It is in your advantage to get an Istanbul Kart, a card which you can charge money and use it in all public transportations in Istanbul. See information below:
https://istanbulepass.com/how-to-get-istanbul-kart.html
Bi’Taksi app is the Turkish Uber. Here are links to download:
For Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bitaksi.musteri&pcampaignid=web_share
For iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bitaksi-your-taxi/id589500723
Important 1: To avoid any stressful situation, always be aware and be protective of your belongings (phones, wallet, bags, passports) during your time in the streets, transportation, restaurants and touristic places.
Important 2: Remember, for the mosques and churches there is a proper attire to go in, if possible, try to choose a conservative dressing code where arms and legs are covered, or have a shawl with you.
List of places to visit as a tourist
Starting a tour in the heart of the city, one of the biggest city centers in Istanbul which is also close to the Religious Wedding Ceremony venue.
Taksim Square - serves as a great starting point for your tour. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taksim_Square
Istiklal Street (possible to take a historic tram similar to Lisbon, Portugal)
On Istiklal street and along its streets you can see:
- Çiçek Pasajı A traditional galleria with antique architecture and Turkish eateries. Restaurants and their prices are touristy but it's worth taking a look.
-Pera Palace Hotel Where the mystery novelist Agatha Christie stayed. The architecture was conserved.
Places to eat
Hacı Abdullah Lokantası for traditional Turkish plates and delicacies.
If you are not interested, you can take the historic tram to its last destination at the end of Istiklal street to Beyoglu Tunel.
From Beyoglu Tunnel, in 5-10 minute walk downhill from here you will find Galata Tower where you can go up and see the city in 360 degrees. You can see the Golden Horn, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque and the Asian continent across the bridge clearly.
Continue down the road and you will be in the vicinity of Galata Bridge. The neighborhood is called Karakoy.
Here in Karakoy, you can:
Eat traditional Turkish food in Kikirik Restaurant or you can have a meal in Restoran Modern inside the amazing Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, with a great Bosphorus view. (10-15 min walking distance). If you are interested in shopping malls there is one near by: Galataport Istanbul
For the best baklava in town, Karakoy Gulluoglu (https://maps.app.goo.gl/5HxQXfc6Hn6ijnka9 )
To continue the tour, you can either cross the Galata Bridge walking or take the tram T1 to Sultanahmet in Bagcilar direction. You will arrive in Sultanahmet in 20 minutes.
Here, close to this station you will find, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Hagia Irene, Topkapi Palace Museum , Basilica Cistern and The Blue Mosque. For some of this places it’s better to buy your entry ticket online. Check their websites for purchasing your tickets.
Remember, for the mosques there is a proper attire to go in.
If you want to find authentic spices, tea, coffee, Turkish evil eye and other items, you can visit Grand Bazaar , 10 min walk from Sultanahmet or get off the tram in the following stop: Çemberlıtaş(Chemberly-tash) and still some minutes to walk from there.
If you are hungry while visiting this area, you can go to Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta or Meşhur Sultanahmet Köftecisi to eat their famous Koftes (Turkish meatballs), piyaz (white bean salad) and have an ayran (Turkish yoghurt drink). For sweets, syrupy Kemalpasha dessert or Irmik Helvasi with pine nuts are good choices in these restaurants.
Take me back, I’m tired option
From Sultanahmet to go back to Taksim Square, you can take tram T1 in the opposite direction to Kabataş (Kabatash) and change to the Funicular F1 to Taksim.
Alternatively, Beşiktaş is another transportation node where you may want to go. You can follow the same route above to Kabatas and continue the same direction with a bus (27, 28, 29 41E, 559C.) or can directly take a BiTaksi wherever you want to end up.
If you still have energy and want to see more, depending on the weather conditions too, you can go to Eminönü in Kabatas direction and take a boat ride through Bosphorus from Hazerfen Ahmet Çelebi İskelesi this port. There are many different ports, make sure you are in the right port which takes you to Besiktas.
On the way, on your left, you will have the opportunity to see:
Galataport Istanbul shopping mall,
Tüpraş Stadyumu Besiktas Football Club’s Stadium,
Dolmabahçe Palace a historical landmark built in mid 19th century, which was used as an administrative center in Ottoman Empire’s last 70 years and after that where Turkish Republic’s founder and first president Mustafa Kemal Ataturk resided ultimately before he died.
Additional places to be:
Nişantaşı neighbourhood is where you can find many luxury brands, jewelers, modern cafes and restaurants. Choose Casita to eat Turkish ravioli dish “manti” with yoghurt sauce served boiled or fried. We recommend fried. The House Cafe Atiye can be chosen for more international food options.
Alternatively, if you want to taste world famous #saltbae hamburgers and meats, you can go to Nusr-Et ($$$!). The top floor of the nearby shopping mall City's Nisantasi might also have some good options for a nice meal. Saray Muhallebicisi - Teşvikiye is a pocket-friendly alternative for tasty food (döner plate with rice and dessert options like Sütlaç (rice pudding), Keşkül, Aşure, Ekmek kadayıfı or Saray muhallebi).
If you can’t get enough of the Bosphorus like many other tourists, in need of an iconic Istanbul scenery for a selfie/photo with one of the bridges, Ortaköy Square is where you need to be. Here you can try kumpir (baked potato) from one of the local shops, and shop for bijouterie and traditional Turkish items from the shops and/or the bazaar that gets setup during weekends. It is also possible to take a boat tour in the Bosphorus starting from Turistik Boğaz Turları.
Another Bosphorus alternative especially if the weather is good is to have a walk along the shore after a traditional Turkish spread breakfast in Rumeli Kale cafe & Restaurant (Merkez) to Bebek. On the way you can see the Rumeli Fortress that Fatih Sultan Mehmet II built to conquer Constantinople (Byzantine name for Istanbul) through cutting naval traffic. In Bebek you can have a turkish coffee or if you have taken your time during the walk you can have a delicious plate at Mangerie.
