Eight new experiences to enjoy in Istanbul

Whether you are visiting the Turkish city of Istanbul for the first time or you are returning to it for the second, third or more time, enjoy your time in Turkey outside the typical sights through these unique experiences.

Istanbul is a bustling and vibrant city. It is the bridge connecting Europe with Asia and a city that has cultural links with the ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Places, destinations and amazing engineering masterpieces are brimming with them. Thus, there are many ways that allow you to spend the most beautiful times and sweetest moments in the arms of this city. You can visit famous sites such as the Blue Mosque or the Hagia Sophia, and you can get a closer look at the history of the city through the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace or the walls of Constantinople.

But if you want to explore the city outside of these well-known attractions, here are some ideas that might help you plan your trip.

Water trip in the Golden Horn

You should not miss the legendary Golden Horn when you visit Istanbul. It is the iconic waterway in Turkey and you can experience it in a different way, by kayaking. Crossing the Golden Horn by kayaking has become a prominent activity on the surface of the Bosphorus waters since the late Ottoman period, and nowadays there are many sports clubs that offer visitors, beginners or professionals in the sport of kayaking, kayaking trips through this water channel.

Explore street art on the Asian side of the city

Mural Istanbul is a street art festival that attracts artists from around the world every year to paint on the facades of local buildings. Thanks to this festival, Yıldırmeni neighborhood in Kadikoy district has turned into a large outdoor art gallery. The festival has already attracted the likes of Pixel Pancho, Inti, Jazz, Dom, Tabun, Ares Padsector and Cho to cover entire buildings with artwork.

Turkish bath experience

There is no need to advise you about this experience, if you are in Istanbul you must try one of the local baths known as Turkish baths. In the past, Ottoman ministers and sultans came to clean themselves and meet other people, and now it provides steam peeling and massage services for tourists and residents who long for the past, within marble walls and under high domes. These hammams are the perfect opportunity to relax and learn about Turkish history at the same time.

picking mushrooms

You might think that mushrooms do not grow in a bustling city, but Turkey is home to more than XNUMX varieties of mushrooms. And its northern forests are ideal destinations for nature lovers as they are rich in different types of mushrooms. Many tourism companies organize special trips to pick and taste some types of mushrooms, as well as picnics and lunches in the forests.

Dinner with a Turkish family

To experience Turkish hospitality at its highest level, you must try a meal prepared at home by members of a Turkish family. Of course, this is not possible, unless you are invited to one of the homes of Turkish families, but this opportunity is not completely impossible, as you can book the experience and enjoy a home meal with a Turkish family in the historical Sultanahmet district and learn more about Turkish culture.

Watch the circular dance

The Mawlawis are famous for their sama dance, which is a form of meditation focusing on melodies and dance. In XNUMX, UNESCO confirmed that the Turkish Sama dance is one of the masterpieces of the intangible oral heritage of humanity, especially that witnessing this ritual is possible through performances organized in different locations in the heart of Istanbul.

Navigating on a boat on the Bosphorus

Thousands of cars, boats and fishing boats cross the Bosphorus daily. There is no doubt that the water trip on a public boat and the passage between the large ships that go to the Black Sea through the Sea of ​​Marmara is truly a journey that remains in the memory. Board the boat in the evening at sunset while the old town prepares to calm against a backdrop of orange-red or pale pink skies.

A dining experience on two continents together

The last experience you can enjoy in Istanbul is breakfast in Europe with a view of Asia and lunch in Asia with a view of Europe on the same day. This experience is unique, and rare are the cities that it offers. You can also dine on an island located between the two continents.