THE BEST WAYS TO ENJOY ISTANBUL |
Posted: August 21, 2018 |
Every city can claim to be unique, but I think Istanbul is more unique than most. The city's location is fascinating to me. Built on two continents, it is divided by the Bosphorus Strait, so that one part of the city is in Europe and the other in Asia. How cool is that?! Istanbul has a wow factor, which made a lasting impression on me. It’s a city of history and culture, dotted with dazzling architecture, breathtaking views, ebullient nargile cafes, and bustling bazaars. The city is modern yet ancient, and the people are extremely warm and welcoming to visitors. The open hearted generosity of spirit I found everywhere is so seductive that it makes me want to go back again and again. Each time I visit Istanbul, I seem to find a new favourite thing about it and pick up a new tip along the way that makes my stay that little bit easier and more special. I would like to share those experiences with you, which will hopefully help make your trip a special one. Have a beer on the Galata BridgeMake your way to the Galata Tower and find a seat in a restaurant next to the edge for splendid views over the old city of the Ottomans. This is a good place to start when you first visit Istanbul to get your bearings and make plans on what you want to see and do while enjoying a couple of glasses of Efes, the very tasty local beer. Experience sensory overload in the Grand BazaarThe Grand Bazaar is one of my favourite spots to spend a morning and probably one of the best known places in Istanbul. It's bright and colourful, with so many tempting things to look at and smell! And full of energetic locals hoping to sell you something. A labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways selling all kinds of goodies, it is well worth the experience if you're feeling up to it! It’s busy in here and shopkeepers are unafraid to let you know that they want you to buy their merchandise. But, they are also welcoming and curious. I find it best to go into the Grand Bazaar with a playful attitude and try to fall into the pace of it. Be in the mindset to haggle a lot, take your time, enjoy the atmosphere and play hard to get! Keep An Eye Out For Some Inspiring Street ArtSince the birth of the Mural Istanbul festival in 2012, street art in the city has grown considerably and Istanbul is now one of the foremost destinations for international and local street artist to show off their talent. Once empty walls have now been turned into dramatic works of art, and the Street Art Istanbul app will guide you around the best of these open-air art pieces. International roaming can be really expensive, so if you want to use this app, the best thing to do is to unlock your iPhone before you arrive in Istanbul and then purchase a Turkish sim card. The sim cards are cheap and you can buy whatever data package you think you will need for your stay. You can then use mobile data and get coverage wherever you go without having to worry about running up a large bill with your home country network provider. Try a Water PipeAn excellent way to interact with local Turks is to relax over a cup of tea and a nargile (shisha/hookah) in one of Istanbul’s many nargile cafes. It's a bit like going to your local bar or pub, except that here there is no alcohol. Copious amounts of tea are drunk in delicate little tulip shaped glasses and the stimulant is tobacco. There is plenty of animated conversation, a feeling of closeness and community and an amazing range of flavors filling the air. My favorite flavors are apple and pomegranate. The locals are welcoming and very friendly, so try to strike up some conversations. Walk Into Hagia SophiaThis stupendous building was originally a church, then it was transformed into a mosque and now it is a museum. When you step inside this magnificent monument you get an instant feeling of insignificance. Not about the building, but about yourself. It is huge and full of history, and is a building of huge importance to the people of Istanbul. You really need to spend at least half a day in here. Especially if you are interested in mosaics - there are some beauties in here. Cool down in the Basilica CisternOn an especially hot day, I recommend you seek refuge in this underground palace. It’s maybe not on every tourists list of ‘must see’ Istanbul, but I found it to be a fascinating place and was very happy that I went in. It is an impressively vast cavernous place holding a lot of intrigue and was used in a James Bond film. You might not come across 007, but you could have a bit of fun by jumping out at your friends or partner from behind one of the pillars. Enjoy A Boat Trip Along The BosphorusTake a public ferry from the waterfront near the Galata Bridge - it goes further than the one the tourist touts will try to get you on to. Let the current take you up the Bosphorus, zigzagging from one side to the other, to the final stop, from which you can see the opening into the Black Sea. Have a yummy fish lunch at one of the many restaurants there and drift back again as the sun is setting to get that magical view of the skyline of Istanbul with ts domes and minarets. It's very relaxing and gives you a chance to see a bit more of Istanbul's wonderful location. ConclusionIstanbul is a remarkable place with so much to see and explore. This list is just a few of things I loved about it, but there are many more. One trip to Istanbul is certainly not enough and I’m positive you will want to visit again. I know I did! If you are thinking about going to Istanbul, or have been already, then I hope you enjoy some of the things on this list as much as I did. Please feel free to comment below with your own experiences and maybe give me some tips of places to see on my next trip.
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