Two Months, One City: Our Slow Travel Experience in Istanbul Turkey

Join us as we take a dive into our experience enjoying what Istanbul Turkey has to offer. We traveled to Istanbul and spent just under 2 months (August - October 2024) exploring and experiencing this amazing city. It's the only city in the world that straddles two continents (Europe & Asia).

We discuss the neighborhood we stayed in as well as surrounding neighborhoods. The sights and the delicious local foods, treats & cafes we tried. Since we stayed for so long, we discuss our experience getting groceries, other shopping we did and the gym we joined during our stay.

We also cover transportation and Istanbul's excellent extensive transit system. It's a massive city, but it is extremely easy to navigate thanks to an amazing & diverse mass transit system. From Turkish Delights and cute cats to how to get a very affordable sunset cruise on the water; we have you covered!

We’re Nick & Karen, early retirees since 2022. After selling everything, we embarked on a journey to travel the world at a slow pace, spending at least a month in each destination. We love immersing ourselves in local cultures and experiencing what it truly feels like to live in different cities.

Subscribe to follow our journey as we explore more of the world, sharing insights on costs, cultural experiences, adventures, nomadic lifestyle, and travel tips.

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Transportation
Airport to the city
https://www.moganddogtravels.com/blog...
Metro | Tram | Cable Car - https://www.metro.istanbul/en/
Buses - https://iett.istanbul/icerik/Buses

Sights
Galata Bridge - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y1osSPvkmVqGp...
Iztiklal Street - https://maps.app.goo.gl/CEmJD9rtsDdNk...
Gülhane Park - https://maps.app.goo.gl/S7fLS8XfJRgm6...
Gülhane Cistern - https://maps.app.goo.gl/u8Qy6PB7QKBsU...
Cistern Art Gallery - https://maps.app.goo.gl/z3vsuKXMXypLi...
Cistern of Theodosius - https://maps.app.goo.gl/spvXzrZdfL3wc...
Ataturk Cultural Center - https://maps.app.goo.gl/VCeWXXBRqW7KX...
Pierre Loti Hill - https://maps.app.goo.gl/dQ9jBWLZruhsq...

Mosques & Churches
Nuruosmaniye - https://maps.app.goo.gl/YENjNDmVKHT8S...
Suleymaniye - https://maps.app.goo.gl/saR8RdCMHef6m...
Fatih - https://maps.app.goo.gl/if9E2F8YD127T...
Yeni - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UJqvmmfXsFKSf...
Büyük Mecidiye - https://maps.app.goo.gl/KRCfiS71EFzTw...
St. Stephen’s - https://maps.app.goo.gl/4cBqJg2Nu6TQq...
Santa Maria Draperis - https://maps.app.goo.gl/SpMpeEwzagZUg...

Turkish Bath - Cağaloğlu Hamamı - https://maps.app.goo.gl/bEYPZzxAwExwK...

Shopping
Zorlu Center - https://maps.app.goo.gl/N4p3u5RagJcti...
Cevahir Mall - https://maps.app.goo.gl/SMHj1vQfCtCMq...
Bomonti Flea Market - https://maps.app.goo.gl/nJFTGKsJusrE1...
Işıl Çanta ve Valiz (Luggage) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hv7GQgBVVezSo...

Food
Hafiz Mustafa 1864 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TGHDUKrzxwPgt...
Sultan Saray - https://maps.app.goo.gl/N1U8eAzBHKtPj...
Hadika Kahvaltı Evi - https://maps.app.goo.gl/DkPVPPmiL1Yk9...
Kovan Fırın - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zPhrhmjLJ4xLn...
Hakkıoğlu Esnaf Lokantası - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TJuBLJycPQQAV...
Bomonti Pilavcısı Metin Usta - https://maps.app.goo.gl/oNh6qLKmNo3FX...
Çaǧdaş Börek - https://maps.app.goo.gl/7EtDS3Rnn7rdn...
Yes Kardeşler - https://maps.app.goo.gl/2yZrZy6XH2BhR...
Bey Tantuni - https://maps.app.goo.gl/VJfHiaVFUxRU6...
Cihangir Tostçusu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hqhHdhRiWvttSS7Q
Şirin Fırın Bakery - https://maps.app.goo.gl/1FagYU2aTyMXN...

Coffee Shops
Mim Kahve - https://maps.app.goo.gl/37GYcAWvJqvXH...
Tchibo - https://maps.app.goo.gl/BG6v92RJh3Vjw...
Cup of Joy - https://maps.app.goo.gl/u1GFrSXMAbEdp...
Montag - https://maps.app.goo.gl/ejBASyAfeB9dG...
Kahverengi Roastery - https://maps.app.goo.gl/XTFRxcKyTu1tr...
Probador Colectiva - https://maps.app.goo.gl/5bNoh1jkFaRNS...
MOC Osmanbey - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z4btZZSKNAK29...
Caffè Nero - https://maps.app.goo.gl/C6yiwJLSpcLfu...
Starbucks Reserve - https://maps.app.goo.gl/QUUMBugsRTqiK...

The Red Fitness (Gym) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/VwJNJ1Q5nLcYA...

Groceries
Migros - https://maps.app.goo.gl/X2QdaCRc5MsB7...
bim - https://maps.app.goo.gl/1SLcsEiRL4MaY...
Şok - https://maps.app.goo.gl/YsAmjjBT7BNvh...
Namlı Market - https://maps.app.goo.gl/onYXQHGXV27yV...