Istanbul, Turkey. So you’re travelling to Istanbul and you have no idea where to begin. That’s understandable, the city is massive (it spans two continents!) and it has so much to offer in terms of mosques, markets, museums and foreign culinary delights!(1) Visit the Spice Bazaar. Here you’ll be able to pick up spices, nuts, dried fruit, Turkish coffee, loose leaf tea, and even Turkish delight!(2). Turkey is home to the Mevlevi Order of Sufi whirling dervishes. The dervishes spin themselves into a trance- like state that brings them closer to God, and it’s a unique religious ceremony to witness.(3) Listen to the call of prayer between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. It was a magical thing to experience, so if you find yourself in the area during prayer time, I suggest you grab a seat at one of the park benches and just listen.(4) Eat a kumpir.
A kumpir is a loaded baked potato. The server will mix the potato with cheese and butter until it’s light and fluffy, and then you can choose from an assortment of toppings including olives, hot dogs, pickles, corn, peas, bulgur and more. It’s the perfect snack to go.(5) Get naked at a hamam.
For the full experience you’ll want to opt in for the body scrub and massage. Don’t worry, the hamam is segregated into male and female only areas.(6) Ride the red street car. One way to see Istiklal Avenue without having to weave your way through the crowds is to ride the streetcar from one end of the strip to another.
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The streetcar has a decidedly vintage feel and it makes for a pleasant journey through Istanbul’s shopping hub.(7) Walk across Galata Bridge. It just adds to the experience.(9) Take a boat tour down the Bosphorus. The meat is then boiled again, this time with milk, sugar, vanilla, cornstarch and rice flour.
The end result is a sweet pudding which you can top off with a sprinkling of cinnamon.(1. Drink Turkish tea. Turkish tea is prepared in a rather unique way using a teapot that has two level: one to boil the water, and the other to brew the tea. You then pour the tea into the glass and dilute it with the hot water so that it’s made to your taste.(1. It can be stuffed with feta cheese or minced meat as a savoury treat, or if you prefer something sweeter, you can eat it plain with a little bit of icing sugar sprinkled overtop.(1. This architectural wonder has a long history which has seen it go from Eastern Orthodox cathedral, to Roman Cathedral, back to. The exterior may not seem too impressive, but once you’re inside and you catch a glimpse of the heavenly domes and ancient mosaics, you will be in awe.(1.
It is believed that this church was built as an architectural experiment by the same architects who would go on to build Hagia Sophia shortly after. Better test things out on a smaller scale before committing to the main project, right?(1. The Basilica Cistern is the largest of the ancient underground water cisterns found across Istanbul. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!(1.
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Forget the scones and clotted cream; this is what you need at tea time!(1. Ayran is considered the national drink in Turkey and it is a cold yogurt beverage mixed with salt. It’s especially popular during the summer months.(1. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is a place for serious shoppers. With more than 3,0. You’ll notice that some streets specialize in certain goods with those shops selling nothing but leather, silverware, carpets, ceramics or spices.
There will be lots of glittery things to catch your eye, so you may want to come prepared to spend.(2. The meat can be lamb, beef, or chicken, and it’s served in a pita with vegetables and a few toppings. It’s a tasty and affordable lunch which you can find in any part of the city.(2. There is something magical about the pointed cylindrical roof, and the views from the outer balcony are breathtaking.(2. If you are looking for a bargain on these, I suggest you try purchasing them outside the Grand Bazaar and away from the main touristy areas; you’d be surprised at how drastically the prices drop. A medium sized lamp should run you $1. USD.(2. 4). Not only that, but they make a delicious.
Prepare to be whisked back into. If you enjoy getting up close with history, you’ll enjoy a visit here.(2. The strays are well taken care of by locals who leave out food, water, and even pillows for these cats to sleep on.(2. The highlight are the various mosaic panels which recreate biblical scenes and still dazzle centuries later.(2. When the Romans passed through Istanbul, they began construction of a water system that would supply the city’s growing needs for fresh water. The water that travelled down these aqueducts was stored in open reservoirs and underground cisterns across the city. The palace was built along the banks of the Bosphorus and it was used as the summer residence by the Ottomans.(3.
Taking a cooking class in a new city is a fun way to be introduced to new dishes, but also a way to bring the city’s flavour back to your own kitchen. If you can’t get enough of the k. This is the Turkish version of rice pudding. It is said that the recipe made in Topkapi Palace contained rose water. You can also get this dish with chopped walnuts and raisins, which I think adds a nice flavour.(3. The Princes’ Islands is a cluster of 9 islands which lie off the Asian shores of Istanbul.
The islands get this name because. Today it is a popular place for families and couples to visit on the weekends, and. You’ll want to dress modestly and if you’re a woman you’ll need to wear a scarf over your head as this is still a functioning mosque.(3. Lahmacun is considered to be the Turkish equivalent of pizza.
This thin dough is topped with. There is much debate about the story behind this tower which sits. Local tale says that the tower was built by a wealthy man who was trying to protect his daughter from a prophecy spoken by an oracle – a prophecy foretelling the death of the man’s daughter by a snake bite. To prevent these words from coming true, the father built a tower to keep his daughter safe in the water.
Of course a snake would eventually find it’s way to the tower when the father came to visit with a basket full of fruit.(3. Emirgan Park also plays host to the annual Tulip Festival, so you’ll want to check that out if you are in town in the spring.(3.
Most visitors tend to stick to the European side, but if you venture over to the Asian side via ferry, you’ll find that the city has more of a local feel. The pace of life seems a bit slower and there are hardly any tourists around.(4. What makes Turkish ice cream different from other types of ice cream is that it has a rather sticky texture and it is a bit more resistant to melting.
Take a bite and try not to get the stringy ice cream all over your face.(4. If you need to give your legs a little rest, then riding the funicular is the easiest way to deal with Istanbul’s hills. Stop at one of the many street stands and order yourself a cup of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. It’s both tart and sweet, and the antioxidants offer great health benefits.(4. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia may be better known, but the. For that it is worth the visit.(4.
During the Byzantine empire, this place would have been the beating heart of social activity.(4. While it is much smaller than many of the mosques in the city. Topkapi Palace is the largest royal residence in Istanbul and it served as the main residence to the Ottoman Sultans for almost 4.
The grounds are massive, but perhaps the most impressive part of it all are the Harem Apartments – a place with more than 4. Sultan’s many concubines, wives, children, and extended family members.(4. This palace was home to 6 different sultans towards the end of the Ottoman period. While in the past the Sultan and his family had lived in Topkapi Palace, times were changing and the Ottoman’s felt Topkapi was lacking the. Naturally, a new palace had to be built. And what’s a new palace without the? When Constantinople became the new capital of the Roman Empire, defensive walls were erected to fortify the city.
Istanbul is a great city to get lost in. So if you’re feeling rather adventurous, why not leave the guidebook behind and just head out on foot to see what you can discover for yourself. When it comes to finding accommodations in Istanbul, there’s no shortage of options. The hard part is deciding in which of the many neighbourhoods you want to stay! Here are some different options for you to consider: Sultanahmet.
You’ll be within walking distance to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Underground Cistern, the Grand Bazaar, and countless other attractions. The only downside to this neighbourhood is that it can be a little bit pricey – you are paying for the location. Beyoglu. If you want to be in a very lively area, then stick close to Istiklal Avenue, and if you’re looking for a quieter area, you’ll also find it here – there are plenty of apartment rentals and small boutique hotels in the back streets. I found it to be a lot more relaxed than the European side, and the prices were also much lower. Getting to the Old City from here is also easy – you just have to hop on a ferry and you’re there! Have you been to Istanbul? What’s your favourite thing about the city?