How Basketball Player Alperen Şengün Spends an Off Day in Istanbul, Turkey

For Turkey native Alperen Şengün, a center on the Houston Rockets, Istanbul—the city where he got his start as a professional basketball player—feels like the best version of home. “In Istanbul, you’re situated right on the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia. So you’ve got this incredible mix of cultures and history. And Istanbul is where my basketball career really took off, so I’ll always have a special connection to this city for that,” he told Chase Travel.

Below, Şengün shares his favorite things to get up to when he’s back in town with an Off Day, including shopping, boat tours and luxurious nights at The Ritz Carlton, Istanbul.

Where to Eat

For Şengün, nothing is better than enjoying Turkish food alongside his loved ones.

Turkey straddles Europe and Asia, and as a result, you’ll find a mix of cuisines across the country—especially in Istanbul. “Turkish food is very underrated,” Şengün said. “When I’m traveling back to Turkey, I love to eat at my favorite places, where I can’t dine like this anywhere else in the world.” Şengün spends most of the year on the road playing basketball in the U.S. Though traditional Turkish food is what he craves while he’s away he also enjoys sampling Italian, English and Japanese cuisine when he’s back in Istanbul.

Emirgan Sütiş
Emirgan, Istanbul

“When I come back to Turkey, I like to come straight here for breakfast since nobody makes breakfast the way they make it here. Basically, I order the whole menu,” Şengün said. His favorite dishes at this traditional Turkish eatery include the menemen—​​soft-scrambled eggs cooked with sautéed tomatoes and peppers—and the crispy bread topped with honey and cream.

Rumeli Kale
Rumelihisarı, Istanbul

“This place is another local classic, and family-run. They serve the best Turkish breakfast icons: bread, eggs, cheese, tomato, olives and tea. It’s a cozy vibe with amazing views of the Bosphorus.”

Bebek Balikçi
Beşiktaş, Istanbul

Every time he visits Turkey, Şengün makes time to enjoy the fresh seafood dishes Istanbul is known for.

“There’s no way I’m leaving Istanbul without going for fresh seafood. I grew up on the water, … and I love this place. It’s been a staple in Istanbul for as long as I can remember. Get whatever the seasonal fish is.”

Mandabatmaz
Beyoğlu, Istanbul

According to Şengün, Turkey has the best coffee in the world, and Mandabatmaz, a cozy cafe in the Beyoğlu district, is the place to try it. “I’d recommend the classic cup, extra strong,” he said.

Elbet Steakhouse
Beşiktaş, Istanbul

When you’re feeling carnivorous, Şengün recommends Elbet Steakhouse. Be sure to order the kokoreç, or goat intestines seasoned with salt and pepper, grilled and served in bread.

What to Do

There are endless things to do in Turkey’s largest city, whether exploring bustling markets or relaxing in a hammam. For Şengün, an ideal day in Istanbul involves a boat tour, shopping and enjoying the low-key nightlife scene.

Take a Boat Tour
Bosphorus Strait

Touring the Bosphorus Strait by boat is a must-do when Şengün has friends and family visiting Istanbul.

“When I have guests coming from America, I take them on the boat [and] show them around, because it’s such a beautiful view, and you see all around Istanbul,” Şengün said. He recommends booking a boat tour on the Bosphorus Strait. “It’s the defining feature of Istanbul, where Europe meets Asia. The fresh sea smell, the crisp wind, the amazing views—what’s not to love?”

Visit the Grand Bazaar
Kapalıçarşı, Istanbul

You can’t leave Istanbul without picking up a few souvenirs. “Istanbul is very diverse, and there’s such a history here over the generations that you can’t experience anywhere else quite like you can at the Grand Bazaar. It’s a great place for shopping and also for street food,” said Şengün.

Shopping at Les Benjamins
Nişantaşı, Istanbul

“I like Nişantaşı for shopping; it's like the Rodeo Drive of Istanbul. You can find a lot of places that show the city’s east-meets-west culture,” Şengün said. His favorite store is Les Benjamins, a Turkish brand that makes men’s and women’s streetwear.

Experience Istanbul’s Nightlife
Beyoğlu, Istanbul

Şengün recommends heading to discreet rooftop bars and lounges for late-night partying instead of large super-clubs.

Instead of hitting up the big-name clubs and bars, Şengün recommends “the smaller, almost hidden rooftop bars that have a cool lounge, a DJ and [where] you can party … until sunrise if you want. It’s more relaxed and intimate than clubs in the U.S.,” he said.

Where to Stay

Many of Istanbul’s top hotels offer hammams and central locations, but for Şengün, The Ritz Carlton, Istanbul, with its grand spaces and Bosphorus Strait views, is a must-visit.

The Ritz Carlton, Istanbul
Dolmabahçe, Istanbul
Member of The Edit by Chase Travel

Located in central Istanbul’s posh Dolmabahçe neighborhood, The Ritz Carlton, Istanbul, inhabits 12 floors of the Süzer Plaza skyscraper and overlooks the Bosphorus Strait. Şengün especially loves the property’s full-service spa, which offers “all these little luxuries you didn’t know you needed, from the boutique hammam and spa to the peaceful pools,” he said. After some serious pampering, Şengün recommends heading up to the rooftop and gazing into“that unreal view where you’re in Europe looking straight into Asia.”