Contents:
1. Packing Essentials
2. Tourist Sights & Must Do's
3. Food: Restaurants, Bars, & Must Try Foods
4. Neighborhoods of Istanbul
5. Other Noteworthy Stops
6. Accommodation Review
7. FAQ Section
8. Other EF Guides & Resources
Welcome to my new guide format! I've adjusted some things over my last few trips in order to share the most detail that I can with you all. Please utilize this contents section to know if you'd like to skip over a certain section. & enjoy!
*also note that this trip specifically is a bit different due to this being a content trip and very first trial run unreleased to the public, so I will not be including our schedule's exact timing for this trip.
Packing Essentials:
First thing's first, carry on or checked luggage?
There are probably a few dozen different ways that you can pack for any trip. I am very set in my ways, but the true key to success is finding exactly what works best for you personally. What works for one person may not work well for another, and that's totally okay.
When going anywhere in Europe with EFUB, you're generally able to bring one checked luggage, one carry on, and one personal item. You can double check this info in the KBYG section listed in your account page for your trip. Bag weights and sizes will be airline specific -- and YES, sometimes they WILL check. This happened to me on this exact trip (the airline can weigh them, not EF). I will always recommend carry on plus personal item only - and I use backpacks over rollers almost exclusively. I'm fully aware that this totally isn't realistic for everyone, so I'll include some other tips as well! For this trip however, I had full planned to bring home some larger souvenirs, so I decided to bring my checked suitcase (empty) in addition to my regular carry on + personal item. I... regret that now haha
If you're checking a bag, I'd recommend you keep these notes in mind: Always always always bring a change of clothes (or two) in your carry on, as well as any true essentials (think: medications, chargers, your fave undies, etc). I will add that on 6/8 of my group trips, one or more persons have had their luggage lost/delayed at some point in the trip. I've heard a lot of horror stories, however my own personal stats would show that it's fairly rare in relation to how many people are actually in each group. I'll always say: check at your own risk my friends! Be aware as well that you may have to lug your bag up flights on flights of stairs, over cobblestone and uneven ground, etc etc. Although, with EF, this is honestly pretty minimal. You'll take your luggage from the bus to the hotel back to the bus. Because this is a city experience, you're also not moving around like you would be on other trips, so that'll help as far as not having to lug it around for the most part. But, at the same time, city experiences are only 7 days in total, so it's 1000% a doable trip to use just a carry on. At the location we stayed specifically, there were two elevators and no issues. The hotel staff actually brought our bags up to our rooms for us.
What do I need to bring specific to this country?
• Adapter: I recommend a good universal adapter wherever possible, and it is indeed possible here. I have one recommended that is a tried and true for me on my Amazon Essentials list, linked below! My husband has the same one, and they have yet to fail us ever! (I do have a couple listed that we've tried, due to losing one or two over the years... oops)
Additionally, you may want to bring a converter if you're using any higher wattage item, such as a hair straightener or curler. Note that my adapter listed is not a converter. I will also add that our specific hotel had what looked to be a built in converter on the hair dryer unit in the bathroom. I don't believe this is a common thing, but it may be worth looking into your hotel a bit once you get your accommodation in app at the 30 day mark prior to your trip.
• Cash: While nearly everywhere we stopped did accept cards, there was often a cash price and a credit card price, and it was a HUGE percentage more to pay card. The amount to bring will definitely vary depending on how much you're looking to shop. Istanbul is definitely a shopping-heavy destination. I'll go more into souvenirs and pricing on those later in this guide, but here's what I did as far as cash: My bank (Wells Fargo) requires a minimum of $200 USD to order Turkish Lira to exchange, so I exchanged the minimum in advance (my bank has no fee for this). Right off the bat, I always set aside my tip for the TD, as well as my tip for the bus driver.
Personally, I was able to use this $200 USD (after exchanged into ~6400 TRY/Turkish Liras) for the entirety of the trip. I did not buy a rug like I was planning, but did purchase several smaller souvenirs. I used some of the cash for food, and as I mentioned, the rest for tipping that I had already set aside. I only purchased a few things with my card due to the crazy fees attached to using card many places. Overall, this was a very affordable trip in terms of spending money, and had I stuck to a strict budget, I could've spent even less. Although, street food is one of my favorite things, so if you're not into the casual food scene, it could add up more quickly.
Here’s what I got for souvenirs!👇🏼
• Packing for the weather: As always, please google the weather in your desired destination before packing. "Cold" and "hot" are pretty subjective when it comes down to it. I like to search "weather in ________ by month" as a quick way to see average temperatures.
It's VERY important to note that I went on this trip in WINTER. When I was searching "Istanbul in February," one blog post had specifically noted that it's the "worst time to visit" LOL. I could not disagree more, but anyway, back to packing:
We were very lucky with the weather. Our TD noted that we had some especially nice days for a February trip. We had a few cloudy days, a few sunny days and temperatures ranging from 50s-60s °F roughly. Night time of course brought along some cooler temps as well. If you're visiting in winter, I would recommend bringing some light to midweight layers. You know what "cold" is to you best, so if you get cold easier, you may want to bring a decent coat. If you run hot (like I do), you can probably get away with a lighter jacket.
In the summer, it does get very hot and muggy. Summer is of course a popular season to visit, and this will make it very crowded as well. I've heard some horror stories about just how crowded it gets, so summer wouldn't personally be my jam, but everyone travels differently. One really important thing I'd note for summertime is that you have to remove your shoes when entering any mosques. So, if you plan on wearing cute sandals, you may want to carry a pair of socks with you as well. Unless that doesn't bother you, in which case, you do you. The carpet inside seemed very clean, but again, I was visiting in the least crowded time of the year, so I can't say if that's the case during busy season.
• General packing: For a seven day trip, I'd recommend packing for the full amount of time that you're there. This should include options for about 6 full outfits (day one is your travel day, so I'm not including what you'll be wearing when you leave). As I mentioned above, there are so many ways that people approach packing. These are the two ways I use most:
Using a capsule wardrobe is packing within the same rough color scheme with items that can be easily exchanged with one another. Mix & Match style, if you will. Be sure to consider patterns and prints when using this packing method as well.
What I've been doing more as of lately is packing for each specific day, along with throwing in an extra outfit or two for good measure (depending on how much room I have). To pack like this, it's necessary to check the weather for each destination as close to departure as you can (especially on a trip during winter, where the weather can be quite unpredictable). This method is a bit extra and extremely Type A of me, but hey, A is for Alex right?
• Full packing list: I would recommend bringing (minimum) 5-6 outfits (pants/tops combos or dresses/rompers), 6+ pairs of underwear, 6+ socks (less if you are taking sandals), toiletries/skincare, prescriptions, over the counter medications (!!!), chargers, adapter, 1-2 jackets if during winter, and a trusty reusable water bottle. Of those outfits, most travelers like to wear something nicer for the Welcome Mixer and the Farewell Dinner. "Nice" in this case is totally up to you! Truly, whatever you're comfortable in will be just fine. If this means a sequin dress, go for it. If this means jeans and a nice top, that's absolutely okay too!
Some non-essential essentials that you may want to bring along: A book is something that I bring on every trip anywhere in the world! It's pretty much a non-negotiable for me. Similarly, I've heard people bringing a Kindle, Switch, other portable gaming. You may also want a neck pillow, AirFly adapter, coin pouch, day pack/crossbody, portable charger, ear plugs, handheld fan for summertime, airtag(s), wrinkle release spray, etc. This varies greatly from person to person, but I have all of my personal faves and more listed on my Amazon Essentials list under "All Travel Essentials." (purchasing through my link has no extra charge to you, but it can help me out a bit, and I'm super grateful to anyone who uses it!)
For this trip, I also recommend leaving some extra open space for any souvenirs or... *oof* bringing an empty checked bag. So, a checked bag is included. If you're *planning* to buy a rug, large lamp, or other large amounts of souvenirs, I'd definitely recommend putting that included check bag to use. Why not? (I'll tell you why not, too, haha)
I'll have a few souvenir guides linked below, but I strongly encourage you to plan ahead and think about what you'd like to purchase and bring home. Most shops do also have the option to ship to the US as well, especially for the larger items. However, they will likely either have a shipping cost or offer free shipping but have higher prices on their items.
If you can avoid checking a bag, that will always be my suggestion, and this trip reiterated that for me. To sum it up, basically my flight from Istanbul to LAX was delayed and because I specifically had missed the bag check deadline, I wasn't able to board my final flight home. I had time before gates closed, but the bag check had closed earlier. And no, this was not due to the flights EF booked me on. I was booked on what usually would be the "perfect" layover time, in my opinion. I had roughly a 3-4 hour layover at LAX, but our initial flight was delayed before departing and somehow the flight *also* took even longer in transit. This is obviously not going to be true for all of Istanbul flights, I'm just sharing my personal experience.
Perhaps you check a bag every single trip regardless, and that's fine. I hope you have better luck!
Istanbul Arrival:
Welcome to Istanbul and the start of this City Experience!
Our group had arrival times spanning from about 10am all the way to about 6pm. I do want to restate that I went on the content run of this trip, so these arrival times may not necessarily be what you experience. (Although, it is very common for arrivals to vary like this because we are travelers from all over North America in most cases). If you've been on an EFUB trip before, you may already know, but arrival times are often grouped into sections to bus to the accommodations. We were grouped in the first arrival group. Customs here had some long-ish lines, but it was an easy airport to navigate (signs all translated to English), and we made it through without any issues. Istanbul has two airports, and neither of them are close to the city. It's usually anywhere from around a 45 min to 1.5 hour drive into the city, depending on traffic. And Istanbul is notorious for having some insane traffic.
However, despite the traffic, we lucked out and our rooms ended up being ready for check in early! It was a win at the end, so we quick showered, and then a couple of us met up in the lobby to go explore Istanbul during our remaining free time before the group Welcome Dinner!
Touristy Must Do's
Now, remember that many of these will be included within EF Ultimate Break's tour schedule!
• First up, the two must see mosques that are right next to each other: Hagia Sofia (Ayasofya) and Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet)
*Remember: like I stated above: you will have to remove your shoes when you enter. Head coverings are also required for women. And don't worry, you can also purchase one at/near the mosque entrance if you don't have one.
Pro tip: the further you walk from the mosque side shops towards the Obelisk, the cheaper they will get! I got mine for only 50TL (around $1.50 at time of writing this), AND the shop worker even showed me how to wear it to help me out!
Speaking of the Obelisk, don't forget to see that while you're in this area!
• How bazaar?! Of course, you must visit the famous bazaars in Istanbul! You probably know of the Grand Bazaar, but don't miss out on the Egyptian Spice Bazaar either!
There are lots of other bazaars and markets throughout the city, but this is the touristy section of the guide, so save those for later!
• Galata Tower and Karakoy area: an absolute must! We only had a very short time here, but next time, I'd definitely stay near this area if I return solo. There was a ton of amazing food here, but I'll touch on that more in the next couple sections of this guide.
• Topkapi Palace: A pretty high price tag for entry in all honesty, but worth it! This palace is absolutely beautiful, and you may only be in Istanbul once right!? (you'll wanna come back though)
- Entry including the Harem section (you definitely want to add this section on!) is 2000 TL, or $60... I know, I warned you though.
• Taksim Square: an ICONIC spot in Istanbul, that despite five days here, we still didn't have time to go visit, unfortunately. I'd definitely make time for it when I return. Be on the lookout for the vintage red tram!
• Basilica Cistern: You may have seen this on other lists of the top things to see in Istanbul! It was a pretty fun visit, they even have some art installations throughout the cistern. It gives very Chamber of Secrets vibes at times
• While my next two suggestions are neighborhoods, and I will elaborate more on them below, I think they're both must visits if you have the time in Istanbul! If you're doing one of EF Ultimate Break's other Turkiye trips, I highly highly recommend extending so that you have more time in this massive city! It's literally the largest city in Europe, and there's SO much to see! And that's only one side of it!
You simply must visit Balat neighborhood and the Anatolian side of Istanbul (the Asian side)!
• Lastly, a cruise along the Bosphorus is essential! EF Ultimate Break should offer this with all of their itineraries (they offer it currently), and I absolutely suggest joining in on that! Be sure to take some medication if you get motion sickness at all, though. It was not super rough, but if you're sitting inside the boat, it can start to get to you a bit sometimes.
Food, Food, Food!
Whether offered by EF Ultimate Break or done on your own, I highly recommend doing a street food tour while you're in Istanbul!
• The street food is going to be very similar regardless of where you stop for it, so I'm just going to list some of this city's staples!
- Simit: Essentially a Turkish bagel, try it plain or with Nutella!
- Balik Ekmek: aka the fish sandwiches (emphasis on the street food of this one, no need to get it at a sit down restaurant)
- Lahmacun/Pide: Turkish sort of pizza. Thin dough topped with mince meat. These are both pretty similar in the idea of it, but pide tends to be more crispy
- Midye Dolma: mussels! Not my jam, but my friend says 10/10!
- Kokoreç: greasy, salty sandwich filled with... sheep intestines? Yep, you read that right! If you're a meat eater, give it a try! Very very greasy, but I enjoyed it honestly. This is their perfect 'drunken night out' type of street food for sure, because it is GREASY as heck!
- Kumpir: I'm still dreaming of this. Basically a baked potato topped with one of a million toppings, whatever you would like on it. Try it the traditional way! It's a loaded baked potato, but just... better.
There's even more street food out there that is sooo popular here, but these were the key few we tried on more than one occasion.
Street food isn't the only food to try either!
Truthfully, I had no idea Istanbul was such a foodie destination, but oh my goodness!!! It's incredible!
• You must try a traditional Turkish breakfast! But, bring your appetite first thing because it's a massive spread of food! We actually did not have time to do this (I know, I know, we missed out), and we opted for quick breakfasts at our hotel each day, which was still a very nice breakfast by the way! You can get a Turkish breakfast all around the city, and I have a few spots saved for next time I visit. Places like Seven Hills (famous spot - you'll see why) also offer this!
• Baklava and Turkish delights! This one goes without saying I think. You can find so many variations of both of these, all over. Shops will offer samples, and don't be afraid to taste them!
Pro tip here: don't get a variety box of either, unless you've tried each flavor and know you like them! Whoops. Request to build your own box of selections
• Doner Kebabs: Another one that I think speaks for itself mostly. Try as much as you can! I personally really enjoyed the Iskander Kebap variation that I got at the Pudding Shop (yes, that's what it's called lol)
^this place was awesome, by the way! Go here!
• Türk Kahvesi aka Turkish Coffee! It's a must try when you visit, but be prepared: it's pretty strong, and the texture (at least where I had it) was a bit thicker than I'm used to for a coffee
• Cherry juice!!!! I literally cannot say enough about this. I saw on the plane (Turkish Airlines of course) that cherry juice was an option during meals, and it was probably the best juice I've ever tasted in my life. You can find it bottled/canned all throughout the area, although whatever brand the airline uses is definitely the best one I tried! I've also seen that pomegranate juice is quite popular, but you can get that just about anywhere. You know what you can't get just anywhere? Cherry juice.
• Try çay (pronounced 'chai'), Turkish for tea! There are many variations, but the pomegranate and apple teas were to die for, in my opinion!!! If you prefer your tea less sweet, their standard tea may be right up your alley. I'm more of an "add two sugars to my tea" kinda girlie.
• Meze: Now, this is one I didn't know the name of until writing this up and doing my follow-up, post-trip research. This is an appetizer that's typically ordered to share, and there's a TON of it, so sharing is definitely key here. This is what was typically ordered already for us during our more traditional included dinners from the EF Ultimate Break tour.
Here are a couple places we had traditional Turkish meals:
The food at all of these was great! I'd recommend any of them again. The service at Deraliye and the views at Roof Mezze were exceptional enough that they really stood out as well! (Pudding Shop is another one with traditional Turkish food, but I've already mentioned it above)
• While it's not traditional, you must try the famous cheesecake when you're in the Galata neighborhood. If you aren't familiar, think of how satisfying a cheese pull is. Got it? Okay, now this is better.
Other good eats we had + bars/drinks:
• Going to start it off strong with the most popular rooftop bar in the area near our hotel. It was a great view, great atmosphere, and a great drink - but this one drink was also the most expensive thing I bought throughout this entire trip. That said, it was still pretty lovely, and I'd probably go back if even just for one drink! (It was around $20 I believe, even my Turkish lamp was only about $12 haaa)
• Berlin Line Kadakoy: They did have several Turkish dishes, if you want to try as much Turkish inspired food as you can. A bunch of us were craving some variation of pastas though, so that's what brought us in. Well... right after we saw the disco bathroom, that is! They also had a live DJ, and the place was a whole vibe of its own. 10/10 recommend.
• Seven Hills Restaurant: okay, okay, you've probably been seeing this all over every guide to Istanbul, so here it is. I know there are some very mixed reviews regarding the food, but what I had was delicious! It was a bit pricey, but it was also swordfish, after all. It seemed most of our group thoroughly enjoyed their meals, and the only ones who noted it being just average were the ones who did not get seafood. Now, I'm certainly not saying you have to get fish, just noting what was our experience. You can also just go for a drink, you do not need to order food even. Although, you do need a reservation.
I should note: the area where you get "the shot" is a separate photo area, so you will not be seated right there, and no one will be in your way (at tables anyway) either. Also, the photos with all of the seagulls are achieved by feeding them French fry pieces. You may or may not also get pooped on. Perhaps go for an early dinner to lessen this chance.
The best times to visit as far as photos go will be sunrise or sunset, but be sure to check their opening hours and coordinate that with your choice for time of day. Sunset was incredible here, and it's worth it whether you're doing it for the 'gram or just for your own eyeball experience.
Districts/Neighborhoods:
Fatih
Sometimes known as the historic or tourist district of Istanbul, I'm starting off in this area because this is where we made our home base at Kent Hotel. (Hotel review later in this guide, but it was wonderful!)
Places of interest in this district: Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Turkish Hamams, and much much more.
Perhaps you're seeing why it's often referred to as the touristy district now? And as such, I can see why we stayed in this area. However, having now seen those gorgeous spots, when I return, I would definitely stay in another area of the city. Karakoy was an awesome area that we all vibed well with, but Balat truly stole my heart. So, let's move on to the Balat neighborhood.
Balat
My absolute fave! While we did not spend much time here at all (I'm talking, around four hours or less), it stood out to me enough that I want to bring it up immediately.
To be totally honest, we expected Balat to be one of those places that was just for the photos. When you see colorful neighborhoods around the world, they aren't always accompanied by lively atmospheres to match. Now, we did arrive early-ish in the morning, so the colorful area was of course not all that lively yet. It is a residential area, so if you go here, please remember to be respectful of people's homes, especially if you arrive early morning as we did.
After getting our photos though, we explored more of Balat. From shops to the neighborhood cats to one of the best restaurant experiences I had in Istanbul - it was all incredible. Our TD filmed some content with us, but then she also took us to some very interesting spots. I'll list a few places in Balat down below.
When I return to Istanbul, I want to spend at least a couple days over in this area. It is quite far from the tourist sites though, so if you can organize the things you want to do by neighborhood, this would be beneficial to you. My favorite spot was a cafe I found on TikTok. If you don't like cats though, this won't be the spot for you. Actually, if you don't like cats, this city may not be for you either. Lol. But I'm not here to judge.
(jk, if you're a cat hater, please purchase a soul before departure)
Contents:
1. Packing Essentials
2. Tourist Sights & Must Do's
3. Food: Restaurants, Bars, & Must Try Foods
4. Neighborhoods of Istanbul
5. Other Noteworthy Stops
6. Accommodation Review
7. FAQ Section
8. Other EF Guides & Resources
Welcome to my new guide format! I've adjusted some things over my last few trips in order to share the most detail that I can with you all. Please utilize this contents section to know if you'd like to skip over a certain section. & enjoy!
*also note that this trip specifically is a bit different due to this being a content trip and very first trial run unreleased to the public, so I will not be including our schedule's exact timing for this trip.
Packing Essentials:
First thing's first, carry on or checked luggage?
There are probably a few dozen different ways that you can pack for any trip. I am very set in my ways, but the true key to success is finding exactly what works best for you personally. What works for one person may not work well for another, and that's totally okay.
When going anywhere in Europe with EFUB, you're generally able to bring one checked luggage, one carry on, and one personal item. You can double check this info in the KBYG section listed in your account page for your trip. Bag weights and sizes will be airline specific -- and YES, sometimes they WILL check. This happened to me on this exact trip (the airline can weigh them, not EF). I will always recommend carry on plus personal item only - and I use backpacks over rollers almost exclusively. I'm fully aware that this totally isn't realistic for everyone, so I'll include some other tips as well! For this trip however, I had full planned to bring home some larger souvenirs, so I decided to bring my checked suitcase (empty) in addition to my regular carry on + personal item. I... regret that now haha
If you're checking a bag, I'd recommend you keep these notes in mind: Always always always bring a change of clothes (or two) in your carry on, as well as any true essentials (think: medications, chargers, your fave undies, etc). I will add that on 6/8 of my group trips, one or more persons have had their luggage lost/delayed at some point in the trip. I've heard a lot of horror stories, however my own personal stats would show that it's fairly rare in relation to how many people are actually in each group. I'll always say: check at your own risk my friends! Be aware as well that you may have to lug your bag up flights on flights of stairs, over cobblestone and uneven ground, etc etc. Although, with EF, this is honestly pretty minimal. You'll take your luggage from the bus to the hotel back to the bus. Because this is a city experience, you're also not moving around like you would be on other trips, so that'll help as far as not having to lug it around for the most part. But, at the same time, city experiences are only 7 days in total, so it's 1000% a doable trip to use just a carry on. At the location we stayed specifically, there were two elevators and no issues. The hotel staff actually brought our bags up to our rooms for us.
What do I need to bring specific to this country?
• Adapter: I recommend a good universal adapter wherever possible, and it is indeed possible here. I have one recommended that is a tried and true for me on my Amazon Essentials list, linked below! My husband has the same one, and they have yet to fail us ever! (I do have a couple listed that we've tried, due to losing one or two over the years... oops)
Additionally, you may want to bring a converter if you're using any higher wattage item, such as a hair straightener or curler. Note that my adapter listed is not a converter. I will also add that our specific hotel had what looked to be a built in converter on the hair dryer unit in the bathroom. I don't believe this is a common thing, but it may be worth looking into your hotel a bit once you get your accommodation in app at the 30 day mark prior to your trip.
• Cash: While nearly everywhere we stopped did accept cards, there was often a cash price and a credit card price, and it was a HUGE percentage more to pay card. The amount to bring will definitely vary depending on how much you're looking to shop. Istanbul is definitely a shopping-heavy destination. I'll go more into souvenirs and pricing on those later in this guide, but here's what I did as far as cash: My bank (Wells Fargo) requires a minimum of $200 USD to order Turkish Lira to exchange, so I exchanged the minimum in advance (my bank has no fee for this). Right off the bat, I always set aside my tip for the TD, as well as my tip for the bus driver.
Personally, I was able to use this $200 USD (after exchanged into ~6400 TRY/Turkish Liras) for the entirety of the trip. I did not buy a rug like I was planning, but did purchase several smaller souvenirs. I used some of the cash for food, and as I mentioned, the rest for tipping that I had already set aside. I only purchased a few things with my card due to the crazy fees attached to using card many places. Overall, this was a very affordable trip in terms of spending money, and had I stuck to a strict budget, I could've spent even less. Although, street food is one of my favorite things, so if you're not into the casual food scene, it could add up more quickly.
Here’s what I got for souvenirs!👇🏼
• Packing for the weather: As always, please google the weather in your desired destination before packing. "Cold" and "hot" are pretty subjective when it comes down to it. I like to search "weather in ________ by month" as a quick way to see average temperatures.
It's VERY important to note that I went on this trip in WINTER. When I was searching "Istanbul in February," one blog post had specifically noted that it's the "worst time to visit" LOL. I could not disagree more, but anyway, back to packing:
We were very lucky with the weather. Our TD noted that we had some especially nice days for a February trip. We had a few cloudy days, a few sunny days and temperatures ranging from 50s-60s °F roughly. Night time of course brought along some cooler temps as well. If you're visiting in winter, I would recommend bringing some light to midweight layers. You know what "cold" is to you best, so if you get cold easier, you may want to bring a decent coat. If you run hot (like I do), you can probably get away with a lighter jacket.
In the summer, it does get very hot and muggy. Summer is of course a popular season to visit, and this will make it very crowded as well. I've heard some horror stories about just how crowded it gets, so summer wouldn't personally be my jam, but everyone travels differently. One really important thing I'd note for summertime is that you have to remove your shoes when entering any mosques. So, if you plan on wearing cute sandals, you may want to carry a pair of socks with you as well. Unless that doesn't bother you, in which case, you do you. The carpet inside seemed very clean, but again, I was visiting in the least crowded time of the year, so I can't say if that's the case during busy season.
• General packing: For a seven day trip, I'd recommend packing for the full amount of time that you're there. This should include options for about 6 full outfits (day one is your travel day, so I'm not including what you'll be wearing when you leave). As I mentioned above, there are so many ways that people approach packing. These are the two ways I use most:
Using a capsule wardrobe is packing within the same rough color scheme with items that can be easily exchanged with one another. Mix & Match style, if you will. Be sure to consider patterns and prints when using this packing method as well.
What I've been doing more as of lately is packing for each specific day, along with throwing in an extra outfit or two for good measure (depending on how much room I have). To pack like this, it's necessary to check the weather for each destination as close to departure as you can (especially on a trip during winter, where the weather can be quite unpredictable). This method is a bit extra and extremely Type A of me, but hey, A is for Alex right?
• Full packing list: I would recommend bringing (minimum) 5-6 outfits (pants/tops combos or dresses/rompers), 6+ pairs of underwear, 6+ socks (less if you are taking sandals), toiletries/skincare, prescriptions, over the counter medications (!!!), chargers, adapter, 1-2 jackets if during winter, and a trusty reusable water bottle. Of those outfits, most travelers like to wear something nicer for the Welcome Mixer and the Farewell Dinner. "Nice" in this case is totally up to you! Truly, whatever you're comfortable in will be just fine. If this means a sequin dress, go for it. If this means jeans and a nice top, that's absolutely okay too!
Some non-essential essentials that you may want to bring along: A book is something that I bring on every trip anywhere in the world! It's pretty much a non-negotiable for me. Similarly, I've heard people bringing a Kindle, Switch, other portable gaming. You may also want a neck pillow, AirFly adapter, coin pouch, day pack/crossbody, portable charger, ear plugs, handheld fan for summertime, airtag(s), wrinkle release spray, etc. This varies greatly from person to person, but I have all of my personal faves and more listed on my Amazon Essentials list under "All Travel Essentials." (purchasing through my link has no extra charge to you, but it can help me out a bit, and I'm super grateful to anyone who uses it!)
For this trip, I also recommend leaving some extra open space for any souvenirs or... *oof* bringing an empty checked bag. So, a checked bag is included. If you're *planning* to buy a rug, large lamp, or other large amounts of souvenirs, I'd definitely recommend putting that included check bag to use. Why not? (I'll tell you why not, too, haha)
I'll have a few souvenir guides linked below, but I strongly encourage you to plan ahead and think about what you'd like to purchase and bring home. Most shops do also have the option to ship to the US as well, especially for the larger items. However, they will likely either have a shipping cost or offer free shipping but have higher prices on their items.
If you can avoid checking a bag, that will always be my suggestion, and this trip reiterated that for me. To sum it up, basically my flight from Istanbul to LAX was delayed and because I specifically had missed the bag check deadline, I wasn't able to board my final flight home. I had time before gates closed, but the bag check had closed earlier. And no, this was not due to the flights EF booked me on. I was booked on what usually would be the "perfect" layover time, in my opinion. I had roughly a 3-4 hour layover at LAX, but our initial flight was delayed before departing and somehow the flight *also* took even longer in transit. This is obviously not going to be true for all of Istanbul flights, I'm just sharing my personal experience.
Perhaps you check a bag every single trip regardless, and that's fine. I hope you have better luck!
Istanbul Arrival:
Welcome to Istanbul and the start of this City Experience!
Our group had arrival times spanning from about 10am all the way to about 6pm. I do want to restate that I went on the content run of this trip, so these arrival times may not necessarily be what you experience. (Although, it is very common for arrivals to vary like this because we are travelers from all over North America in most cases). If you've been on an EFUB trip before, you may already know, but arrival times are often grouped into sections to bus to the accommodations. We were grouped in the first arrival group. Customs here had some long-ish lines, but it was an easy airport to navigate (signs all translated to English), and we made it through without any issues. Istanbul has two airports, and neither of them are close to the city. It's usually anywhere from around a 45 min to 1.5 hour drive into the city, depending on traffic. And Istanbul is notorious for having some insane traffic.
However, despite the traffic, we lucked out and our rooms ended up being ready for check in early! It was a win at the end, so we quick showered, and then a couple of us met up in the lobby to go explore Istanbul during our remaining free time before the group Welcome Dinner!
Touristy Must Do's
Now, remember that many of these will be included within EF Ultimate Break's tour schedule!
• First up, the two must see mosques that are right next to each other: Hagia Sofia (Ayasofya) and Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet)
*Remember: like I stated above: you will have to remove your shoes when you enter. Head coverings are also required for women. And don't worry, you can also purchase one at/near the mosque entrance if you don't have one.
Pro tip: the further you walk from the mosque side shops towards the Obelisk, the cheaper they will get! I got mine for only 50TL (around $1.50 at time of writing this), AND the shop worker even showed me how to wear it to help me out!
Speaking of the Obelisk, don't forget to see that while you're in this area!
• How bazaar?! Of course, you must visit the famous bazaars in Istanbul! You probably know of the Grand Bazaar, but don't miss out on the Egyptian Spice Bazaar either!
There are lots of other bazaars and markets throughout the city, but this is the touristy section of the guide, so save those for later!
• Galata Tower and Karakoy area: an absolute must! We only had a very short time here, but next time, I'd definitely stay near this area if I return solo. There was a ton of amazing food here, but I'll touch on that more in the next couple sections of this guide.
• Topkapi Palace: A pretty high price tag for entry in all honesty, but worth it! This palace is absolutely beautiful, and you may only be in Istanbul once right!? (you'll wanna come back though)
- Entry including the Harem section (you definitely want to add this section on!) is 2000 TL, or $60... I know, I warned you though.
• Taksim Square: an ICONIC spot in Istanbul, that despite five days here, we still didn't have time to go visit, unfortunately. I'd definitely make time for it when I return. Be on the lookout for the vintage red tram!
• Basilica Cistern: You may have seen this on other lists of the top things to see in Istanbul! It was a pretty fun visit, they even have some art installations throughout the cistern. It gives very Chamber of Secrets vibes at times
• While my next two suggestions are neighborhoods, and I will elaborate more on them below, I think they're both must visits if you have the time in Istanbul! If you're doing one of EF Ultimate Break's other Turkiye trips, I highly highly recommend extending so that you have more time in this massive city! It's literally the largest city in Europe, and there's SO much to see! And that's only one side of it!
You simply must visit Balat neighborhood and the Anatolian side of Istanbul (the Asian side)!
• Lastly, a cruise along the Bosphorus is essential! EF Ultimate Break should offer this with all of their itineraries (they offer it currently), and I absolutely suggest joining in on that! Be sure to take some medication if you get motion sickness at all, though. It was not super rough, but if you're sitting inside the boat, it can start to get to you a bit sometimes.
Food, Food, Food!
Whether offered by EF Ultimate Break or done on your own, I highly recommend doing a street food tour while you're in Istanbul!
• The street food is going to be very similar regardless of where you stop for it, so I'm just going to list some of this city's staples!
- Simit: Essentially a Turkish bagel, try it plain or with Nutella!
- Balik Ekmek: aka the fish sandwiches (emphasis on the street food of this one, no need to get it at a sit down restaurant)
- Lahmacun/Pide: Turkish sort of pizza. Thin dough topped with mince meat. These are both pretty similar in the idea of it, but pide tends to be more crispy
- Midye Dolma: mussels! Not my jam, but my friend says 10/10!
- Kokoreç: greasy, salty sandwich filled with... sheep intestines? Yep, you read that right! If you're a meat eater, give it a try! Very very greasy, but I enjoyed it honestly. This is their perfect 'drunken night out' type of street food for sure, because it is GREASY as heck!
- Kumpir: I'm still dreaming of this. Basically a baked potato topped with one of a million toppings, whatever you would like on it. Try it the traditional way! It's a loaded baked potato, but just... better.
There's even more street food out there that is sooo popular here, but these were the key few we tried on more than one occasion.
Street food isn't the only food to try either!
Truthfully, I had no idea Istanbul was such a foodie destination, but oh my goodness!!! It's incredible!
• You must try a traditional Turkish breakfast! But, bring your appetite first thing because it's a massive spread of food! We actually did not have time to do this (I know, I know, we missed out), and we opted for quick breakfasts at our hotel each day, which was still a very nice breakfast by the way! You can get a Turkish breakfast all around the city, and I have a few spots saved for next time I visit. Places like Seven Hills (famous spot - you'll see why) also offer this!
• Baklava and Turkish delights! This one goes without saying I think. You can find so many variations of both of these, all over. Shops will offer samples, and don't be afraid to taste them!
Pro tip here: don't get a variety box of either, unless you've tried each flavor and know you like them! Whoops. Request to build your own box of selections
• Doner Kebabs: Another one that I think speaks for itself mostly. Try as much as you can! I personally really enjoyed the Iskander Kebap variation that I got at the Pudding Shop (yes, that's what it's called lol)
^this place was awesome, by the way! Go here!
• Türk Kahvesi aka Turkish Coffee! It's a must try when you visit, but be prepared: it's pretty strong, and the texture (at least where I had it) was a bit thicker than I'm used to for a coffee
• Cherry juice!!!! I literally cannot say enough about this. I saw on the plane (Turkish Airlines of course) that cherry juice was an option during meals, and it was probably the best juice I've ever tasted in my life. You can find it bottled/canned all throughout the area, although whatever brand the airline uses is definitely the best one I tried! I've also seen that pomegranate juice is quite popular, but you can get that just about anywhere. You know what you can't get just anywhere? Cherry juice.
• Try çay (pronounced 'chai'), Turkish for tea! There are many variations, but the pomegranate and apple teas were to die for, in my opinion!!! If you prefer your tea less sweet, their standard tea may be right up your alley. I'm more of an "add two sugars to my tea" kinda girlie.
• Meze: Now, this is one I didn't know the name of until writing this up and doing my follow-up, post-trip research. This is an appetizer that's typically ordered to share, and there's a TON of it, so sharing is definitely key here. This is what was typically ordered already for us during our more traditional included dinners from the EF Ultimate Break tour.
Here are a couple places we had traditional Turkish meals:
The food at all of these was great! I'd recommend any of them again. The service at Deraliye and the views at Roof Mezze were exceptional enough that they really stood out as well! (Pudding Shop is another one with traditional Turkish food, but I've already mentioned it above)
• While it's not traditional, you must try the famous cheesecake when you're in the Galata neighborhood. If you aren't familiar, think of how satisfying a cheese pull is. Got it? Okay, now this is better.
Other good eats we had + bars/drinks:
• Going to start it off strong with the most popular rooftop bar in the area near our hotel. It was a great view, great atmosphere, and a great drink - but this one drink was also the most expensive thing I bought throughout this entire trip. That said, it was still pretty lovely, and I'd probably go back if even just for one drink! (It was around $20 I believe, even my Turkish lamp was only about $12 haaa)
• Berlin Line Kadakoy: They did have several Turkish dishes, if you want to try as much Turkish inspired food as you can. A bunch of us were craving some variation of pastas though, so that's what brought us in. Well... right after we saw the disco bathroom, that is! They also had a live DJ, and the place was a whole vibe of its own. 10/10 recommend.
• Seven Hills Restaurant: okay, okay, you've probably been seeing this all over every guide to Istanbul, so here it is. I know there are some very mixed reviews regarding the food, but what I had was delicious! It was a bit pricey, but it was also swordfish, after all. It seemed most of our group thoroughly enjoyed their meals, and the only ones who noted it being just average were the ones who did not get seafood. Now, I'm certainly not saying you have to get fish, just noting what was our experience. You can also just go for a drink, you do not need to order food even. Although, you do need a reservation.
I should note: the area where you get "the shot" is a separate photo area, so you will not be seated right there, and no one will be in your way (at tables anyway) either. Also, the photos with all of the seagulls are achieved by feeding them French fry pieces. You may or may not also get pooped on. Perhaps go for an early dinner to lessen this chance.
The best times to visit as far as photos go will be sunrise or sunset, but be sure to check their opening hours and coordinate that with your choice for time of day. Sunset was incredible here, and it's worth it whether you're doing it for the 'gram or just for your own eyeball experience.
Districts/Neighborhoods:
Fatih
Sometimes known as the historic or tourist district of Istanbul, I'm starting off in this area because this is where we made our home base at Kent Hotel. (Hotel review later in this guide, but it was wonderful!)
Places of interest in this district: Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Turkish Hamams, and much much more.
Perhaps you're seeing why it's often referred to as the touristy district now? And as such, I can see why we stayed in this area. However, having now seen those gorgeous spots, when I return, I would definitely stay in another area of the city. Karakoy was an awesome area that we all vibed well with, but Balat truly stole my heart. So, let's move on to the Balat neighborhood.
Balat
My absolute fave! While we did not spend much time here at all (I'm talking, around four hours or less), it stood out to me enough that I want to bring it up immediately.
To be totally honest, we expected Balat to be one of those places that was just for the photos. When you see colorful neighborhoods around the world, they aren't always accompanied by lively atmospheres to match. Now, we did arrive early-ish in the morning, so the colorful area was of course not all that lively yet. It is a residential area, so if you go here, please remember to be respectful of people's homes, especially if you arrive early morning as we did.
After getting our photos though, we explored more of Balat. From shops to the neighborhood cats to one of the best restaurant experiences I had in Istanbul - it was all incredible. Our TD filmed some content with us, but then she also took us to some very interesting spots. I'll list a few places in Balat down below.
When I return to Istanbul, I want to spend at least a couple days over in this area. It is quite far from the tourist sites though, so if you can organize the things you want to do by neighborhood, this would be beneficial to you. My favorite spot was a cafe I found on TikTok. If you don't like cats though, this won't be the spot for you. Actually, if you don't like cats, this city may not be for you either. Lol. But I'm not here to judge.
(jk, if you're a cat hater, please purchase a soul before departure)