Istanbul
Overview
Half European half Asian. That's what everybody says. Ok, it's true, but I would say there's a bit more of Asia than of Europe in Istanbul. It's a crowded, busy but beautiful city at the same time and really reccomendable to spend 3 or 4 days exploring it.
It has what you may expect from a Middle East city (mosques, narrow streets, street vendors, smells, bazars...) and at the same time modern and "western" places like bars, pubs, skyscrapers, modern shops...
It has what you may expect from a Middle East city (mosques, narrow streets, street vendors, smells, bazars...) and at the same time modern and "western" places like bars, pubs, skyscrapers, modern shops...
Sightseeing
You've got plenty of stuff here. Basically mosques, streets, walkings, ferry tours...
Having so many mosques I would say the most impressive ones are the Sultan Mosque in Eyüp, the Rüstem Paşa Mosque near Eminönü and the Suleymaniye Mosque nearby Rüstem Paşa. Of course the Blue Mosque is a must, as it is Hagia Sophia, though this last one is now a museum and they charge you 30TL to visit it.
Then you have the famous Topkapi Palace, where the Sultans used to live. It is worth the visit, although in my opinion is not as impressive and as "unforgettable experience" as some say. It is big, plenty of wall-tiled rooms to see, but not that ohmygod feeling. They charge 30TL for the visit plus 15TL if you want to see the Harem, which is actually the most beautiful part of the palace, so I strongly reccomend buying the Harem ticket if you are visiting Topkapi.
Let yourself get lost through Old Istanbul streets, visit the Grand Bazar (a small city itself) and if you have some spare time you can also go to the Spice Bazar, although it is more a tourist trap than anything else, lately.
You can also take plenty of ferry tours, being the most reccomendable a Bosphorus tour and especially taking the ferry to Üsküdar before the sunset .
Having so many mosques I would say the most impressive ones are the Sultan Mosque in Eyüp, the Rüstem Paşa Mosque near Eminönü and the Suleymaniye Mosque nearby Rüstem Paşa. Of course the Blue Mosque is a must, as it is Hagia Sophia, though this last one is now a museum and they charge you 30TL to visit it.
Then you have the famous Topkapi Palace, where the Sultans used to live. It is worth the visit, although in my opinion is not as impressive and as "unforgettable experience" as some say. It is big, plenty of wall-tiled rooms to see, but not that ohmygod feeling. They charge 30TL for the visit plus 15TL if you want to see the Harem, which is actually the most beautiful part of the palace, so I strongly reccomend buying the Harem ticket if you are visiting Topkapi.
Let yourself get lost through Old Istanbul streets, visit the Grand Bazar (a small city itself) and if you have some spare time you can also go to the Spice Bazar, although it is more a tourist trap than anything else, lately.
You can also take plenty of ferry tours, being the most reccomendable a Bosphorus tour and especially taking the ferry to Üsküdar before the sunset .
Accomodation
There's plenty of different accomodation i Istanbul. Being on a low budget, we opted for Airbnb and stayed at Gursel's place, a small and basic apartment near Taksim square.
Food & Drink
You won't be hungry in Istanbul. Our basic daily diet consists mainly in different kinds of kebab. There are plenty of good Döner Kebab places all over the city. Try also the Turkish Tost, Turkish pizza (delicious) and whatever you like. Only avoid one thing: Kokoreç. It is really not good at all. It's some kind of mixed tripes from animals mixed with some spices with a really strong taste but not tasty at all.
About drinks, you'll find plenty of soft drinks, coffee and tea wherever you want, but if you are more into having some beer, you're likely to have some more problems. Although Turkey is a Muslim country, they do drink beer and they do have their own brand: Efes. The thing is that they are only sold in some places, especially pubs and bars that and they are not everyehere. Besides, it is quite expensive to have a beer in Istanbul, at an averge price of 8-9 TL because of high alcohol taxing in the country. Anyway, if you want beer, you can find it quite easily.
About drinks, you'll find plenty of soft drinks, coffee and tea wherever you want, but if you are more into having some beer, you're likely to have some more problems. Although Turkey is a Muslim country, they do drink beer and they do have their own brand: Efes. The thing is that they are only sold in some places, especially pubs and bars that and they are not everyehere. Besides, it is quite expensive to have a beer in Istanbul, at an averge price of 8-9 TL because of high alcohol taxing in the country. Anyway, if you want beer, you can find it quite easily.
Transportation
Istanbul has Metro, buses, dolmus (minibuses), ferries, cable cars.... and all of them are integrated in what is called Istanbulcard. You buy it at any grocery store or special machines and then you load it with money, which you spend every time you use any kind of public transportation.
To get out of the city, we did it by bus and the bus station (called Otogar) is like a city itself with hundreds of different companies, but don't worry, there are people asking you where you are going and helping you buying tickets and getting on the bus.
To get out of the city, we did it by bus and the bus station (called Otogar) is like a city itself with hundreds of different companies, but don't worry, there are people asking you where you are going and helping you buying tickets and getting on the bus.
Safety
Totally safe city. Just use common sense as you would do in your own country and no problems. Turkish people are really nice and, even if most of them don't speak English, they are always trying to help. The only problem is that they ive wrong directions most of the time, but at least they are nice.
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