Group Holiday to Istanbul

Read about our latest trip as part of a Group Holiday to Istanbul. We explore the sites and see what is best to do as a group.

After a lovely evening with friends, my husband and I were invited on to their long weekend as part of a group holiday in Istanbul.

We departed on a Thursday with Turkish airlines. The flight took 3hr 50 which was long enough for a weekend away. We arrived well fed and refreshed (the food on board surprisingly delicious) to a shiny new airport. We had pre-ordered a taxi into town, however I recommend not. There are countless taxis available at the airport and all very reliable. The airport’s about an hour from town depending on traffic.

The Four Seasons Terrace

The accommodation booked for our group holiday to Istanbul was the Four Seasons at Sultanahmet. It is located in the middle of the old city, just a few steps from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Beautiful rooms, very helpful staff who recommended their terrace for an evening drink with stunning views of the Blue Mosque (which is closed for renovations but hopefully they are due to finish this year).

Group Holiday to Istanbul

The first evening was spent dining at The Sabahattin Fisherman restaurant. Set in a restored Turkish house it had tables spilling out on to the street which felt relaxed.  It easily accommodated the 10 of us with swift and friendly service. We all opted for the fish, which you choose fresh from the counter. Make sure you keep an eye on the weight and price is per kilo!  The obligatory Mezze tray was brought out. – I’d avoid ordering too many, they’re often disappointing and very large.  

 A stroll back to the hotel through the Hippodrome, a paved public park, was a lovely treat. It was originally a stadium in the Roman and Byzantine periods. The weather was a balmy 24C (up to 28C during the day) so we decided to have quick night cap on the terrace.  

The Hagia Sofia

The first day was spent with a brilliant guide. It is an absolute must in  Istanbul as it is huge and busy town. They took us around The Hagia Sofia and Topkapi Palace, the quick local way. They also got us access into less well known but fascinating and beautiful mosques. Please remember you will need to cover your head and legs. We also visited museums which aren’t tourist hot spots.

Exploring the city

The second evening was spent on the other side of the Bosphorus in the very cool district of Galata (the Shoreditch of Istanbul). It is famous for its stunning tower, you can walk up it but be prepared to queue for hours! Nearby Beyoglu is also rather cool. The public transport is very cheap and efficient, a travel card like our oyster is available at most shops. A quick aperitif at Soho House we followed with a fabulous dinner feast at Neolakal. There were lots of small plates of modern Turkish cooking which got us all guessing the delicious ingredients. The hotel terrace came into its own as an after–dinner venue for the odd night cap or two.

On Saturday morning we went off to The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market, a must if you want to experience real Turkey. The noise, the smells, the sounds, a magical stimulation to all our senses.

The Grand Bazaar

We split up after lunch. Some off of us went to the Pera Museum, while others went to a recommended Hamam for a good scrub,  Hurrem Sultan is one of the best. Meanwhile we took the Bosphorus ferry trip, a 95 min journey up and down the river with stunning views of the city, both the European and Asian sides. We saw palaces, marinas and huge villas owned by Istanbul‘s elite.

Our final day in Istanbul

Our final evening was topped off by a drink on the roof top terrace of the Murver restaurant. A majority of the dishes are cooked over an open fire. I would definitely recommend the Mezes here as they’re delicious and manageable.

Our flight back on Sunday wasn’t until late morning, so we spent our final hours in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art. Followed by the fascinating Basilica Cistern, which was all included in the Museum Card. It was well worth purchasing. After a reviving coffee we walked through Gulhane Park and on to a rather disappointing Archeology Museum. For our last and rather late lunch we opted for Giritli. A seafood restaurant in a restored Ottoman house located near the hotel. We shared the most delicious but ugliest, and still unidentified grilled fish.  

Giritli Seafood Restaurant

We took a taxi ride back to the airport which is full of incredible restaurants and cafés. If you haven’t had time to eat it’s worth enjoying what is on offer. Of course there is also miles and miles of designer stores and souvenir shops if you have time your hands.  

We barely scratched the surface of the incredible city of Istanbul. Nowhere captures the imagination like this place. With its mixture of Christian Europe and Muslim Middle East, soaring minarets, history in every stone from The Greeks, Romans, Venetians and Ottomans all leaving their marks.  

As an aside we felt very safe, there was heavy security at the airport and at the entrance to every tourist attraction.

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