Public Transit in Istanbul
Finding an adventure in Istanbul is not a difficult challenge. For such a massive city, there’s always a way to get around. Even though we own a car, my favorite and most frequently used modes of transportation are Marmaray (mostly overland train) and Vapur (ferry boat). The Marmaray, Metro system, and Vapur lines will take you just about wherever you want to go. Or it will at least get you close. If you add on the Metrobus lines and Minibuses, you’re there.
The lines are clean, consistent, frequent, and they make sense. It helps that they are very cost-efficient too. You’ll just need an IstanbulKart to use these lines (except for the Minibuses, which are cash-only).
Navigating the Metro System
Thankfully, this whole system has a pretty easy learning curve. You’ll just need to keep an eye on your progress and know where you want to get off. You can even turn on the Public Transit visualization on your Google Maps app on your phone to see where the lines are. If you tap on the “M” indicator along the metro line on Google Maps, you can see where the stations are and get directions to or from them.
You can get a sense of how far the Metro lines will take you on this map (check the Metro Istanbul site for more info):
The concept of getting around is one thing. Sometimes that’s all it is – getting around. But sometimes you can take an adventure in Istanbul. A favorite of mine is visiting Aya Sofya, Sultanahmet Cami, and the Galata Külesi. I love these areas for a visit. They are the most famous spots in Istanbul, so they will come as no surprise.
I also wanted to show you some of the quaint little backstreets that take you up to one of these areas.
Haliç
Haliç, or The Golden Horn, is a classic Istanbul area. It is the waterway inlet that break off of the Bosphorus and separates Old Town and the walls of old Constantinople from Beyoğlu. I love the Haliç area because of how beautiful it is and all of the hustle and bustle going on there. One the new town side is where you’ll find the Galata area.
Galata Area
The Galata area is a beautiful place to walk around – and once you’re at the top of the hill, it’s a great place to sit for a tea. My favorite way to get up there is by taking these back streets up a big hill and around a couple of corners. Eventually you pop out right near the foot of the tower. There are some amazing views of the water through narrow side-streets up on that hill. I love discovering these kinds of views while I’m out and about.
Aya Sofya, or Hagia Sofia
The Aya Sofya is probably the most well-known historical site in all of Turkey, especially in Istanbul. In Constantinople it was founded as a Christian church. Completed in AD 537 by the Eastern Roman Empire, it served as a church until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. In 1935 it became a museum, and then in 2020, the years before we moved here, it became a mosque. It’s an amazing sight to behold from the outside and inside it is even more breathtaking.
Finding an Adventure in Istanbul
There is no end to what you can discover in Istanbul. I love living here and exploring. Some of the adventures are well-known and obvious, like the Aya Sofya or Galata Külesi. There are others that are little neighborhood gems too. This is just a taste of the place. But it sure is sweet.
Along the Silk Road 