10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL

Istanbul has so much to offer.

It’s the place where Europe meets Asia.

Literally and culturally.

It’s a place full of history, culture and mystery.

Nowadays Istanbul is a huge metropolis, full of narrow streets, exotic sounds, bazaars, shady taverns and unfamiliar scents.

As a tourist, you’ll love to visit the most famous attractions, such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sofia, the last one being one of the wonders of the World.

However, depending on how much time you have on you, I would advice to pick some of the following things to do as well, to get a wider experience of this incredible city!

 

VISIT THE PERA PALACE HOTEL

 

The Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul is nowadays part of the Luxurious hotel chain “Jumeirah”.

Back then, is the hotel that inspired Agatha Christie’s novel “Murder on the orient express”, and was in reality built to host the Orient Express train’s travelers.

It is said that she wrote the novel while staying at the hotel’s room #411.

Today, you can even stay in Agatha Christie’s room.

Not enough, the Pera palace is house to the oldest electric elevator in Turkey, second oldest in whole Europe!

Can somebody guess where the first electric elevator was installed in Europe?

You are not allowed to ride the elevator (at least I weren’t…) but you can visit the hotel and see the elevator even if not a guest!

I lost somewhere the picture I took of it, so the above picture is borrowed from Travelgloss.

 

EXPERIENCE SULTANAHMET AT NIGHT

 

Sultanahmet is one of the most touristic neighborhoods of Istanbul.

It is the house of historical sites such the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and the Basilica Cistern.

But not only.

It’s a vibrant neighborhood with a lively athmosphere.

Walk in the evening by the glowing minarets of the Blue Mosque and spend a night in a tavern.

Do not forget to drink turkish tea and smoke the sheesha for a proper night as in one of the Arabian Nights!

 

DRINK TURKISH CAYI

 

Turks drink tea up to 20 times per day.

They do it with a cigarette, when they meet up to chat, when they wait around, after lunch…

Tradition wants that the “cayi” has to be drank always in the “ince belli” glass – “ince belli” is turkish and means “silhouette” glass

Try it to feel as one of the local! It’s very good, and very cheap!

 

SHEESHA

 

Trying the sheesha (or Nargile in turkish) is one of the most typical and funny things you can do in Istanbul!

As adviced earlier, allow yourself one night to mingle in a local tavern and try it sitting on the persian-looking pillows on the floor!

You don’t need to be a smoker to do it!

And I don’t think you should worry if you are an ex smoker. I’m an ex smoker and I didn’t have any problems after trying it!

Plus, it comes with flavors!

 

ENJOY THE VIEW FROM CAMLICA HILL

 

As you know I have a thing for views, so once in Istanbul I couldn’t hold myself from getting on Camlica hill.

Camlica hill is one of the highest Hills in town, on the asian side of Istanbul.

From it, you get an astonishing view over the city, the Bosphorus straight and the Bridge.

If you don’t have any mean to reach it ask a sightseeing bus company, they offer even night tour to it.

On top of it there are some nice cafes and restaurants with a fantastic view!

 

HAVE A DRINK AT ALGIERS STREET (CEZAYIR SOKAGI)

 

Algiers street, French Street.. this street has many names. The proper address though is Cezayir Sokagi (Sokak means street) so you know where to find it.

This street is so special cause it consists in a flight of steps on which several very trendy and edgy cafes succeed one another in a huddle of colorful tents, neon signs and hookahs’ smoke.

It’s a very particular and cool place!

 

CHILL BY THE GALATA TOWER AT NIGHT

 

The Galata tower is one of the main attraction of the city.

You can even get on top of it, which is highly recommended!

However, take some time to walk and chill by it at night.

Buy a roasted corn from one of the street sellers and enjoy it while listening some local guy playing some instrument, as it often happens.

A lot of turks like to chill there as well.

 

EXPLORE THE SPICE BAZAAR

 

There are two bazaars in Istanbul.

The most famous one sells every kind of item you can imagine, from scrap to diamonds.

The other one it’s called the “spice” bazaar and it’s more messy, smelly, exotic.

In it, you can find any kind of food, spice, tea you can think about.

At the entrance, I was shocked by the animals they were selling. Chicks, ducks, cats, parrots…Not always in nice conditions

 

RELAX AT THE TURKISH BATHS

 

This is something I didn’t do, and that I have listed for next visit to Istanbul.

Turkish baths are famous worldwide for their scenic atmosphere.

When I was in Istanbul, I stumbled upon the Cagaloglu Hamami, one of the oldest and most famous, and read on the door that stars such as John Travolta, Cameron Diaz, Kate Moss and Harrison Ford, among many others, have been guests of the hamam!

 

CAT SAFARI

 

I have a whole folder of pictures of cats in Istanbul.

It’s probably the most feline city I’ve ever visited.

Of course I’m going to amuse you guys with a dedicated post soon

For a photographer, it’s a paradise for very good animal shoots

 

I bet there are many many other activities you can do in Istanbul! It’s a fantastic city like no other in the world!

 

Have you been to Istanbul?

Which other things would you add up to the list?