About this experience
My list of beautiful and delicious Istanbul terraces has been growing over the years, and it's time to reveal the best of them to you. Escape the hustle and bustle, enjoy the luxurious panoramas of Istanbul, chat about the city's history, sip aromatic coffee with eclairs, and taste Turkish sparkling wine - that's the perfect script for our tour!
What to Expect
Traditional breakfast with a breathtaking view
The perfect Istanbul day undoubtedly starts with breakfast. Therefore, the first point of our tour is the famous terrace where the traditional breakfast "serpme kahvaltı" combined with a view of Istanbul will be a real celebration and will inspire you for atmospheric photos. 24 ingredients on plates with delicious Turkish tea will not leave anyone indifferent.
The most photogenic terrace in the city
We will head for perfect snapshots on a secret open roof of Istanbul with a panoramic view of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. You can dress up in Ottoman Empire attire: transform into Hürrem or Sultan Süleyman and feel like heroes of the Magnificent Century. I promise you thousands of likes and admiring comments from friends!
Galata Tower in the palm of your hand over a glass of local prosecco
Turkey grows more grapes than any other country. I will show you a secret place located 140 m above sea level, where more than 350 types of local wine are carefully stored. You will taste refreshing local rosé and Turkish sparkling wine that can outshine any Italian prosecco.
Turkish coffee with dessert at one of Istanbul's oldest patisseries
Next, we will ascend to the cozy terrace of one of Istanbul's most famous patisseries, which is almost 160 years old. Goodbye, diet, and hello, sweets prepared according to Ottoman recipes! Exquisite honey-pistachio baklava, caramel trileçe, muhallebi puddings, tender milky dessert sütlach with a caramelized crust, loukoum of various flavors (kiwi, orange, lemon, pomegranate) - all this accompanied by freshly brewed coffee with mastic (resin of the mastic tree) or pomegranate tea. You can also buy "sweet gifts" for friends here.
Option 2: Afternoon Route
If our tour starts in the afternoon, first we will head to a terrace where we will see the city at our fingertips, drink Turkish tea, feed seagulls with forks, and take the most memorable shots!
We will have lunch at the restaurant "odzhakbashi" ("by the hearth"), with the largest selection of signature Turkish meze appetizers. You will taste a mix of their kebabs and the best ribs in the city.
We will ascend to the Galata Tower and taste local wines, and for dessert, we will visit the most famous confectioner in Turkey since the time of Sultan Abdülaziz. The tour will culminate in an impressive panorama of the Golden Horn from the terrace of Istanbul's highest hill and the best cocktails in the city.
Organizational Details
- I select the route and terraces individually, based on travelers' preferences for time (morning/evening) and gastronomy
- Food and drinks are paid for separately: breakfast - about $25 for two; lunch - about $20 per person; entrance to the photogenic terrace - $25
- A reservation for a table is required at all restaurants on the route, so it is advisable to book the tour at least one day in advance
- The morning tour starts at 11:00, but can be later if you are a fan of a good long sleep. The afternoon tour is held from 16:00 to 19:00 (to catch the stunning Istanbul sunset).
- Services of a professional creative photographer on our tour are available upon request. You will receive the most original shots and videos of your mini-trip!
