A Day in Istanbul

A lifetime is not enough to see and enjoy all that Istanbul has to offer. There are many ways to experience this amazing city.

And here we tell you all about our take on one such way…

Eating

Turkish eats are as enjoyable as the Whirling Dervish dances. Start off the day with a Turkish breakfast in any of the typical local establishments of Çelebi Oğlu Sokak. Breakfast is a rite in itself; take the time you need, converse, loose yourself in the flavors of simplicity. You will need many a cup of çay with your bread, menemen, olives, jams, cucumber slices, tomatoes and much, much more. And our favorite: kaymak.

At noon you might be tempted to try baklava, and in the evening it will be time for pida, kanat or kokoreç.

Seeing

Use your eyes to discover the small and great wonders that abound around each corner. The city still harbors many well-kept secrets, protected from the masses of tourists.

Watch its people. Istanbul’s best sight is the people that live there. The hands of its women are always well manicured; the lips of its men are perpetually ready to hold a cigarette during a game of tavla. Fruit takes on new colors, and pomegranates were never so red.

Sunsets have never been as poetic as they are in Istanbul, and we can see you’ve already caught up with us: whenever you set your eyes on the horizon, there is always a mosque in sight.

Shopping

Istanbul is an endless marketplace. And we are not referring to the Grand Bazaar, which has been reduced to little more than a tourist attraction in recent times. You will be better off at Kadıköy market or at the one in Beşiktaş. Our favorite is Tarlabaşı’s Sunday market. We highly recommend you explore the streets of this old neighborhood. It is one of the poorest and most dangerous areas of the city but its understated beauty will take your breath away.

In Ortaköy you’ll be able to find earrings and much, much more.

Getting Lost

Getting to any of the sights is the perfect excuse to get lost. Walk the streets of Kadıköy, a narrow old door leads you to a library full of memories- on your way out you will run into a street musician, or a woman that sells flowers. Explore the streets of Balat, you will definitely lose track of where you are but the colors and atmosphere will slowly lead you towards a wonderful sunset. Forget your worries and anxieties; leave them beyond the horizon among airborne seagulls, the rocking of boats below, and the ferries. There is a simit street vendor waiting for you in Üsküdar, as well as unrivaled views of the city.

Listening. Dancing

Music never dies down in Istanbul. Bands play for tourists in downtown bars and restaurants. Find live music shows. Babylon and Salon tend to have eclectic monthly programs with shows at good prices. If you are into electronic music, you’ll like Indigo. If you are lucky enough, you might get to see Baba Zula live. You will notice that Turks are particularly talented dancers. If you love jazz, Nardis is a good option. Bu in any case, have no doubt that just wandering around will suffice: there is always a good gig to find in Istanbul, even if it is on the fifth floor of an old building.

Listen to the call to prayer of all mosques blend into one. Listen to the voices of merchants. Listen to the sounds of the sea.