Istanbul, Fall 2019 ~ Travel
When looking for cheap tickets for myself to visit Russia in the Fall of 2019, I came across flights via Turkish Airlines with 20+ hour layovers in Istanbul each way. Yes, please! Accommodations via AirBnB in the historic part of the city were $50 per night, so overall the airfare was a steal compared to some other, quicker alternatives. Having done one of these long layovers in Frankfurt, Germany a few years back, I knew I would pack in as much as possible.
Inside Hagia Sophia 
The Blue Mosque 
Courtyard in Hagia Sophia 
One of many lantern shops 
Galata Tower 
Turkish Delight! 
Taksim Square 
Both of the layovers were early evening to mid-morning, so of course I had to sleep, especially contending with a 9-hour jet lag. But I managed to see inside the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque on the way there, have dinner at one of the top rated seafood restaurants in Sultanahmet neighborhood, meet plenty of Istanbul’s cats, and window shop a bit. It was amazing! I was so happy to have added this little side excursion to my trip to Russia. I later found out that I could have been eligible to participate in Touristanbul – a special program through the airline that provides free bus tours with meals around Istanbul for travelers with long layovers. But would have I gotten a chance to get snuck in the Blue Mosque during off-hours, fully swaddled into a head-to-toe green hijab, to see amazing blue Iznik tiles, thanks to a “kindly shopkeeper” who then (of course) invited me into his souvenir and carpet shop to secure a sale..?
Two weeks later, on the way back through Istanbul, I chose the neighborhood near the Galata Tower. I arrived much later, so I was only able to do a long evening stroll near the tower, and across Galata Bridge, to see the working Port of Istanbul and local ferries, men fishing into the dark hours of the night, and have some fish for dinner, again! I made the most of my morning hours, which were longer this time, by taking a very long walk along Istikal Caddesi, a very fashionable retail area, towards Taksim Square, and back through winding streets and gardens. I bought delicious pastries and hot Turkish tea for breakfast, and stocked up on rose and pomegranate-scented, pistachio-studded lokum, or Turkish delight.
And here are both of my AirBnBs in Istanbul, both very comfortable, safe, and within walking distance of the Hagia Sophia: Family hospitality for solo traveler room 2 in Fatih, İstanbul, Turkey (airbnb.com) and near Galata Tower: Galata No.12 No Street View – Apartments for Rent in Beyoğlu, İstanbul, Turkey (airbnb.com).
Check out my Istanbul board on Pinterest!
