Our weekend in Istanbul was an exhausting and exhilarating cultural exploration. We soaked in the rich culture of this remarkable city.

Friday:

After our last day at sea on Thursday, we disembarked from the ship on Friday morning and made our way to our new home for the next few days—The Bank Hotel, a beautifully restored property in the heart of Karaköy. With its elegant blend of modern luxury and historical charm, the hotel offered stunning views of the Golden Horn and was the ideal base for our Istanbul adventure.

After waiting until noon for our room to be ready, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, taking in panoramic views of the Bosphorus.

Post-lunch, we set out to explore the city, starting with the Sirkeci Train Station. The station has a special place in our hearts, as it is the setting for a Calm sleep story we’ve listened to dozens of times. Seeing it in person was a delightful experience, bringing the story to life.

We continued our walk along the water, admiring the bustling energy of the city, but feeling the effects of our long journey, we opted for a quiet dinner at the hotel’s excellent restaurant before retiring for the night.

Saturday:

Our day began with breakfast before meeting our local tour guide. The tour began with a visit to the Galata Tower, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Originally built in wood during the 6th century as a lighthouse, it was later reconstructed in stone and now serves as a museum. The views from the top were absolutely breathtaking, offering a 360-degree panorama of the city.

Next, we made our way to Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul. We strolled along Istiklal Caddesi, a lively pedestrian street lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. We finished in front of the Republic Monument, built in 1923 to commemorate the formation of the Turkish Republic.

Our final stop of the day was the Dolmabahce Palace, the last residence of the Ottoman Sultans and a stunning example of Western architecture with Rococo and Baroque influences. The palace’s grandeur was overwhelming, and learning about its historical significance, including the fact that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, died here in 1938, added depth to our visit. Unfortunately pictures are not allowed inside and therefore we cannot truly convey the jaw dropping scale and adornment.

At the conclusion of the scheduled tour, our guide suggested we head to Karaköy Güllüoğlu, a legendary baklava shop dating back to 1843. The guide joined us as we sampled an array of their famous baklava. Each piece was a delightful mix of crisp phyllo, rich honey, and flavorful pistachios, offering the perfect conclusion to our day of exploring.

After a full day of sightseeing that included 15,877 steps covering 6.3 miles, we had dinner at Aseka, a restaurant known for its contemporary take on traditional Turkish cuisine and a 2024 winner of a coveted Michelin ⭐️. The meal was a perfect end to our day, with each dish beautifully presented and full of flavor.

Sunday:

We began the day with a trip to the Basilica Cistern, a marvel of Byzantine engineering and one of Istanbul’s most mysterious landmarks. To reach the cistern, we took the local tram from our hotel in Karaköy. The journey was straightforward and efficient, starting with a 9-minute walk to the tram station. We then boarded the T1 line and rode for four stops to Sultanahmet, followed by a quick 4-minute walk to the cistern itself. The entire trip took about 25 minutes.

The Basilica Cistern, with its eerie lighting and the reflection of the columns in the shallow water, was an incredible sight. Several movies have leveraged the space, most recently Dan Brown’s Inferno starring Tom Hanks.

After the cistern, we continued to the Blue Mosque, another of Istanbul’s iconic structures. The intricate tile work and stunning architecture left us in awe.

After a weekend filled with rich experiences, we’re preparing to leave Istanbul tomorrow to return home from our journey, on an early morning Air France flight. Despite the city’s comlexity, we found plenty of moments to relax and enjoy the beauty of Istanbul at our own pace, making this a truly memorable end to our journey.