I was in Istanbul in November 2026, flying out of Luxembourg. I stayed in Karaköy, right above the Galata Bridge. Here is what I saw, what I ate, and a couple of things worth knowing before you go.
What to see in Istanbul
I’ll start with the Blue Mosque. It is the Sultanahmet Mosque, built between 1609 and 1617, and you recognise it by its six minarets. You enter the courtyard through a tall gateway and the domes suddenly appear. Entry is free, but the mosque closes to visitors during prayers.
A short walk away, you go underground to the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan). 336 columns standing in water, built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian to store water for Constantinople. A forest of columns under the city, you have to see it.
Across the Golden Horn, the Galata Tower sticks out above the whole district. From there you reach Istiklal Avenue, heading towards Taksim. Noise, crowds, yellow taxis. You would think it was New York.
And then Dolmabahçe Palace. This is where Atatürk died, on 10 November 1938. You can visit his bedroom, where the bed is covered with the Turkish flag.
10 November in Istanbul
If you are in Istanbul on a 10 November, you can’t miss it. At 9.05am, the time Atatürk died, the sirens sound and the whole country stops for two minutes. Cars too. That day the city was handing out lokma and water before Dolmabahçe Palace.
What to eat in Istanbul
Start with the fish dürüm in Karaköy, at Karaköy Sokak Dürümcüsü. 300 TRY, so 5.36 euros in November 2026, and it is really good. The fishing harbour is right next door, so the fish is fresh.
For a traditional meal, Münhasır Garden Döner & Kebap: a spicy tomato meze, then a lamb kebab so tender it does without sauce.
In Galata, at the Galata New Galapera Restaurant, I had mussels stuffed with rice and palamut, which is bonito.
The rest you pick up through the day: baklava and fresh pomegranate juice. And tea, all the time. In restaurants it comes free at the end of the meal.
Practical info
I flew Luxembourg to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. For the hotel I was in Karaköy: you get the view over the Galata Bridge and, in the evening, the call to prayer mixing with the traffic noise. For photos, aim for blue hour, it only lasts a few minutes. You pay in Turkish lira (TRY).
