Hobby trips

The tour combines the club museum, a film and a visit to the stadium. The museum opens 10:00–17:00 and is closed on Mondays; take the M2 metro to Seyrantepe.

Trophies and club history inside Fenerbahçe’s ground, with the club’s flagship store alongside. Take the ferry to Kadıköy and walk 20–30 minutes.

Two floors of club history with more than 50 interactive displays and a children’s activity zone. The stadium sits by the Bosphorus, an easy walk from Beşiktaş ferry pier.

Every league match in Türkiye needs a Passolig card, the official e-ticket card. Get the card first, then buy tickets online through the club’s official channels.

The Turkish Air Force’s museum beside the old Yeşilköy airfield, with an F-4E Phantom, an F-86 Sabre and Ottoman-era aviation relics. Open Wednesday to Sunday 09:00–16:30; bring your passport as it is a military site.

An industrial museum on the Golden Horn with aircraft displayed alongside ships, trains and cars. Open Tuesday to Friday 09:30–17:00 and weekends 10:00–19:00, closed Mondays; reach it by ferry to Hasköy pier.

Istanbul’s largest forest, with a 6.5 km loop path around the Neşet Suyu area and Ottoman-era reservoirs. Weekday mornings are quietest; families picnic here at weekends.

The largest of the Princes’ Islands is car-free; walk up the pine-covered hill to the Aya Yorgi church on the island’s highest point for views across the Sea of Marmara. Bikes aren’t allowed on the slope, so the climb is on foot.

Woodland trails on the Asian side around the old Polish village of Polonezköy, known for its village breakfasts. Best reached by car or taxi.

Renzo Piano’s 2023 waterfront museum, with Turkish modern art and Bosphorus views from the terrace.

Orientalist paintings, including Osman Hamdi Bey’s Tortoise Trainer, plus strong temporary shows.

Contemporary art across a Grimshaw-designed building in Dolapdere, with a good bookshop.

The former Ottoman Bank, now a free research library and exhibition space.

Calligraphy, painting and big touring exhibitions in a Bosphorus villa at Emirgan.

Orhan Pamuk’s museum of a novel, in a red house in Çukurcuma; small and absorbing.

Renzo Piano’s 2023 waterfront museum, with Turkish modern art and Bosphorus views from the terrace.

Orientalist paintings, including Osman Hamdi Bey’s Tortoise Trainer, plus strong temporary shows.

Contemporary art across a Grimshaw-designed building in Dolapdere, with a good bookshop.

The former Ottoman Bank, now a free research library and exhibition space.

Calligraphy, painting and big touring exhibitions in a Bosphorus villa at Emirgan.

Orhan Pamuk’s museum of a novel, in a red house in Çukurcuma; small and absorbing.