Turkey

Istanbul

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This peaceful and cozy cafe is a nice surprise close to noisy touristy Istiklal Avenue. Prices are even more surprising. The name means shadow in Turkish and is justified: the place is cool and relaxed in summer and warming in winters. Don't miss their pumpkin cheesecake and apple tea.

Golge Kahve

This lovely place in a quiet lane of Kadıköy has charming interiors and a nice rail with vintage clothes. Their breakfasts are just perfect and don't forget to make a picture with a huge cuddly bear by the entrance.

Kadıköy Mitte

Let's stop for a while at Sukru Saracoglu stadium that will mainly interest football fans as it's home to the legendary Fenerbahce SK. Get a souvenir shirt in the Fenerium shop to join crowds of fans in yellow and blue outfits during the game.

Fenerbahce Stadi

Had some fresh air and meditation in Fenerbahce? Head to Kalamis Marina port with restaurants and cafes frequented by local celebrities and charming good-for-nothings in the middle of the week while weekends here are working families’ times. Here you can find everything – from wine cafes to hookah place. It is a good venue to have a cool beer with the view on floating yachts or just the view.

Kalamis Marina

Wonderful and mysterious park is usually not so crowded, maybe except sunny weekends. Located at the very brink of Fenerbahce, it boasts pines, calm sea and a charming tea garden. A great place for a picnic, a tea stop, a play with cats or just a pause to relax.

Fenerbahce Parki

Here you can board a ferry and a rapid sea bus to several destinations, including the Prince Islands. Beware passengers with heavy luggage going to Ataturk airport across the Bosporus. Right by the embankment you will find lots of food joints with balik ekmek fish sandwiches and the brutal kokorec – meat intestines. A perfect spot to feel the Istanbul chaos so untypical of this part of the city.

Bostanci Iskelesi

A perfect alternative to Starbucks right by the embankment. The place is always packed and is an illustrated encyclopedia of locals: athletes after jogging, owners of fancy dogs, noisy youngsters – everybody loves this place which has a very good coffee for a chain place.

Caffe Nero Caddebostan

The easiest way to get to Caddebostan embankment with the rentals is the yellow dolmush minibus that leaves from the ferry dock in Kadikoy towards Bostanci (tell the driver to stop at Plajyolu). Then walk down to the sea to find the Isbike station at the very beginning of the embankment. The scheme is standard – you pay with a credit card or buy a plan. During the peak season you will find a traditional rental with various bikes and a teen eager to help you to take the bike for cash.

Isbike bike rentals

This gem of a tearoom hasn't been discovered even by locals. Such cafés, semai kahvesi, used to be the meeting points of writers, reporters and musicians in the pre-republican Turkey. They drank tea, had long talks, arranged improvised concerts or readings. Now you can listen to traditional music instrument, like ney bamboo flute, tambourine and oud. The owner is a great musician himself often rehearsing with his friends. On the walls you’ll find old photos of musicians with their instruments, low tables are made of metal trays while waiters are carrying boiling shiny kettles. The air is filled with coffee and twinkling teaspoons and certainly music, lingering and smooth, the kaleidoscope of Istanbul colors.

Ahenk Semai Kahvesi

Istanbul is unimaginable without tea, especially in spring when everything is in full bloom. Locals poetically call tearooms tea gardens and traditionally take their tea outside. Check our list for the best veranda tearooms with perfect views.

Spring greetings: the best tea and coffee verandas

The same as Moscow, Istanbul is the city on the Seven Hills, so don't expect an easy bike ride or routes. However, the Asian side has an endless embankment for perfect cycling. Just check our bike route to explore it.

A bike ride on the Asian side

Istanbul is not expensive at all but some touristy spots do charge a lot to dupe those who've come a long way. We've collected all cozy and affordable places frequented by locals in our list. NB: always carry change to get a discount.

Istanbul: budget friendly spots

Jogging is new for Istanbul but it's gaining popularity – more morning and marathon runners appear in the streets. To cover your standard daily 5-6 km, run along the embankments. Our list offers the best routes to test your sneakers and weather.

Istanbul's best jogging routes

Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk always writes about Istanbul's clubs and bars in his books, where hip youngsters chill under jazz, techno and rock. Feel the Istanbul vibe in its clubs on the Bosporus.

Music over Bosporus: Istanbul's Clubs

Everyone knows Istanbul street vendors who wander around or are always at the same spot at the same time praising their food or proudly drinking tea. Don't be afraid - street food is safe. But be sure to walk a lot, as you will be eating a lot.

Istanbul

Routes

Places of Istanbul