A Guide to Living in Istanbul in Autumn
Istanbul is one of the greatest cities in the world. There are a lot of things one might choose to do to have fun, relax, and enjoy their time. This list is a helping hand as to how to get the most of a trip through Istanbul.
Walk around: Popular tour guides and brochures of Istanbul naturally involve the most important places, and not many hidden gems. Also, the banks of the Bosphorus or the streets of small towns like Arnavutköy are very charming despite their unpopularity among tourists. Districts like Bebek, Yeniköy or Emirgan can be chosen to have some of these walks in. To find calmer and more peaceful places, walking around without a map is a good method.
Admire the street art of Istanbul: Istanbul is a city that hosts many important art galleries yearly, and now, the city is home to many great street artworks. There are neighbourhoods like Karaköy which is covered with graffiti. The neighbourhood also is home to many contemporary art studios and galleries. Another district that showcases street art is Yeldeğirmeni in Kadıköy. There is an entire area dedicated to frescoes where international artists were invited by the city to express themselves on the walls of the neighbourhood. Most of the artworks deliver a message, often against the Turkish government.
Get some fresh air: Istanbul is also a city bordered by two seas, mountains and forests. The ecosystem is very diverse, and although the city can be suffocating, visitors are always a 30 minutes away from fresh air. The Belgrade Forest was once a forest that extended from the European side of Bosphorus to Belgrade. Today, although threatened by uncontrolled urbanization and major projects proposed by the government, the North of Istanbul is still a heavily wooded area and it is possible to walk in the forest. It is a very pleasant and revitalizing space that allows jogging, biking or walking.
Visit the Town of Anadolu Kavagi: Anadolu Kavagi is the northernmost village on the Bosphorus. It can be accessed almost only by boat as it is located in a military zone. Once there, visitors can climb to the top of the hill to the ruins of the Byzantine castle of Yorgos, which offers a fantastic 360 degree panorama of the city. The village is located in the forest, and there are many charming fish restaurants along the water.
