How to plan your dream holiday in Istanbul Turkey

Turkey is a dream destination for everyone in the family. Shop till you drop guilt-free, browse museums filled with well preserved islamic artifacts, indulge in delicious halal food, pray in majestic mosques , take a ride on the Bosphorus and take some Instagram worthy pictures.

TRANSPORT:

Before going to Turkey book your airport transfers Online. Transport from Ataturk airport to your hotel is a fraction of the price if purchased online instead of taking a taxi from outside the airport. 

We used Sun transfers. We had googled and found them online. They were the cheapest and cost us approximately ZAR 300 for 7 people in a new large Mercedes shuttle (Price will depend on which area your hotel is and distance to your hotel)

Www.suntransfers.com 

Taxis on the other hand are very expensive and have limited baggage space. (The cost From the Ataturk Airport to Double tree Laleli was 55lira for 2 people..costed us approx ZAR275). Ensure your taxi always has a working meter as there are many taxi drivers who rip off tourists.

When you land remember to make change for the bag trolley. It is 1 Lira per bag trolley. Each trolley has a coin dispenser alternatively there are porters who will try charging you much more for using a trolley.

The Subway, metro & tram are easy to use, clean and easy to navigate.

From the kiosks located near trams and metro stations purchase a card. There is a once off payment of 7lira for a card. One then loads credit on the card. Buy 1 card for the whole family. You can scan the one Card for each person when entering the station. At the end of trip return the card to any kiosk and get 5lira back. The Price for transport is not measured on distance but per trip. The 1 card is used for metro, tram, ferries and metro buses. A trip on the metro or tram is approx 2 liras. A trip on the bus is approx 1.50 lira.

MUSEUMS:

*Purchase a 5 day museum pass for 85lira from various outlets and hotels.

With a museum pass one does not stand in a long queue and it works out much more cost effective.

The museum pass allows you entrance to 12 popular museums and is valid for 120 hours starting from your first visit.

Topkapi Palace museum (closed on Tuesdays) 

The artifacts includes a sword, hair, a cloak and letter of the Prophet Muhammad SAW 

Hagia Sophia. This UNESCO SITE was once a church, then a mosque , then a museum. (Closed on Mondays)

Islamic museum

Mosaic museum

Archaeological museum

For more information and a detailed museum list go to https://museumpassistanbuldistributor.com

The disadvantage of a 5 day museum card is that one ends up rushing through too many museums in a short time which invariably puts kids off museums after breezing through them in five jam packed days.

If time does not permit you to do more than two museums then do not leave Istanbul without visiting the Topkapi museum and the Haga Sophia.

MOSQUES:

There are many beautiful Mosques in Istanbul to see and my top three that you cannot leave Istanbul without visiting is:

*Blue mosque. With its six signature minarets and Iznik tiles it is one of the most beautiful mosques of the world.

*Sulaimaniye mosque.

*Small old quaint mosque opposite Mado in Sultanahmet

INSTAGRAM WORTHY SPOTS:

*GALATA TOWER

If you are looking for the best spot to get the perfect picture of the whole of Istanbul city be sure to climb to the top of the GALATA TOWER which is a medieval stone tower.

It is best to go a minimum of 1hr before sunset. Cost: 18liras and is open daily from 9am to 9pm.
It is a steep climb to get up but you are rewarded with stunning 360′ views of Istanbul. I would not recommend taking a stroller up those cobblestone stairs.

How to get to Galata?
Take the tram till the end of the line and then take the metro to Galata

*BOSPHORUS CRUISE

The public ferry leaves at 10.35am from Eminonou and takes approx 5-6hrs as you get off for lunch etc (one can use a public pass card). There are many private boats..once again negotiate for a better price. The private boat tours are approx 15liras and last 2hrs on water. One does not get off the boat but you reach a certain point and turn back. Dress warmly as it is freezing on the boat in winter and chilly in the summer. There are no tour guides giving information about the area on these small boats. A pamphlet with a few pictures is handed out.

(FOOD TIP: When you get back to Eminonou be sure to eat a delicious braai fish sandwich from a restaurant boat.There are lots of restaurant boats that offer these delicious fresh fish sandwiches 😀 be sure to carry a sachet or two of mayonnaise or hot sauce with you as most Turkish food is very mild)

(FOOD TIP: In Eminonou area go to the Rustem Pasha mosque ..after visiting the mosque eat lunch outside the mosque entrance on the low tables at Osmanali kebapcisi. They served us delicious wings and the tastiest kunefe.)

(DESSERT TIP: After enjoying your delicious fish sandwich stroll to the Bosphorus bridge promenade where hot fried donuts drenched in a syrup are sold that will have you licking your fingers and begging for more of these bites of happiness!)

THE SHOPPING:
The best treasures are always found when there is no plan and one strolls down the cobble stone passageways of Istanbul and discovers treasures and you will never be left dissapointed after invariably stumbling upon a hidden Aladdins cave. The key to Istanbul shopping is comfy shoes, hours of free time and NEGOTIATE…NEGOTIATE & NEGOTIATE!!

Turkey has a range of shopping options to please everyone. (Indirim means Sales)

FATIH:

Personally I was amazed at the evening wear options that are available for a fraction of the price you would normally pay at a high-end boutique

If you want to purchase any evening wear or dresses or have anything sewn go to the Fatih area.

How to get there? By bus or metro to Veznicalar and then take a bus. Stop near the fatih mosque and discover an entire street of stores, haute couture and dressmakers. When in Turkey always negotiate.

I loved that one is able to have adjustments made at most stores. I would strongly suggest stopping here on the first day so that they are able to sew on sleeves, make you a matching hijab/scarves to match or sew an entire dress designed by you. There are hundreds of options on this never ending street (Keep an eye on the side streets also). My favourite store was the Roze store (be sure to go upstairs) (www.rozemodaevi.com)

GRAND BAZAAR: (closed on sundays)

With more than 60 alleys this giant bazaar is a tourist must-see. Please be aware that prices are sometimes better outside than in the grand bazaar. Negotiate as the final price is sometimes 1/3 of the first quoted price. Find anything and everything from leather to crafts to spices all under one roof.

MEHMET PASHA:

Behind the Grand Bazaar one can find Mehmet Pasha which is an area filled with alleyways leading to other alleyways filled with endless shops selling a range of beautiful Turkish scarves, glassware, nightwear, sportswear and eveningwear.

TAKSIM SQUARE / ISTIKLAL STREET:

Take a metro subway to Taksim on the red line. Istiklal street is essentially a long road of shopping…filled with mostly international brands. There is a nice mall halfway down the road if road shopping is not your style. Mango on this street has a large outlet store that is a few stories high and a treasure trove.

MALLS:

*Istinye park shopping mall

Istinye Park is a Very smart and fancy mall with exclusive stores.

(Food tip: Be sure to eat the burger, hot dog and shakes at Shake shack)

*Historia mall in the Fatih area also has the same international brands

(Food tip:Try out the waffle store on the 2nd floor)

*Leather goods: 

Turkey is famous for its leather and there are hundreds of leather stores in every corner.

My only advice is…shop around and Negotiate!

Other Popular favourites to bring home:

Golden Rose products and Rose oil 

Mushroom shaped chocolates from Turkish sweet shops

Rose perfume/Attars

Spices like Zaater

Teas, glassware and ceramics 

FOOD:

Great culinary experiences await you in Turkey.

In Eminonou:

–Osmanali Kebapcisi

Sit with the locals in the middle of the market and enjoy a truly authentic Turkish experience without the frills while enjoying one of the tastiest meals we had in Istanbul and the best Kunefe in Istanbul.

–Restaurant boats. Along the Bosphorous there are many restaurant boats serving fresh local favourites

In Sultanahmet:

Enjoy Mados legendary ice creams and chocolate soufflés in one of the most popular coffee and ice cream shops in Turkey.

Dont leave Turkey without also trying:

–Dondurma: turkish ice cream stalls which serve an unusual textured ice cream unique to Turkey with a fun show when being served.

–Salep: this hot drink is made of milk and wild orchid powder.

–Kumpir: a fluffy baked potato filled with a variety of toppings.

–Turkish pidè: A Turkish pizza that is shaped like a boat.

–Gözleme: A traditional Turkish pastry flatbread stuffed with a filling of your choice. Watch how they make this famous flatbread in the windows of restaurants lined up in Sultanahmet near the Blue mosque.

–Simit : A turkish bagel with lashings of Nutella

-Roasted chestnuts and corn from the carts

In Taksim square: 
The legendary HAFIZ MUSTAFA coffee shop is located here.

My favourite dessert was the chocolate pudding with eclairs /profiteroles at the bottom.

Also purchase their famous turkish delight and baklava from here (disclaimer: test your blood sugar before and after as these delicacies are addictive )

HOTEL:

There are two sides to Istanbul. The old city (Sultanahmet) and the new modern European side. My recommendation would be to stay in the older more authentic Sultanahmet side. Not only are the beautiful old mosques surrounding you but the cobblestone pathways and atmosphere leaves one feeling like they had an authentic Turkish experience. Night life on this side is limited (only Mado and Mcdonalds are open till the early hours of the morning for coffee) but with the full hectic days one ends up having an early night or you can always go to the Taksim square.

We stayed at the Double Tree in the old city.

Be sure to Sign up to the HILTON HHONOURS loyalty club online to ensure you receive a better HHONOURS room on the third floor and free wifi 

They serve a lovely spread at breakfast and rates are reasonable.

The Laleli Area has an amazing atmosphere with lots of azaans and mosques.

It is opposite Laleli university behind the tram stop and down the road from Veznecilar metro.

A good 20 minutes walk to the Blue mosque or a few minutes tram ride away. Walking is strongly recomended as there are amazing treasures to be discovered enroute.

http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/turkey/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-istanbul-old-town-ISTOTDI/index.html

FOR THE KIDS:

VIALAND

Vialand is Turkeys version of Disneyland and will be the highlight of your kids trip! Go to http://www.vialand.com for prices and more information

If taking small kids and a pram I would highly recommend a stroller and planning a route and activities that will be easy to navigate as much of the city of Istanbul has many cobblestone pathways which can be tricky.

Istanbul is a beautiful old city and in my opinion has managed to blend the old-world charm of the great empires by preserving their stories, mosques and buildings and the new modern architecture, facilities and transportation in a seamless way. 

Turkey with its rich history and delicious food has been one of the best holidays that I have been on and it is high on my bucket list to discover again.

Disclaimer:The Prices, times and terms were correct at the time of publication but could change. Kindly double check online or ask your concierge before embarking on any trip.

I would love to hear your advice, tips and experiences in Istanbul in the comments section below.