The modern-day capital of Turkey is Ankara, but Istanbul has always maintained its central importance since 600 BC, when Greek settlers established Byzantium and then when Constantinople became the capital of the Roman Empire. To this day, Istanbul remains a vibrant, melting pot of cultures with a rich history and a unique atmosphere.
It is one of the largest and most populous cities in Europe, and it is one of those cities that gives a sense of being in a bee hive. Not only in the giant maze of the Grand Bazaar but everywhere, the small shops, cafes, and street food carts are all packed like sardines, no matter if it is a small street in the old town or a large avenue in Taksim. Walking on the coastline at the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus Bridge really gives the impression of being at the limit and demarcation of two worlds, where the two continents of Europe and Asia meet.
The city is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace. You can also explore the city‘s many museums, galleries, and markets, and the delicious cuisine and vibrant nightlife are certain to captivate you.
No matter what you‘re looking for in Istanbul, you can expect to find something that will make your trip memorable.
What to expect
Turkey Info & Stats
- Language: Turkish
- Population: 82+ million (2019 est.)
- Ethnic Make-up: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20% (estimated)
- Timezone: UTC +3
- Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)
- Political System: Unitary presidential constitutional republic
- Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)
- Credit Cards: Cash remains popular but credit cards are generally accepted, especially in larger cities.
- Electricity: Socket types: Schuko, Europlug, 230 volt / 50 hertz
- Tipping Customs: 10-15% in restaurants and bars
- Haggling Culture: Common in markets and bazaars
Weather
Istanbul has a temperate climate with hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters.
There is a common misconception that the climate is tropical and hot year-round, with palm trees and sunny days all year. That couldn’t be further from the truth, as Istanbul has more of an oceanic climate strongly influenced by the nearby Marmara and Black Sea.
Summers in Istanbul are usually sunny and dry, with temperatures ranging from 23–35°C while winters are cold and wet, with temperatures ranging from 1–12°C.
The city receives an average of about 25 inches (63 cm) of precipitation annually.
Money
The currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY).
The exchange rate from US dollars is 1 USD = 24 TRY.
Credit cards are widely accepted. In the major tourist areas, there are entire kiosks with 5,6 ATM machines from different banks. In other parts of the city, they may be less common to run into.
Prices: Istanbul is generally considered to be an expensive city, especially when compared to other cities of the country. That being said, Turkey is moderately expensive and a holiday in the city is possible without breaking the bank.
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Istanbul, but it is customary to leave a small tip (5–10%) for good service. It is also common to round up the bill to the nearest 5 or 10 lira. For taxi drivers, it is customary to round up the fare to the nearest lira.
Etiquette
Coffee
Cafes are iconic, with their teas, water pipes, and coffees. Turkish coffee is famous, very particular, and very popular; it is aromatic, strong, and dense compared to “regular” coffee. When served, you will be asked how sweet you want it and will be offered a glass of water by the side, which is meant to be drunk before to cleanse the palate. You will rarely be presented with a spoon, as the coffee should not be stirred, as stirring will simply mix the coarse grains that are deposited on the bottom and simply result in a cup of mud. Therefore, try to shake the cup as little as possible, slowly, and enjoy the aroma, even better when coupled with a hookah.
Religion and gender norms
Turkey is considered to be Mediterranean Europe, and women are free. As such, there might be some gender norms, such as considering men as the winners and women as the homemakers, but not much more.
However, being part of the Middle East, strong religious influences and historical cultural norms have shaped the approach to gender (in)equality. As such, it is important to know the general behaviors that are expected of people.
99% of the population is Muslim so for example, when it comes to greeting people, do not shake hands with people of the opposite gender. When entering mosques, follow the general guidelines for visiting places of worship of Islam, such as removing shoes and for females wearing a hijab.
For a more in-depth overview of how to visit and interact with Islamic places as a tourist, check out this article.
Getting around
The metro is pretty well-connected and efficient. It is recommended to buy an Istanbulkart if using public transport as it will pay for itself after a few trips. Be aware of metro scams which are common (where people would try to help you by selling you Istanbulkarts which are empty).
As a visitor, you will probably be staying either in Sultanahmet, Taksim, or on the waterfront facing the Bosphorus. In that case, walking around is perfectly doable and is a great way to explore the city.
The best public transport for visitors is the tramlines with T1 particularly useful for visiting all tourist major attractions on the map since it cuts right through them.
Taxis are also present and common, although one should take care with them as many try to scam you with the classic meter-not-working overprice tactic. Transfers from the airport to the city is notoriously overpriced compared to normal prices. Nothing extreme but if possible it is better to prearrange transportation.
Safety
Safety: Istanbul is one of the largest and most populous cities in Europe and there are certainly some districts that are better avoided. Generally speaking, if you stick to the major touristic areas, there shouldn’t be any problems.
Pickpocketing is common in major tourist areas and it is also relatively common to be stopped on the street by someone trying to sell something, but also attempting various scams masked as requests or offers for help.
Emergencies number: 112, 110 (fire department), 155 (police), +212-177
Tips & Impressions
- The city is huge and varied. The old city of Sultanahmet is a stark contrast to New Istanbul, with its center in Taksim Square. The same can be said of the European and Anatolian sides. Every time a bridge is crossed, the whole city changes.
- I am a cat lover and during last year’s world trip, I enjoyed that at every location I would have my personal cat come visit me and keep me company. Here, this was brought to the extreme, as Istanbul is notorious for its cat population, which is well over 100 thousand. Cats have “colonized” the city since the Ottoman Empire and are a revered animal in Muslim culture, as well as in the teachings of Muhammad in the Qur’an. As such, they are treated well and just share the city with the human population. There are food dispensaries spread out throughout the city, little houses on the streets, and they generally go wherever they want, into homes, restaurants, and on buses. I found it also interesting that they do not seem to fight at night as would be expected and instead, each minding their own business, although I found it funny that they would often cross paths with another cat and behave as if they had never seen one. “Who are you?” “No, no, who are you?”
- There is a saying in Italy equivalent to saying that someone smokes like a chimney, which is “smokes like a Turk”. It is an apt comparison, as 30% of Turkish people smoke. I am a smoker myself so I appreciated being able to smoke a cigarette inside after dinner without having to freeze myself outside, or that smoking lounges are as common as bathrooms at the airport, although I have to admit that it is too much.
- Turkey is one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Especially regarding hair transplants, which are quite successful, have high hygiene standards, and are relatively cheap, As such, it is common to walk around and see many tourists with tender, almost bleeding scalps or freshly out-of-the-nose surgeries. I was amazed, though, by the number of men that I saw and anecdotally, I would say 1 in 4 men I encountered would have had a recent transplant.
Deals for Istanbul
Where to stay
As a tourist, there are three main areas where you will probably stay. Sultanahmet is the old city, bustling and vibrant, with narrow streets, chaotic traffic, and plenty of tourists. It is very safe, as there is a strong presence of tourism police.
Taksim, across the Golden Horn, is New Istanbul and has higher-end hotels set in a more modern environment.
On thewaterfront,t from the Dolmabahçe Palace to the Bosphorus Bridge, are the luxury hotels.
Luxury
Boutique & Eco-friendly
Budget & Local Experience
Travelogue
I’m still sort of amazed of how much I was able to do in so little time, considering also that I spent every day in cafes enjoying the delicious delicacies and strong coffees. Istanbul is a large sprawling city and every corner has amazing sights to offer. I spent the first day in the old Sultanahmet district, wandering through the narrow streets and losing myself in the immense bazaars. The second day I pushed towards the modern Taksim district, passing by Galata Tower and the Sulymaniye mosque. The last day I pushed further beyond Taksim and into the high-end Beşiktaş district, coasting the Bosphorus and admiring the the grand Dolmabahçe palace and the peaceful square with Ortaköy mosque.
Despite having seen a lot but not really having visited much (I did not enter any mosque for example), the atmosphere in Istanbul is magical. Chilling out in cafes, smoking hookah and drinking coffee or teas, while observing the hundreds of cats that roam around the streets was wonderful. Considering that it is the largest and most populous city in Europe, and is definitely a modern metropolis, Istanbul maintains an ancient charm and one can always find a laid place to spend a few hours and enjoy the day.
My accommodation was Hotel Ibrahim Pasha, located in the old city district of Sultanahmet. The main attraction of the hotel is its rooftop with a view of the Blue Mosque and the central attraction.
I was expecting a beat-up hotel and tourist trap but was pleasantly surprised by the comfort and quality of the room, the service, and everything in general. The staff goes out of their way to be helpful and friendly and the lobby has two nice little spaces, one with a well-stocked library and another with a cozy fireplace.
