12 Non-Touristy Things to do in Istanbul, for a Local Experience

Are you traveling to Istanbul and want to get off the beaten path? Ditch the tourist traps and learn about 12 non-touristy things to do in Istanbul, for a local experience.

ISTANBUL IS THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD!

Well, in my opinion.

As an expat who’s lived here for over 5 years, I’ve fallen head-over-heels in love with the beauty, vibrancy, and energy of this eclectic mega city.

Istanbul is east-meets-west. A city where you can visit some of the world’s most historical and beautiful mosques, listen to the call to prayer, then walk down the street to grab a beer.

Whenever a friend comes to visit me in Istanbul, I hear the same “Top 10 Things to See” list again and again.

While the touristy parts of Istanbul are overwhelmingly ancient and grand, definitely not to be missed, the true soul of Istanbul lies in its ability to inspire every local, from CEO to street-sweeper.

The residents of Istanbul are proud of their city, ask for yourself. Many nights I’ve spent lost in conversation at a cay cafe musing on the wonder of this life-changing city.

We have a joke amongst ex-pats: when someone leaves Istanbul, they are never gone for long.

On your next trip to Istanbul, make some time in your schedule to go off the beaten path, share a cay with some locals (they are very friendly), wander aimlessly around the streets (the best place is Kadikoy), and lose yourself in the energy. You’ll find yourself later googling “how to move to Istanbul”.

10 Non-Touristy things to do in Istanbul for a Local Experience

1. Take a Ferry to the Prince’s Islands

The Princes’ Islands are technically the Princes’ archipelago, but no one says that.

This series of Islands are about an hour’s ferry ride off the coast of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. The islands are famous for having a no-vehicle policy. The main tourist attraction here used to be the horse-drawn carriages, but since 2020 they are banned. Now, the most popular attraction is renting a bicycle.

Take a day trip to the Islands and relax along the beautiful beaches, rent a bike for the day and ride around the Island on one of the many bike paths, then fill your belly with fish at the Meyhane (more on that later).

No trip to Istanbul can be complete without a ferry ride. So scratch two things off your to-do list at once by making a trip to the Prince’s Islands. You can hop on a ferry for around 45minutes-1hour from almost any port: Kadikoy, Besiktas, Kabatas, Bostanci, Kartal, and Maltepe.

2. Enjoy a night at a Meyhane

Ahhhhh. Where do I begin.

Meyhanes have a very special place in my heart.

For me, Meyhanes are the quintessential Turkish experience: A night full of Turkish singing, dancing, eating, and drinking, does it get any better than that?

So what exactly is a Meyhane? Well put simply, it’s a fish(balik) restaurant. But it’s sooooooo much more.

A Meyhane is not a quick stop for a bit to eat, it’s an experience. Plan to sit at the table for at least 3 hours, eat many courses, drink the traditional liquor of Turkey(Raki), and if you’re feeling really Turkish, take smoke breaks in between.

Many Meyhanes will have performers singing traditional Turkish music to set the ambiance for the night.

3. Spend a Night out in Kadikoy

I can’t think of any other place to enjoy an authentic night out in Istanbul than Kadikoy. Most blogs will advise you to go out in Taksim. DON’T DO THIS. Taksim is a tourist trap.

I’ve heard many stories of foreigners getting scammed for thousands of dollars on a night out or being pickpocketed. Locals know tourists gather here, so watch out. Don’t get me wrong, Taksim is a lot of fun if you know where you’re going.

Kadikoy, on the other hand, blocks upon blocks of pure JOY. The atmosphere of Kadikoy on a Friday night is unmatched. Everyone is in high spirits, hoping bar-to-bar, singing and chanting in the streets. The area is filled with hip restaurants and bars, for any price range.

Walk down the bar street, or go searching for a hole-in-the-wall, whatever is your vibe. You’ll find endless amusement in this trendy neighborhood.

Learn more about Kadikoy by clicking here.

4. Have a Picnic in Moda Park

Istanbul is full of beautiful parks, like hundreds. Really any park will do, but my favorite is Moda Park. Located in Kadikoy, this park is packed every day of the week, especially on weekends. It’s a local tradition to gather your friends, bring your lawn chairs or a blanket, grab some drinks, and enjoy the seaside.

Moda Park is a great place to feel like a local and experience the real Istanbul.

If you’re looking to talk with locals or meet other foreigners, Moda Park is the perfect place. Everyone will be sitting in groups, drinking and in high spirits to have a chat with a stranger. If you’re looking to make new friends, Moda Park is the best place to start.

If you reeeeeally want to get into the Turkish vibe. Order some muscles or cay. In the evenings, especially on weekends, men walk around holding plates of muscles for sale which is best paired with some local drinks. There will also be vendors walking around selling cay, for a very reasonable price.

If you really want to top the charts for being the most Turkish, end the night by having a corba(soup). After living in Istanbul for 5 years, corba has become the only way I’ll end a night. If you’ve made it through this list then, CONGRATS! You’re Turkish now!

5. Wander the Streets of Cihangir

Want to feel like a posh city girl? There’s no better place than the hip neighborhood of Cihangir.

Bust out your best fashion, because the scene here is trennnnndy.

This neighborhood has some of the best boutiques and curated shops. One of my favorite streets to stroll through here is antique street. You can find unique styles and Turkish antiques.

You’ll never know what treasures you’ll find here so make sure to bring some cash.

6. Go to A Beach Party in Kiylos

Istanbul is a city that has a lot to offer, including two seas: the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The best beaches in Turkey, are arguably in the south, but if you’re only visiting Istanbul don’t miss out on enjoying the barefoot vibes.

The best beach to visit in Istanbul to lay on the sand with a cocktail and some music is Kilyos.

The area is full of beach clubs with dj’s, dance floors, pools, sun-beds, restaurants, and drinks. It’s the perfect place to spend the day at a Beach club where you will have access to everything you need to enjoy a luxurious day on the beach.

7. Go to a Football Match

Turkish people LOVE football, it almost borders obsession. I live 1.5km away from the nearest stadium, and can hear the screaming fans chanting from my window.

Game days are absolutely electric around the city. Everyone dawns their team colors and gathers to celebrate the game.

The main teams are Besiktas, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahce.

Scoring tickets can be hard, so if you don’t manage to grab one, head to the local bar or restaurant near the stadium and participate in the comradiere of these spectacular events.

8. Go Camping in Sile

On the Asian side, about 80km outside of Istanbul is a charming town along the Black Sea.

Here you’ll find many sites offering camping, glamping, bungalows, or beach houses.

This can be a great place to find some serenity and peace away from the craziness of Istanbul, and it’s a good place to meet local people.

You can swim in the sea and enjoy the beauty of nature.

I’d recommend booking a bungalow online. Most places will offer a service or give you information on a direct bus route from Istanbul.

9. Explore the Neighborhood of Balat

The jewish neighborhood of Balat has a rich historical heritage, as well as its neighboring greek quarter, Fener.

In Balat, you’ll find beautiful multicolor buildings, colorful cafes and restaurants, antique and vintage shops, and Jewish history. It’s a beautiful place to get off the beaten path and see some color.

10. Kadikoy Fish Market

I love bustling, buzzing markets full of all different kinds of sights, smells, and sounds, the bring the senses to life! The open-air fruits, vegetables, and fish delight the eyes with incredible color, the sound of sellers shouting aloud their wares, and the smells of all the fresh foods for sale.

The Kadikoy Fish Market is the best I’ve found in Istanbul for the delightful experience.

Here you can find many fresh, home-made goods like meats, cheese, olives, pickels, honey, and the list goes on.

My favorite shop where I buy all my taze(aunty-made) butter, cheese, and olives have an impressive plaque on the wall. Clearly, I’m not the only one thinking this market is the best.

This is the perfect place to experience the energy of the markets in Istanbul, and pick up some perfect Turkish Olives to bring home.

11. Go to the Swanky Jazz Club, Nardis

I heard from a friend about Nardis, a cool jazz club in Sisane. I checked the price, and it was so affordable that I had a low expectation. Being a jazz musician myself, the only places I’ve been to with real quality jazz music are expensive. So when I spent and evening at Nardis, I was absolutely floored by its incredible quality.

The atmosphere is intimate and romantic. The musicians, any day of the week, are mindblowingly talented. AND the price is reasonable??? This is the spot.

I’ve been to Nardis now so many times, and I’ve never been disappointed.

If you’re looking for an intimate night full of excellent music, you will not be disappointed at Nardis.

12. Spend the Evening at Bomontiada Arts Center

Once known as Bomonti Brewery(Bomonti Bira Fabrikasi), this center is a collection of restaurants and bars that host events such as live music, poetry readings, and art exhibition. It’s a fun place to grab food & drinks, and enjoy the modern cultural side of Istanbul.

Also called, YapiKrediBomontiada, this cultural hub will have you eating fancy culinary art and drinking frilly, lavish drinks. So I must give you a warning. Expect to bring $$$$$. This place is pretty cool, but if you’re rolling on a budget, I’d say skip it.