Turkey

General Info

Last visited

May 2024

Food

Eating a simit (ring pretzel with sesame seeds) in the morning or in between meals, accompanied by a hot tea, is as much a part of a visit to Turkey as gelato is to Italy. The lamb dishes are tasty, mostly minced meat roasted on a skewer over the fire or sliced. The dishes are usually accompanied by yoghurt. Peppers, onions and eggplants are also served. Many locals drink aniseed liquor (raki) diluted with water with their meals. Beer and non-alcoholic drinks are also available, of course. For dessert, baklavas, sweet puff pastry bites covered in honey, are delicious.

Transport

Public transport is very cheap. Ferries, busses, metro can be used in Istanbul with a credit card like ticket. A boat trip over the Bosporus doesn't cost more than an Euro. Transportation in the metro costs alike.

Do

Take the ferry in Istanbul at sunset and enjoy the evening light on the Bosporus.

Don't

Visit any top sights at 10 a.m. you will queue up for an hour.

Istanbul

Bosporus, Golden Horn and the many minarets characterize the metropolis between Orient and Occident. A city full of history having some top sights like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi palace and less visited jewels like the Chora church keep the visitor busy for four to five or even more days. Roam through city districts and you will find yourself in deepest tradition where women are dressed in black robes and a couple of squares further females show a lot of skin and are tattooed up to their neck.
Meeting point is Eminönü at the ferry port. Visit the top sights at the old city but don't stay there overnight. Stroll through the old Byzantine quarter with destination Fener. Stroll through Galata and their alleys with bars and art galleries. Take a ferry whenever you need a break and ship down the Golden Horn, to the Asian side of the Bosporus or along the strait. Stay overnight in the Asian side at Kadiköy and enjoy the evenings at less touristy restaurants and relaxed hangouts.

Street coffee - Istanbul

Bosporus ferry - Istanbul