Welcome to Istanbul — a city where East meets West, tradition meets trend, and every corner tells a story. Here’s what you must do to truly feel its magic:
🕌 1. Visit a Mosque – Not Just One!
Start with Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque), then compare it to Süleymaniye for a quieter, majestic vibe.
☕ 2. Drink Turkish Tea (Çay) Like a Local
Served in tulip-shaped glasses. Best enjoyed in a street-side café or with a Bosphorus view.
🍽️ 3. Try a Real Turkish Breakfast
Cheese, olives, tomatoes, honey, eggs, simit… Don’t rush it — it’s a feast, not a meal!
🛍️ 4. Practice Your Bargaining at the Grand Bazaar
It’s not just shopping — it’s an experience. Talk, smile, sip tea… and haggle.
🌉 5. Take a Bosphorus Cruise
Watch Europe and Asia pass by in one boat ride. Sunset is the golden hour!
🚶♀️ 6. Get Lost in the Backstreets
Balat, Galata, Kadıköy… Sometimes the best discoveries aren’t on the map.
🍢 7. Eat from a Street Vendor
Simit, roasted chestnuts, or a quick döner wrap — cheap, tasty, and local.
🏛️ 8. Visit at Least One Museum
Topkapı Palace or Istanbul Archaeology Museum for Ottoman and Byzantine treasures.
🧿 9. Buy a Souvenir with Meaning
An evil eye charm, handmade ceramics, or a spice blend to take home the scent of Istanbul.
🐈 10. Say Hi to the Cats
They’re everywhere — and they run the city. Show some love, you’re in their world now.
