10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Istanbul That You Shouldn't Miss

March 3, 2022 Leonarda Pillsbury

The mosques, bazaars, and Turkish baths of Istanbul could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip: an eyeful of breathtaking architecture here, a good-natured haggle over a carpet there. Kick your trip off at the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), which is visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.
Restaurants in Istanbul

1. Ready 2 Travel Tours

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5.0 based on 189 reviews

Ready 2 Travel Tours

Ready2Travel Turkey is an Istanbul-based tour operator, offering services all around Turkey. With a wide team of professional guides and a reliable fleet of vehicles, Ready2Travel Turkey offers unforgettable trips custom-made by our seasoned staff for each of our guests.

2. Culinary Backstreets -Tours

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5.0 based on 1,770 reviews

Culinary Backstreets -Tours

When it comes to exploring a city’s authentic dining scene, while the stomach should ideally serve as the best compass, the truth of the matter is that it’s hard to find your way without good local advice. That’s where Culinary Backstreets’ Culinary Walks come in. In order to help you explore the world’s gastro-capitals and get off these cities’ eaten path, CB is offering (with selected partners) guided culinary walks in some of the cities we cover, starting with Istanbul, Athens, Barcelona, and Shanghai.Our culinary walks are designed to lead visitors on an eating binge through a city’s lesser-seen historic side streets and authentic markets, taking in countless hard-to-find culinary gems and, in between bites, a select number of untouristed monuments. You can view our updated safety measures at https://culinarybackstreets.com/our-commitment/

3. Motif Collection

Kabasakal Caddesi No:3, Istanbul 34122 Turkey +90 535 736 41 97 [email protected] http://www.motifcollection.com/
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5.0 based on 305 reviews

Motif Collection

Since 1992, Motif Collection provides the best quality fully handcrafted carpets and kilims. Our collection also features carpets from around the Turkey, antique pieces and rare fragments. We also sell hand crafted Turkish ceramics hand made bone boxes and unique Turkish giftware.We are only dealing older Anatolian Dowry made Turkish carpets and kilims.We are also repairing and washing carpets and kilims.

Reviewed By sarahshg

If you're looking for an authentic Turkish rug in Istanbul, make sure that you either visit Motif Collection first or last, because it's the real deal. Hamit Balkir runs an unassuming shop that carries mostly vintage carpets that are full of color and character. Talking to Hamit was the single most educational thing for us to learn about vintage Turkish carpets; the beauty; the art; the tradition and role it had in Turkish culture. Hamit was patient and gracious and took all our questions. We left Istanbul with 2 gorgeous carpets and had them sent directly to our home in Malaysia.

4. True Blue

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5.0 based on 550 reviews

True Blue

We are an "A" class boutique travel agency located in the Sultanahmet old city district of Istanbul in Turkey. Our tours are countrywide and custom designed to suit each client's or client group's particular travel wishes. We do offer package tours as well. The primary goal of our agency is to focus on customer satisfaction by offering personal service and great attention to details as we believe that this is the best way to a successful future for the True Blue Tour team and for Turkish tourism as well.

5. My Local Guide Istanbul

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5.0 based on 730 reviews

My Local Guide Istanbul

See the local places and local faces of Turkey with My Local Guide Istanbul. Istanbul is a melting pot of European and Asian influences, a mix of the traditional and modern worlds and the best way to explore the city is with My Local Guide Istanbul. Immerse yourself in the heart and soul of the only city in the world that crosses two continents. Walk in the mazes of local streets, visit hidden historic destinations, drink tea with the locals and taste the rich and flavoursome cuisine of the region. My Local Guide Istanbul, with five years experience in leading tours for english-speaking International travellers, offers tours designed and delivered by local people with a passion for Turkey and travel. We specialise in tours for the independent traveller who likes to walk side by side with the locals and explore places that are not easy to discover on your own.

6. Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum

Ferahevler Mah. Nuri Pasa Cad. No:81 Tarabya, Istanbul 34457 Turkey +90 212 299 45 39 [email protected] http://atamanmuseum.com
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5.0 based on 635 reviews

Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum

Classic car museum in an retro environment with 70 cars on display.

Reviewed By O8585UMkatiep

A must see for the classic car enthusiasts. Cheap entrance tickets and very friendly and helpful staffs.

7. Istanbul on Food - Culinary Tours

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5.0 based on 915 reviews

Istanbul on Food - Culinary Tours

Let us take you on a unique Istanbul Food Tour inside our favorite neighborhoods and culinary backstreets of Istanbul. Each food tour includes food tastings from the best specialty food shops and local restaurants, as well as an off-the-beaten-path glimpse of life in Istanbul: the history, culture and architecture of our lively home. Of course, the food takes centre stage, and you definitely won’t leave hungry – but, this is so much more than just a food tour.

8. Cookistan Istanbul Cooking Classes

Yunus Bey Sokak No:32/A Pangalti, Istanbul 34375 Turkey +90 535 574 50 10 [email protected] http://www.cookistan.com
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5.0 based on 165 reviews

Cookistan Istanbul Cooking Classes

Reviewed By Laurenaw696

Couldn’t recommend Aysin’s class more! Firstly we walk around the neighbourhood which gives you a real insight into the traditions and typical daily life, and then in Aysin’s lovely home we learnt about Turkish cuisine & cooking techniques! Aysin & her sister are so warm and welcoming and we had a lot of laughs! Thanks again :)

9. Istanbul Tour Studio

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5.0 based on 253 reviews

Istanbul Tour Studio

Istanbul Tour Studio is a boutique travel agency that offers perfectly designed experiences across Turkey: Istanbul, Bursa, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Troy, Kars and Ayvalik. We offer fully customised and turn-key travel options to enjoy unforgettable visits. Our team passionately and carefully takes care of your Turkey trip at each step: airport welcoming, hotel bookings, tailor made tours, dinner reservations, transportation in and out of the cities and much more.

10. Tuzak

Osmanaga Mah. SakIz Sok. Aytac 2 Han. No:26 Kat:1 D:2, Istanbul 34714 Turkey +90 216 336 11 00 [email protected] http://www.tuzak.com
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5.0 based on 194 reviews

Tuzak

You open your eyes. You are locked inside a house you have never been in before. You have one hour to make it. With your teammates, you have to solve the riddles, find the clues and open the doors that will get you out of this house. You've got one hour. Can you make it?

Reviewed By agirlatrandom

Both of Tuzak's escape room games - the Great Bank Heist and Hotel California - are highly enjoyable and very well-designed. The stories are engaging, the puzzles are varied, interesting, and appropriately challenging, and there are some really good props and decoration. The bank heist game has an especially fun surprise at the end. We chose this establishment in the first place based on their high ratings and recommendations on various pages, and they deserve their good reputation.

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