Introducing: Spotted By Locals

Our friends at Spotted By Locals are continuing to do some seriously great work on an international level and we here at Yabangee wanted to give them some of the credit they deserve for making sure Istanbul is well represented in the mix.

From the developers:

In 2008, behind the times travel guidebooks drove Sanne & Bart crazy. On city breaks, the outdated paperbacks brought them to touristy highlights, last year’s nightlife venues and defunct spots that no longer existed.

The Amsterdam-based duo finally got their trip back on track when, on a city break, they stumbled upon the personal blog of a local who wrote about his favorite spots in the city. As two travel addicts, Sanne and Bart saw the need to replace traditionalist, conformist travel recommendations with insider tips by locals, for travelers who want to experience cities like a local.

Through each city guide, Sanne, Bart and the Spotters worldwide share the local culture and habits of each city. They believe that expanding the worldview of travelers by allowing them to see from a local’s perspective can increase intercultural understanding, which helps make the world a better place.

Istanbul has been in the Spotted by Locals network almost since the beginning. On the blog, seven very enthusiastic locals (all Turkish nationals, although they’re open to applications from expats who speak Turkish too!) blog about their favorite spots for tourists, but also for fellow locals!

Some examples of spots, that you may or may not know!

1. Kutluhan (Özsu) restaurant – the best “Urfa” kebab in the city according to local Emre. You won’t find any tourists here…

2. Petra Roasting Co – the best 3rd wave coffee in town according to local Zekeriya

3. Feriköy Flea Market – a perfect Sunday destination for some crafty shopping.

4. Vi – is ideal for those looking for a raw cafe emphasizing healthy living.

5. Rexx Cinema – features plenty of local and international films to keep you in the loop.

Spotted by Locals are priced at $3.99 per city guide, with 100% offline maps and tips, as well as plenty of other features.

Check them out at www.spottedbylocals.com/istanbul

This post was originally published in 2018.