Istanbul's portside gems: Hidden pleasures steps from your ship

Istanbul is one of the world's most thrilling cruise ports. Minarets and domes punctuate its skyline, calls to prayer mingle with the squawk of gulls and cries of hawkers, and as the city straddles two continents, it's possible to breakfast in Europe and lunch in Asia thanks to a zippy ferry service.

Galataport, the city's snazzy main cruise terminal, which was completed in 2021, is located on the European side of the Bosphorus Strait. Touted as the world's only underground cruise terminal, it's surrounded by modern dining options, a contemporary art museum and a must-do, meticulously restored hammam. Pull on your walking shoes to venture further afield and you'll discover even more Turkish delights.

The taxi drivers around Galataport are infamous for extortionate fares (it's one of the city's few downsides). The good news is you can easily spend a day within a few hundred metres of your ship having mind-blowing experiences such as a hammam spa day. Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami is a stunningly restored 16th-century bathhouse that offers separate women's and men's sessions. Prepare to strip off, be thoroughly scrubbed down, sip a sherbet and leave floating on cloud nine. kilicalipasahamami.com

If your cabin faces portside, you'll likely be eyeballing the seabirds frolicking in the water feature covering the rooftop of Istanbul Modern. The shallow "bird bath" is part of the light, bright, angular design by renowned architect, Renzo Piano. Cruise through the gallery's exhibitions, check out the Piano exhibit that delves into the architect's inspirations for the building (on display until December 31) and browse the design-forward goodies in the excellent gift shop. istanbulmodern.org

Think of Galataport as an upscale, open-air luxury shopping mall. It's home to Turkish and global brands and boutiques, along with cafes and restaurants such as Saltbae Burger (part of the restaurant empire of Turkish-chef-turned-internet-meme Nusret Gokce). It's all very nice - even offering a Bags-Free service that gathers up your shopping for you - but lacks the vitality and buzz of the rest of Istanbul. Kids, it's time to venture beyond the precinct. galataport.com

About a 15-minute stroll from Galataport is the Kabatas ferry pier, from where you catch ferries over to Kadikoy on the city's Asian side. This fascinating neighbourhood, deemed one of the world's coolest by Time Out magazine, is packed with fish restaurants, coffee shops, bars and boutiques. Take a break from pounding the streets by catching a ride on Kadikoy's nostalgic red tram. Time your return ferry for sunset - and you might not feel the need to book one of the city's many Bosphorus Strait sunset cruises. The Kabatas pier also has a brand-new angled grass slope that's become a popular sunset-viewing spot.

Enjoying a meal while taking in all the bird-and-boat action on the buzzy Bosphorus is one of the world's great experiences. Just past the Kabatas pier is Dolmabahce Palace, a 258-room Rococo, Baroque and Neoclassical fantasia with interiors gilded with some 14 tonnes of gold. Before heading through the palace entryway, look for neighbouring Dolmabahce Cafes - a stunning spot to enjoy a glass of tea and a pistachio and clotted cream pastry right by the water. Similarly, if you're visiting Gulhane Park on the Historic Peninsula (see below), it's a short detour for a cool drink at waterfront restaurant Sarayburnu Aile Cay Bahcesi. dolmabahce-palace.com

From your ship, you might spy the 14th-century Galata Tower, a landmark built by the Genoese when the Galata quarter was a Genoese colony. The cylindrical tower was also used as a dungeon during the Ottoman era. These days, visitors flock to the tower to soak up 360-degree panoramic views over the city and strait. Sweet tooths can slide into a seat at neighbouring Gocmen Artisan Bakery - a fave with Instagrammers - to enjoy chocolate-smothered cheesecake with in-your-face tower views. If climbing up to the Beyoglu district is too challenging, take the Tunel - a historic funicular that rolls through a brick-lined tunnel in 90 seconds. muze.gov.tr; gocmen.co

Cross the waterway known as the Golden Horn to reach the neighbourhood of Sultanahmet on the Historic Peninsula. It's packed with so many compelling monuments and landmarks you're likely to need more than a day here. Form a plan for conquering the crowds vying to see the evocative underground Basilica Cistern, the Byzantine splendour of the Hagia Sofia, and the minarets and domes of the Blue Mosque. Topkapi Palace, with its glittering collection of imperial jewels, is also a stunner. If you can't absorb any more beauty, find respite amid the cool greenery and flowers of 80-hectare Gulhane Park, once part of the palace's grounds. yerebatan.com; muze.gov.tr; gulhanepark.org

Even if shopping isn't your thing, it's a must-do experience to wander through this maze of 61 covered streets that dates from the 15th century. Admire the wares, haggle with stall holders if you simply must buy a souvenir from here, and sample the many varieties of Turkish delight and nougat.

Getting there: Cruise ships with Istanbul as a port of call or as a terminus include Oceania's Oceania Nautica and Oceania Sirena, Viking Cruises' Viking Jupiter and Viking Mars, MSC Cruises' MSC Fantasia and MSC Sinfonia, and Azamara Cruises' Azamara Onward.

Staying there: The Galataport Promenade connects to the recently opened luxury 177-room waterfront Peninsula Istanbul. It's a splash-out option in the city, with rooms starting from 638 euros ($1061). peninsula.com

Explore more: galataport.com; goturkiye.com

The writer was a guest of Oceania Cruises.

Pictures: Shutterstock; supplied