Istanbul, Turkey is a lot of things all at once.
It’s ancient, chaotic, sprawling, and stunning. It’s Europe and Asia, it’s mosques and cats, it’s ferry horns and fresh simit, call to prayer echoing through cobblestone alleys, and tea (cay)—always cay.
If you’re heading to this beautiful whirlwind of a city, you’re in for a sensory overload in the absolute best way.
And if you’re planning a trip and you want to go beyond just “seeing the sights,” this is the list you need.
These are the 11 best, most unique things to do in Istanbul that truly made us fall in love with this city—not the quick photo ops, but the real, unusual, unexpectedly magical moments that stuck with us long after we left.
Unique Things to Do in Istanbul: Quick Tips:
Before we dive into the very best, most unique things to do in Istanbul, here are a few quick tips that will make your life way easier in this mesmerizing city:
1. Wear sneakers. Everyone’s in them. You’ll walk more than you think—this city is HUGE.
2. Get an IstanbulKart. Available at most metro or ferry stations, this card is your golden ticket to metro lines, trams, buses, and, best of all, ferries.
3. Use the ferries. They’re fast, fun, scenic, and cheap—bonus points for sipping cay while crossing continents.
4. Speaking of Cay (pronounced chai): It’s the drink. Morning, noon, night, on the ferry or at the market stall—someone will offer you cay.
5. Be aware: Smoking inside is legal. If you’re smoke-sensitive, choose your restaurant seat wisely.
6. Istanbul is full of street cats, and locals treat them like family—don’t be surprised if one hops onto your lap or shares your café table – you’ll learn to adore them soon too!
The 11 Best, Most Unique Things to Do in Istanbul:
1. Take a Turkish Cooking Class with a Local Mom
Let’s kick things off with what ended up being my absolute favorite experience in Istanbul. Trust: you need to book this cooking class.
Hosted by the nicest local mom, originally from eastern Turkey who moved to Istanbul for her kids’ education, this dinner and cooking experience takes place in her home.
She’ll teach you how to cook traditional dishes (I’m still dreaming about this Kofta!), and you’ll sit down with her and her sons for a meal that—no exaggeration—was possibly the best of our two-week trip.
You’ll laugh, eat, hang out, and feel like you’ve just made instant BFFs in a foreign city. We stayed long after the meal just chatting, and even exchanged info to keep in touch.
It’s a perfectly unique and personal travel experience that’s real and warm and genuine. If I could do this 10 times on our trip, I would’ve. Book this and thank me later.
2. Chill Out at Gülhane Park
Right near the chaos of Eminönü and the bustle of the old city, Gülhane Park is a literal breath of fresh air and feels like stumbling into a secret garden. It’s clean, peaceful, and has beautifully curated flower beds that feel straight out of a storybook.
The park was once part of the royal gardens of Topkapi Palace, and you can still feel that gentle, quiet grandeur beneath the trees.
Also, if you’re visiting in the spring or April like we did, this park is an absolute must-do because it turns into a tulip wonderland. Fun fact, btw: tulips originated in Constantinople before the Dutch went wild with them.
As a bonus, the park is full of plenty of benches—one every 10 meters or so—so there’s plenty of space to sit, unwind, and take it all in. Or if you’re up for a little refreshment break, there’s a cozy café tucked right in the middle of the park, perfect for sipping çay while taking in the peaceful views.
3. Shop Vintage at By Retro
Tucked away off İstiklal Street (pictured above), in a quiet back alley and down a flight of stairs, you’ll find By Retro—the coolest little vintage shop in the city, in my opinion!
It’s giving 80s ski suits, leather jackets, funky vests, glittery costumes, thrift gems, and who-knows-what-you’ll-find vibes.
I snagged a fun leather jacket, and my husband found a wild-looking bird shirt. Together, we walked out spending less than $35 USD.
It’s the kind of place where even just browsing feels like an adventure, and you’ve got to love that you’re doing both the planet and your wallet a solid too. Win-win-win!
4. Treat Yourself at Aga Hamami (Turkish Bath)
If you’ve never done a Turkish bath before, prepare yourself. This is not your average spa day, and in my opinion, it was so much better!
Aga Hamami was the Turkish bath house we visited on our trip to Istanbul, and it did not disappoint! The historic architecture on the outside is stunning, and inside it’s all marble and steam—a total sanctuary. First, you’ll be shown to a private room where you can store your things and change into towels (bathing suits are optional).
Once you’re changed, you’ll head into the main hamam—a marble-covered sauna room where you’ll spend about 30 minutes sweating it out on a huge heated marble slab beneath a domed ceiling. (It’s the perfect activity for a chilly day.)
Then comes the real magic: a full-body scrub with a traditional exfoliating mitt, followed by what can only be described as a mountain of bubbles. They pile on the suds and give you a full head-to-toe wash for about 20 minutes, and by the end, you’ll feel like a new person.
Afterwards, you’ll unwind in a quiet relaxation room with tea and Turkish delight. And if you’re up for it (we were), don’t miss the 20-minute oil massage—it moisturizes your skin and seals in that post-hamam glow.
Definitely don’t skip this stop on your Istanbul itinerary. Your skin will thank you.
5. Have Dinner at Tavanarasi
Dinner at Tavanarasi Restaurant started as a simple but delicious meal and turned into a magical evening we will never forget.
Tavanarasi is hidden on the 6th floor of an old building—just let the person standing outside know you’re there for the restaurant, and they’ll send you up in the elevator that opens right into the dining room.
Inside, it’s warm and buzzing, filled with locals and European travelers (always a good sign), and the menu is full of traditional Turkish dishes.
We went all in: appetizers, mains, dessert, wine, and beer—everything was so fresh and amazingly delicious, and it all cost us only around $25 USD total.
And, while eating came the magical part- well, besides the food, which was kind of magical too…
Mid-meal, the table of 4 at the table next to us, casually picked up instruments from under their table and started playing live music. A clarinet, a guitar, drums, a tambourine, and a singer.
They played, sang, laughed, play more then casually went back to eating. Then a few minutes later, they played more. It was one of those experiences that feels totally unplanned and completely perfect. It felt like a true local Turkish experience and we were HERE FOR IT!
6. Eat the Coffee Bean Dessert at Viyana Kahvesi
Tucked right in front of the Galata Tower, Viyana Kahvesi cafe has prime people-watching, cozy vibes, and one of the best desserts I’ve ever had.
Most people come here for the San Sebastian cheesecake (and it is good), but do yourself a favor and order the Coffee Bean dessert instead.
I don’t even really like coffee desserts very much (my husband’s the addict when it comes to these) but this thing is truly next-level: rich, creamy, just sweet enough but not too sweet, and topped with what tastes like chocolate-covered espresso bean magic.
I loved this so much that I, the non-coffee dessert lover, suggested we order a second!
Note: Yes, this cafe is touristy. Yes, it’s a little pricier (you’ll pay much more for coffee and tea here than anywhere else). But sometimes the touristy thing is worth it (especially for the views here) so sit back, sip a tea or coffee, and savor one of the best desserts in Istanbul.
7. Breakfast and more on “Breakfast Street” in Beşiktaş
Yes, Istanbul has an entire street devoted to breakfast!
Technically, this street, located in the neighborhood of Beşiktaş, is more of a U-shaped loop of cafés than a single street (so really, almost two streets), all serving up their takes on traditional Turkish breakfast with variations of olives, cheeses, honey, fresh tomatoes, pepper pastes, spices, baskets of bread, and eggs sizzling in a skillet.
On Breakfast Street, I particularly enjoyed Cosa Cafe, a newer spot with options for outdoor seating and top-notch people-watching.
Also, as a bonus, after starting your day in Besiktas with a long, leisurely breakfast, you can keep the fun going by catching a futbol game at the nearby stadium of Besiktas JK, one of Turkey’s best futbol teams!
The stadium is right in the neighborhood and if you’re there on gameday, it’s a must do as fans are so passionate and the team is adored by turkey!
8. Ferry to the Princes’ Islands
Hop on a ferry from pretty much any main port in Istanbul and you’re on your way to the Princes’ Islands.
They’re about 15 km from the city and made up of four main islands (plus a bunch of smaller ones). The vibe here is way more chill than the mainland—fewer people, barely any cars, and way less chaos.
Even the ferry ride over feels like an adventure: breezy, scenic, with 360-degree views of Istanbul and the sea. Once you arrive, you’re greeted by charming streets, quiet beaches, leafy forests, and plenty to explore.
Honestly, our favorite thing on the Princes’ Islands was just wandering and soaking it all in. We spent the day walking, hiking, and exploring little corners of the islands. Bonus: If you’re at all into biking, it’s also a great place to opt for stunning views on an e-bike tour!
9. Visit Moda Aile Çay Bahçesi – the Family Tea Garden
This local favorite in Kadıköy’s Moda neighborhood is what Istanbul is all about—good tea, good views, good vibes.
Moda Aile Cay Bahcesi is a casual tea garden where locals gather with friends, sip cay, catch up, enjoy the view, and just hang.
Grab any open table in the garden and a server will bring you over some tea to drink while you lounge. No rush, no pressure, just relaxing with a breeze off the Bosphorus blowing by.
We loved soaking it all in, sipping tea, and watching the ferries go by. Also I highly recommend hitting Moda Aile Çay Bahçesi in the early evening and sticking around for sunset—the garden faces west, and the view is stunning.
10. Eat Turkish Breakfast like a Local in Moda
If you want to experience a traditional Turkish breakfast with few to no tourists in sight, head to Deniz Nadide DURU in Moda.
Tiny, homey, and oh-so-local, this spot serves a breakfast spread that still has me drooling.
The homemade jams made by mom in the kitchen are fresh, original and some of the best i’ve ever tasted! These along with bread fresh from the oven, and so many small plates of Turkish style deliciousness, will leaving you truely satisfied.
Also the vibe here is great, its simple but cozy, and the price is super affordable (around $15 for a huge breakfast for two), and the locals clearly loving it is always the best sign!
11. Grab a Drink on the Galata Bridge at Sunset
There’s no better way to soak up that iconic Istanbul skyline—minarets, domes, ferry boats, and swooping seagulls—than from the Galata Bridge at sunset.
I like to start by watching the fishermen casting their lines from above, then head downstairs to one of the waterside cafés for a drink right on the Bosporus.
Yes, the cafés are a bit touristy, but the view is totally worth it. The mosques glowing gold in the evening light are something you won’t forget. Skip the food but treat yourself to a tea, cocktail, or even a traditional hookah while you soak it all in.
Final Thoughts
Istanbul is the kind of city that keeps unfolding the longer you stay. One second you’re wandering through a chaotic bazaar, the next you’re sipping tea in a tranquil park, and later you’re listening to a clarinet solo mid-dinner while eating meze. It’s wild and wonderful and full of surprises.
If you only do a few things from this list—make it the cooking class, the restaurants, the Princes’ Islands, and a traditional Turkish bath.
But really? Do them all if you can. Your feet might be tired, your belly will be full, and your heart will be very happy.
