Latest posts by Sara @ Off The Map Travels (see all)
- Get the Most Out of a Long Layover in Istanbul - January 13, 2018
- Top 4 Reasons to Visit Colombia During Christmas & New Year’s - September 5, 2016
- The Caribbean Islands: A Vacation Full of Adventure and Local Culture - November 26, 2012
Long layovers are a great way to add an extra city/country to your current vacation plans. It breaks up spending many hours in the air and at airports, with time spent outside in the fresh air exploring new places and experiencing new cultures.
While researching flights for a recent trip to Romania, I came across a 19 hour layover in Istanbul. Timing was perfect. Land in Istanbul early morning and takeoff to Bucharest at night. I jumped at that opportunity.
One Day in Istanbul
First Stop – Eyup
After landing at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, I headed straight to Pierre Loti Hill for some tea with a view in the Eyup neighborhood. To get to Pierre Loti Hill, I took a short but scenic ride up the hill via cable car. at the top of the hill, I ordered a glass of the iconic Turkish red tea and sat at a table overlooking the Golden horn.
Second Stop – Golden Horn Ferry
After tea, I took a leisurely walk down hill back to the center of Eyup. (another option would have been to take the cable car back down.) The walk included a stroll through an old cemetery, where people paid their respects at their ancestors’ graves. In town, I grabbed a bite to eat at a local bakery and headed to the ferry port where a 30 minute boat trip through the golden horn would take me to Karikoy, passing by major landmarks such as the Mosque of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent and Galata Tower.
Third Stop – Beyoglu District
Once I arrived at the ferry stop, Karakoy, it was time to wander around the Beyoglu District of Istanbul which includes several neighborhoods. As the boat pulled into the port, I could tell this is a very vibrant area of Istanbul. Musicians performing, Turkish ice cream vendors teasing customers with their stretchy ice cream, and just around the corner many cafes and shops were bustling with people. One of my favorite parts of Beyogulu was wandering the pedestrian alleys of Karakoy with their cafes, galleries, and street art.
Fourth Stop – Old City
Next it was time to head to the major Istanbul attractions before they closed for the day – The Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia. This is the neighborhood that most tourists to Istanbul come to visit. Because I arrived during a national holiday, two major attractions were closed – the Grand Bazaar and Spice Markets. If they’re open when you’re in Istanbul, be sure to check them out! The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest outdoor covered markets in the world.
Fifth & Final Stop – Ferry to Asia
Said to be the “most beautiful commute in the world”, I took a sunset ferry crossing the European side of Istanbul into the Asian side – Kadikoy. Fish restaurants & markets line the Bosporus in Kadikoy making it the perfect spot for a fresh catch dinner and people watching as commuters return home from work via ferry.
And there you have it, a full day exploring the diverse districts and sights of Istanbul. If you prefer a guided layover tour, Turkish Airlines also offers free tours leaving from and returning to the airport. However, the buses fill up fast. They also only visit the major sights, so you won’t have time to do much exploring on your own. Another option is to hire a private local guide to show you around the city.
Off the Map Travels can plan your custom trip to Istanbul, be it a long layover such as this or a part of a full vacation to Turkey. Check out our website or contact us for information on our custom travel planning service for travels anywhere in the world.
