10 Offbeat Things to Do in Istanbul

Istanbul is home to some famous historical sites — the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, and Spice Market. They are stunning, important historical sites to see and experience. But the city also offers lots of fun things to do that have fewer crowds and are a bit off the beaten path. As important as it is to visit culturally significant historical sites (after all, there's nothing wrong with being a tourist) there is so much more to every destination than just the main tourist bullet points. Of course, you shouldn't miss Istanbul's major sites. But once you've done them, there are plenty of offbeat things to see and do here. Here are my favorites to help you get started and make the most out of your trip.