Our accommodation
Piya Hostel is a simple and small accommodation, which is a 10-minute walk from Sultanahmet. This is the cheapest accommodation we have seen among the others in Sultanahmet. Most hostels offer free breakfast. The cost for an overnight stay is 98 liras (27$). We stayed at Piya for 2 days but our reservation is only for a day then left our things to the caretaker to explore the city. Therefore, we saved a one night accommodation and then took our things at night to ride a bus to Cappadocia.
Sultanahmet is where Hagia Sophia, an old church that became a mosque when Ottoman empire reigned; Blue mosque, Basilica Cistern and Hippodrome lies.
How to go around the famous landmarks
Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Hippodrome are all located in Sultanahmet station. Just walk around and you can see the different landmarks. It is better to walk along the area because most restaurants and souvenir shops are connected to each other. We were not able to see Basilica Cistern on the same day because it is holiday and it is close. However, we visited on the next day because it is a part of the Turkey's most unforgettable history that should be experienced.
There is a card that you can buy on the machine in each station. It is quite confusing at first but there are friendly staff in each station or passengers who can help you in getting a card. The card costs 10 liras and you can top it up so you can use the card in all your travel. It can also be used in going to the toilet in different stations for 1 lira because all toilets are paid.
Day 2: Bosphorus Cruise
This is a great activity to explore the amazing view of Istanbul while watching seagulls fly. You can order chips and drinks while watching the sky and the palace beside the sea. The best day to see the fascinating view is in the morning while the sun is up. It is a one-hour ride that costs 10 liras (5$). You can have a round trip but the route is the same in going back, so is the view. Therefore, we alighted at Kadikoy Market then road a train back to the city.
Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Hippodrome are all located in Sultanahmet station. Just walk around and you can see the different landmarks. It is better to walk along the area because most restaurants and souvenir shops are connected to each other. We were not able to see Basilica Cistern on the same day because it is holiday and it is close. However, we visited on the next day because it is a part of the Turkey's most unforgettable history that should be experienced.
There is a card that you can buy on the machine in each station. It is quite confusing at first but there are friendly staff in each station or passengers who can help you in getting a card. The card costs 10 liras and you can top it up so you can use the card in all your travel. It can also be used in going to the toilet in different stations for 1 lira because all toilets are paid.
This is a great activity to explore the amazing view of Istanbul while watching seagulls fly. You can order chips and drinks while watching the sky and the palace beside the sea. The best day to see the fascinating view is in the morning while the sun is up. It is a one-hour ride that costs 10 liras (5$). You can have a round trip but the route is the same in going back, so is the view. Therefore, we alighted at Kadikoy Market then road a train back to the city.
How to go there
From Sultanahmet station, ride a train going to Sirkeci, which is under the Marmaray line. It is pretty amazing that the Marmaray line was built under the sea so you need to pass through tunnels and three elevators down to reach it. It is cold inside the station and there is a part that is dark since you are in a tunnel. The famous place for starting the cruise is the Eminonu dock in Sirkeci.
Day 3-4: Cappadocia
Travel to Cappadocia will take 12 hours so we left Istanbul at night to sleep on a bus and save money for hotel accommodation.
Our accommodation
We stayed at Dorm Cave Hotel for a night. Cappadocia is known for its stone houses to preserve the history of the place. This is the reason why hostels were not made to be modern. Instead, it was constructed to be the same as the past with little change. Most of the rooms are not air-conditioned because of the cold weather. However, in our stay last September, it is hot in the afternoon but cold at night. Our stay costs 130 liras a night for the two of us in one room.
Our activities include the ever most popular hot air balloon ride, Rose Valley Tour and Green tour (Derinkuyu underground city, panoramic view of the Pigeon Valley, Onyx factory, and Ihlara Valley).
Day 5- 6 : Taksim Square, Istanbul
Our accommodation
We stayed in a different part of Istanbul to discover the place further because Istanbul is a vast land. Therefore, we stayed at New Pera Suites, which is the cheapest but largest room that we have stayed among the two others. It only costs 60 liras a night but without breakfast. Don't worry about food because Istiklal Avenue is a busy street where bars and restaurants are situated.
We went to Galata Tower, St Antoine Church, Orthodox church, Nisantasi Mall, and Istiklal Avenue. I came to realize that Turkey is surrounded by Muslim and Christian religion that is still in tranquility. Don't forget to experience the Funikuler ride because it is one of the oldest vehicle that is still under operation.
Foods
New Pera is also beside Durumzade restaurant where the famous chef Anthony Bourdain came to pass across. It is a must try for shawarma lovers. Try also their orange and pomegranate juice. Pomegranate drink alone is very sour so you can ask the vendor to mix it with orange. You can also try chocolates at Beyoglu Cikolatasi along the area of Taksim, which I find delicious and cheap. You can savor a 100 gram of personally picked chocolates for 6 liras. If you are a daredevil when it comes to food, have a taste of their Kokorec (lamb intestines) stuffed in a sandwich. I did not enjoy it but I was able to enjoy their unlimited breads. Lentil soup and potato bread is also delicious. Finally, do not forget to bring home their prominent baklava ( sweet pastry stuffed with chopped pistachios). We also went to see the baklava and lokum (a.k.a. turkish delights) which has free samples so don't miss them out. Lokum tastes great in a store called Effizade because they use honey instead of sugar. The staff are hospitable so just try the different lokums that they offer.
Do not expect food to be heavy because Turkish love healthy foods so expect for vegetables and a bland diet. In a Turkish Community, the usual breakfast they offer is a slice of cucumber, tomatoes, boiled or fried egg, cheese and a basket of bread with different spreads. Breads are unlimited though.
Day 6: Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar
Topkapi Palace is a huge and well-maintained palace that became the house of the Ottoman sultans during their reign. It was a lavish residence that became open to the public. If you will enter all the famous landmarks, it is better to buy a single card because it is cheaper.
After a morning stroll at Topkapi, we went to Grand Bazaar to buy souvenirs and food there. It is a huge market where textiles, foods, and home decors are sold. I will tell you the things that I bought in my next blog.
