🇹🇷 Istanbul, Bazaars, Bosphorus and Byzantine Stones

Havaist bus or M11 metro from IST airport

From Istanbul Airport (IST) the M11 metro runs to Gayrettepe in around 35 minutes, then transfer to M2 for Taksim or Sultanahmet. Cheaper and often faster than a taxi during traffic.

Tabi says

Buy an Istanbulkart from the machine at the metro entrance, around USD 4 plus credit, and use the same card for ferries and trams all week.

Check in around Sultanahmet or Sirkeci

Mid-range boutiques sit on the slope between Hagia Sophia and the Sea of Marmara, around USD 110 to 180 a night. You can walk to most Day 2 sights in under ten minutes.

Tabi says

Ask for a room on an upper floor facing south, half of them have a slice of Marmara or a minaret view.

Sunset walk along Sultanahmet Square

The wedge of park between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque is at its best in golden hour, with the call to prayer rolling between the two domes. No tickets, just bench it.

Dinner at Hamdi Restaurant, Eminonu

Top-floor kebab institution above the spice market, with full Golden Horn and Galata Bridge views from the terrace. Order the fistikli kebab (pistachio lamb) and a plate of mezes.

Tabi says

Book ahead and ask explicitly for the rooftop, the lower floors have no view.