Eren has an awesomely large flat with wonderful aesthetics perfectly located in the city. Filled with vinyl, books on typography, furniture design, and architecture, it’s a creative haven. Around the apartment, the number and quality of boutique stores and restaurants around the area are limitless. In five days, we managed to do Karakoy, Kadıköy, Beyoglu, Çukurcuma, Hagia Sophia / Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Taskim only by walking. We only needed a ferry to Kadikoy, which is also a ten-minute walk away.
SCAM CAUTION: It’s basically a rite of passage for a shoe cleaner to "accidentally" drop a brush in front of you while you cross the Galata Bridge. When it inevitably happens, offer it back for 30 lira with a smile, or go along for the ride and only pay a few lira in the end.
Less obvious gems we enjoyed:
(MUST VISIT) A La Turca antique house
The charming guys who run this amazing place are just happy talking to you about the history of the building, the art work, and the antiques. They won’t press you into buy anything, but you’ll want to anyways.
Fish sandwhich at Emin Usta:
If you’re from Germany, this place is the fish equivalent of Mustafa’s kebab in Berlin. It’s slightly zesty, fresh, and delicious.
Women’s boutique shopping at “A Hidden Bee:"
This awesome little boutique store is blowing up fast. They’re about to open an international online shop and have boutique stores from around the world wanting them. Get something before it costs 10x as much in the future.
Fancy sunset cocktails and dinner at Murver Restaurant:
With a bottle of wine, it’s a bit on the pricier side. But the food, atmosphere and view more than make up for it. If you’re not feeling hungry, just go up for a drink. They make them with love.
Bar hopping in Kadıköy:
If you’re looking for a relaxed and hip atmosphere outside of Beyoglu, take the afternoon ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul Kadikoy. The place has a young and alternative vibe filled with handcrafted leather backpacks, craft beers, and 70s amplifiers to satisfy the worst inner-hipster side of you which you still have refused to acknowledge.
Enjoy your trip!