50 Ways to Experience ISTANBUL

by AUDREY on DECEMBER 9, 2013 50 COMMENTS

So youre travelling to Istanbul and you have no idea where to begin. Thats
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!
Here are 50 THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL to get your travel planning
started:

(1) Visit the Spice Bazaar. This is the second largest covered market after the
Grand Bazaar. Here youll be able to pick up spices, nuts, dried fruit, Turkish
coffee, loose leaf tea, and even Turkish delight!
(2) Go to a whirling dervish show. Turkey is home to the Mevlevi Order of Suf
whirling dervishes. Thedervishes spin themselves into a trance-like state that
brings them closer to God, and its a unique religious ceremony to witness.
(3) Listen to the call of prayer between the Blue Mosque and Hagia
Sophia. The most beautiful call of prayer I listened to took place between the
Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (which although is no longer a mosque, still keeps
a prayer room). One muezzin would sing out part of the prayer and then the
second muezzin would respond from the other minaret. It was a magical thing to
experience, so if you fnd 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 its light and fluffy, and then you can choose
from an assortment of toppings including olives, hot dogs, pickles, corn, peas,
bulgur and more. Its the perfect snack to go.
(5) Get naked at a hamam. If youre ready to shed your inhibitions, then head
over to the Turkish bath. For the full experience youll want to opt in for the body
scrub and massage. Dont 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. The streetcar has a decidedly vintage feel and it makes for a
pleasant journey through Istanbuls shopping hub.

(7) Walk across Galata Bridge. Yes, you could very well ride the light rail
across, but if you choose to walk, youll get to see all the locals fshing from the
bridge, the vendors selling sesame covered pretzels, and the boats carrying
passengers down the Bosphorus.
(8) Eat a sesame seed covered pretzel. You can pick up one of these tasty
pretzels at any bakery in town, but I suggest you grab one from the little red
stands along Istiklal Avenue. It just adds to the experience.
(9) Take a boat tour down the Bosphorus. If you only have a few brief days
in the city and you know you wont be able to cover all of the main attractions,
taking a cruise down the Bosphorus is a great way to get a glimpse of Istanbuls
main points of interest. Youll ride past Dolmabahe Palace, the Rumeli Ruins, the
Maidens Tower, and many mosques, mansions, and gardens along the way.
(10) Order Turkish chicken breast pudding. There is nothing appetizing
about the thought of this dish. Chicken for dessert? Wellyes, but before you
protest, let me tell you that you cant actually taste the chicken. Tavuk Gs, as
the dish is known, is prepared by boiling chicken breast in water and then
shredding the meat into small fbrous pieces. 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.

(11) Drink Turkish tea. If you come to Istanbul you have to drink tea out of a
tulip-shaped glass. 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 its made to
your taste.
(12) Eat brek. Brek is a traditional Turkish pastry made of flaky dough. 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.
(13) Marvel at Hagia Sophia. This architectural wonder has a long history
which has seen it go from Eastern Orthodox cathedral, to Roman Cathedral, back
to Eastern Orthodox cathedral, to mosque, and now its a museum. The exterior
may not seem too impressive, but once youre inside and you catch a glimpse of
the heavenly domes and ancient mosaics, you will be in awe.
(14) Visit Little Hagia Sophia. The Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus,
also known as Little Hagia Sophia, is a former Eastern Orthodox church. 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?

(15) Go underground at the Basilica Cistern. The Basilica Cistern is the

largest of the ancient underground water cisterns found across Istanbul. Most
of the columns in the cistern appear to have been recycled from the ruins of
other buildings, and among them youll fnd two carvings of Medusas head used
as column bases, as well as a column with tear shaped engravings believed to
have the power to make your wishes come true.
(16) Sample Turkish delight. Also known as lokum to locals, Turkish delight is
a popular gummy treat. The best place to sample Turkish delight is at Hafz
Mustafa, where you can choose from flavours that include rose, cinnamon, mint,
strawberry, lemon, orange, kiwi, pomegranate and apple. Trust me, you wont be
disappointed!
(17) Indulge your sweet tooth with baklava. The Turks really know what
they are doing when it comes to sweets. Baklava is made with layers of phyllo
pastry flled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. Forget the
scones and clotted cream; this is what you need at tea time!
(18) Drink a glass of Ayran. This is one of those drinks that you either love or
hate. Ayran is considered the national drink in Turkey and it is a cold yogurt
beverage mixed with salt. Its especially popular during the summer months.

(19) Test your bargaining skills at the Grand Bazaar. Istanbuls Grand
Bazaar is a place for serious shoppers. With more than 3,000 shops and covering
an estimated 61 streets, this place is dizzying yet so worth a visit. Youll 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.
(20) Smoke hookah. Argilah, nargile, sheesha, hubbly bubbly whatever you
call it, there is an ample supply of hookah bars in Istanbul where you can lounge
around while you smoke the water pipe and sip on a class of tea or coffee.
(21) Eat a doner. Doner is a Turkish dish made with meat cooked on a spinning
vertical rotisserie. The meat can be lamb, beef, or chicken, and its served in a
pita with vegetables and a few toppings. Its a tasty and affordable lunch which
you can fnd in any part of the city.
(22) Enjoy the view from Galata Tower. Located in Beyolu, this tower looks
like it would be better suited as Rapunzels home in a fairy tale. There is
something magical about the pointed cylindrical roof, and the views from the
outer balcony are breathtaking.

(23) Buy yourself a glass lamp. The colourful glass lamps youll see hanging
in almost every establishment in the city make a great souvenir to take back
home. 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; youd be
surprised at how drastically the prices drop. A medium sized lamp should run you
$15-20 USD.
(24) Dine with the best view of Istanbul. If you want a restaurant with a
great view that wont break your wallet, I recommend Hamdi Restorant. The 180degree views showcase the Sleymaniye Mosque, Rstempaa Mosque, Galata
Tower, and the Bosphorus. Not only that, but they make a delicious kfte and
roasted eggplant.
(25) Go to a belly-dancing show. If youre after a performance with more of
an entertainment factor, then youre in luck because Hodjapasha Dance Theatre
(the same venue that puts of the Whirling Dervish performance), also has
folkloric and belly-dancing performances. Prepare to be whisked back into 1001
Arabian Nights.
(26) Visit Istanbul Archaeological Museums. The Istanbul Archaeological
Museums actually consists of 3 different museums which are located near
Topkapi Palace. These are the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the
Ancient Orient, and the Museum of Islamic Art. If you enjoy getting up close with
history, youll enjoy a visit here.

(27) Pet the stray cats. Istanbul is a city were cats reign supreme. The strays
are well taken care of by localswho leave out food, water, and even pillows for
these cats to sleep on.
(28) Visit the Chora Church. The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora may not
be the largest of the Byzantine churches, but its certainly known for being one of
the most beautiful. The highlight are the various mosaic panels which recreate
biblical scenes and still dazzle centuries later.
(29) See the Valens Aqueducts. When the Romans passed through Istanbul,
they began construction of a water system that would supply the citys growing
needs for fresh water. The water that travelled down these aqueducts was stored
in open reservoirs and underground cisterns across the city. Today, the surviving
section of the Valens Aqueduct is 921 metres long.
(30) Visit Beylerbeyi Palace. This palace, whose name means Lord of Lords, is
situated on the Asian side of Istanbul. The palace was built along the banks of the
Bosphorus and it was used as the summer residence by the Ottomans.

(31) Take a cooking class. 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 citys flavour back to
your own kitchen. If you cant get enough of the kfte, lahmacun, andpide, then
learning how to cook these dishes is a must.
(32) Feel like a giant at Miniatrk. This rather unique miniature park is home
to small-scale recreations of structures found in Istanbul, Anatolia, and other
Ottoman territories that today lie outside of Turkish borders.
(33) Have Stla for dessert. 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.
(34) Take a day trip to the Princes Islands. The Princes Islands is a cluster
of 9 islands which lie off the Asian shores of Istanbul. The islands get this name
because during the Byzantine and early Ottoman period, members of dynasties
who fell out of favour were often sent to exile there. Today it is a popular place for
families and couples to visit on the weekends, and the only form of transportation
is horse and cart very romantic.

(35) Visit the Blue Mosque. Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue
Mosques two most striking features are its 6 minarets and blue domed exterior.
Youll want to dress modestly and if youre a woman youll need to wear a scarf
over your head as this is still a functioning mosque.
(36) Eat Turkish pizza. Lahmacun is considered to be the Turkish equivalent of
pizza. This thin dough is topped with minced meat, vegetables and herbs.
(37) Go to the Maidens Tower. There is much debate about the story behind
this tower which sits on a small islet located at the southern entrance of
the Bosphorus. 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 mans 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 fnd its way to the tower when
the father came to visit with a basket full of fruit.
(38) Stroll along Emirgan Park. This is one of the largest public parks in
Istanbul and it is located along the banks of the Bosphorus. Emirgan Park also
plays host to the annual Tulip Festival, so youll want to check that out if you are
in town in the spring.

(39) Hop over to the Asian continent. Most visitors tend to stick to the
European side, but if you venture over to the Asian side via ferry, youll fnd that
the city has more of a local feel. The pace of life seems a bit slower and there are
hardly any tourists around.
(40) Eat Turkish ice cream. Turkish ice cream is called dondurma which
literally means freezing. 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. Dont believe me? Take a bite and try not to get the stringy ice cream all
over your face.
(41) Catch a football match. Istanbul has an extensive list of football clubs, so
if youre in town during the football season, you can catch a live game of footy.
(42) Ride the funicular. If you need to give your legs a little rest, then riding
the funicular is the easiest way to deal with Istanbuls hills. The Tnel line is the
oldest underground metro line in continental Europe, and the second oldest in the
world after London.

(43) Drink pomegranate juice. Stop at one of the many street stands and
order yourself a cup of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. Its both tart and
sweet, and the antioxidants offer great health benefts.
(44) Visit the Sleymaniye Mosque. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia may
be better known, but the Sleymaniye Mosque is the largest mosque in Istanbul.
For that it is worth the visit.
(45) Race around the Hippodrome. Today a public square, the Hippodrome of
Constantinople was a place for horse racing and chariot racing. During the
Byzantine empire, this place would have been the beating heart of social activity.
(46) Go to the Ortaky Mosque. This mosque stands along the waterfront
of Ortaky pier square. While it is much smaller than many of the mosques in the
city, Ortaky Mosque is unique in the sense that it is a perfect example
of Baroque architecture.

(47) Get a taste of royal life at Topkapi Palace. Topkapi Palace is the largest
royal residence in Istanbul and it served as the main residence to the Ottoman
Sultans for almost 400 years. The grounds are massive, but perhaps the most
impressive part of it all are the Harem Apartments a place with more than 400
rooms for the Sultans many concubines, wives, children, and extended family
members.
(48) Pretend youre a sultan at Dolmabahe Palace. 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 Ottomans felt Topkapi was lacking the luxury and style of the new era.
Naturally, a new palace had to be built. And whats a new palace without
the worlds largest Bohemian crystal chandelier? (Courtesy of Queen Victoria.)
(49) Walk along the Walls of Constantinople. When Constantinople became
the new capital of the Roman Empire, defensive walls were erected to fortify the
city. The 7 kilometre walk along the remaining portions of the wall offers a
window into the past.
(50) Get lost and see what surprises the city throws your way. Istanbul is
a great city to get lost in. So if youre feeling rather adventurous, why not leave
the guidebook behind and just head out on foot to see what you can discover for
yourself.