Don't get caught off guard in Istanbul - my honest take on neighborhoods, food, scams, and getting to the Korhanov Mansion

I'm super excited to share my epic review of the amazing, bustling city of Istanbul. I'll cover where to go, how to use public transportation, where to eat, and how to get to the Korhan villa - a must-see for fans of the Turkish series. Plus, tons of photos!

And don't forget to check out my other reviews:

Review of our Turkish Airlines flight 🇹🇷

Review of our Pegasus flight from Hurghada to St. Petersburg with a layover in Istanbul

Review of the capsule hotel Kepler in Istanbul's new airport

The hotel where we stayed in Istanbul - Albatros Hagia Sofia

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So, Istanbul! This was a dream of mine that I finally got to fulfill)) I wish everyone could experience that feeling of making their dreams come true.

I'll break down my review into sections for easier navigation:

1. Airport. Public transportation.

2. Where to go, top attractions.

3. How to get to the Korhan villa and see it from both land and sea (a must-see for fans of the Turkish series).

4. Food, restaurants, cafes. What's good to eat in Istanbul? Street food.

5. How to avoid scams.

________________ 1. Airport. Public transportation.In Istanbul, there are two airports: old Sabiha Gokcen and the new, massive airport. We flew into the new one on Turkish Airlines, so that's where we started our adventure. It's huge - we walked for 15 minutes from the plane to passport control. You can take a taxi, but we decided to explore on foot. The airport has clear signs, so you won't get lost.

There's also free Wi-Fi in the airport, but you need to scan your passport at a special machine to get a voucher with your password. It's quick and easy.We flew out of Sabiha on Pegasus, so we had to navigate the smaller airport. It's still not tiny, but much smaller than the new one. I booked a transfer (40$ and 50$) both ways, as we had luggage and didn't want to take the bus. It's not much cheaper than a taxi, and in Istanbul, taxis can be a scam.

Getting to and from the airport is a breeze, and there are also buses like HavaBus and Havaist that'll take you to all the major attractions in the city.

How to get around the city?

I wouldn't recommend taxis, they're super pricey. Istanbul has a fantastic public transportation system, with buses, trams, ferries, and metro lines that run super frequently. You'll never have to wait long for a ride.

Transportation tips: To pay for your ride, you'll need to buy an Istanbul Card (the red card for public transportation). You can buy one card for up to 4 people, and they're available at special machines with the Istanbul-card logo. Make sure to get the right one, though - the Istanbul city card is not what you're looking for. You can top up your card at the same machine, and use it to ride all the public transportation options.

Railway schedules and routes are all available on Google Maps, and there are also timetables at the bus stops. When you get on the bus, you'll pay the driver, and at the tram stops, you'll pay before you get on.

Railway schedules are also available on the Șehir Hatlari app. It's got everything you need to know about which ferries go where and when. Ferry rides are pretty affordable, and it's a great way to see the city from a different perspective.

There are all sorts of ferries, from big ones with closed sections to tiny ones that feel like little boats. It really depends on the route you take. We managed to try out all the different types, and it was a blast.

____________2. Top attractions to visit.

The first must-visit area is Sultanahmet. It's home to some of the city's most famous attractions, like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Sultanahmet Square, Hippodrome, and more. This is the first place you should visit in Istanbul. All these attractions are close together, so be sure to take a stroll around the area.

We skipped visiting the Topkapi Palace because the tickets were super pricey! To be honest, I'm not a huge history buff, and I haven't seen the Magnificent Century series either, so it wasn't a top priority for me to spend 10 lira on it. But if you're a fan, it's definitely worth checking out! We just strolled around the palace and that was it.

There are plenty of things to see around the palace, and the views from there are stunning!

Aya Sofya Mosque - it's an absolutely breathtaking building! I'm in awe of this mosque, it's gorgeous! Unfortunately, it's super crowded now, and you might have to wait for hours to get in. Overall, this area is really beautiful, and I highly recommend exploring it both during the day and at night when it's all lit up.

____Where to eat in this area?

Sultanahmet Fish House (near Albatros Hagia Sofia hotel)

We ended up going there three times because we stayed at the hotel nearby. The service was top-notch, and everything we ordered was delicious - no surprises there! They even gave us a complimentary warm apple juice, which was a nice touch.

We tried both the fish and meat dishes. The pepper steak was insane - it was huge, flavorful, and came with veggies, rice, and fries. We also had the salmon steak, which was cooked to perfection. For dessert, we had künefe and katmer. Don't leave Istanbul without trying these!

_____ Barbeku House (Google Maps address - Hotel Han, Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. No:19 No:19, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey)

We came here specifically for the kebabs. We ordered the pistachio kebab and a regular one, plus a glass of ayran - you can't go wrong with that in Turkey. Turks drink ayran with literally everything, and if you want to get a taste of the real Turkish cuisine, I highly recommend ordering ayran with your meat in Turkey. My daughter also ordered a lemonade. Prices aren't cheap, but that's just the way it is in Istanbul.

The regular kebab cost 790 lira, while the pistachio kebab was 780 lira, plus they bring some bread with the meat.

Ayran was 120 lira, and a Sprite was 110 lira. I'm sure the prices have gone up since then, though - they're growing like mushrooms after a rainstorm!

_____ Balat and Fener districts.

These neighborhoods are famous for their colorful houses. I wouldn't recommend walking around here at night, though - it's said to be a bit sketchy. But during the day, it's a whole different story - there are tons of tourists, and it's perfectly safe to walk around.

We got here by taking the tram from Eminönü. Google Maps worked like a charm, and we used them to navigate the entire city. It's super easy to figure out where to go and how to get there.

While we were walking around, we stumbled upon a film shoot for some historical movie. You know, it's not uncommon to see movie crews filming in Istanbul - it's a popular destination for filmmakers.

I highly recommend visiting these neighborhoods - they're super pretty, atmospheric, and you'll get some amazing photos to remember your trip by.____________Suleymaniye Mosque - the second-largest mosque in Istanbul. It's a stunning, massive, and incredibly beautiful mosque that really blew me away. Plus, the views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from there are simply breathtaking. It's a must-visit if you're in Istanbul.

After visiting the mosque, you can head down through the Beyazit district and the famous Grand Bazaar. To be honest, I wouldn't recommend buying anything there - the prices are steep. But it's an experience you shouldn't miss. The atmosphere is electric, and the crowds are a testament to its popularity. I had to navigate through throngs of people at times, but it was all worth it. And strolling through the narrow streets afterwards was a real treat. Istanbul's streets are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

____________ Galata Tower. Another super famous landmark in Istanbul. Getting there's a breeze - just plot your route on the map and you're good to go. The streets leading up to the tower are gorgeous, with plenty of cafes, shops selling souvenirs... the closer you get to the tower, the pricier the souvenirs get, so keep that in mind.)

Around the tower, you can try that famous ice cream thing where they take ages to give you a scoop. I'm not a fan of that, but my daughter wanted to try it, and she loved it.) Also, fresh juices are sold on every corner.

If you head down from the tower to the Galata Bridge and walk to the left (if you're facing the bridge), you can stroll around and sit on the beautiful waterfront, pet some cats, take in the sights of Istanbul, and listen to the azan. On the map, this is called İBB Karaköy Sahil Parkı.

And right by the bridge, you can try the famous balik ekmek, or balik durum (fish in a wrap) at one of the famous shops - Murat The Fishermen. Apparently, it used to be called Mario, but the brothers split the business and now there are different spots in the city with either Mario or Murat's name.

They serve incredibly delicious fish in a wrap. It's finger-licking good. While we were ordering, waiting for our food, and eating, tons of tour guides were bringing their groups there. We, on the other hand, are independent travelers who know our stuff! So, remember, folks!) The shop is small and not super notable, but the fish is on point!

You've got to walk across the Galata Bridge itself - it's a hub of activity, with sailors fishing, tons of tourists, seagulls, and under the bridge, there are a million cafes, fast food joints where you can grab some fish and more. It's a super atmospheric spot! ____________

Asian side of Istanbul - districts of Çengelköy, Üsküdar, Küçüngüzel.

I spent some time exploring the streets of Çengelköy and was blown away by the beautiful little alleys and waterfront promenades that offer stunning views of the Bosphorus. You can also find the Korhanov Mansion here, which is a must-visit for fans of the TV show Zimorodok. And if you're craving some street food, you'll find plenty of kokoreç, kumpir, and other local delicacies.

From Çengelköy, it's just a short bus ride to another district. I highly recommend checking out the Nakkaştepe National Garden - it's free to enter and offers breathtaking views. We spent 20 minutes just taking it all in. Don't rush, just enjoy the moment!

From the park, you can head down to the waterfront and take in the views of the Bosphorus. It's the perfect spot to relax and unwind. Just a short walk along the waterfront and you'll find yourself in the charming neighborhood of Kuzguncuk. The colorful houses and lively atmosphere are a treat. Plus, there's a spot with an amazing view of the city and the famous bridge – it's almost as stunning as the view from the park. The coordinates for this spot are 41.0337082, 29.0299193. Many guides call it a secret spot with no crowds, and it's true – the stairs are empty, and you can sit on the steps, take in the view, and enjoy the peace and quiet. Just the sounds of the city!

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Ortekei neighborhood. We took a ferry just to get there and back, to enjoy the nighttime views of the city and the mosque. The mosque is already stunning, but when it's lit up at night, it's even more breathtaking. And the view of the city and the bridge at night is just incredible! You can take the ferry from Eminönü station to Ortekei, get off, and then immediately take the same ferry back (just make sure to get off, you can't just stay on the ferry).

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3. How to get to the Korhanov mansion and see it from both water and land.

I'm a fan of the Turkish series Winter Rose – I stumbled upon it by accident and got hooked. I think Turkish series are great at keeping you engaged. The last season wasn't as good, but I kept watching out of habit, and the characters became my favorites, just like the mansion.

So, how do you get there? The easiest way is to take a ferry to the Çengelköy station. Ferries run from several ports (not all of them), and you can check the schedule in the Șehir Hatlari app. We took the ferry from Kabataş station. The ride takes around 15-20 minutes, but the views are incredible!

After we docked the ferry, we turned right and walked along the coast (sort of). We strolled through the neighborhood streets and finally spotted the gates we were looking for. To get a better view of the mansion, we needed to cross over to the other side. There's a hill up there, and when we were filming, it was like a mountain of people \u2639\uFE0F

We weren't so lucky that day, and there were no filming sessions, but it was enough for me just to gaze at the mansion, take a photo for memory's sake, and move on. It was from here that we continued down the street and then took the bus for a few minutes to get to the park, which offered an incredible view of the famous bridge and Istanbul. I wrote about it earlier, in the attractions section \u2014) _______________4. Food, restaurants, cafes. What's good to eat in Istanbul? Street food.

What's definitely worth trying in Istanbul? That's for sure balik ekmek, balik dürüm, pide, kebab, Turkish sweets, chestnuts, simit. There's plenty more, but I've described the most famous and what I tried myself \u2014)

Balik ekmek. Translated from Turkish, it means fish (balik) with bread (ekmek). One of the most popular street food options in Istanbul. You should definitely try it. It's best to do it in the Eminönü port near the Galata Bridge. There's always a crowd, and the queue is for the fish in bread. They prepare it quickly, you pay, and they hand it over to you within a minute. It's incredibly delicious. Although it's quite simple: fish and onion in the bread. But there's a bit too much bread, if you ask me \u2014)

Balik dürüm. Fish (balik) in lavash (dürüm). Another creation of street food. Fish in lavash with spices. It's incredible, you'll lick your fingers. Here, everything is in moderation. The lavash is thin, so you can really taste the fish. The fish is grilled on the fire, which makes the flavor even more intense. It's just amazing! We got the balik dürüm from a shop near the Galata Bridge, which I mentioned earlier (on the other side, unlike the place where we got the balik ekmek). Simit. I've gotta say, it's basically just a round sesame seed bread, but it's super popular in Istanbul. You can't walk a block without seeing a photo of it in front of the city.) Simit is sold on every corner, and it's cheap. But, fun fact, it's pretty hard to find a soft one - they're usually pretty dense. I'd recommend buying it from a bakery instead of street vendors. You can also get it with Nutella or cheese, which is a nice touch.

Pide. This is basically just pizza, but in an oval shape.) Pide comes with various toppings - meat, cheese, veggies, the works. It's a great snack to try and get a taste of Turkish cuisine. To really immerse yourself, order a glass of ayran to go with it. I wrote about it earlier, but ayran is basically the national drink here - everyone drinks it with everything.) Pide and ayran is a match made in heaven. Kebab. Not trying kebab in Turkey is basically a crime.) Especially the pistachio kebab - it's so juicy and flavorful. Chestnuts. I was really looking forward to trying these, and I'm glad I did. They're super tasty and have a similar flavor to beans. Plus, they're pretty healthy and a nice change of pace. Just be careful what you get in your bag, as sometimes you might get some stale ones.

Sweets. We didn't get to try everything, but we did try some amazing desserts. Kunafe. This is a dessert made with shredded phyllo dough and cheese. It's super rich and sweet, but you have to try it.)

Kataifi. This is another sweet treat - it's basically just shredded phyllo dough wrapped around a filling made with chopped nuts and spices. It's super sweet and calorie-heavy, but worth it.

Dondurma. This is Turkish-style ice cream, and it's a game-changer. It's a bit more dense and stretchy than regular ice cream, but the flavor is spot on.

Turkish Dubai chocolate. We found this in some shops in Istanbul, and it's basically just the best chocolate ever. We paid 250 lira for it, which isn't cheap, but it's Dubai-style Turkish chocolate - you get what you pay for.) It's super rich and flavorful, and I'd definitely recommend it.

There are still a few things I haven't tried, like:- Kumru - it's basically just a Turkish version of a croissant.

- Testi kebab - it's basically just meat cooked in a clay pot.

- Chif kefta - it's basically just Turkish-style meatballs. They're served with veggies and lemon, and you add a mix of spices and bulgur.

- Chickpea soup. It's super popular here.

- Wet burger - it's basically just a burger with a bun that's completely soaked in tomato sauce and spices. I was too scared to try it, but I think I'll give it a shot next time.)

- stuffed rice mussels.

- kokoreç. I didn't dare try it, although we passed by the place where it's prepared. What is it? It's lamb offal (liver, lungs, heart, etc.), stuffed into a lamb intestine. It's all grilled. And when kokoreç is cooked, it's cut into pieces, mixed with herbs, and served with vegetables.

But I love Istanbul and I'll definitely come back here, and I'll try everything for sure. I highly recommend immersing yourself in this country's cuisine, in their national dishes. It's delicious! ❤️_______________

5. How to avoid getting scammed? What are they?

Istanbul is a big and noisy city, unfortunately, and that's why scams thrive here, not just on the streets. The most popular ones are:

1. Shoe shining. The most popular scam. I thought everyone already knew about it, but no, there are still people from all over the world who fall for it. You're walking along, enjoying the sights of Istanbul, and suddenly a guy 'accidentally' drops a brush in front of you. You, being a polite person, help him pick it up. He's so grateful that he starts shining your shoes. It's all very quick, and before you know it, he's asking for money. Some people pay, unfortunately. I really wanted to see this for myself, thought maybe someone would drop a brush in front of me, but no such luck. I was even a bit disappointed 😆

2. 'Helpers' around the ticket machines and the Istanbul Card top-up machines. When tourists approach the machines and start buying cards, a Turk will come up to them and offer to help. He'll explain how to use the machine, and when you're topping up your card, he'll cleverly swap it with his own, and you'll be topping up his card instead. The cards can be used not only for public transport but also in some shops, so this scam thrives in the city. Knowing all this, I was actually waiting for one of these helpers to come up to us, so I could give them a piece of my mind about their 'work'. But, as if on purpose, no one approached us. I guess they sensed we were onto them. What a letdown) 😆😆 In short, don't let anyone near you at these machines. You can figure it out yourself, and there's even a Russian language option available.

3. Taxi drivers. The eternal problem! Just a plague on Istanbul. Not only are taxis expensive in Istanbul, but taxi drivers also love to scam tourists out of a lot of money. From the airport to the city, some people pay up to $70! It's an unthinkable amount! I booked a VIP transfer for $50, but paying that much for a taxi is just outrageous. It's better to take the bus, metro, or book a transfer. Don't encourage the taxi drivers' audacity, let them lose their jobs)

4. I've had some pretty sketchy experiences in cafes where they give you a menu with one set of prices, you order, and then they bring you a bill for a totally different amount. You start to get annoyed, they bring you a new menu with higher prices, and they're like, 'That's what you should have paid!' I think that's just ridiculous. Luckily, I've never run into places like that because I've been reading reviews beforehand, making a list of places with good staff and honest prices, and sticking to those. I still take a photo of the menu, just in case. Be vigilant! 🙏

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6. How much money should you bring?

MONEY, MONEY, AND MORE MONEY! Stambul has gotten super expensive lately. We were there in November 2024, and I know it's only gotten pricier since then. It's a bummer because I love the city, but every time we go, we have to shell out more cash.

That being said, if you're staying in hotels with breakfast and spending the day exploring, eating street food, and skipping the pricey tourist traps, you can get by on a budget. The bulk of your expenses will be on transportation and food (not fancy restaurant food, but street food and cafeteria meals). Still, you'll want to try some of the good stuff, buy some souvenirs, and pick up a few knick-knacks, and before you know it, your wallet's going to be crying. 😅🥲

_____________ I didn't write down all the prices because some of them are already fuzzy, and even if I did, you shouldn't be relying on them anyway. Prices in Stambul are rising faster than a summer garden! They've definitely changed since we were there.

I've got a life hack for planning where to eat and how much it'll cost: open up Google Maps (I swear by Google, not Yandex – it's got more international reviews and listings), look up places, read the reviews, and see if they're known for ripping people off or serving up good food. Sometimes they even post photos of the menu, which can give you an idea of what to expect. That way, you can plan your budget accordingly.

I highly recommend visiting Stambul! It's a city with its own unique energy, loud and crowded, but lovable. If you show up unprepared, you might leave feeling disappointed. So, do your research, plan your itinerary, and be aware of the scams, and you'll fall head over heels for this city.I'm definitely coming back, though – there are still so many neighborhoods I haven't explored, and so much food I haven't tried! Five days in Stambul is definitely not enough; you need at least a month to really get to know the place)