Travel Guide to Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul:

Funky Fact: It’s the only city that straddles two continents: Europe and Asia. The city is divided by a river.

1. The Blue Mosque

Also called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, was completed in 1616. With six sky piercing minarets, The blue mosque got it nickname form the stunning blue tiles that adorn the inside of the Mosque.

2. Simit Bread

A must try is Simit bread, its a better version of a bagel and resembles a crispy sesame bread ring. Its street food found all over the city and best in the morning when warm and freshly baked.

3. Galata Bridge walk

This bridge spans the Golden Horn which spans the divide between the continents of Asia and Europe.

4. Galata Tower

This stunning stone tower was built in the 14^th century. The tower was used as a fire lookout, barracks, and a dungeon. It has an interior elevator you can ride and take in the best view of the city.

5. The Hagia Sophia Mosque

One of the most stunning domes in Europe. A little known visitors tip: One of the columns is known as the ‘wishing column’. Damp to the touch, the ‘sweating column’ has a bronze lined whole in the middle and it’s said to have the blessing of St. Gregory. If your hand emerges wet from the hole, your wishes will come to pass and you’ll be cured of illnesses.

6. Fener and Balat Neighborhoods

The narrow cobbled streets and rows of wood houses plastered with color make this the must see. This historic Jewish neighborhood was built in 1492 and the crumbling colorfully painted old homes make for a photographers paradise.

7. Bosphorus Boat Ride

Travel like the locals and take a trip on the Bosphorus Tour ferry. Options are a Full Circle (6 hours round trip) and Short Circle (2 hours). The Full Circle ride cost 25 TL (US$1.35) for adults.

8. The Grand Bazaar

A shoppers paradise the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest covered markets in the world, there are 61 covered streets and halls with 4,000+ vendors and stalls.

9. Eminonu Square

A massive main square that lies next to the Bosphorus, this square act as a transit point for many needing to catch a bus, ferry or taxi.

10. The Spice Market (Mısır Çarşısı)

Located in the. Eminönü quarter of the Fatih district, this market will have you dazzled with piles of fabulous smelling spices, nuts, dried fruits and candy.

11. Mezze Platter

Seemly simple this is actually a dish with a long historical connection. In Turkey, a mezze platter can include olives, vegetables, dips, nuts, olive oil, drizzled feta cheese, mussels, fish, cured meat, salad, hummus, or breads. It a symbol of friendship and bonding and usually shared between groups. The mezze platter has a long history and is found in culinary remnants from the Ottoman Empire. Don’t forget to pair the platter with a hot cup of Turkish black tea.

12. The Aqueduct of Valens

A fascinating historical remnant looms over part of the city known as the Aqueduct of Valens, its a Roman aqueduct system built, in 368 A.D., to supply Constantinople (ancient Istanbul) which was the capital of the Roman empire.  The sloped aqueduct system flushed clean water to the baths and cisterns of the city including the underground cistern called the Sunken Palace.

13. Umbrella Street in Kadikoy

Umbrella Street is a charming and very old street with brilliant umbrellas to block the sun’s rays for market visitors. This beautiful and unique street is also happens the be in the Fikirtepe region of Kadikoyone which is one of the oldest parts of the city and is estimated to be 5,000 years old.

14. Turkish Delights

A must is Istanbul is trying the Turkish delights (also called lokum) they are jellied confection. You can also find, dried fruits and berries and undress of fascinating candies in the markets. Turkish delights are one of the oldest sweet still being made today and have been around for 500 years.

15. Gold Shopping

If you’re visiting Istanbul, then you’re at the heart of the gold exchange in Turkey. This is the best place to find exquisite and elaborate gold jewelry for fantastic prices.

16. Ablution Tap

Wudu or Ablution water tap area. This is a place for practitioners to wash their hands and feet before entering the mosque.

17. Clay Pot (Testi) Kebab

A tasty spectacle and must-try for visitors to Istanbul. These pots are filled with a meat (lamb, beef, or chicken), vegetables such as celery, onions, carrots, garlic, bell peppers, and potatoes and simmer with spices and herbs. They are slow baked in a clay oven for hours and its traditional to sealed the clay pot with a with a bread dough lid. The piping hot pot is brought out to drooling guests either spilled and arranged on a platter, sealed in the pot for you to open or cracked open (table side) on a platter in a theatrical manner.

18. Balik Ekmek the Famous Fish Sandwich Boat

This sad historical sight has met its demise at the hands of city officials hungry to clamp down with regulations. It will remain on my list in hopes for future return and to document the changing of a city in the span of a few years. Fisherman have been catching, cooking, and selling fish here since the 1800s. They create a balık ekmek (fish bread), ingredients being: fish (usually mackerel), onions, lettuce, splash of lemon, in a white bread roll. It was historically a way for fishermen to off-load their excess catch from the day.

19. Turkish Pizza (Lahmacun)

Lahmacun or Turkish Pizza is made with a Middle Eastern flatbread as the crust and can be topped with meat, minced vegetables, onions, garlic, tomatoes, red peppers, and is sprinkled with chili, pepper, parsley, paprika, or lemon. They can sometimes have greek yogurt or ricotta cheese and are baked until extra crispy. Eaten at dinner or lunch, you’ll want seconds!