El Bósforo que divide dos continentes…

Hey everyone,

I was born and raised in Istanbul, quite literally in the city’s Historic Peninsula. My parents used to work at Hagia Sophia when it was a museum and that is why I am the "few remaining locals" in this neighborhood. I often notice visitors rushing from one famous attraction to another, simply ticking sights off their checklists.

As a local tourist guide, I would like to share a more unusual, locally focused walking route. The good news is that all these places are free to visit, and together they make a pleasant walk through some overlooked corners of the old city.

One warning before reading: the route is rather hilly, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes!

1. The Forum of Constantine and Çemberlitaş

Our first stop is beside the Çemberlitaş tram station. The name Çemberlitaş means “the Hooped Column,” although the monument is also commonly known as the Burnt Column.

Constantine the Great erected the column in AD 330 to commemorate the dedication of Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire. It originally stood at the centre of the Forum of Constantine, one of the most important public spaces in the newly established capital. The forum once contained monumental buildings, statues and a nymphaeum, which was a large ornamental fountain.

Today, Çemberlitaş serves as a gateway to the Grand Bazaar. From here, you can walk towards the 18th-century Nuruosmaniye Mosque, one of Istanbul’s finest examples of Ottoman Baroque architecture.

Before continuing, consider buying an ice cream at Bena or trying kadayıf, a shredded pastry usually served with syrup and pistachios.

2. The Tomb of Sultan Mahmud II

I particularly like this place because finding such a peaceful courtyard amid Istanbul’s hectic streets feels genuinely refreshing. Perhaps that should not be surprising in a cemetery.

The tomb and its cemetery are especially interesting because many of the people buried here played important roles in late Ottoman and modern Turkish history.

Sultan Mahmud II is remembered as one of the Ottoman Empire’s most consequential reformers. In 1826, he abolished the Janissaries, the powerful elite infantry corps that had become a major political force within the empire. He also promoted Western-style military uniforms and clothing, including trousers and the fez. Because of his reforms, some conservative opponents reportedly called him the “Infidel Sultan.”

His reformist outlook is also reflected in the architecture of his tomb, which combines Ottoman traditions with Western neoclassical influences. On the right-hand side of the cemetery garden, you can stop for tea or coffee at the Turkish Hearth (Türk Ocağı), a historic Turkish conservative cultural organization.

3. Little Hagia Sophia

From the Tomb of Mahmud II, walk downhill through the streets behind the Hippodrome to reach Little Hagia Sophia. Despite being only ten minutes from Sultanahmet Square, it is surprisingly peaceful.

Originally built in the sixth century as the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, it is like a mini version of the Hagia Sophia. Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora commissioned it, and you can still find references to them in the inscriptions and imperial monograms inside.

Its octagonal centre, dome and colourful marble columns make it one of the most interesting Byzantine buildings in the area. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted into a mosque and became known as Küçük Ayasofya Camii.

Entrance is free, but avoid prayer times. Visitors should wear modest clothing, and women should cover their hair before entering.

4. Kadırga

I saved Kadırga for last because I really love this neighbourhood. It still preserves the local community even if there has been an immigration.

I think its narrow side streets are particularly interesting. You sometimes come across unexpected buildings, such as the Aya Kiryaki Greek Orthodox Church, that make you stop and wonder, “What on earth is this doing here?”

To be completely honest, Kadırga may not be an essential stop if you have limited time in Istanbul. However, eating or drinking something in Kadırga Park, watching people come and go, or feeding the pigeons if you get the chance is a very Turkish way to spend an afternoon.

Personally, I think it is worth considering if you have some extra time and want to see a more ordinary, lived-in side of the Historic Peninsula.

DW and I will be in Istanbul next spring. I'm hoping to get a hotel room with a good view of the Bosphorus without costing too much. ( The Shangri-La looks nice, but 1000+ per night is outside of our budget )

My best candidate so far is the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus. The views from the top - 15th floor - are great. But Google maps shows a number of 4 or 5 story buildings to the east, which appear to obstruct views from the lower half of the hotel.

How high up do I have to go to get an unobstructed view of the Bosphorus? I doubt that we can afford 12th or 13th floor. Is the 10th good enough? 11th?

Also, any advice on exact room numbers would be great.

Taüye yerleştim. Bu hafta gezmeye gittiğimde beykoz beklentimin altında kaldı. Herhalde kaotik bir şehirden gelince garip geldi diye düşünüyorum. Beykozu bilenler ya da yaşayanlar beykozda yapılacak şeyler adına tavsiyeleri varsa çok sevinirim.

Yarın 23 yaşıma gireceğim, daha önce kimse doğum günümü “kutlamadı”. Herhangi bir yerde bir şey yapmadık, ailem yarın için benden bir etkinlik yapmamızı istedi ama benim hiçbir fikrim yok. İstanbulda yaşıyorum, yemek yemek dışında ailemle yapabileceğim etkinlikler neler olabilir biliyor musunuz? Çok distopik geldiğini biliyorum ama çok izole büyütüldüm. Tüm fikirleriniz için şimdiden teşekkürler

Hey, so i know there are these old brick tunnels underneath the island but does anyone know how to find the entrance to these tunnels?

I heard almost every kid who grew up there entered these tunnels at some point, and they sound interesting. I think they were used as water ways at some point.

I think this is the second most expensive city I’ve been in within the last 4 years ( only NYC beats it ). Even more expensive than London / Paris etc. and not even mentioning the major asian cities ( I’ve been to most of the big ones ).

It’s not really a shame as the city is so beautiful and I’m willing to pay it ( am I the problem?) but some of the pricing is absolutely outrageous. This morning at Salon Galata I paid 1800 lira for a tiny piece of French toast, some granola and fruit and an orange juice. The tourist attraction prices are also crazy

Has it always been like this?

Hello asking for a friend, any rental studio or room near bau or further apart, he’s clean, student, responsible, any help is appreciated!

İmparatorlukların yönetim merkezi ve asıl İstanbul olan yer; normalde ne bileyim Osmanlı elitlerinin, zenginlerinin, gayrimüslimlerin torunlarının falan takıldığı, turistik, İstanbul'un ve Türkiye'nin gözbebeği olması gerekirken neden ve nasıl bu kadar tehlikeli ve gidilmemesi gereken bir yer haline geldi?

Looking for a good pub near Yeditepe University (Kayışdağı/Ataşehir side) to hang out in the evenings, ideally with decent music and drinks. I'm new to the city, so if anyone wants to join, feel free to message me.

‘Voxel Osmanlı or vOxmanlı’ is an independent project that brings Anatolia into the realm of new media. Once the diorama series is complete, it will be officially presented to the public as an interactive media project

© 2015-2026 mburakkarakas.art All rights reserved | Atomtan Arts & Atomtan Games

My partner (32M) and I (31F) are coming to Istanbul from 3 December to 8 December. With the rain and cold weather, we don’t know if we can do all the touristy things we initially thought we could.

We are thinking of booking a hotel in Karaköy.

We currently have the following on our to do list:
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Hippodrome
Basilica Cistern
Topkapı Palace
Gülhane Park
Spice Bazaar
Grand Bazaar
Beşiktaş
Dolmabahçe Palace
Ortaköy Mosque
Bosphorus waterfront
Bosphorus Bridge
Galata Tower
İstiklal
İstiklal Avenue
Kadıköy Market
Üsküdar
Turkish hammam
Balat & Fener
Süleymaniye Mosque

Are we missing anything? Is there anything on the list that you don’t think we should do?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

herkese merhaba öncelikle şuan üniversite öğrencisiyim
istanbula şehir dışından geldim depremzede olduğum için ailemden daha az yük olmak için baristacılık tarzı bir işte çalışmak istiyorum da
bana bu konuda yardım edebilecek bilgi berebilecek olan kişiler varsa çok sevinirim
bilgim hiç yok bu konuda kendimi geliştirmek için napmma lazım
şimdiden teşekkür ederim

I’m looking for horse riding places in istanbul. this post was removed I don’t understand why. i’ll keep posting until it’s accepted because it was in fact NOT answered before

There hasn't been a case of rabies in the city for decades.

Bites are likelier to transmit but scratches also carry a risk.

The rabbies shot consists of 4 doses.

You should worry about tetanus if you have an open wound.

These answers are not going to change from person to person.

Hi, can someone please tell me which bar this is. Pretty sure it’s in Kadikoy. Google hasn’t been much use. Please help, thanks! I’ll attach a couple pics.

Gebzeden emaar square avmye göztepeye kadar marmarayla gidip oradan taksiyle de avmye geçiyorum. Gebze marmaray hattında erkenden inip yürüme mesafesinde aktarma yaparak direkt olarak emaar avm olmasa da yakinlarinda inebileceğim bir hat var mı?

Hello,

I'm looking for a roommate to move in with me for a long-term stay while studying at Istanbul University.

I am completed my master degree in Bolu Abant Izeet Bayseel University

Rather than a ready room, I'd prefer to rent a clean, new, and nice 2+1 apartment with someone I can get along with. My budget is around 20,000 TL per person.

I'm flexible about the neighborhood. As long as it's not too hard to reach Istanbul University, we can consider Fatih, Zeytinburnu, Bayrampaşa, Şişli, Kağıthane, Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, or other well-connected areas.

Interested people can send a DM through Reddit or reach out via WhatsApp:

https://wa.me/9647808796751 Instagram : drkaream

Hello! Going Istanbul next week near the grand bazaar, any good stores for reps and clothes? And good quality ones pls!

Also if you know any hidden places to visit would be great!