Inside Istanbul║A Travel Guide
Istanbul is one of the prettiest Mediterranean countries to visit, where your dollar gets you more. The currency is Lira and it’s lower than the dollar. You’ll definitely get more bang for your buck!
There’s a lot of wonderful architecture and if you love history then the mosques and waterfront are where you’ll want to go to take photos.
If you have some time the day you arrive, then jump on the Hop On/Off Tour bus. You’ll see it all on your first day and know where you want to go and get some great photos from on top of the bus.
Alternatively, if you download that Rick Steves’ app then you get all the information for walking around and seeing sites too.
Visit:
- The Blue Mosque – world famous with a big line outside but worth the wait. Free entry, women must wear a headscarf as well as be covered up – a word to the wise: wear socks because you have to remove your shoes when entering this and any mosque. The mosques “rent” scarves and long jackets for women, so if you don’t have one just look for the little stand next to the entrances.
- Hagia Sofia – Located next to The Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia is a beautiful place where history lies and worth the entrance fee.
- Topkapi Palace – Literally an ancient palace!
Shopping:
- Taksim Square – A very long, and I mean very long street full of shops that sell souvenirs and clothes. You’ll find some home brands such as MAC and H&M as well as local shops. While walking around, notice all the singers and bands playing.
- The Grand Bazaar – A MUST! This place is huge, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get through it all in a couple of hours without shopping! I bought my knock-off Celine bag here for under $90!
- The Spice Bazaar – Go here to buy Turkish spices and sweets! A word to the wise: buy only packaged spices!
Eat:
Donair Kabob! I think this is all we ate for every meal, lol! We also made it a point to only eat at local places, because that’s where the authenticity really was. The food was amazing, and every meal surprisingly comes with fries. Who doesn’t like fries with every meal?!!!
If you like sweets then you’re in for a treat. Bakhlava is everywhere in Istanbul, you can find a bakery at any corner, plus you have to drink a Turkish coffee along with your sweet treat. I’ll admit right now, the coffee is as strong as they say it is, so if you’re planning on drinking it at 7 p.m. then good luck getting to sleep!
Bring:
A notebook to document your travels ║ A camera, even if it’s a small Canon, you will run out of space on your phone ║ A light jacket for the windy evenings ║ A backpack to hold your stuff ║ WALKING SHOES ARE A MUST!
