A City Break in Istanbul: Where Continents Meet and Cultures Flow
Fishermen on Galata Bridge at sunset — one of the most iconic views in Istanbul.
Some cities feel like crossroads. Istanbul is one.
A meeting point of continents, histories, and cultures — where minarets rise beside domes, ferries glide through sunlit waters, and the scent of grilled fish mingles with the call to prayer.
It’s a place that feels both grand and grounded, where the past isn’t something you visit in museums but walk through on your way to dinner. For four days, my husband and I wandered between Europe and Asia, through layers of empire and everyday life — and fell for the city’s rhythm of tea, light, and timeless beauty.
Day 1: Arrival & Süleymaniye
Our flight from Oslo landed at 10:55 AM, and by 11:45 we were already on our way into the city. Traveling light with only hand luggage, we used a private airport transfer I’d booked through Get Your Guide. The service was reliable, efficient, and got us to our hotel quickly — a bit pricey for Turkey, but worth it for a smooth start.
We stayed at New Inn Hotel Old Town in Fatih — clean, modern, and comfortable, tucked within walking distance of Istanbul’s historic heart. After checking in, we headed straight out to explore.
Lunch was at Old Ottoman Café & Restaurant — a cozy spot serving warm, classic Turkish dishes with genuinely kind service. From there, we wandered through the old town, visiting the Yeni Mosque and the majestic Süleymaniye Mosque, which became our favourite sight in Istanbul. Its peaceful courtyard and panoramic city views at sunset made it unforgettable.
We paused for tea at Beta Tea House, then continued through the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of colour, spice, and sound.
Dinner was at Sultanahmet Fish House, a small and welcoming place centrally located in the heart of the city. We ordered meze and grilled fish — fresh, simple, and perfectly cooked. It ended up being our favourite restaurant of the trip.
By 8:30, we were back at the hotel, pleasantly tired and already enchanted by the city’s glow.
Day 2: Sultanahmet Sights
The morning began early, with a tram ride to Sultanahmet for our Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque Tour, booked through Get Your Guide. Our guide, Augustus, greeted us with a smile and a white Istanbul E-pass flag. His storytelling brought centuries of faith and empire to life — informative, engaging, and full of quiet humour. We highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Istanbul for the first time.
For lunch, we followed his recommendation to Değirmencioğlu, a local gem serving some of the best kebabs we’ve ever had. We shared a mixed kebab platter — tender, perfectly seasoned, and generous in portion.
Afterwards, we stopped by Magic Carpet, drawn in by a cat sleeping on a rug outside. Inside, we met Mr. Ismail Demirel, who offered exceptional service — friendly, knowledgeable, and refreshingly genuine. There was no pressure, only passion for his craft. We learned about rug traditions and left with a beautiful handmade rug that will always remind us of Istanbul.
In the afternoon, we visited the Basilica Cistern, a cool, shadowy space beneath the city. Later, we strolled along the Bosphorus, watching fishermen cast their lines as ferries glided by in the late sun.
Dinner was at Akdeniz Hatay Sofrası, where we enjoyed a spread of meze, a steaming testi kebab, and tea with sweets and fruit offered “on the house.” The warmth of Turkish hospitality never failed to impress us.
Day 3: Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise & Kadıköy
After a slow breakfast, we walked to Eminönü Pier, beneath the Galata Bridge, to catch a ferry to Büyükada, the largest of the Princes’ Islands.
The boat ride itself was an experience — seagulls following the wake, the skyline of minarets fading into mist.
Lunch was at Balıkçı Süleyman, a lovely seafood restaurant by the water, where we savoured fresh grilled fish with lemon and herbs. We spent the afternoon strolling through the island’s streets, people-watching, and soaking up the October sun.
The return ferry dropped us at Kabataş, and we walked back across the Galata Bridge during golden hour. The light on the water, the fishermen silhouetted against the skyline — it was one of those quiet, perfect travel moments that stay with you.
For dinner, we returned to our favourite: Sultanahmet Fish House. A seafood platter and a glass of raki felt like the right way to toast our last full evening in Istanbul.
Day 4: Topkapi Palace & Farewell
Our final morning was devoted to Topkapi Palace and its opulent Harem, which we visited through another Get Your Guide tour. The site itself is extraordinary — lush courtyards, intricate tiles, and echoes of sultans’ lives — but the tour experience was mixed.
Though we’d paid approximately €138 for two people (around €69 each), we were surprised to find that the guide service wasn’t included and had to pay an additional €30 upon arrival. The group was larger than expected, around 15–17 participants, making it less personal than advertised.
That said, our guide was alright — knowledgeable and engaging. The issue lies not with him but with the misleading tour description. If we were to visit again, we’d explore the palace on our own, as buying the tickets at the entrance and using one of their free audio guides would’ve been a lot cheaper.
For lunch, we couldn’t resist returning to Değirmencioğlu for another mixed kebab before stopping by Hafız Mustafa 1864 in Beyazıt for baklava and Turkish tea. We lingered a while by Beyazit Mosque (another of our favourite sights), watching the ebb and flow of city life.
By late afternoon, we returned to our hotel, where a pre-booked taxi (arranged by the front desk for roughly the same price as our arrival transfer) took us back to the airport. Our evening flight departed at 21:20, marking the end of four wonderful days between East and West.
Final Thoughts
Istanbul is a city that both dazzles and grounds you. It’s monumental yet intimate, layered with history but alive in every moment — from the steam of morning tea to the shimmer of sunset on the Bosphorus.
What struck us most wasn’t just the grandeur of its mosques or palaces, but the warmth of its people, the poetry in its daily rhythm, and the way light seems to dance across its hills.
It’s a city to walk, to taste, to listen to — not to rush through. And like the currents beneath the Galata Bridge, Istanbul pulls you in quietly, deeply, until leaving feels a little like waking from a dream.
