Ready to ditch the guidebook and experience the real Istanbul?
The city straddling two continents offers far more than the standard Blue Mosque tours and Grand Bazaar haggling sessions.
It's the only city on Earth where East physically meets West. Where cultures and religions have collided, clashed and meshed to produce a metropolis that's simultaneously traditional and progressive.
But most of all, one that's unlike any other.
And what better way to explore it than by skipping the queues and bustle to discover its lesser-known pockets?
Unusual Things to Do in Istanbul
Let's dive into Istanbul's quirky underbelly where the real magic happens.
Theodosius Cistern - Şerefiye Sarnıcı
If you love the vibe of the Basilica Cistern but not the crowds, this one's for you.
By Izabela Miszczak - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
The Theodosius Cistern is a quieter, lesser-known underground marvel.
Hidden just off the main drag in Sultanahmet, it's smaller, cooler - literally - and hosts a rather hypnotic light show projected across 1,600-year-old columns.
Far fewer tourists, way more atmosphere. Check out its digital art events if you're feeling extra niche.
SALT Galata
A converted Ottoman bank, SALT Galata is the rest your eyeballs need after negotiating Istanbul's bustling streets.
Mtls88, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
With a dramatic marble staircase, ornate ceilings and an ultra-aesthetic reading room tucked away upstairs, this is the place to head if you want to blend in with Istanbul's art crowd.
This part-gallery, part-archive, part-café also has rooftop views that have somehow managed to evade TikTokers - so far.
Zeyrek Çinili Hamam
Recently reopened after a decade-long restoration, this 500-year-old hammam feels like someone polished up and resurrected a slice of Ottoman history.
By Sadrettin - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
It's got hand-painted tiles, moody domes and very few tourists - for now.
Book a visit before it inevitably goes mainstream.
The Abandoned Monastery of Büyükada
Here's one for the Urb-exers among you, or those who fancy a truly obscure adventure.
Take the ferry to Büyükada island, about an hour from Istanbul and rent a bike.
Pedal past the tourist-filled ice cream shops and head uphill to the abandoned Greek Orthodox orphanage.
Jwslubbock, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This massive wooden structure is Europe's largest and the world's second-largest wooden building.
Built at the turn of the 20th century as a luxury hotel and casino, the building was eventually bought, donated and used as an orphanage for over 60 years.
Sadly, it now sits decaying in its rural surroundings, although there is hope that its renovation is on the horizon.
Although you can't go inside, both local and international visitors are drawn to the site and come to view and photograph it from the perimeter fence.
Hunt for Paper Treasures in the Sahaflar Book Bazaar
While tourists crowd the Grand Bazaar, bookworms should head to Sahaflar Çarşısı, the centuries-old book market tucked between the Grand Bazaar and Beyazıt Mosque.
Let your mind wander as you browse through stacks of yellowing books, vintage maps and old Ottoman manuscripts.
Sadrettin - Yükleyenin kendi çalışması, CC BY-SA 4.0, Bağlantı
Even if you can't read Turkish, the vintage postcards make for brilliant souvenirs.
And unlike the Grand Bazaar, haggling here is subtle - more of a gentle negotiation than an expected performance.
Explore Underground Istanbul in Yerebatan Neighbourhood
Beyond the famous cistern, much of ancient Constantinople lies buried beneath modern Istanbul.
In the Yerebatan neighbourhood, several buildings have been excavated to reveal Byzantine structures in their basements.
Pop into Sarnıç Restaurant, where your table sits among ancient stone columns.
These spots rarely make the guidebooks but offer a more intimate connection with the city's layered history than the major sites.
Honour Istanbul's Most Famous Feline
The Turkish capital is cat-central. And perhaps its most famous feline resident was the nonchalant Tombili, aka 'chubby'.
One of the neighbourhood's stray cats, Tombili endeared audiences worldwide with his very particular way of lounging against the curbs of his home district of Kadıköy.
By Johannes Nickel - photograph, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
After becoming an internet sensation, Tombili passed away in 2016. However, the fluffy star's legacy lives on through a cute statue replicating his famous sitting position.
Tip: If you want to explore Istanbul's cat culture, the 2017 film Kedi, which follows the stories of seven of the city's cats, is a must-watch.
Watch Whirling Dervishes in a Working Tekke
Skip the touristy dervish performances and seek out Galata Mevlevihanesi, an authentic tekke, or dervish lodge, where ceremonies aren't performed for tourists but as a genuine spiritual practice.
Visitors can observe quietly, but photography is forbidden and the atmosphere demands respect.
Adobe Free Stock / Esin Deniz
The experience is worlds apart from the packaged shows advertised in hotels.
You'll likely leave with a deeper understanding of Turkish traditions and hopefully, a profound sense of calm.
Admire the Locals' Haul Under Galata Bridge
Most people storm across Galata Bridge en route to the spice bazaar or a rooftop bar. But the real magic? It's under the bridge.
Down by the water, generations of local men - from grandads in woolly jumpers to teenage lads on school holidays - quietly line the banks to fish, rods cast into the strait like a sacred ritual.
No self-consciousness, no rush. It's just the men of Istanbul kicking back over a tradition handed down through the years.
Adobe Free Stock / Marius Karp
Stop by at lunchtime to take a beat or in the evening to watch Istanbul life play out above as the sun sets.
You'll likely want to sample the goods after watching them emerge from the Bosphorus.
Grab a fresh grilled fish sandwich, or balık ekmek, from one of the kiosks under the bridge.
Yes, it's a bit touristy. But eaten in a quiet spot and done right - cheap bread, a squeeze of lemon and no frills - it's the kind of old-school snack that tastes even better than it looks.
Turn Turkish Fright into Turkish Delight with an eSIM
Before you embark on your Turkish adventure, make sure you stay online while on the move.
After all, you don't want to get stuck in a busy bazaar when your phone's going kaput.
With a Turkey eSIM, you can stay connected on your travels without the hassle of physical SIM card swapping.
Visit the Airalo store, select your preferred eSIM for Turkey, install and go.
iyi yolculuklar! (that's Turkish for 'Safe travels!')
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