One of my favorite cities in the world has to be Istanbul. Perhaps because it’s a city built on multiple layers of ancient civilizations and cultures, or perhaps because it’s a city spread across two continents (Europe and Asia) and borders two seas, there’s something awfully romantic about the city’s many dichotomies – it’s complex blend of traditional and modern, old and new, progressive and conservative. When I was first planning our trip to Istanbul, I had a lot of friends warn me not to go – “It’s dangerous! It’s too politically unstable right now.”; this was not too long after the city experienced a series of terrorist attacks and much of their sentiment was fueled by the mainstream media. We almost canceled our trip. I’m so glad we didn’t.
We found magic in Istanbul and were blown away by the kindness and generosity of the people we met there. The man who held our coffee cups for 20 minutes so we could go up the Galata Tower (we didn’t realize beverages weren’t allowed). Mr. Mehti who let us visit his private terrace for an amazing view of the city. Our waiter who randomly decided to cook us a Turkish cheese omelet (free of charge, not on the menu, no one else got an omelet). The shopkeeper who let us take a few photos of lamps, didn’t pressure us to buy anything, and wouldn’t accept a tip for his kindness (he asked us to give it to someone who needed it more than he did). We were greeted with smiles and handshakes. I was reminded that we are all human, and not to judge an entire country by the acts of a few. This is why travel is so important – to see different perspectives, meet new people, and learn about different cultures. Between the people, the gorgeous architecture, the buzzing streets, and delicious food…Istanbul is a must-visit destination. Read on to learn more about why you should visit Istanbul, Turkey!
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Istanbul has beautiful architecture
Sultanahmet Square
Sultanahmet is the old town of Istanbul, and is the perfect place for a proper introduction to the city. Here you’ll find the Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most famous structures as well as the Sultanahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) and Basilica Cistern. We arrived around 7:00am and were able to explore the grounds of this historic area during the calm, peaceful moments of the morning. By 9:00am, the square was buzzing with people!
Hagia Sophia
This UNESCO World Heritage site is an important monument for the Ottoman and Byzantine empires. This 1,500 year old building was once a church, then became a mosque, then a museum, and now once again serves as a mosque. The interiors are as grand as the exteriors, with a large golden dome, walls covered in mosaics, and hallways flooded with light. The dome is worth a mention as it is the most striking part of Hagia Sophia, and the second biggest dome in the world (the Pantheon in Rome boasts a slightly larger dome). Hagia Sophia is considered to be one of the most important Byzantine (Istanbul) empire buildings, and also one of the world’s greatest monuments.
We particularly enjoyed the numerous stray cats and dogs who seemed to have made Hagia Sophia their home. I don’t know why but Kevin and I always end up leaving a trip with dozens of photos of random animals on our camera roll!
Sultanahmet Mosque
Just opposite the Hagia Sophia is the Sultanahmet Mosque (aka Blue Mosque because of its iconic blue tile work). The Blue Mosque is still a functioning mosque so you are only allowed to visit during certain hours – typically from 8:30-11:30, 13:00-14:30, and 15:30-16:45. There are over 20,000 handmade blue Iznik ceramic tiles decorating the interior of the Blue Mosque, and 200 different stained glass windows.
Basilica Cistern
Just next to Hagia Sophia is the Basilica Cistern, the largest ancient cistern in Istanbul (over 336 columns!), and the primary water reservoir of Constantinople. Within the cistern are two Medusa columns of unknown origin, which is one of the major highlights of the site.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is a must-see building (or rather, set of buildings….there are 4 separate courts to visit and the palace grounds are spacious!) in Istanbul. This is where the Sultans and their families lived for nearly 4 centuries. Topkapi Palace was home to all the Ottoman sultans until the reign of Abdulmecid I (1839-1860). We spent a few hours here, marveling at the different rooms, each one grander than the last.
Ortaköy Mosque
Located next to the Bosphorus Bridge, the Ortaköy Mosque has to have one of the most picturesque settings of all of the Istanbul mosques. We visited right around evening prayer hours and it was mesmerizing being able to see the glow of the sunset against the shimmering white stone combined with the background music of the Islamic call to prayer. Ortaköy Mosque against the backdrop of the bridge in the background, are often used by photographers to demonstrate the Istanbul juxtaposition of traditional and modern, old and new.
Istanbul is a great place for foodies
Some of our most memorable meals were had in Istanbul, and Turkish cuisine has now become one of my favorite cuisines! From grilled meats to appetizing mezzes and soul-satisfying Turkish coffee…our bellies were constantly delighted and full while exploring the city.
Cesme Bazlama Kahvalti Nisantasi
The Turks prefer to start their day with a rich and plentiful breakfast, and spreads often feature cheese, eggs, olives, cucumber, tomatoes, pita, yogurt, honey, and fried dough. The traditional Turkish breakfast at Cesme Bazlama Kahvalti Nisantasi was truly a grand affair, and one of my top recommended meals to have in Istanbul. It’s a fixed menu and we loved trying all the different small bites on offer at this restaurant! The owner was so kind – he noticed how much we were enjoying our meal and randomly treated us to an extra Turkish omelette which we devoured quickly. We also loved being able to see the ladies at the front of the restaurant making the pitas from scratch.
Bilice Kebab
Bilice Kebab was a surprise find for us, and I’m so glad that we stumbled across this hidden hole-in-the-wall gem of a restaurant. We discovered this kebab shop while on an evening stroll through the city, and noticed a bunch of locals hanging out in front of the main door (you know a place is good if there is a crowd of locals). After seeing the GIANT platter of food and smelling the delicious smoky scent of grilled lamb, we knew we had to have dinner there. Is there anything better than dining al fresco with a plate of juicy meat and fresh salads, in a buzzing city with good company? I think not.
Seven Hills Restaurant
For a meal with an epic view, look no further than the Seven Hills Restaurant in Istanbul. Located in the heart of the city, the Seven Hills boasts a spectacular setting overlooking the Sultanahhmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), Hagia Sophia, and the Sea of Marmara. Note – due to its location, the restaurant does tend to be a bit pricier and caters to tourists, but we still enjoyed having an afternoon coffee and dessert on the rooftop deck.
Karakoy Gulluoglu
You can’t visit Istanbul without having some baklava, which is a sweet treat consisting of layered filo pastry dough, honey, and chopped nuts. The best place to get baklava in Istanbul is at its oldest baklava shop, Karakoy Gullouglu. The place was absolutely packed when we got there, filled with regulars having their afternoon tea with baklava (served with a scoop of clotted cream!). We tried a variety of flavors but the traditional pistachio one was definitely my favorite.
Ciragan Palace
The Tuğra Restaurant located on the first floor of the Çırağan Palace Hotel Kempinski features a fine-dining experience with a menu of classic Turkish and Ottoman dishes based on recipes from the Ottoman Empire. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking to treat yourself, or celebrate a special occasion. Constructed between 1863 and 1867, and overlooking the Bosphorus Sea, the Çırağan Palace served as the residence for several sultans of the Ottoman Empire. It’s since been converted into Istanbul’s most luxurious hotel. We loved our meal here and even though it was pricey, the food was delicious and service impeccable! Plus, we were able to walk around the grounds of the hotel and enjoy the palace’s stunning architecture.
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Istanbul is a great place for shopping
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest open-air markets in the world, and features over 60 different streets of markets. Be prepared for sensory overload when exploring the market – it’s a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and has every sort of knick-knack you could imagine. While we didn’t end up purchasing anything (I wanted to, but Kevin kindly reminded me that we had no room in our carry-on luggage to spare), we did enjoy window shopping for Turkish rugs and lamps. Even if you’re not a ‘shopper’, it’s worth visiting the Grand Bazaar simply to get a sense for Ottoman life and design, and appreciate the grand arcaded main halls.
Note: Photography is typically not allowed in the shops unless you are making a purchase or offering a tip. Be respectful and ask the shop vendor prior to taking any photos!
Spice Bazaar
Foodies and shoppers alike will appreciate the colorful sights and scents of the Spice Bazaar, which is the second most famous covered shopping complex in Istanbul. This is the place to go if you’re looking to stock-up on Turkish spices, nuts, Turkish delight, dried fruit, and artisan cheese. For amazing Turkish delight, you have to check out Hafiz Mustafa….I never liked Turkish delight until I tried theirs!
Istiklal Caddesi
The pedestrian avenue of Istiklal Caddesi is known as the shopping street or Champs-Elysses of Istanbul. This cobblestoned street located in Beyoglu is filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, and movie theaters, and at the northeastern end of the street is Taksim Square, which is another busy international shopping and nightlife area in the city.
Istanbul is colorful and vibrant
There really are no shortage of charming colorful streets and shops in Istanbul! I felt like every corner and street was filled with a bohemian, magical vibe…and I can only describe the city as having lots of character. Take your time roaming the city and bring some good walking shoes…you’ll need them!
The city has wonderful viewpoints
Büyük Valide Han
I had heard from another fellow blogger friend that Mr. Mehdi’s ‘viewpoint’ was a secret gem in Istanbul. I had no idea what to expect, but am always looking for some great panoramic views, so Kevin and I followed my friend’s instruction and meandered into the neighborhood (type Buyuk Valide Han in Google maps) to try to find this so-called ‘viewpoint’. What we first stumbled upon was a beaten-up building with dark hallways, caved-in ceilings, and puddles of I-don’t-know-what on the floor…it was pretty creepy and we almost turned back. The building was basically in ruins and I kept thinking to myself – “this place CAN’T be it.” We decided to persevere (with me clutching Kevin’s arm like my life depended on it), and followed the staircase near the Buyuk Valide Han sign. Thankfully, we didn’t have to look around for very long because Mr. Mehdi (the coffee ‘shop’ owner) was sitting in front of a doorway at the top of the stairs and immediately offered us some coffee for a tip of around $2.
I am happy to report that the interior of Mr. Mehdi’s so-called café was nothing like the rest of the building. His rooms were nice and airy, filled with a variety of colorful paintings, comfy chairs and wooden tables, pots of fruit and flowers…and the view from his deck was incredible! It was a wonderfully hidden spot to hang out at for an hour, while we sipped on some strong homemade Turkish coffee.
Galata Tower
If you want a panoramic view of Istanbul, then you can’t miss visiting Galata Tower. Dominating the skyline at over 200 feet high, the Galata Tower has a 360-degree observation deck overlooking the city. Built in the 14th century, this tower was built as a defense and surveillance wall, then was an astronomical observatory, and has since been converted into a museum. The neighboring shops and art galleries are also worth exploring – the whole area was one of the most charming parts of Istanbul and felt very hip.
TIP: Go early. Lines can be long and waits can be up to an hour if you visit later in the day.
Galata Bridge
Coming down to the edge of the Bosphorus is the Galata Bridge where you can find the local fisherman hanging out, waiting for their daily catch. The Galata Bridge is a great place to see the city, especially if you walk from the Galata side to the Golden Horn (historic area) side. There’s also a large number of seafood restaurants under the bridge if you’re in the mood for some freshly caught fish!
A’YA Rooftop Lounge
My final recommended viewpoint in Istanbul is the A’YA Rooftop Lounge at the Four Seasons hotel. Head there for an alcoholic beverage or cup of Turkish coffee, and get one of the best views of the Hagia Sophia. The lounge is LITERALLY located right next to it!
The city straddles two continents
A final reason to visit Istanbul is because the city is geographically unique in that it sits between both Europe and Asia, separated by the Bosphorus strait. You can literally take a ferry across and get from one continent to the other in less than 15 minutes! We took a ferry at sunset (highly recommend going at this time) and it was such a romantic way to end the day, with the waters and city bathed in pink and gold.
TIP: In order to take the ferry, you will need an Istanbul Kart, which is the transport ticket used in Istanbul. You can get your Istanbul Kart from the yellow vending machines located in metro, metrobus and tram stations or some kiosks near metro and tram stations.
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