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A Two-Sided Vacation in Istanbul

Hop between Europe, Asia, and then back again.

Alex Roche
Scenset travel expert
Sunrise over Karaköy, with Galata tower crowning the scene – the best place to start the day in Istanbul
Sunrise over Karaköy, with Galata tower crowning the scene – the best place to start the day in Istanbul
A European morning

Begin your Istanbul trip with some exploration in Karaköy, paired with breakfast the local way – a Turkish bagel, or simit, from a street cart and some strong Turkish coffee at Norm Coffee.

A smart decision is to head to Topkapi Palace early on and beat the crowds. You can wander the tranquil courtyards, stunning architecture, and seaside gardens in peace, before traversing the continents with a quick ferry ride.

Look out for these simit carts each morning around Istanbul for the best local snack
Look out for these simit carts each morning around Istanbul for the best local snack
A view within the verdant gardens and ornate pavilions of Topkapi Palace
A view within the verdant gardens and ornate pavilions of Topkapi Palace
An afternoon in Asia

Take the ferry across the Bosphorus to the Asian continent and the relaxed neighborhood of Kadiköy. Be sure to look out for the nautical architecture of Maiden's Tower and Haydarpasa Train Station along the way.

When your boat docks, the first port of call should be a homestyle Turkish restaurant like Çiya Sofrası, followed by a traditional Turkish tea overlooking the water at Moda Aile Çay Bahçesi.

Maiden's tower as viewed from the ferry to Kadiköy
Maiden's tower as viewed from the ferry to Kadiköy
Traditional Turkish tea is pretty strong, so first timers might want to add some sugar
Traditional Turkish tea is pretty strong, so first timers might want to add some sugar
Prayers and pampering

After a day exploring two continents, you'll want some rest and relaxation. Do like the sultans once did and opt for a traditional Turkish hammam experience in one of the best hammams in Istanbul – Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam. You'll feel cleaner than you ever have in your life after one of their signature treatments.

Another must-do while on this side of the city is to see Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, best visited later in the day when there are fewer crowds. Just keep in mind that they are both active mosques, so you'll need to be considerate of evening prayer times.

Inside the Blue Mosque
Inside the Blue Mosque
View of the Blue Mosque at sunset
View of the Blue Mosque at sunset
Interior of the luxurious Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hammam
Interior of the luxurious Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hammam
Seaside slumber

A sunset drink and dinner at the nearby rooftop restaurant of Seven Hills is the ideal place to end a day in Istanbul and to reflect on the magic of this incredible city.

When you're ready to call it a night, we recommend checking into one of the coastal rooms at the boutique hotel Sumahan on The Water for stunning views of the Bosphorous.

A cozy room with a view over the Bosphorus at Sumahan on The Water
A cozy room with a view over the Bosphorus at Sumahan on The Water
Up for some continent hopping?

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🖋️

Alex is the director of program management at Origin with previous experience at Airbnb and Uber. When he's not bringing together teams in the Product space - he's probably traveling to research for his own travel guide site, Booklet. He's currently based in Amsterdam but has visited 63 countries (and counting) and lived on four different continents so far. He's always happy to talk about his three T's - travel, tea, and tiki bars.