{"id":87616,"date":"2021-10-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/a-walking-tour-of-istanbul\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:50:22","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:50:22","slug":"a-walking-tour-of-istanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/a-walking-tour-of-istanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"A Walking Tour of Istanbul"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week we\u2019re talking Turkey and more specifically Istanbul<\/strong>. Travelstarters Nick Paul and Annie Van Deventer have been to Istanbul so I turned to them for some good old fashioned Turkey travel advice<\/strong>. Here are some of the sights and sounds you won\u2019t want to miss out on, on a visit to the sprawling Turkish metropolis.<\/p>\n

\"Hagia<\/a>
The Hagia Sophia – One of Istanbul’s great attractions<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Geographically, Istanbul can be quite a confusing city to navigate (just look at the map below), but if you choose your Istanbul accommodation<\/strong> smartly then you can make sure you\u2019re in walking distance<\/strong> to many of the city\u2019s major attractions.<\/p>\n

Emin\u00f6n\u00fc – Hoca Pa\u015fa<\/h3>\n

Nick stayed in Hoca Pa\u015fa (Emin\u00f6n\u00fc <\/strong>district) and recommends this area for proximity to sights and the amount of reasonably priced hotels<\/strong> in the areas. From here you\u2019re within easy walking distance to the Egyptian Market (also called the Spice Bazaar) and many agree this market is better than Istanbul\u2019s well known Grand Bazaar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Nick on the Spice Bazaar, \u201cYou\u2019ll find most of the same things at the Spice Bazaar that you would at the Grand. It\u2019s smaller so you\u2019ll be able to find your way easier compared to the Grand Bazaar and its more local so you\u2019ll feel less pestered when you browse the stalls. That said a visit to the Grand Bazaar shouldn\u2019t be missed if you have time<\/em>\u201d.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Istanbul<\/a><\/p>\n

From the Spice Bazaar<\/strong> take a 5 minute walk to the Galata Bridge<\/strong> where you\u2019ll find a variety of great seafood restaurants<\/strong> overlooking the water (under the bridge). If you\u2019re enthusiastic about eating seafood then don\u2019t be surprised when your waiter brings the fish (fresh from the Bosphorus<\/strong>) to your table so you can examine and choose your preference just as wine is served in South Africa.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve fulfilled your seafood craving take a stroll over to Istanbul\u2019s Asian side and the Galata Tower<\/strong> (you won\u2019t miss it, it\u2019s huge). It\u2019s an old medieval tower that was built in 1348 by the Genoese colony and you can go up it for great views of the city \u2013 there is an admission charge and it\u2019s open from 9am.<\/p>\n

\"Istanbul<\/a><\/p>\n

The Emin\u00f6n\u00fc <\/strong>district falls on the tram* network and if your feet are starting to feel a little worse for wear then Nick suggests catching the tram at Karak\u00f6y from the Galata Bridge to Kabata\u015f (the last stop on the tramline). Here you\u2019ll find Dolmabahce Palace<\/strong> \u2013 the last Palace of the Ottoman Empire although the Turks still hold state functions here. Be in awe of the crystal staircase as well as the world\u2019s largest crystal chandelier. \"Istanbul<\/a><\/p>\n

*The tram is a super cheap way to move around Istanbul and the old city and is a welcome option if you\u2019re tiring of walking. Although the tram system is not signposted in English, it\u2019s easy to use and announcements are made in English. Go to the kiosks that say \u2018bilet\u2019 on them. Buy your \u2018bilet\u2019 or \u2018tickets\u2019 \u2013 a ticket token is equal to one journey so it\u2019s better to buy a few upfront if you\u2019re looking to do multiple journeys on the tram.<\/p>\n

Catch the tram (T1 line) all the way back to Sultanahmet<\/strong> putting you within easy walking distance from the Topkapi Palace <\/strong>(relics like Moses\u2019 walking stick are kept here), Hagia Sophia<\/strong>, and the Basilica Cistern<\/strong>. There are some really nice restaurants in this area so perhaps this would be a good time to stop for some refreshments and snacks. Thereafter walk to the Blue Mosque<\/strong> and the Hippodrome<\/strong> (they run parallel to each other). The Hippodrome is famous for its monuments including the Obelisk <\/strong>which was towed by ship from Egypt.<\/p>\n

Tip from a local: Travelstarter Mehmet Altug Uluceviz<\/strong> lives in Istanbul and says \u201cIstanbul is a city of contrasts. A huge mosaic…one can find old and new, traditional and modern, poor and rich. It\u2019s also a very good place for shopping. Textiles are particularly cheap when compared to South Africa<\/em>\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mehmet\u2019s cites Konyal\u0131 and Tarihi Sultanahmet K\u00f6ftecisi<\/a> as two of the most well-known restaurants in the Emin\u00f6n\u00fc area <\/strong>while there are also many fish restaurants under the bridge that connects the two sides of the Golden Horn near Emin\u00f6n\u00fc. Have a look here<\/a> to find out more.<\/p>\n

\"Turkish<\/a>
Tea time Turkish style<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turkish Visa for South Africans<\/h2>\n

As a South African passport holder you can get a Turkey Visa<\/strong> on arrival in the country. I\u2019ve heard stories recently of South Africans being granted entry into the country without having to apply for a Visa but I can\u2019t make any guarantees<\/strong> on this as there have been no announcements from any official channels just yet.<\/p>\n

Find out more about getting the Turkey Visa in South Africa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cheap Flights to Istanbul<\/h2>\n

The truth is there\u2019s so much to do in Istanbul<\/strong> you need to stay for at least a couple of days. Search Travelstart<\/a> for cheap flights to Turkey.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Special thanks to Annie for sharing her Istanbul photos<\/strong> on the Travelstart blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Topkapi<\/a><\/p>\n

Istanbul Vitals<\/h3>\n