So what Istanbul’s charm is all about?

This is where East meets West, you will wonder whether it’s Europe’s culture that prevails or the influence from the Middle East that does? What is it with this city that has so much history, yet its residents are modern and open their arms wide open to the world?

The language will sound familiar to you so you would grasp some words, the food will make you confused; is the Egyptian Dolma, Messa2a3a, or Shawerma capable of beating the Turkish versions of them, or the other way round?

That’s why there are so many reasons to travel to Istanbul, and to revisit it over, and over again.

Bosphorus Cruise Ship With Sultanahmet Mosque In The Background

Getting around: Istanbulkart can be purchased from over 2100 vendors and counters all over Istanbul. It costs 6 liras, and you could charge it as much as you want

TURKISH HAMMAM

If not for the pampering, then for the experience that will make you travel back in time, when hammams were established as having a private bathroom at home was a luxury that not anyone could afford, not only but also public hammams were a place for neighbors to gossip, and for women to find their sons a good wife (it’s not an Egyptian thing then, lol). To be frank, I haven’t had the chance to try any, however I have found out about the best, yet most historical hammams that still operate, to name a few;

Cağaloğlu Hamam from inside courtesy of their official website

Ağa Hamamı

• Features: the oldest hammam in Istanbul built in the 13th century, its walls have witnessed so much history
• Operation hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
• Prices start at: 70 Liras

Cemberlitas Hammam

• Features: its impressive architecture dating back to the 16th century, also close to Grand Bazaar
• Operation hours: 6 AM – midnight
• Prices start at: 75 Liras

Cağaloğlu Hamam

• Features: probably Istanbul’s most beautiful hammam, which comes at a high cost compared to other hammams
• Operation hours: 8 AM – 8 PM for women, 7 AM – 10 PM for men
• Prices start at: 20 euros 

SAVOR TASTY FOOD AND DRINK THE BEST SAHLAB IN THE WORLD

You can miss anything -well not really- except Istanbul’s Sahlab commonly known as Salep, a hot drink made from orchids, with cinnamon sprinkled on top, if you decide to buy some, rest assured that it won’t be pure Salep, as it’s illegal to export it due to the scarcity of orchid substance. Never in my life did I understand the expression of “finger licking” until I tasted Turkey’s salep that has so much flavour, and goodness.

Turkish Salep – Photo via flickr by Alpha

As for food, here is my list;

Savory

• Iskender Kebap: with a “b” te2ila yes, basically kabab but served in tomato sauce…mouth-watering!
• Doner Kebab: the Turkish version of Shawerma, but different!
• Lahmacun: Turks might get offended if you call it Turkish Pizza. It’s a flat bread usually wrapped, stuffed with minced beef, salad and some yoghurt on top.
• Moussaka: the Turkish version of Egyptian Messa2a3a, and a totally different one
• Seafood: with Marmara Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea you will definitely be served a fresh catch of the day finely cooked in the Turkish way
• Börek: air puffed pastry stuffed with cheese, spinach, or minced beef, could be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or just as a snack
• Simit: Turkish version of Semeet
• Lentils Soup: served over breakfast, giving you the warmth that you need to survive Istanbul’s cold days

Börek via flickr by F_A

Sweets

• Baklava: with all due respect to Baklawa made all over the Middle-East, Turkish ones melt in your mouth before you even know it
• Tavuk Göğsü: don’t freak out after I tell you what it’s made of; it’s mastic Mehalabeya with chicken, with the option of adding some cinnamon on top, but I swear if I did not tell you what it’s made of you will never tell
• Mastic & Pistachio ice cream flavors
• Lokum: also known as Turkish Delights, it’s Malban sold in different flavors; the Mastic, Pistachio and Rose Water flavors are the best
• Grilled Chestnuts: sold in the streets
• Halka Tatlısı a.k.a. Kerhane Tatlısı: The Turkish version of Bala7 El-Sham, with the looks and texture of Spanish Churros, best eaten while walking the cornish before hopping on the Bosphorus tour

Tavuk Göğsü via flickr by a 1 u c a r d

Drinks

• Turkish tea: served in tiny transparent glasses
• Turkish coffee: drink it without sugar, and get rid of its bitterness by eating Lokum or Baklava on the side
• Ayran: salted yoghurt served with food, it’s very healthy and helps you with digestion
• Salep: as mentioned above

Baklava & Turkish Tea

Must Eats/Drinks For My Next Time

• Mantı: it’s beef or lamb dumplings fried or boiled served with butter or yoghurt, with some spices sprinkled on top

• Kuzu Tandır: Nothing beats slow roasted meat especially if it’s lamb. The dish is usually served with rice or potatoes, and no Turkish dish is ever complete without a spoonful of yoghurt

• Künefe: the Turks stuff their Konafa with cheese, and sprinkle pistachios on top, really what could go wrong?!

• Kesme Dondurma: for God’s sake it’s ice cream made of Salep and goat milk, fly me to Turkey now <3

GRAND BAZAAR (a.k.a. Beyazıt)

You could spend hours & hours wandering without any feeling of boredom at this historical bazaar that will whet your appetite to shop even if you were not planning to. From colorful lanterns, and handmade rugs to souvenirs, jewellery, and shoes.

Grand Bazaar of Istanbul – Bayazite

WHIRLING DERVISHES

Though Konya is the place where Jalal El-Din Al-Rumi has founded the performance of semas -sufi dancing- by whirling dervishes, during this performance they work on disconnecting their souls from their bodies to connect with God. Istanbul hosts a variety of performances that people from all walks of the world come to experience themselves. Tickets should be purchased in advance, as they get booked up quickly.

Whirling Dervishes – Photo via flickr by Vladimer Shioshvili

Where to attend a show?

Silivrikapı Mevlana Cultural Center

• Schedule: Thursdays at 7:30 till 11:00 PM (the reason why it’s long is that it’s more a lecture, has one hour of Q&A with some English translation, prayers, hymns, and a sema is performed)
• Cost: Free of charge

Sirkeci Train Station Hall

• Schedule: Sundays through Wednesdays from 7:30 till 8:30 PM
• Cost: 50 Liras

Galata Mawlavi House Museum

• Schedule: Sundays at 5:00 PM
• Cost: 50 Liras

Hodja Pasha

• Schedule: Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7:00 till 8:00 PM
• Cost: 70 Liras

Did you know that there are Sufi Retreats that could be joined while in Turkey, or in some other places around the world? Also you could pay a visit to Shams of Tabriz or Jalal El-Din Al-Rumi’s mosque and tomb in Konya.

GALATA BRIDGE & EMINONU FOOD STALLS

Balık ekmek! Balık ekmek!, if that’s how you are continuously shouted at, Congratulations you have successfully made it to Eminonu’s Golden Horn, the place where fishermen bring their daily catch to fry or grill on their boats, offering them for sale in a sandwich (Balık is fish, while ekmek is bread), if you don’t want to eat it on the go you can sit at one of the humble restaurants under Galata Bridge. Not only but also Galata Bridge gives you the best views over Old Istanbul.

Galata Bridge & Eminonu Food Stalls – Photo via flickr by Guillén Pérez

SULTANAHMET DISTRICT

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the most significant part of Old Istanbul home to; Sultanahmet Mosque is commonly known as the Blue Mosque.

The Blue Mosque – Sultanahmet from inside

Hagia Sophia in my view it’s Istanbul’s prettiest monument which is a Church converted into a Mosque.

Hagia Sophia Church/Mosque from inside

Topkapı Palace that took 18 years to be built, has been for over 400 years a major residence for Ottoman Sultans until transformed into a museum in the early 20’s, hosting a variety of artifacts dating back to several eras, and empires, with some relics from the Muslim world including Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) sword, and cloak, this is a huge museum that will require 2-3 hours to discover, not only but also the garden surrounding the palace, beautifully displays a wide selection of tulips among which are black ones.

Did you know? that Turkey is the country who introduced tulips to the world?

Snippets of Topkapı Palace – Photo via flickr by Oliver Laumann

And now what? Isn’t it about time to pack your bags, and spend a holiday in Istanbul?!!

Your trip to Istanbul starts right here, so book it now, before it’s too late 😉

P.S: This article does not contain any of my photographs as I deleted them all by mistake from my memory card :(. 

About the Author

Passainte Assem

A former lawyer, travel junkie and adventurer from head to toe. Whether broke or out of vacation time, always on the lookout for the next destination. Keen to share her travel stories, planning tips and photographs to give you a real sense of place.