10 Offbeat Things to Do in Istanbul (Updated 2025)

"Taking a ferry out to the Prince Islands felt like a peaceful getaway from the city's crowds: this chain of nine car-free islands (most visitors hit the four larger ones—Büyükada, Burgazada, Heybeliada, and Kinaliada) offers historic buildings, tasty cafés, pretty homes, and easy exploration by walking, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage; plan to take an early ferry, the trip takes 1.5–2 hours depending on the island, round-trip tickets are around 45 TRY, and guided tours (with transport, a local guide, and lunch) are about 650 TRY." - Matthew Kepnes