The thriving Turkish metropolis of Istanbul is where Europe meets Asia. From the streetwear and vintage shops scattered across the city’s trendy Galata neighborhood to the historic Hagia Sophia and the numerous Turkish rug stores in between, it’s clear that Istanbul blends traits from both continents. Read on for my mini guide.
To Stay:
Aliée Istanbul (Beşiktaş)
Brand-new and right on the river, Aliée Istanbul is my favorite stay in the city. This five-star gem is a masterclass in Turkish hospitality: chicly tailored staff who introduce themselves as your new friends at check-in (endearing, not cringe), uber-attentive butlers who anticipate your every whim (special thanks to the incomparable Amel), posh rooms dressed in luxe furnishings, and a sweeping lawn that looks straight across the glimmering Bosphorus to more of Istanbul’s cityscape.
To Eat:
Tere (Gümüşsuyu)
High in Istanbul’s lofty Gümüşsuyu district, this polished restaurant gazes out over the Bosphorus and the city beyond. Turkish flavors take center stage here—don’t miss the Lahmacun, affectionately known as “Turkish pizza,” with its delicate, crisp base crowned with seasoned beef, vegetables, and a fragrant mix of spices.
Ali Ocakbaşı (Karakoy)
Tucked down a narrow street, this casual, hidden spot offers ocakbaşı and tandoori grill delights. The lamb kebabs steal the show—juicy, perfectly seasoned, and charred over open flames, served with crisped lavash and smoky roasted eggplant.
To Drink:
Moretenders’ Cocktail Crib & Sushi (Asmalı Mescit)
Tucked along Asmalı Mescit’s legendary bar lane, Moretenders’ Cocktail Crib & Sushi is where good design meets great drinks—and yes, there’s a full sushi counter, too. The bartenders here are true craftsmen, shaking up inventive signatures or remixing classics to match your mood. With guest shifts from world-class talents (think Paradiso’s Federico Lombardi) and a crowd that lingers well past midnight, it’s the kind of spot that makes “just one drink” a beautiful lie.
To Visit:
Visit the Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet)
Few landmarks flex harder than the Hagia Sophia, with its 6th-century dome that once whispered Byzantine prayers before Ottoman imams echoed their own beneath the same golden mosaics. Just across Sultanahmet Square, the Blue Mosque dazzles with 20,000 hand-painted İznik tiles—proof that “more is more” has always been Istanbul’s design mantra.
Peruse the Istanbul Modern (Karaköy)
Perched along the Bosphorus in a Renzo Piano–designed glass dream, Istanbul Modern is where contemporary Turkish art flirts with sea views that could upstage it. Expect bold installations, a café with espresso worth lingering over, and that chic hush every great gallery somehow pulls off.
Have a Spa Day at Çukurcuma Hamamı 1831 (Çukurcuma)
Step into Çukurcuma Hamamı 1831, where marble steam, a heavenly scrub, and soft light make exfoliation feel like an art form. Equal parts chic and traditional, this restored hammam celebrates the Turkish bath ritual—a steamy national pastime dressed in designer towels.
Walk Around Galata and Karaköy
My favorite pocket of Istanbul, hands down. Start in Galata, where independent shops and vintage resellers—I like Baston Vintage, Mikla, and Stanpolis Vintage. Then wander down the cobblestoned Serdar-ı Ekrem, where every edifice lining the street seems to hide another cool boutique or café just begging for a linger.
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