Just before the year ended I went on holiday to Istanbul for a week. I've been a few times before, although the last time was around 6 years ago so I was looking forward to seeing if it had changed. I've never been in Winter before but as I had checked the weather report, I was prepared....and good job as it was freezing!! I believe it was even colder than London :-O We're talking 3 degrees Celsius at night! Apart from the cold I am grateful it didn't rain once (apart from the day we we're leaving).
So Turkey overall is a beautiful country. If you have been to the coast (Marmaris, Fethiye,etc) for a beach holiday then Istanbul is totally different. First of all its more of a city break and there is certainly no beach nearby. Also if you want to emerge yourself into the true culture of what Turkey has to offer then a trip to Istanbul is a must. I would recommend staying in the Sultanahmet area, as this is where many of the attractions are and you can find a lot of different hotels which will suit all budgets. This time I stayed in an apartment, which is a good option for groups but if you're on a budget then stay at a hotel.
British citizens do not need to apply for a visa beforehand. You simply pay £10 at the airport in Turkey (make sure you have the exact money as they do not offer change) and in turn you will obtain a visa. Of course check details of this before you leave the UK. Other nationalities will need to check for their own visa requirements.
Once you arrive at Istanbul make sure you grab a map/guide. These can be found in hotels/also at tourist hot spots. This is essential to plan the places/areas you wish to visit.
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| I take this each time I travel to Turkey. It comes in handy! |
TravelTravel in Istanbul is cheap as there is the metro, local taxi and of course if you are in the Sultanahmet area then you may walk to most destinations. The metro covers most of the area and is relatively cheap. It costs 2 Turkish Lira (less than £1) one way. Tokens can be bought from machines at each station. The machines take notes as well as coins, but always carry change around with you. Ask for a metro map at any station, but if you are lost, someone will probably help you even before you ask. To go to the huge shopping malls take the metro. I cant remember the one I went to but it wasn't far from Taksim. You may also use the metro to travel to the Ataturk airport, just make sure you travel well in advance in case you get lost and purchase a few tokens as you will need these when you change stops.
Taxis are also a relatively cheap way to travel and are not hard to find. Make sure you check that the meter is running before you set off. You can also travel by bus, but I never did and with taxis, metro and walking you really don't need to.
Attractions There are many places to visit once in Istanbul. If you are passing through for a few days, you will be very busy trying to fit everything in. A week would be enough to sample all that this wonderful city has to offer.
- Topkapi Palace- This was the home of Ottoman Sultans. You need to dedicate a few hours in order to make your way around and appreciate this wonder.
- Princes Islands- This is just one of the islands that you can reach by ferry. It is the last stop on the journey. To travel there you can obtain a token from the machines at the port (like the metro) again it costs just 2 Lira one way. I would recommend purchasing the two tokens (if you plan to return) before leaving the port. The ferry is a great way to travel and allows for a clear view of the European and Asian side. On the Island you can take a horse cart ride around, have something to eat in a restaurant and enjoy the ambiance. In the Summer this would be an excellent day out, but I would recommend to visit any time of the year.
Make sure you check the return times from the Island as you may find yourself stuck there if you miss the last ferry! |
| Taken from the ferry |
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| Princes Island |
- Visiting the Asian Side- You can take a ferry from the European side from the area of Eminonu (the same area as the ferry to Princes Islands) there are several ports which take you to different parts, so make sure you go to the correct port. It will all be signposted so you shouldn't catch the wrong ferry! It is well worth while visiting the Asian side as they have some beautiful mosques and also for shopping on a budget. Also it is another excuse to see the beautiful Bosphorous, the birds, and take lots of photos! Again it costs just 2 Lira one way.
- Basilica Cistern- This lies beneath the city with Roman columns. Not much to see (there really isn't) but if you're into history then may be worth a look. It cost 10 Lira for entrance fee and can be located near the Hagia Sofia. There is also a madusa head carved into one of the columns. They did big this up but when you see it you will think "what is that it??" Yep its nothing special, but I enjoyed practising with my SLR and taking plenty of photos.
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| Can you believe they had a 'cafe' in the cistern? It looked so out of place |
- Hagia Sofi- This is a former monastery and later mosque. It is now a museum, which you could add to your 'to do' list.
- Blue Mosque (also known as the Sultan Ahmet mosque)- An absolute must! Tourists can visit as long as it isn't prayer time. I enjoyed praying Jummah in the mosque on a Friday, with Muslims from all around the world.
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| Blue Mosque at night |
Grand Bazaar- No trip to Istanbul would be complete without visiting the world famous Grand Bazaar, even just to have a look around. If you are a serious shopper dedicate a whole day as it is HUGE. They sell apple tea, cushion covers, desginer handbags, etc. If you have come to Turkey especially to purchase a designer bag or two, don't bother going to Istanbul as they prices are way expensive compared to other places in Turkey. For example in Antalya I was given the price of £50 for a mulberry bag, in the grand bazaar it was £300, and it was the same quality.
If you are after a bargain don't spend much in the Grand Bazaar as it is geared towards tourists. Take a stroll out of any of the exits and you will come across places where the locals like to shop. I believe its an area called Mahmud Pashar, but you can always ask a local who will be more than willing to help.
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| Would you wear one of these wedding dresses? :-O |
FoodThe food consists mainly of kebabs, bread, delicious salads and also vegetable dishes. Although it was really nice, as a Pakistani a week of no spice in my food was kind of difficult for me. They did have some chilli flakes in a pot, but this barely tickled my tongue. So if like me you love hot food, make sure you take some chilli sauce with you. (My auntie carries some around in her handbag-yes really!) If you are vegetarian don't worry its not all kebabs-you will be able to find vegetable dishes. The lentil soup is a dish I have every time I'm in Turkey, and it's especially soothing in Winter.
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| Lentil Soup |
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| Dont think this needs a caption! |
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| Corn on the cob stand |
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| Turkish Tea |
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Turkish tea is basically black tea (minus milk) If you want English tea, ask for Lipton with a separate jug for milk. I became obsessed with apple tea whilst in Turkey. It was so delicious and refreshing and is available in cafes/restaurants. You can also purchase the teabags or apple powder from the grand bazaar or most shops.
I hope you've enjoyed this guide to Istanbul. Of course this doesn't cover all of the city and places to go. If you want to see what Istanbul has to offer take a trip there. You won't regret it :-)If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will try my best to answer x
