Back in 2015, the desire to drop everything to explore the world overwhelmed us and before we knew it we were on a one-way flight across the globe... and we have never looked back!
In the summer of this year, we spent two weeks searching for Turkey with a fearless journey on our real Turkish tour ... and we all can say that WOW. If we had to choose a country that exceeded all our expectations, which Turkey has got - and Istanbul is now one of our favorite cities, which we had ever searched for.
As the tour began in Istanbul, we had decided to arrive a few days earlier so that the city could be detected as much - and we could easily spend a week or two here!
After experiencing two days as far as possible in Istanbul, we have brought 15 items that you should do during your trip to Istanbul.
Find Grand Market
It is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with more than 60 streets and streets and 4,000 shops - it's a shopkeeper's paradise!
While preparing for the first step, we prepared ourselves to bomb the local people who wanted to sell goods, but our experience was in contrast. The vendors were gentle and kind. If we look lost, then they ask us what we were and will direct us where we have to go. We could easily spend hours in search of small shops and festive streets full of Turkish lights and carpets of dreams.
2. Order Turkey Ice Cream
Turkish ice cream, which is called dondurma, is not your typical ice cream. What makes it different from others is that it has very sticky texture and it is more resistant to melting.
Ice cream stickiness allows Turkish ice cream vendors to go for 'unique' approach, should we say, when it comes to how they serve their ice cream. If you have not yet seen our WeTri Turkish Street Food YouTube video, then we highly recommend that you look at these ice cream vendors at work!
3. Visit Hagia Sophia
This architectural wonder has a long history. This is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral, Roman cathedral, back to the Eastern Orthodox cathedral, going to the mosque, and now is a museum!
It may not look gorgeous in the form of a blue mosque, but you have to go inside to take inside the interior of the heavenly domes and ancient mosaics covering its interior.
4. Eat Balak under the Galata Bridge
Balik ekmek, literally translating to fish bread is a cheap, traditional sandwich containing grilled fish, onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. One of the most famous places to try is to boats in Amin-Ong beside the Galata Bridge.
Once you order it, then you should wash the sandwich with pickle juice! We tried it, so you too!
5. Experience a traditional Turkish bath
If you are looking for a place to relax and relax, you should scrub the hammam. Traditionally, you will need to nude and relax in a steam room laying on hot marble before the body scrub of the naked marble, after which the sultan will be massaged until your skin becomes soft and smooth.
If you want to go to one of the oldest cities in the city, then we recommend the Haram Sultan Hammam.
6. Sunset on the Galata Tower
The Galata Tower is one of the best places in the city to get 360 panoramic views of Istanbul. We suggest you go there for sunset because there are some good sunsets in Turkey which we have ever seen! Just be warned, the lines here can be super long, so make sure you give yourself enough time before the sun sets.
7. Drinking lots of Turkish Coffee
We love turkey coffee! It is amazing that preparation can go into such small cups - but we are obsessive!
One of our favorite places is a proper traditional Turkish coffee, Kurukawesi Mehmet Afndi in Amin-Ong near Spice Bazaar. Apart from this, if you are wandering around the Grand Bazaar, then stop by the Fes Cafe for a modern presentation of this traditional drink.
8. Take a Tram through Istiklal Avenue
If you are looking for a shopping hub in the city then we recommend checking the Taksim Square. Here you will find a bunch of restaurants, cafes and all types of shops and stalls. While staying there, why do not you jump from the Tasmeem to the old school tram carrying Istiklal. The tram runs directly on this extremely busy street, and there is something that we just have to experience for ourselves.
9. Enjoy a Turkish breakfast
During our visit to Turkey, the day's breakfast was our favorite food. Here breakfast is a beautiful combination of breads, jams, eggs, salads - literally you name it and they will serve it for breakfast!
Our favorite breakfast place in Istanbul is Van Kahvaltı Evi.. Breakfast here is super cheap, tasty and bumpy.
10. Eat all GÖZLEME
It was our snack-to-snack full time in Turkey, and you can find it everywhere. Like a crepe, this savory Turkish flatbread is made from hand rolled flour and is full of all kinds of toppings, such as cheese, meat, vegetables, and potatoes. Delicious!
11. Turkish tea with a view
You can not leave Turkey without at least one cup of Turkish tea. In most shops, cafes, and restaurants, they will offer you Turkish tea - here is the best hospitality in Turkey!
If you are looking for an amazing viewpoint of Hagia Sophia and The Blue Mosque, then you need to check Seven Hills restaurants, order a hot Turkish tea and just enjoy 360 ° panoramic views.
12. Find a Limited Seller
Generally, another popular street food to be eaten for breakfast. To illustrate this, it is basically half-pretzels, half-bagel and 100% tasty. This is the cheapest snack you can find here, which usually has a rounded bread surrounded by sesame seeds. You can eat it with plain, or jam, cream cheese or Nutella.
13. Enjoy Spice Bazar
This is the second largest cover market in Istanbul after the Grand Bazaar. Here you can pick up spices, nuts, dried fruits, Turkish coffee, loose leaf tea, and delicious local Turkish sweets.
If you are looking for the best investment in all of Istanbul, then make sure that you go to Karakoya Gullulu located inside the Spice Market. We order you a classification of flavors and enjoy them at the second level of the cafe where you can see in the market below.
14. Visit the Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, or Blue Mosque, as it is commonly known, is one of the most beautiful mosques we have ever seen! It is composed of five main domes and six diluted towers, and the interior is decorated with more than 20,000 handmade tiles, all of which are blue.
We decided to take some pictures before being bright and quick and gathering the crowd. Waking up well enough to wake up early!
While visiting the Blue Mosque, you are given a scarf to cover your head, but make sure you wear modest clothes for your journey.
15. Cruise the Bosphorus
Applying for e-Visa
Applying for an e-visa for Turkey is super easy. You were able to buy only one tourist visa on arrival, but the government decided to transition to reduce the wait time from across the border for e-Visa in 2015.
If eligible, approval is instantaneous - just make sure that you print your e-visa before leaving for Turkey.
While entering Turkey, we had a little bit of an issue, did we put a wrong date of arrival on our visa application? It meant that we would have to wait till the clock was able to enter the country at midnight because we had passed the 14th instead of the 13th. So just to make sure that you read through your visa application completely, before sending it, otherwise, you can be made to buy a second visa before allowing you to enter.
Where to stay
Hotel Agan is located in Old City Sultanahmet, just 5 minutes' walk from Circaei train station. They have an outdoor terrace with Turkish cushions, free WiFi, TV and air conditioning. All rooms have private bathrooms.
Located in the renovated Ottoman Building, dating back to 150 years old, Reggie Ottoman provides a chic restaurant with a combination of modern amenities, with original mosaic artwork and a modern atmosphere. The historic Sultanham area is a 10-minute walk away. Includes free WiFi, as well as a full breakfast buffet.
Hotel Ibrahim Pasha
Hotel Ibrahim Pasha has a rooftop terrace with views of the Blue Mosque and free Wi-Fi. The spacious rooms feature traditional furnishings and modern furnishings, which include free WiFi. All rooms have LCD satellite TV and all the bathrooms have under-floor heating. Breakfast is included, as well as guests enjoy a library, lounge area, and fireplace.
