(1) Visit the Spice Bazaar
This is the second largest covered market after the Grand Bazaar. Here you’ll be able to pick up spices, nuts, dried fruit, Turkish coffee, loose leaf tea, and even Turkish delight! Spice bazaar is located walking distance to our hotel, around 500 meters away.
(2) Go to a whirling dervish show
Turkey is home to the Mevlevi Order of Sufi whirling dervishes. The dervishes spin themselves into a trance-like state that brings them closer to God, and it’s a unique religious ceremony to witness. Hodjapasha Cultural center is one of the best place to watch whirling dervishes. This cultural center located 50 meters away from our hotel. For detailed information don’t hesitate to contact our concierge department: [email protected]
(3) Walk across Galata Bridge
Yes, you could very well ride the light rail across, but if you choose to walk, you’ll get to see all the locals fishing from the bridge, the vendors selling sesame covered pretzels, and the boats carrying passengers down the Bosphorus. Our hotel located walking distance to our hotel.
(4) Eat a sesame seed covered pretzel
You can pick up one of these tasty pretzels at any bakery in town. We suggest you grab one from the little red stands along Istiklal Avenue or Ciğdem Pastanesi, located in the Sultanahmet Square. It just adds to the experience.
(5) Take a boat tour down the Bosphorus
If you only have a few brief days in the city and you know you won’t be able to cover all of the main attractions, taking a cruise down the Bosphorus is a great way to get a glimpse of Istanbul’s main points of interest. You’ll ride past Dolmabahçe Palace, the Rumeli Ruins, the Maiden’s Tower, and many mosques, mansions, and gardens along the way. You can either join private guided tours or public Bosphorus cruises that take off from Sirkeci seaport, walking distance to our hotel. For detailed information don’t hesitate to contact our concierge department: [email protected]
(6) Drink Turkish tea
If you come to Istanbul you have to drink tea out of a tulip-shaped glass. Turkish tea is prepared in a rather unique way using a teapot that has two levels: one to boil the water, and the other to brew the tea. You then pour the tea into the glass and dilute it with the hot water so that it’s made to your taste. We serve Turkish tea at breakfast, and you can also order it in your room, lobby lounge, or Olive Anatolian Restaurant throughout the day.
(7) Visit Little Hagia Sophia
The Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus, also known as Little Hagia Sophia, is a former Eastern Orthodox church. It is believed that this church was built as an architectural experiment by the same architects who would go on to build Hagia Sophia shortly after. Better test things out on a smaller scale before committing to the main project.
(8) Sample Turkish delight
The best place to sample Turkish delight is at Hafiz Mustafa, where you can choose from flavours like rose, cinnamon, mint, strawberry, lemon, orange, kiwi, pomegranate and apple. You won’t be disappointed! Hafız Mustafa is located two blocks away from our hotel, right on the corner. We also serve Turkish delight to our guests upon arrival.
(9) Indulge your sweet tooth with baklava
Baklava is made with layers of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. Forget the scones and clotted cream; this is what you need at tea time! You can taste authentic baklava at our rooftop Olive Restaurant. Don’t forget to order Turkish coffee with your baklava!
(10) Eat a doner
Doner is a Turkish dish made with meat cooked on a spinning vertical rotisserie. The meat can be lamb, beef, or chicken, and it’s served in a pita with vegetables and a few toppings. It’s a tasty and affordable lunch which you can find in any part of the city.
(11) Enjoy the view from Galata Tower
Located in Beyoğlu, this tower looks like it would be better suited as Rapunzel’s home in a fairy tale. There is something magical about the pointed cylindrical roof, and the views from the outer balcony are breathtaking.
(12) Dine with the best view of Istanbul
If you want a restaurant with a great view that won’t break your wallet, we recommend Olive Anatolian Restaurant. The 180-degree views showcase the Hagia Sophia, Gulhane Park, Galata District, and the Bosphorus. For more information about restaurants, please send an email to: [email protected]
