Istanbul Cool

Istanbul Cool

Category Archive

Tours

Walking routes, ferry trips and private tours in Istanbul, with local tips for planning each day on the ground.

Tours articles

Stone ruins and walking path on the hill at Yoros Castle.
Tours
17 min

Anadolu Kavağı and Yoros Castle Walking Route with Bosphorus Ferry Tips
A passenger ferry docks at the sunny Kinaliada ferry terminal on the island.
Tours
20 min

Kınalıada Walking Route through Mid-Century Summer Homes to Christos Monastery with 2026 Ferry Tips
Paved walking path through Fenerbahçe Park with historic lighthouse in the background.
Tours
14 min

Moda to Fenerbahçe Park Walking Route with Kalamış Marina Stops and 2026 Tea Prices
Traditional passenger ferry moored at the historic Buyukada ferry terminal.
Tours
21 min

Büyükada Walking Route to the Greek Orphanage and Aya Yorgi with 2026 Ferry Tips
A local mini market in the historic Cankurtaran neighborhood along the walking route.
Tours
16 min

Kumkapı and Cankurtaran walking route through old fishermen alleys and Byzantine sea walls
A traditional passenger ferry docked on the sea heading toward the islands.
Tours
17 min

Burgazada Walking Route and Sait Faik Museum with 2026 Island Ferry Tips
Two commuter trains pass each other on the Marmaray line during a golden sunset.
Tours
11 min

Bakırköy Waterfront Route and Backstreet Churches with 2026 Marmaray Tips
Colorful buildings line a steep street in the Tophane district.
Tours
11 min

Tophane and Salıpazarı backstreets walking route with Art Nouveau architecture and 2026 cafe prices
Stone tower of the Istanbul Land Walls with a view of the modern city skyline.
Tours
11 min

Land Walls walking route from Topkapı to Edirnekapı with 2026 tram tips and gate history
Bosphorus bridge seen from the stone walls of Rumeli Hisarı fortress in Istanbul.
Tours
15 min

Steep Alleys and Bosphorus Views from Rumeli Hisarı to Aşiyan with 2026 Tea Prices
A detailed historical mural on the wall of the Yenikapi metro station in Istanbul.
Tours
15 min

Walking route from Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi to the Zeytinburnu medicinal gardens with 2026 tram tips
Visitors walk past the iconic brick towers at the Muze Gazhane cultural complex.
Tours
15 min

Industrial Architecture and Cultural Hubs at Müze Gazhane with Hasanpaşa Route Tips and 2026 Prices
Small fishing boats at sunset on the Bosphorus near the bridge.
Tours
15 min

Tarabya and Yeniköy waterfront walking route with Levantine mansions and 2026 ferry tips
Glowing green jellyfish swimming in a dark tank at the Florya aquarium.
Tours
15 min

Coastal route through Florya and Yeşilköy with Atatürk Marine Mansion tips and 2026 fares
Three lifebuoys marked with Hasköy and museum name hang on a green wooden wall.
Tours
14 min

Hasköy walking route through old synagogues and waterfront parks with 2026 ferry tips
Historic Art Nouveau apartment building facades with elegant window designs in the Beyoglu district.
Tours
14 min

Walking the Gümüşsuyu Staircases and Art Nouveau Alleys with Route Tips
The grand stone entrance gate of Istanbul University with a Turkish flag flying.
Tours
12 min

Beyazıt Book Market and University Backstreets Route with 2026 Tea Prices
The ornate Yellow Pavilion stands surrounded by lush trees in Istanbul's Emirgan Park.
Tours
13 min

Bosphorus walking route from Emirgan to İstinye with Sabancı Museum tips and 2026 ferry fares
A row of colorful residential apartment buildings on a street in the Kurtuluş neighborhood.
Tours
15 min

Kurtuluş and Feriköy walking route through local delis and organic markets with 2026 prices
Traditional Turkish calligraphy pens and ink displayed at an Istanbul stationery shop.
Tours
9 min

Stationery shops and old printing houses of Cağaloğlu with Sirkeci lunch routes
Pedestrians walk past the historic entrance of Halep Pasajı in Istanbul's Beyoğlu.
Tours
9 min

Beyoğlu passages and historical architecture walking route with 2026 cafe prices
A vibrant rainbow stretches across the sky over traditional waterfront houses along the Bosphorus.
Tours
15 min

Bosphorus ferry route and walking trail through the quiet waterfront villages of Çengelköy and Kandilli
Lush pine forests surround a clear blue bay with boats anchored near Heybeliada.
Tours
14 min

Heybeliada Forest Paths and Wooden Mansions with 2026 Island Ferry Tips
A blue ferry sails past waterfront mansions toward the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.
Tours
12 min

Fish markets and Bosphorus mansions of Sarıyer and Büyükdere with ferry route tips
The magnificent stone facade of Dolmabahce Palace stands prominently under a clear blue sky.
Tours
12 min

Walking the Student Alleys and Historic Row Houses of Beşiktaş with Local Breakfast Tips
People gather outside traditional shops in the Vefa district during the evening.
Tours
14 min

Wooden houses and boza stops on a walking route through Vefa and Zeyrek
A white traditional ferry docks at a pier on the Bosphorus in Istanbul.
Tours
16 min

Anadoluhisarı and Kanlıca walking route with ferry tips and yogurt stops
An artisan sits inside a traditional metal workshop in the Yeldeğirmeni neighborhood of Kadıköy.
Tours
13 min

Walking Route through the Murals and Workshops of Yeldeğirmeni in Kadıköy
A perspective view of a mosque dome from a stone courtyard.
Tours
12 min

Walking Route Through the Steep Alleys and Courtyards of Upper Üsküdar
Silhouette of a mosque with domes and minaret against a bright orange sunset.
Tours
17 min

Walking Route through the Old Markets and Mosque Courtyards of Üsküdar
A bright orange vintage car parked on a neighborhood street in the district of Cihangir.
Tours
14 min

Walking the Antique Alleys of Çukurcuma and the Neighborhood Cafes of Cihangir
Intricate blue and white floral patterns on traditional Turkish Iznik ceramic wall tiles.
Tours
13 min

I take the Golden Horn ferry just to walk the quiet hills of Eyüp
Crowded Istanbul bazaar alleyway hung with hundreds of colorful mosaic Turkish lamps in Mahmutpaşa
Tours
22 min

The frantic sweaty madness of my walk through Mahmutpaşa and Tahtakale
Hands exchanging a silver fish over a mound of fresh catch at an outdoor fish market stall in Samatya
Tours
21 min

I skip the museums and walk the fishy backstreets of Samatya instead
Indoor market stall with piles of fresh silver and pink fish on ice at Perşembe Pazarı, with shoppers browsing
Tours
15 min

The Grease and Iron of My Favorite Walk Through Perşembe Pazarı
Antique market stall piled with glassware, decorative tins, small statues and vintage objects while a shopper browses
Tours
21 min

Why I spend my Sundays in a dusty Bomonti car park
Panorama of Istanbul with Galata Tower, mosque domes, the Bosphorus and ferry boats below
Tours
13 min

Bosphorus Ferry Tour: Istanbul's Most Beautiful Commute
Red brick Phanar Greek Orthodox College towering over colorful houses in Fener Balat, Istanbul
Tours
13 min

Fener & Balat Walking Tour: Istanbul's Historic Soul
Colorful Ottoman-style bay windows and balconies along a narrow street shaded by a large tree in Kuzguncuk
Tours
11 min

Kuzguncuk Walking Tour: Istanbul's Timeless Village
Two Turkish tea glasses on a white surface aboard a boat with the blurred Istanbul skyline behind
Tours
8 min

A Local’s Secret: A Walking Tour of Kadıköy and the Moda Coastline