Walk around Istanbul
I really liked Istanbul! Colorful city! They also say about Istanbul: "City of contrasts". We lived in the historical center. There was a restaurant on the roof of our hotel and in the evening a beautiful view of the Bosphorus and the Blue Mosque! In order not to take excursions, you can visit everything on your own. For example, we ourselves went to Dolmabahce. By tram from Sultanahmet to Kabatash station (terminal). The cost per person is 4 lira (by tram). The ticket price is 30 lira per person without visiting the harem. Tours run every half hour with a guide in English. The duration of the tour is approximately 45 minutes. Approximately 1 lira = 32 rubles. You can also ride on the Bosphorus on your own. Opposite the Egyptian market there is a pier there. A large river tram costs 12 liras per person, duration is 1.5 hours. There are carts in front of the tram, they sell fried chestnuts and corn, some bagels, but I advise you to look where mussels stuffed with rice are sold in small barrels, they cost 1 lira a piece but insanely delicious. I also advise you to try pomegranate wine (we brought several bottles home, everyone liked it). We went to the hammam where there are separate men and women for 90 lire. but it is with massage, without massage is much cheaper. The dance of the dervishes somehow did not impress us. Try to eat where the locals usually are not the main streets, but turn into an alley and there are a lot of local cafes.