1 – Belgrade Forest
In the North of the city, it’s a popular place for the citizens who like to go jogging or walking in the forest. It might be crowded in good weather, especially on Sundays. Water channels for the city come from this forest since the Byzantine period. Click here for transportation alternatives to the Forest.

2 – Yıldız Park
Down the slopes from Yıldız Palace, this park has chalets serving as restaurants or tea houses. It’s a good place to walk around and have a breakfast with a Bosphorus view from above. Walk up the Barboros Street from Beşiktaş and you’ll get there.

3 – Caddebostan Park
A beautiful park close to Bagdat Street on the coast of Marmara where people walk, ride their bikes, make jogging, play basketball or sit on the grass watching Prince’s Islands. It’s highly recommended for a relaxing activity in good weather. It takes 20 minutes from Kadiköy to reach the park by bus or minibuses. Your starting point should be behind Migros Supermarket in Caddebostan.

4 – Polonezköy
A beautiful town of Anatolian side in the North, where Polish community lives since mid 19th century. People come here for the wonderful green nature; to have barbeque in open air. It was designated as Istanbul’s first national park, having beautiful pathways among the forest with streams and wooden bridges. The best time to come here is from May to October; it is usually crowded at weekends. Public transport would take too much time, private vehicles are recommended.

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2 – Burgaz Island Harbour – Kalpazankaya (Princess Islands – 2,5 km)

Watch İstanbul out of Istanbul from a beautiful island. You’ll walk through the old houses of Burgaz, on a silent pathway where no cars are allowed and reach the small hill of Kalpazankaya, to have a beer looking over the enormous city.

3 – Üsküdar – Salacak (Asian Side – 1,5 km)

Great view of European side of Bosphorus including Topkapı and Dolmabahçe Palace. On summer nights till late hours, you will see the people chatting by the sea in front of Maiden Tower.

Istanbul was the capital city for many civilizations like Romans, Greeks, Byzantines and Ottomans who competed to construct the best cathedral, mosque, cistern, etc. for more than 2000 years and who left very valuable ancient places which are still standing.

Even you have one day in Istanbul try to see at least one or two of the below attractions.

1 -    Topkapı  Sarayı (Topkapı Palace Museum)

Open between 9.00 am to 05.00 pm except Tuesdays. Topkapı Palace was constructed by the famous conqueror Fatih Sultan Mehmet. It has been the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans for more than three hundred years. The palace is a complex made up of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings and a Harem section where the mother of Sultan lives with his wives. You will need more than 4 hours to visit the whole palace and for Harem section you will need a separate ticket. If you have time we are sure you will be attracted so much by this unique Ottoman constructure.

2 -     Ayasofya (Saint Sophia)

Open between 9.00 am to 04.30 pm except Mondays. Saint Sophia was firstly constructed as a basilica during Byzantine period with arrival of Ottomans it has been changed to a mosque. It was the largest cathedral ever built in the world till the Seville Cathedral was built in 1520 and still it is one of the best samples of Byzantine architecture with its massive dome and 15 meters iconostasis. It was also served as the principle mosque of Istanbul for more than 500 years.

3 – Sultanahmet Cami (Blue Mosque)

Open everyday and no hour limitation. You will need a scarf for women and a long pant for gentlemen, do not forget to take out your shoes before entering the mosque. Its name came from the beautiful blue tiles on the walls and more than 200 stained glass windows let the maximum natural light get in through the mosque.

4 - Yerebatan Sarnıcı  (Basilica Cistern)

Open everyday except Tuesdays. Basilica Cistern is another very interesting Byzantine construction which was used as the water source for the Saint Sophia and Topkapı Palace for years. It has a ceiling supported by 336 massive columns (9 m longed). While you are walking above the cistern you will hear classical music mixed with the sounds of flowing water and at the northwest corner you will see the two-medusa heads, which are also carved into massive columns. It is a magical place where you have to see before leaving İstanbul.

*** All above sights are at the old city and walking distance to each other, for old city arrival please see directions.

Even cleanliness is one of the basics of the Muslim religion, during the Ottoman Empire hamams are not used only for this purpose; Turkish Baths are also places where people from different ranks gather and forget their status. Their original architecture will also attract you besides the perfect relaxation massage. The entrance fees for the ones below are about 20 Euros, with massage the price may go up to 40 Euros.

1 – Cağaloğlu Hamamı

Florance Nightingale, German Emperor II  Wilhelm, Harrison Ford and Cameron Diaz were the visitors of this famous historical Hamam. Newyork Times chose as one of the 1000 places you have to see in the world and its popularity does not come only because its historical value but also the magical atmosphere inside. It was built in 1741 by II Mahmut to bring in revenue to support St Sophia. It is open for gentlemen from 8:00 am till 22:00 and for ladies from 8.00 am till 20.00. You can have the full therapy or just lie on the hot platform and enjoy the place. It has also a juice bar and a restaurant inside.

It’s located on Yerebatan Street – visit their website for specific directions and other information.  

2 – Çemberlitaş Hamamı

It is one of the unique marks of the Great Architect Sinan in the Old City. It is 424 years old and recently renovated. The dressing room areas are roofed with large domes which are called as cold section. Entrance from the hot area to the bathing area is through a wooden door built under the middle dome. It is open everyday between 06:00 – 24:00.

It is located on Çemberlitas Square on Divanyolu Street  - visit their website for directions and other information.

3 – Süleymaniye Hamamı 

It is another original Turkish bath built by Sinan. It is very close to the Old City. Both men and women sections are open between 07:00 – 24:00. Its capacity is 32 people, so most probably you will need a reservation. Tea & Coffee, hookah and lemonade are also served after the therapy.

It’s on Mimar Sinan Street, Süleymaniye. For directions, click here.

4 – Üsküdar Çinili Hamam

It is built in 1641 by one of the powerful queens of the Ottoman Empire – Köşem Sultan. Its name came from the beautiful tiles in the mosque next to it. Men’s section is open between 07;00-22:00 and for women it is open between 8:00 am till 18:00. Men’s section also has a sauna. Its original structure is kept well formed with many renovations till now.

It is located at the Anatolian side. Its address: Murat Reis Mahallesi, Çavuşdere Street, Üsküdar, you can take a taxi from Üsküdar and it would cost about 10 TL.

TIPS:

It is obvious that if it will be the first time in a Turkish bath you will feel that it is far from a Far East massage therapy. In all Turkish baths, men & women sections will be separate.

There are three main sections in a hamam: First section will be soğukluk where you will get undressed and after you left your dresses in a locker you will be given a pestemal (a cotton body wrap) and you will pass into the lukewarm section to adapt your body temperature. Next section will be the hot area where the central heating stone platform is located, it is surrounded by small basins (kurna) and private bathing cubicles. In this section you must keep in mind that overall heat will be high for pregnant women and people also who suffer from heart diseases or tension.

According to your preference, you may lie on this stone platform and get your bath on one of the basins or an attendant can help you for the scrub and massage, normally massage can be a tough than you have tried before that it is better to talk with your masseur before the therapy.