Hey YYZ - I'm heading to Istanbul next week, for a week. Recommendations needed!

Ill msg you a few of my fav places! Im Turkish and have been to Istanbul a few times

Hey Hajer ! We just booked a 10 day trip to Istanbul in Feb (thanks to YYZ deals). I'll msg you for recos

Been there thrice. Places at top of my mind are Taksim Square, Galata Tower, Eminonu Fish Sandwich, Spice Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Princess Islands, Eyup

in addition to above, check out Basilica Cistern which is beside Hagia Sophia and go for a boat cruise on the Bosporus. if you can, go as early as possible as there are a lots of line ups due to slow ticket offices. there are a lots of good places to eat kebap ( different kinds depending on the region where the owner came from). check out the google reviews first.go on the asian side as well although its a bit messy.

It’s alllllll about the hammam experience.

Do you recommend any specific places?

Michelle I do! Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami. It’s in a beautiful 16th century building in Karakoy, and it was recommended to me by a local.

Thank you!!

Take a public boat to the Prince's Islands - they're beautiful and u won't have to pay for a bosphorus cruise.

Also, van kahvalti evi for brunch and ciya in Katikoy for lunch/dinner. The Katikoy area has lots of dining options

Saudi consulate.

Stay away from Saudi consulate lol

I like ortakoy area and the little boat tour on the bosphorus. Eat a kumpir before leaving the area. The castles Dolmabace and Topkapi. Galata saray soccer game. Find some cheap treasures in Kadikoy pazar (on tuesdays?). Have a tea and a waterpipe on the side of the bosphorus. Eat fish and helva on a fisherman boat. So much to do! Take the ferry and feed the seaguls semit.
Istanbul

Ah yes. Forgot the yummy Kumpir!

Be sure to take a Culinary Backstreets tour. It will be the best thing you do. Absolutely fabulous. Dinner recommendations include 360 Istanbul, Meze by Lemon Tree (no views but food is delicious). The Whirling Dervishes are fabulous. You can get tickets on Sat for a 5 pm Sunday performance. Take a Bosporus cruise which are available in many locations. The Grand Bazaar is amazing. You need to go a couple of times to get your bearings. The Turkish people are super friendly and welcoming. If you need to go many places, the metro is very easy. You can buy a card and reload money on it. You can also use this card on the streetcars. If you want a fabulous Turkish breakfast with views of the Bosporus, go to The House Cafe in Ortakoy. Finally, don’t forget a Turkish bath ... what an experience. The most reasonable place without a lot of tourists is Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam. Be sure to make an appointment beforehand. Have fun! its the most beautiful city!

Dolmabahce Palace and the boat cruise were my favourites. Also walking around istiklal street (there is a chocolate shop there that is amazing) and nishantaci were cool to walk around.

Oh also don't miss the Hoja Pasha show

When you visit the Blue Mosque, go for lunch or a drink at the stunning Four Seasons Hotel which is right there. It’s the carefully and beautifully renovated former Turkish Prison, and it’s really worth a visit. The architect maintained key features of the former prison in a gorgeous way.
https://www.fourseasons.com/istanbul/

Also, visit the historic Pera Palace Hotel which was THE hotel that everyone travelling on the Orient Express Train stayed at. You can wander up and down the hallways and on each door is a plaque with the name of a famous person who stayed there. Agatha Christie lived at the Pera Palace while she wrote “Murder On The Orient Express.” http://www.perapalace.com

Make sure to eat street food, but do know what you’re eating (bull testicles are popular - you’ve been warned). Tavuk = chicken and comes in many forms, Simit = local bagel, gozleme = a super thin pastry made on an upside down frying pan with awesome filling choices, lamacun = paper thin pizza with scant toppings, pide = more pizza-ish type pizza with toppings varying according to region. Have sahlep if it’s offered (winter drink, powdered orchid root) and NEVER SAY YES TO TEA unless you want to be harassed and antagonized to buy something. Nothing in life is free. Follow no one, accept nothing. Unless you want an adventure! Most people are quite friendly but it is a time suck.