Have you ever made a spontaneous travel decision based on a TikTok video? That’s exactly how our first Istanbul weekend trip began! When Nicole moved to Switzerland from Costa Rica, we wanted to celebrate her birthday with a little getaway. Paris was our initial thought, but those hotel prices quickly changed our minds! Then, as fate would have it, Nicole stumbled upon a TikTok showcasing Istanbul’s abundance of friendly street cats. Since she had to leave her beloved felines behind in Costa Rica, it seemed like the perfect destination to lift her spirits.
And just like that, we were off to Turkey! Four days in Istanbul – our first trip living together and our first time in this fascinating country where Europe meets Asia. Join us as we share our experiences, tips, and the little surprises we encountered along the way. If you’re planning your own budget-friendly adventure to this incredible city, this one’s for you!
Birthday Beginnings and First Impressions
Our journey began on Nicole’s birthday, March 13th. I started the day with small surprises – a heartfelt card, a cat plushie (she adores them!), and a rose. With our mid-day flight, we enjoyed a leisurely morning before heading to the airport.
Despite reading some concerning reviews, we took a chance on Pegasus Airlines. While not a luxury experience, it was certainly better than the online ratings suggested! The 2.5-hour flight passed smoothly, and before we knew it, we were touching down in Istanbul, ready for our adventure to begin.
Istanbul immediately presented us with its first challenge – figuring out the transportation system. The city is uniquely divided between two continents, with the European side hosting most tourist attractions and our hotel near Sultanahmet, and the Asian side across the Bosphorus Strait. We headed to a vending machine to purchase transportation cards, and here came our first lesson: beware of “helpful” strangers at the airport! A man offered assistance with the machine but somehow charged us double while our card only received a single credit. First travel scam: check!
The metro ride from the airport was packed – not the most comfortable experience with our luggage and backpacks. We accidentally went one station too far and had to backtrack, but eventually made it to the underwater tunnel train that connects the Asian and European sides. Finally reaching our hotel near Sultanahmet was a relief after the journey.
Hungry and eager to begin exploring, we ventured out for dinner at a local restaurant. Our first taste of authentic Turkish cuisine was absolutely delicious, and the complimentary baklava and tea afterward made it even more special. With full stomachs and tired legs, we took a brief evening stroll around Sultanahmet, admiring the illuminated historical buildings and getting excited about exploring them properly the next day.
Waking Up in Istanbul: Our First Full Day
Our first full day in Istanbul began with quite the wake-up call at 5:00 AM – a loud voice blaring from speakers outside our hotel. We later discovered this was related to Ramadan, and it would be our daily alarm clock throughout our stay. While a bit jarring, it became part of our authentic Istanbul experience!
After catching a bit more sleep, we headed down to enjoy our hotel’s breakfast buffet, which was filled with traditional Turkish pastries and all the usual morning favorites. It was the perfect fuel for a day of exploration.
The Four-G Hotel was a very good choice, located in the centre of the city, only a few walking minutes away from tourist attraction. With friendly staff and great support. We can only recommend the Four-G Hotel for every first time visitor to Istanbul
The first thing that struck us when stepping outside was the wonderful weather – a balmy 20-22°C (68-72°F) with abundant sunshine. Coming from Switzerland’s chilly 3°C (37°F), this felt like paradise! All four days of our Istanbul weekend trip blessed us with beautiful sunny weather.
Grand Bazaar: Not Quite What We Expected
Our first destination was the famous Grand Bazaar in the city center. I had visions of a bustling, perhaps slightly chaotic traditional market, but what we found was surprisingly modern, clean, and well-organized. While it wasn’t the exotic bazaar of my imagination, it still offered an impressive array of goods – from designer clothing to traditional Turkish spices and everything in between.
We wandered into a spice store where we sampled various sweets, teas, and health drinks. The aromas were intoxicating! We ended up purchasing some eucalyptus tea and another herbal remedy that promised to help with breathing. Pro tip: don’t make our mistake! Compare prices between shops and always negotiate. We definitely paid too much and realized later we’d been a bit scammed.
The vendor vacuum-sealed our tea in a way that made it look suspiciously like a package of illicit substances! It wasn’t until later that we worried about airport security questions, so we actually returned to ask the vendor to label the packages. Thankfully, this wasn’t an issue in the end, but it’s something to keep in mind when buying herbs and spices to take home.
Colorful Balat: Istanbul’s Hidden Gem
Next on our agenda was the Balat neighborhood, which my wife was particularly excited to visit. We took an Uber from the Grand Bazaar, and upon arrival, it felt like we’d been transported to an entirely different city. Balat charmed us with its colorful houses, quaint shops, cozy restaurants, and inviting cafés.
And the cats! We’d heard Istanbul was famous for its street cats, but we were still amazed by how many feline friends we encountered – literally one every few minutes. For Nicole, who was missing her own cats back in Costa Rica, this was absolute heaven.
We stopped for lunch at a restaurant called Turk, where we ordered shawarma that was deliciously spicy – perhaps a bit too spicy for our taste buds, but flavorful nonetheless! Energized after our meal, we took a leisurely stroll along the river in Balat, soaking in the perfect weather and picturesque scenery.
Galata Tower and Taksim Square: The Heart of Modern Istanbul
From Balat, we hopped on a tram to Galata Tower. Istanbul’s public transportation system is impressively efficient and easy to use. With a single card, you can access buses, trains, metros, trams, and even boats! Just remember our airport scam warning – fill your card yourself if possible.
When we reached Galata Tower, we were surprised by the steep entrance fee just to climb up for a view. Since Istanbul offers plenty of spectacular vistas for free, we decided to skip going inside and instead explored the surrounding area.
Our wanderings led us to one of Istanbul’s most famous streets, which stretches to Taksim Square. This bustling thoroughfare is lined with restaurants, cafés, and shops, though prices here tend to be on the higher end for Turkey. Nevertheless, we decided to treat ourselves to dinner near Taksim Square at a restaurant called Parole. Nicole ordered chicken skewers while I temporarily abandoned Turkish cuisine for a curry. Both dishes were delicious!
After a day filled with walking (and plenty of hills – Istanbul is not flat!), we headed back to our hotel to rest up. We had a boat tour booked for the next day and wanted to be fresh for the experience. If you’re planning your own Istanbul weekend trip, I’d recommend using the funicular to Galata Tower or the extensive tram network to save your legs from the city’s many inclines!
Cruising the Bosphorus: Where Europe Meets Asia
Saturday arrived with perfect weather for our Bosphorus boat tour – sunny skies with just a few clouds. Our only regret? Forgetting our sunglasses! This tour was a highlight of our Istanbul weekend trip, giving us a unique perspective of the city from the water while our guide shared fascinating historical insights about the monuments and buildings lining both shores.
The Bosphorus Strait isn’t just a beautiful waterway – it’s the physical divide between Europe and Asia, making Istanbul the only major city in the world spanning two continents. While we spent most of our time on the European side, the boat tour included a one-hour stop on the Asian side.
To be honest, the particular spot where our boat docked didn’t offer many attractions, but we enjoyed wandering through small local shops and treating ourselves to baklava at a café. There’s something special about casually crossing between continents during an afternoon excursion!
After completing our tour and returning to the European side, we took a short break at our hotel before embarking on another adventure – seeking out a rumored Saturday-only outlet mall we’d seen on TikTok. This required about an hour-long train ride to Bakirköy, but unfortunately, when we arrived at the supposed location, we found only a parking lot. It seems the outlet no longer exists, or perhaps never did!
Not wanting to waste the trip, we explored the Bakirköy area but found it wasn’t particularly exciting for shopping. Eventually, we made our way back to Taksim Square to fulfill our shopping desires at more reliable establishments.
One thing that surprised us about Istanbul was the pricing. We’d expected everything to be significantly cheaper, but many items, especially clothing, were only slightly less expensive than in Switzerland. Nevertheless, we did find some good deals on trainers, socks, underwear, and a sports dress for Nicole.
A pleasant discovery was Istanbul’s extended shopping hours – we were browsing in Zara and other clothing stores close to midnight! Just be mindful of public transportation schedules; we nearly missed the last tram back to our hotel.
Our Final Day: Breakfast with a View and Cultural Explorations
For our last full day in Istanbul, we decided to treat ourselves to a special breakfast with an incredible view. We chose the terrace of the Seven Hills Restaurant, a popular spot that can get crowded, especially in summer. The luck was on our side, we got the perfect table with the amazing view over the city’s iconic skyline.
We opted for the breakfast with various small plates, allowing us to sample a wide range of Turkish morning delicacies. The spread was not only delicious but also enormous – providing plenty of energy for our final day of exploration.
Fueled by our feast, we headed to the waterfront for a leisurely walk along the Bosphorus before making our way to the Blue Mosque. One of the things we appreciated most was that entrance to the mosque was free. While the architecture was impressive, we decided one mosque was enough for us as we’re not particularly religious travelers.
After all that walking, we craved a sweet treat. Wandering through the Sultanahmet area, we discovered a charming café where I ordered the famous cheesecake with chocolate cream, and Nicole chose a chocolate cake to accompany her coffee. In a delightful surprise, a friendly street cat jumped onto Nicole’s lap, seeking cuddles and perhaps a taste of her cake! These spontaneous feline encounters were truly special moments throughout our Istanbul weekend trip.
To complete our tourist itinerary, we visited Yerebatan Sarnıcı (the Basilica Cistern), an underground palace that once served as a water source for the entire city. The atmosphere down there was mystical and noticeably cooler than outside – definitely bring a light jacket, or use it as a refreshing escape from summer heat if you’re visiting during warmer months.
Final Evening: Souvenirs and a Spectacular Dinner
After returning to our hotel for a well-deserved rest, we ventured out again to shop for souvenirs. Nicole wanted to bring back mementos for her parents, and we also purchased some Turkish tea for my mother (though we later discovered the exact same tea is available in Switzerland – still, she enjoyed it!).
To celebrate our first trip together in 2025 and our final evening in Istanbul, we sought out something special for dinner. The Erhan Restaurant, conveniently located near our hotel, provided the perfect finale with their spectacular Testi Kebab, also known as pottery kebab.
This traditional dish from the Cappadocia region features vegetables, spices, tomato sauce or garlic, and your choice of meat (beef, lamb, or chicken), all slowly cooked in a sealed clay pot over open flames or in a tandoor-style oven. The presentation was truly memorable – our waiter dramatically broke open the pottery at our table with theatrical flair, releasing incredible aromas before serving. The flavors were as impressive as the performance, making for an unforgettable final meal in Turkey.
Reflections on Our First Turkish Adventure
As our Istanbul weekend trip came to an end, we reflected on how much we’d experienced in just four days. From navigating public transportation and avoiding scams to discovering hidden neighborhoods, enjoying boat tours, and befriending countless cats, Istanbul offered us a perfect blend of culture, history, cuisine, and new experiences.
For travelers coming from Europe, especially those looking for budget-friendly options, Istanbul provides excellent value. Despite not being quite as inexpensive as we’d initially expected. The city’s rich history, stunning architecture, delicious food, and unique position bridging two continents make it an incredible destination for a weekend trip.
If you’re considering exploring more of Turkey or other parts of Europe, check out our other Turkey travel posts or read about our Interrail winter adventure through Europe.
Have you visited Istanbul or are you planning a trip there soon? We’d love to hear about your experiences or answer any questions in the comments below!
Quick Tips for Your Istanbul Weekend Trip:
- Be cautious with “helpful” strangers at the airport, especially around ticket machines
- Public transportation is excellent and affordable – get a refillable card
- Prepare for hills if walking, or use funiculars and trams to save energy
- Compare prices and negotiate at markets and bazaars
- Visit Balat for colorful streets and a less touristy atmosphere
- Don’t miss a Bosphorus boat tour for unique city views
- Try Testi Kebab for a memorable dining experience
- Bring a light jacket for visiting underground attractions
- Expect to make feline friends throughout the city
- Shops stay open surprisingly late, especially around Taksim Square