Although not the official capital of Turkey, Istanbul capitalises on visitors. Many consider it a favourite among the country’s varied offerings. One of the most populous cities in the world, Istanbul actually spans two continents, uniting Europe with Asia through the Strait of Bosphorus. This marriage enhances its cosmopolitan appeal. A weekend in Istanbul ticks all the boxes and more. Let’s take a look at how you could spend your time here.
Day One
Your first day in the city should be spent taking in the biggest sights. The Blue Mosque being the most obvious. Make your way here first thing. Try to avoid prayer times and dress appropriately. As with all religious buildings, bare shoulders and legs must be covered to enter. This breathtaking structure, impressive both from the outside and within, is a must-see. Enjoy the morning sunshine (hopefully) and make your way to the Hippodrome, adjacent to the mosque. Its history saw it as the home of chariot racing. It’s now a park filled with ancient monuments. During the peak season, it can become flooded with tourist buses so the earlier you can get here, the better.
Hagia Sophia
Another architectural beauty is to be found in Hagia Sophia just nearby. It has served as both a church and a mosque and is currently a museum. It features on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. When lunch time arrives, immerse yourself fully in the Turkish culture and enjoy a traditional kebab.
While the afteroon away
Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon wander. The colours and atmosphere of the more popular streets and side alleys are what makes it so enjoyable. Don’t get too carried away however, make some time for a visit to the lavish Topkapi Palace. From the outside it truly looks like a fairytale castle which was used as the primary residence from Ottoman emperors for 400 years. It’s now a museum filled with a large collection of intriguing artifacts. It’s considered Istanbul’s Effiel Tower in terms of iconic attractions so it is usually very busy. A weekend in Istanbul wouldn’t be complete without a quintessential visit here. Drop in at a café for a coffee and when evening rolls around grab a bite to eat, perhaps along the pedestrianized Istiklal Street and then venture to the banks of Bosphorus where nightlife abounds.
Day Two
Begin your second day with a spot of pampering and wake yourself up with a Turkish Bath or Hamam. Some of them are over 250 years old proof of its longstanding involvement in the Turkish culture! Once you’re squeaky clean, unearth the myriad of passageways which form the Grand Bazaar. The huge covered market contains more than 4,000 shops and stalls with whole streets dedicated to jewellery, rugs, leather goods and more. The Spice Bazaar, 20 minutes away, is an explosion of colour and worth a visit purely for the consuming aromas.
Grab a bite to eat
By this time you’ll be more than ready for a leisurely late lunch. Roll up to one of the restaurants in the vicinity and sample some local fare. After this there are a number of options you could enjoy; it all depends on your specific tastes. You might like to seek out the Istanbul Modern art gallery, top up on culture with a visit to one of the local museums or just kick back and drink in the sights from a more relaxed perspective.
At dinner time, Cicek Passage is a great option with an upbeat atmosphere and large selection of restaurants. Take your time and savour your dish, before finishing your stay with a traditional Turkish experience; a belly dancing show!
Istanbul is a mere 4 hours on a flight from London. The good news is that there are a number of different airlines flying on a number of days such as Atlas Jet from Stansted, which makes it very accessible and the perfect destination for a short break. So why not spend your next weekend in Istanbul?
