This is what I’d do on a roaming around day in Istanbul if it’s a repeat trip. It’s a two-third day because I walk everywhere and inevitably I’m shattered by the time it’s mid-afternoon. So, here’s my top 5, assuming you’ve already visited the granddaddies, i.e. the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sofia.
1. Coffee and cake at Edebiyat Kiraathanesi. In my case, it’s tea rather than coffee. But here’s what swings it. They have a 100-page cake menu, in addition to the rows of lusciously glazed tarts and cakes that line their shelves. You’ll need all that energy to fuel the walking.
2. Shopping at the Grand Bazaar. You can get all your Turkish souvenirs here. There’s a lot of tat, but there’s also interesting and good quality stuff. On my last trip, I bought some beautiful hammam towels to use as rugs to wrap up in the British winter.
3. An aromatic stroll through the Spice Bazaar. I always pick up some chilli flakes – pul biber, which I think is the medium heat one. They vacuum pack it for you so that the clothes in your suitcase don’t end up smelling of chilli.
4. People-watching on the steps of the New Mosque. The “New” Mosque dates from the 16th century. It’s a good place for taking a breather and watching the children feed the pigeons.
5. Walk across the Galata Bridge and grab a fish sandwich for lunch. Locals cast their fishing lines off the bridge at all times of day, and you can grab one of the famed fish sandwiches on the opposite bank. Either get one from a stall or sit down at an open air restaurant and be served. You can guess what I chose !
All the photos here were taken with my phone camera because I wanted a carefree day. The results weren’t a bad compromise.
~ Spotted Cow
Wandering Cows 
I’m like you. I get up early and walk until I’m ready to drop. My days are 2/3, too. But I cram a lot in. I’d love to see Istanbul. Maybe I’d try to pace myself a little better.
I think you get a better sense of the city if you walk around. Then you understand better how places connect. You have to get a work placement in Istanbul ! It’s an amazing fusion of East and West, modern and traditional. And the food … ummm !
What a great tour – 2 days for me though. Your phone shots are amazing – I’m always surprised how good my iPhone is for photos.
When the light is decent, the iPhone photos are pretty good and just about okay even when viewed bigger. Sometimes, I just don’t want to lug about the big camera.
I think 2 days in Istanbul is more relaxing. On this trip I only had one full day because of connections. I think I would’ve bought more things if I had another day !
Talk about a trip down memory lane but I have yet to discover that cake shop – NEXT TIME for sure! Fishing on that bridge always cracks me up as in most places we go there are always “NO FISHING” signs adhered here, there, and everywhere 🙂
I’m always intrigued by the fishing. They seem to be at it even in the middle of the day, with the sun blazing down. I think the No Fishing signs are for decoration !
Great shots from a phone camera. You tour like we do – walk everywhere. Glad to hear that someone else is exhausted by mid-afternoon.
I walked until I was going to drop. And then I had to go indoors and have a nap … where invariably I would be interrupted by the muezzin’s late afternoon call.
I visited Istambul seven years ago… I think it’s about time I come back! Those little simple things ate the ones that make a trip unforgettable!
xx,
e.
Yes. One of the lovely things about going to a city after the first time is that you don’t have to do the big tourist sights … although I still love going to the Grand Bazaar and finding something different each time.