Top 5 Things to Do in Istanbul?
 

Hi, We'll be in Istanbul for 3 days and I'd love to know what your favorite things were to do that I'll never find in a guide book. Best market, place to people watch- you know the moments that you'll remember forever. Thanks!

Stroll along the Sea of Marmara on a Saturday afternoon.

Eat a cucumber on a stick from a street vendor and go to the bazaar.

On the shore near the ferry stop vendors sell sandwiches of fish they they freshly grill - scrumptious!

On the Asian side still stands the barracks where Florence Nightingale did her famous work. Called Scutari in English, the Turkish name is Uskudar. To gain admission to the museum you need to make arrangements in advance - it is still a functioning army post, and a headquarters akin to the US Pentagon though smaller in size).

Jumping in here.
Curious why the "usual" (guide-book) top sites aren't mentioned.
Michael: Why especially on Saturday for Marmara?

Because I don't want guide book suggestions- I'll read about them in my guide book. I'm looking for those special moments when travelers look up and say, "aahh, that's why I'm here!"

Saturday or any day when the local population has the opportunity to relax.

Seamus, can you be more specific about where the Florence Nightingale museum is? Is it an actual museum? I'd like to just look at the outside even if I couldn't go in. I'm currently planning a trip for March. Do you have an address? How easy is it to get to that area of Istanbul? Thanks

By the way, great thread.

isabel - the FN museum is set up in the Selimiye barracks, in the rooms where Flo lived while she tended the hospital there. Her furniture and the eponymous lamp are on display along with some of her writing and equipment; probably of interest only to a nurse or someone with an interest in the history of nursing.
It is easy to reach - just take the ferry from the European side to Uskudar and from there either take a cab or walk.
You can't really see it from the outside, have to enter the large barracks building (after going through a security check much like an airport with bag x-ray) and are taken to the rooms by a docent after checking in with the front office and leaving your passport.
It is required to send a fax a couple days in advance to request permission to visit. I read about it in the DK Eyewitness series guide - which, unfortunately, included an outdated fax number. A staff member at the Dolmabahce palace tourist office was kind enough to make a few phone calls and hunt down the correct phone number, then the hotel faxed my information. As I recall, it required a copy of my passport and some other basic info. Sorry that I do not have the number, but perhaps your hotel can help when you are there.

Hi

At the Ortakoy ferry dock there is a street market and food stalls. Try fried mussel rolls or Kumpki(?), potatoes stuffed with your choice of filling. Take a seat and eat them near the dock - admire the mosque and watch the ferry and people traffic.

Hi sammymalone:

Keeping my eye on this post as I do want to go to Istanbul. I've just begun reading Istanbul Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk. He's the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature this year I believe - quite good, sort covers you in the mystic of the city. And an easy read.

Another vote for Ortakoy on sunday :-)
Murat

I just got back from Turkey...and I'll tell you my most memorable things:(but they are all in guide books, sorry. I guess there's a reason they are!!)
Hammam- I went to the Çemberlitas.Loved it so much. I wish I could have one once a week. I have never felt cleaner and more relaxed.
As someone mentioned, the fish sandwich from the boats at the Bosphorus, near the Spice Market.Such a delicious simple pleasure.
The Spice Market- liked it so much better than the Grand Bazaar. We went to a vendor named Malatya Pazari. They gave us samples whenever we pointed to something (although one man spoke English). I told him I wanted spice mixtures for chicken and meat. He took from so many bins, mixed them all together (for each) and then packaged them in little plastic pouches that he vaccumed sealed!! Great for gifts and traveled well. I even went back the next day for more spices! It was definitely a highlight.
Sitting on the terrace at breakfast (Hotel Dersaadet) with the Bosphorus on one side and the Blue Mosque on the other..heaven
Having pastry at Saray Muhallebicisi on the walking street at Taksim Square...such wonderful things..we went twice!!
All the sites in the guide books are incredible and I'll know you'll hit them.
Since you have only 3 days, I would not do a full Bosphorus boat but there is one for an hour and a half that just goes up and back..very pleasant. Get there about an hour before to get a good seat.
Just let yourself go and listen to all the pitches for restaurants, rugs, and then politely say 'maybe later'.
enjoy....we loved Turkey

I just connected with a friend of mine's cousin who lives in Istanbul. I promise when I return from this trip to post her suggestions. She's going to take us around one day and I'm so excited!

Just a tip: I bought some saffron from the Spice Market. It was vacuumed sealed but nonetheless confiscated at my home airport - the salesman insisted it wouldn't be of course :).

I had no problem bringing back saffron and I had quite a bit, both vacuum packed and some in little glass jars with screw caps (like baby food jars.)
Agree that the Spice Market was great. One caution passed on to me by a local - much of the saffron that you see packed and sealed, typically in a flat plastic disk with a few strands displayed, is inferior stuff. The pieces that you can see have been dyed, and the contents inside are lower grade. Better to purchase at a stall where the saffron is displayed in bulk and you can see it weighed out. I don't remember the name of the merchant where I bought what turned out to be the best saffron I have ever had, but the stall was on the front row. If you enter where the candy stall is on that row and walk to the far end it is on the left. They had all sorts of spices on display in bulk and weighed them out to order into the little glass jars.

Mmmm, that's interesting Seamus. I declared mine at an Australian airport and their attitude was "no way, Jose" :((

We're staying in Deersadet hotel also and will set aside two days for "side trips" that will include the Bosphorous cruise, Dolmabache palace, Chora, and Ortakoy (we want to be here late afternoon/evening). Would love to get an idea on how best to schedule those visits. What's the best way/direction going to those places? Sarabeth, how far/how do you go to Çemberlitas from Deersadet?

We would also like to experience the hammam. Where do you think is the best place to do that? We'll be in Istanbul, Pamukkale, western/southern med, and Selcuk.

Worldinbag, what was the reason for them to confiscate you safron? I have brouhgt it from Thailand a couple of times, and did not even think they can take it away. I don't think I ever declared it though.