Istanbul has always been on the Bucket List. Five nights in May 2022 proved to be enough to see the historical/religious sites, get a feel for the atmosphere, and find better Bier than Efes.
Arriving at Istanbul’s second airport, Sabiha Gökçen courtesy of an attractively priced Pegasus flight from Berlin, there was the realisation that the Metro does not stretch this far into the Asian side of the city. Ninety minutes in a bus was eschewed in favour of an arranged transfer. It took two hours in the evening traffic. The return at 06.00 took the promised forty five minutes. Beware.
The sights
Sultan Ahmet Camii – The Blue Mosque
Ayasofya Camii -Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Sarayi Müzesi – Topkapi Palace
Galata Kulesi – Galata Tower
Kapali Çarsi – Grand Bazaar
The bars and restaurants visited, all are in Galata-Pera:
Snog Roof Bar
Stop Restaurant
Gala Life
