı (Taksim Square) 12- Cumhuriyet Anıtı (Republic Monument) 13- Pera Palas (Pera Palace) 14- Aziz Antuan Kilisesi (The Church of St. Anthony of Padua) 15- Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower) 16- Kabataş (Kabatas) 17- Dolmabahçe Sarayı (Dolmabahce Palace) 18- Tekne Turu (Boat Trip) 19- Besiktaş (Besiktas) 20- Istanbul Deniz Müzesi (The Istanbul Naval Museum) 21- Yıldız Parkı (Yıldız Park) 22- Ortaköy (Ortakoy) 23- Istanbul Akvaryum (Istanbul Aquarium) 24- Tutankhamon Sergisi (Tutankhamon Exhibition) 25- Bakırköy (Bakırkoy) 26- Kadıköy (Kadıkoy) 27- Moda (Moda) 28- Kız Kulesi (Maiden Tower) 29- Mihrimah Sultan Camii (Mihrimah Sultan Mosque) 30- Florence Nightingale Müzesi (The Florence Nightingale Museum) 31- Beylerbeyi Sarayı (Beylerbeyi Palace) 32- Küçüksu Kasrı (Kucuksu Pavilion) 33- Kuzguncuk (Kuzguncuk)

About me! My name is Gülçin, you can call me GG. I was born in a spring🌸 evening🌜 in Aargau, a canton in Switzerland🇨🇭. and I have been living in Istanbul🌉 for quite a long time.

Details about the Accommodation: It is a very budget friendly hostel in the old town. Plus, the breakfast is included in the price. All of my former tripmates stayed there. If you too wish to stay, I will send you the link of the hostel, so you can book for yourself;) 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. Extra service: Pick-up from airport (Not included in the price) Hope to meet you in person and see you there! :)

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GG in short | illustrator🌌 with a wanderlust🛤 | 33

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Trip Itinerary
1

Topkapı Palace

Day 1
Topkapı Palace will be our first stop. There, we will spend a couple of hours. It is the first Ottoman palace built in Istanbul. Our next stop will be the famous Blue Mosque — it derives its name from its blue tiles around the minarets. Afterwards we will have lunch at one of the local restaurants.
2

Basilica Cistern

Day 1
The next stop will be the Basilica Cistern — the biggest cistern (water storage) of Constantinople. Afterwards, we will pay a visit to the Archaeology museum. In this 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. It is basically the ancient side of Turkiye.
3

Gülhane Park

Day 1
After the Archaeology Museum, we will go to Gülhane Park, a beautiful park. There we will pay a visit to the Column of the Goths -a Roman victory column dating back to the third or fourth century A.D. which makes it one of the oldest structures in the area. Then, we will have a coffee break at one of the cafes in the park.
4

Hippodrome of Constantinople

Day 1
Our next stop will be the Hippodrome. We will first visit the Column of Constantine, the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius and lastly the German Fountain. And finally, you will be able to see the famous Hagia Sophia — first a church, then a mosque.
5

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. Then we will have a coffee break. After that, we can visit the Painting Museum and relax. When we are finished with our art tour, we will have lunch.
6

Galata Tower

Day 2
Our next stop will be the Galata Tower. At Galata Tower, you will be able to enjoy the view from the top of it. After the Galata Tower, we will pay a visit to Pera Palace —the oldest hotel of Istanbul.
7

Dolmabahçe Palace

Day 2-3
On our third day, we will meet 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 finished, we will have lunch.
8

Beşiktaş

Day 3
Next, we will take a Bosphorus tour departs from Kabatas. The tour will take 1 hour and 15 minutes. After the boat trip, we will go to the Naval Museum in Besiktas. We will explore the marine world of Turkiye. After the museum, we will have a coffee break.
9

Ortaköy

Day 3
Afterwards, we will go to Yıldız Park. It is a beautiful natural park. There are a couple of cafes where you can try Sahlep — a local hot drink. After we are done, we will head to Ortaköy on foot. It is a seaside place where you can take beautiful night photos near the Bosphorus Bridge.
10

Istanbul Aquarium

Day 3-4
On our fourth day, we will pay a visit to Istanbul Aquarium. There we will discover the sea world at first hand. Various fish, sharks, penguins, rain forrest and many more. We can take lots of photos. Our next stop will be the Tutankhamon exhibition. After the exhibition, we will go to Bakırköy by Marmaray.
11

Kadıköy

Day 4
In order to go Kadıköy, we will take the ferry that departs from Bakırköy. At Kadıköy, we will be literally at the Anatolian side of Istanbul. We will stroll around the town, then we will have lunch. After lunch, we will stroll around a bit more, and take a coffee break. Then we will go to Moda and enjoy the sea view.
12

Üsküdar

Day 4-5
On our last day, we will meet at Üsküdar. It is also located in the Asian side of the city. Our first stop will be the Maiden Tower. Then, we will pay a visit to Mihrimah Sultan Mosque and The Florence Nightingale Museum. We'll get back to the Üsküdar Square and take a coffee break. After the break, we will take a bus and go to Beylerbeyi Palace. After the palace, the next stop will be Küçüksu Pavilion. When we are finished, we will take a bus and go to Kuzguncuk — a historical place, to stroll around the town. Then, we will stop by one of the historical cafes and have lunch and a coffee break. After the break, we can enjoy the rest of the town.
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hostel
5 days trip
Topkapı Palace, Basilica Cistern & 10 more
Transportation
Trekking, Train, Boat
What's excluded?
Food
Tickets
Transportation Card
Accommodation
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