#hagia-sophia

#hagia-sophia

Down Istanbul's hills and through its backstreets, you'll find neighborhoods that feel local and authentic-where shopkeepers greet passersby by name, laundry sways between windows, and the scent of home cooking drifts through open doorways. These are the parts of Istanbul that offer a more grounded perspective-not just what the city looks like, but how it lives. Bebek, Çukurcuma, and Cihangir are among the most rewarding to explore, especially for solo travelers, though anyone who makes the time will likely be drawn in.