Hidden Corners of Istanbul Worth the Detour

Most first-time visitors see the great domes and the bazaars, and they are worth it. But the city has quieter neighbourhoods that show a different side of daily life.

Go early, then go local

Visit the headline sights right at opening time, then spend the afternoon in residential districts where tea gardens, small bakeries and ferry rides set a slower pace.

Take the water

Public ferries across the Bosphorus are one of the cheapest and most scenic ways to see the city, especially around sunset.