Brightsun’s Worldwide Weekend Pocket Guides: Istanbul, Turkey

We’re thrilled to be launching our newest blog series: Brightsun’s Worldwide Weekend Pocket Guides, featuring personal mini blogs from Brightsun staff members recommending their chosen destination for a weekend getaway based on their own travel experiences.

My recommendation for a weekend break would be to Istanbul, Turkey. I recently visited this city with my family and found that it was the perfect all-rounder city break; whether you’re looking for a tame family holiday, a fun, party-filled time with your friends, or just some fun in the sun, Istanbul seems to have it all.

Besides the obvious tourist attractions and incredible sightseeing spots such as the architecture of the Blue Mosque, the authentic spices of the Grand Bazaar, or the world-famous San Sebastián cheesecake offered at Galata Tower, Istanbul is also home to many local, authentic spots.

My trip consisted of all the above; we visited the tourist attractions and took in the immense culture of Turkey, brought a tonne of household spices, and even partied on an evening cruise with some incredibly friendly locals.

I would highly recommend experiencing a Turkish Hammam on a city break to Istanbul; it may not necessarily be your cup of tea, but you will certainly leave feeling more zen than ever.

There is so much to do in Istanbul, and with the transportation being so straight forward, you can stay anywhere in the city that you prefer. I would recommend staying near at least one of the city’s iconic landmarks for ease, if you are only there for a weekend.

Not that you could see the entirety of Istanbul in just one weekend, but if you did want to venture out, Bhosphorous is easily attainable for a day trip. Having travelled to many places in my lifetime, Bhosphorous still holds some of the most picturesque views I have seen to date and is a personal recommendation to take a day out and explore it.

We visited Istanbul during October, and the weather was perfect; warm, but not too hot considering it is a city break after all. Not only this but going during this time means the city isn’t also full of other tourists, and you can experience the destination to its full, at a lower price.

Does Istanbul sound like your kind of trip? You could check out our hot holiday offers to Istanbul Or if you’re booking flights via Istanbul onwards to an international destination with Turkish Airlines, you may be eligible for a free hotel stay in this charming Turkish city as part of the airline’s complimentary stopover over. Find out more here.