Activities in Istanbul
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TOP SELLER
Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar
8 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
This comprehensive sightseeing tour of Istanbul provides the perfect introduction to the fabled city that spans Asia and Europe. On this one day sightseeing…Not LP reviewed
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Ambassador Spa
There’s no Ottoman ambiance on offer at the shabby spa centre of this hotel just off Divan Yolu, but all treatments are private, meaning that you get the small hamam all to yourself. Best of all is the fact that the signature 60- or 75-minute 'Oriental Massage' package includes both a hamam treatment and an expert 30-minute oil massage.
The spa's massage therapist Zeki Ulusoy is trained in sports, remedial and aromatherapy massage and he really knows his stuff – you’ll float out of here at the end of a session. The 'Oriental Massage' treatment costs between €50-60; a 50-minute 'Back to Traditions' package comprises a 20-minute body scrub and a 30-minute foam massage and…
reviewed
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Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı
Reopened in 2011 after a meticulous restoration, this twin hamam is now offering the most luxurious traditional bath experience in the Old City. Designed by Sinan between 1556 and 1557, it was built just across the road from Aya Sofya by order of Süleyman the Magnificent and named in honour of his wife Hürrem Sultan, commonly known as Roxelana.
The building's three-year, US$13 million restoration was closely monitored by heritage authorities and the end result is wonderful, retaining Sinan's austere design but endowing it with an understated modern luxury. There are separate baths for males and females, both with a handsome soğukluk (entrance vestibule) surrounded…
reviewed
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Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
3-4 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
Breathe in the heady mix of spices and herbs in the Egyptian Bazaar, then take an invigorating cruise on the Bosphorus for superb views of the magical city of…Not LP reviewed
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Cihangir Sauna
This undeclared gay sauna hosts closeted neighbourhood and visiting types. The sauna facilities are clean, if somewhat threadbare. The proudly gay masseur is not only expert in the use of his hands, but generous in doling out local gay info when asked. Weekends can be crowded, and it’s busiest between 3pm and 7pm.
reviewed
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Orsep Royal Hotel
Conveniently located behind Sirkeci train station, this hotel has an excellent gym and wellness centre with an indoor pool, hamam, sauna, steambath, Jacuzzi and exercise equipment. There’s also a small rooftop pool with fabulous panoramic views.
reviewed
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Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar
8 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
This comprehensive sightseeing tour of Istanbul provides the perfect introduction to the fabled city that spans Asia and Europe. On this one day sightseeing…Not LP reviewed
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Aquarius
Unabashedly proclaiming itself as ‘the only gay sauna in İstanbul’, Aquarius can also lay claim to being the only one with a swimming pool in its premises, which means it comes closest to what most Western gay sauna habitués are used to – most notably a clean environment. An added attraction is the stable of 15 hunky delicious masseurs who take you into the private cubicles for a massage – be sure to negotiate the price and the service parameters clearly. Note: what goes on here should remain here.
reviewed
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Istanbul by Night: Turkish Dinner and Show
4 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
Istanbul by night means floodlit mosques, a fabulous Turkish dinner and a spectacular floorshow with bejeweled belly dancers. It's the ultimate Turkish…Not LP reviewed
from USD$80.00 -
Cankurtan
This friendly company has a strong arts and culture bias. It organises a wide range of off-the-beaten-path walking tours of neighbourhoods around the city, including special tours of Jewish, Armenian and Greek neighbourhoods and to the Princes’ Islands. It also runs highly recommended visits to Sufi ceremonies at tekkes in Fatih and Silivrikapı. The company has a second office in Cankurtan, next to the entrance to Topkapı Palace.
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Cağaloğlu Hamamı
This is undoubtedly the most beautiful of the city’s hamams. Built in 1741 by order of Sultan Mahmut I, it offers separate baths for men and women and a range of bath services that are – alas – overpriced considering how quick and rudimentary the wash, scrub and massage treatments are. Consider signing up for the self-service treatment (€30) only.
reviewed
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Laveda Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul
Luxurious Laveda offers Ottoman bathing rituals juxtaposed with modern wellness procedures. As well as the basic ‘Traditional Hamam’ treatment (given by an attendant who doesn’t hurry through the soaping, skin-peeling and water massage), there’s also a long list of spa therapies and massages, including a Sultan’s six-hands massage. The hamam, which is authentically set up, sports rich marble and soothing piped-in ambient music.
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Ağa Hamamı
Dating from 1562, this historic hamam has a low-key ambience and allows communal bathing for both genders, although scrubs and massages are conducted by same-sex masseurs in private spaces. Prices are surprisingly reasonable when compared with the historic hamams in the Old City, but standards of cleanliness could be higher.
reviewed
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Private Tour: Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace
8 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
Take a hassle-free tour of Istanbul's most famous attractions with your own private guide to lead the way. You'll enjoy personalized attention on your private…Not LP reviewed
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Turkish Cultural Services Foundation
The historic Caferağa Medresesi is the home of the Turkish Cultural Services Foundation, which runs courses for locals and travellers in techniques such as calligraphy, miniature painting, ecru (paper marbling), binding and glass painting. Courses are organised into 2½-hour sessions one day per week over three months and cost approximately TL400. It also occasionally organises shorter courses costing TL120.
reviewed
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Istanbul Shore Excursion: Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour
8 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
This sightseeing tour of Istanbul provides the perfect introduction to the fabled city that spans Asia and Europe. On this shore excursion you will see how old…Not LP reviewed
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Çeşme Hamamı
Its maze-like location in a backstreet behind the hardware stores that litter this part of town often discourages non-local bathhouse action seekers. But this favourite hamam of bears and pot-bellied moustachioed types is worth finding because of the relaxed attitude of the management. Just be careful you don’t stick out like a pink thumb or you’ll incite a feeding frenzy.
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Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa
If you ask the local ladies who lunch to recommend the best spa in town, many will nominate this luxurious place in the basement of the Hotel Les Ottomans. The surrounds are exquisite and the therapists are top-notch. A day pass to use the indoor/outdoor pools, hamam, adventure showers, heated ceramic lounges, whirlpool, sauna, ice fountain and oxygen room costs TL130.
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Istanbul City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
90 minutes (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
Under the romantic backdrop of minarets and mosques, like a step out of time stands the ancient city of Istanbul.lt;pgt;The only city in the world built on two…Not LP reviewed
from USD$26.82 -
Gallipoli Day Trip from Istanbul
16 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
A visit to Gallipoli is a moving experience for all visitors to Turkey, particularly for those from the ANZAC nations of Australia and New Zealand. If you are…Not LP reviewed
from USD$131.25 -
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Süleymaniye Hamami
Another hamam designed by Sinan, though this one’s not as impressive as the Çemberlitaş and is a mixed bath with only male masseurs, meaning that some women will not feel comfortable here. The price includes bath, scrub and soap massage, as well as a free pick-up and drop off from your hotel (Old City only) for groups of two or more if you book in advance.
reviewed
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The Istanbul Culinary Institute
The Istanbul Culinary Institute offers three-hour workshops in Turkish aimed at mastering local dishes (TL100), as well as tours of the Kadıköy Produce Market and the fish and spice markets. It also offers a three-hour street-food tour. All tours are priced according to the number of participants; you’ll need to specify your language requirements.
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Istanbul Two Continents Half-Day Tour
4 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
From the opulent palaces of Istanbul's European shore to magnificent views from the city's Asian side, this leisurely four-hour afternoon tour shows you the…Not LP reviewed
from USD$45.00 -
Private Tour: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
4 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
Begin the tour with a brief visit to the 17th century Spice Bazaar, one of Istanbul's most colorful and bustling attractions. Then take an unforgettable cruise…Not LP reviewed
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4-Day Istanbul City Stay Package
by Viator
If this is your first time to Istanbul and you want to see all the highlights of this amazing city at a leisurely pace, this is the tour for you. This four-day…Not LP reviewed
from USD$506.25 -
Istanbul Shore Excursion: Istanbul by Night Turkish Dinner and Show
4 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
Istanbul by night means floodlit mosques, a fabulous Turkish dinner and a spectacular floorshow with bejeweled belly dancers. It's the ultimate Turkish…Not LP reviewed
from USD$80.00