One of the most rewarding aspects of a studying abroad can be to step off the tourist trail and experience life as locals enjoy it. Here are 10 of CAPA’s favorite hidden gems to discover when you study abroad in Istanbul.

1. ÇAMLICA HILL. Çamlıca is the highest hill in Istanbul and the best viewing point for the city’s beautiful sunsets. It is 263 m. above sea level, full of fresh air and commonly used as a picnic area. You’ll find a few restaurants, a Turkish cafe and a park.

Photo: The view from Camlica Hill, Istanbul by jinxsi1960

2. THE BACK STREETS. The best place to discover a city’s hidden gems is to go exploring. Wander through Istanbul’s beautiful back streets and you’ll stumble on places like Suriye Pasaji, where you’ll find the world’s largest retro store, By Retro. Hazzopulo Pasaji is another pretty find. It’s low-key, with an arcade that opens into a lovely tea garden. You’ll find grape vines hanging down and a slice of calm. Poke your nose into some traditional Turkish taverns on Cicek Pasaji or head to Avrupa Pasaji if you’re looking for antiques and souvenirs.

Photo: Çiçek Pasaji by Wim Andrea

3. TAVANARASI RESTAURANT. This atmospheric food joint is popular with locals, especially students since it keeps its prices low. It’s a bit tricky to find, but once you get there, you’ll have a great view from this sixth floor loft-style restaurant’s windows. The food is traditional, including fresh seafood. It’s also a hit with vegetarians, offering plenty of non-meat options! If you have a bit of extra cash to spend and want to try some creative cuisine, Can Oba is a very popular option.

Photo: Tavanarasi from TripAdvisor

4. KARABATAK CAFE. In the eccentric neighborhood of Karaköy, an old warehouse has been converted into the Karabatak Cafe, a cozy gem with mismatched furniture, reasonable prices and a warm atmosphere were you can spend hours reading a great book or working on that study abroad homework.

Photo: Julius Meinl Cafe Karabatak Karaköy Istanbul by Adam Currell

5. PANORAMA 1453 HISTORY MUSEUM. Located within walls breached by the Janissaries, inside the “Topkapi Culture Park”, the Panorama 1453 History Museum is a kick back in time. It features a huge 2,350 square meter panoramic painting of the siege of the city and the main battle that caused it to fall. The painting took three years to complete and is impressive in itself, but the museum also uses sounds of battle and features objects from that era to help bring it to life.

 

6. CULINARY SECRETS OF THE OLD CITY WALKING TOUR WITH ISTANBUL EATS. Guaranteed to take you off the beaten path, Istanbul Eats’s tour is run by a group of local bloggers who know the city inside and out. They’ll take you to the places that tourists don’t usually find on their own: coffee warehouses, tea houses, street food, spice markets and meetings with master craftsmen (ustas). You can also buy an app that takes you through the city’s culinary back streets if you would rather explore on your own.

Photo: Istanbul Eats Tour by Victoria Rittinger

7. SETUSTU TEA GARDEN. Tucked away at the end of Gülhane Park there’s an open air tea garden that has some of the best panoramic views over Istanbul. Tea is served in a traditional Turkish way and usually lasts quite a while if you’re on your own working on that study abroad homework! If you need a break, wander over to the edge and you can occasionally look down as see dolphins jumping out of the sea.

Photo: Tea in Gulhane Park by Michael Pieracci

8. HACI BEKIR. It’s difficult to go all the way to Istanbul and not indulge in the local favorite Turkish delights, or “locum”. Haci Bekir opened the doors of their shop to the public in 1777, and is the very first one owned by the oldest and most prominent family in this locum business. The building itself is beautiful with its original marble floors and columns. The roof is wooden with tiles. And, there’s sugary samples galore!

Photo: Haci Bekir by Elif Ayiter

9. RUSTEM PASHA MOSQUE. While the famous Blue Mosque is crowded with tourists, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque leaves plenty of space to relax and take it all in at your own pace. It’s small, but covered in beautiful blue Iznik tiles with a bright red floor and has an authentic atmosphere about it.

Photo: Rüstem Paşa Camii by Vince Millett

10. ART WALK ISTANBUL. Led in both Turkish and English, the Art Walk Istanbul tours organized by Grizine will take you past some of the city’s best galleries and public art spots. The team have also organized a street art istanbul campaign on Instagram, so their knowledge extends beyond the curated collections!

Photo: Mural in Kadıköy by Araz Zeynisoy