{"id":36652,"date":"2022-09-20T09:56:24","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T06:56:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/another-perspective-explore-the-local-side-of-istanbul\/"},"modified":"2022-09-20T09:59:19","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T06:59:19","slug":"another-perspective-explore-the-local-side-of-istanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/another-perspective-explore-the-local-side-of-istanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"Another perspective: Explore the local side of \u0130stanbul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u0130stanbul is undoubtedly one of the world\u2019s most unique places and a visitor to the city could spend weeks seeing its many historical and touristic points.\u00a0 But seeing the city with a local eye is a different experience all together and equally rewarding. Keep reading to discover where \u0130stanbul residents spend their time\u2026.and click here for flights to Istanbul!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Galata-\u015ei\u015fhane-Pera triangle<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\"galata
A resident cat at Galata.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Even lifelong residents of \u0130stanbul are awestruck by the Galata Tower, so this monument remains on our list \u2013 not just to enjoy the incredible city and Bosphorus views from the top of the Tower but also to visit the recently opened Galata Tower Museum. However, when leaving the Galata Tower, rather than dining at one of the nearby touristic restaurants, visitors can take a different route: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • You can walk to \u015ei\u015fhane Square along the narrow street at the back of the Tower, and relax in one of the cafes promising \u201chygge\u201d* while watching people (and \u0130stanbul \u2019s many cats and dogs) stroll towards Pera. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    • You can check out the events happening at the \u0130stanbul Literature House, which is on the same street, and savor a Turkish coffee in the caf\u00e9 on the lower floor. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      • Enjoy the sunset from a terrace: The historical \u0130KSV building has a fine terrace with views of the Golden Horn. Don’t forget to explore other famous terraces in the area, including that of the Buyuk Londra Hotel or Soho House \u0130stanbul.<\/li>
      • While we\u2019re not focusing on museums per se, we must include the elegant caf\u00e9 at the jewel box-like Pera Museum. Or stroll down Kumbarac\u0131 Yoku\u015fu, dine at upscale Yeni Lokanta, and wander down Kumbarac\u0131 to Tophane Pier. The stately 16th-century K\u0131l\u0131\u00e7 Ali Pasha Mosque, built by Mimar Sinan, the Ottoman architect, is a peaceful spot worth a visit. Then dive into the side streets of Karak\u00f6y, explore the boutiques and design shops in the French Passage and stop at one of the area\u2019s charming cafes.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        Be\u015fikta\u015f-Akaretler-Kabata\u015f line, and Ma\u00e7ka Park<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        \"akaretler\"
        Akaretler, Be\u015fikta\u015f<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        • The Be\u015fikta\u015f-Akaretler-Kabata\u015f route is also familiar to local residents. You can check out the always crowded Be\u015fikta\u015f bazaar and snack on fried mussels at the fish market. The walk from the bazaar to Akaretler will take you past some notable bookstores and, once you reach Akaretler Square, lined with galleries and cafes, its cozy atmosphere will warm you, especially in winter. <\/li>
        • Near Akaretler is Ma\u00e7ka Park. The expansive Park is a popular destination for city residents, particularly in spring and summer. Lounge on the grass like a local and enjoy a picnic or listening to music! <\/li>
        • Later, or the next morning, visit Kabata\u015f Set\u00fcst\u00fc. Enjoy a weekend breakfast at one of the area\u2019s quiet cafes, along with a view of the city.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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          Bomonti<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          \"ferikoy
          Ferik\u00f6y Antique Market, a place to visit in \u0130stanbul. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          Featuring narrow streets once lined with workshops and factories, Bomonti has emerged as one of the city\u2019s hippest neighborhoods. Bomonti, in the \u015ei\u015fli district, offers numerous cafes and fine dining restaurants as well as local pizza and burger joints. Within Bomonti, Bomontiada \u2013 a complex set in a former brewery \u2013 hosts concerts, exhibitions and other events in addition to eateries and bars. On Sundays, the Ferik\u00f6y Antique Market draws crowds looking for special gifts, home d\u00e9cor or other treasures, while Tuesday\u2019s organic food market is a favorite for locals in Bomonti and surrounding neighborhoods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Cihangir<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          \"Cihangir\"
          Cihangir<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          You\u2019ll hit this lively district when walking down S\u0131raselviler from Taksim Square. Similar to Kad\u0131k\u00f6y, its counterpart on the Asian side, Cihangir is a gathering place for the creative personalities of the city \u2013 and is also home to a dense concentration of expats. Dotted among the neighborhood\u2019s countless coffee shops, cafes, bars, galleries and boutiques are supermarkets, hardware stores and butchers. Cihangir is also known for its rather charming appearance: tree-lined streets, low-rise apartment buildings and Bosphorus views around almost every corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Ni\u015fanta\u015f\u0131<\/strong><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          \"Ni\u015fanta\u015f\u0131\"
          Ni\u015fanta\u015f\u0131<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          Sophisticated Ni\u015fanta\u015f\u0131 is considered the local address for luxury and high-end experiences in \u0130stanbul. Many of the streets in this pleasant neighborhood feature haute couture boutiques, world-class brands and stylish restaurants, but the area\u2019s historic buildings, such as the neo-Baroque Te\u015fvikiye Mosque, also draw visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Kad\u0131k\u00f6y-Moda<\/strong><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          \"Kad\u0131k\u00f6y
          Tram running on the Kad\u0131k\u00f6y-Moda line, which is one of the local places to visit in \u0130stanbul.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          On the Asian \u2013 or Anatolian \u2013 side of \u0130stanbul, we continue our local tour. Funky Kad\u0131k\u00f6y, a short walk from the ferry terminal, features colorful street murals, coffee shops and bars as well as historic bakeries and cafes. Also within walking distance of the ferry terminal is the neighborhood of Moda, offering a lovely seafront park and promenade perfect for bike riding, picnicking and dog walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Anatolian side coastline: Kuzguncuk, \u00c7engelk\u00f6y, Vanik\u00f6y<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          \"kuzguncuk\"
          Kuzguncuk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          The Anatolian side coastline is calmer and quieter than that of the European side. You can start in Kuzguncuk for a serene Bosphorus experience, drinking bright-red herbal tea at one of the cafes nestled between charming wooden houses and art galleries. Then set off for \u00c7engelk\u00f6y. A filming location for numerous Turkish television series, \u00c7engelk\u00f6y is known for its delicious \u0130stanbul street delicacies such as kokore\u00e7 (tripe) and mussels. Mingle with the crowds of people and pigeons at a waterfront caf\u00e9 and stroll to Vanik\u00f6y Park for fishing and tea gardens! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          *The concept of \u201chygge\u201d, which has a prominent place in Scandinavian culture, especially in Denmark, is used to describe moments and spaces that promise coziness, warmth, peace and comfort.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          \u0130stanbul is undoubtedly one of the world\u2019s most unique places and a visitor to the city could spend weeks seeing its many historical and touristic points.\u00a0 But seeing the city with a local eye is a different experience all together and equally rewarding. Keep reading to discover where \u0130stanbul residents spend their time\u2026.and click here […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":36436,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[243,147,239],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-36652","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-istanbul-travel-guide","8":"category-trip-ideas","9":"category-city-vacation"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36652","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36652"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36652\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36652"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36652"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}