Reasons to Visit İstanbul, New City of Cool
In partnership with goturkiye.com
Truly a city like no other, İstanbul combines remarkably rich history with contemporary Turkish culture. Bursting with style, architectural wonder, delectable cuisine and buzzing nightlife, İstanbul makes for a unique city break. Here are 11 reasons why you should visit İstanbul, Türkiye’s capital of cool.
1. Thousands of years of history
İstanbul’s unique location, straddling Europe and Asia, means that it’s been a cultural melting pot for centuries. It’s absolutely worth joining the crowds for big attractions like Hagia Sophia. Once a church, then a mosque, then a museum, and now a mosque again, it’s arguably the world’s most perfect surviving example of Eastern Roman architecture, decorated with marble and mosaics to make your jaw drop. While you’re there, don’t miss the nearby Topkapı Palace, with its opulent rooms and gardens. But the lesser-known sites can be just as rewarding. The Rüstem Pasha Mosque, with its geometric İznik tiles, rivals the intricacy of the famous Blue Mosque.
2. Bustling bazaars
Stalls piled high with colourful trinkets, waiters carrying trays loaded with glasses of tea, and hagglers negotiating prices – there’s no place like an İstanbul bazaar. Take in the aromas and flavours of the Spice Bazaar and stock up on saffron and spice grinders. The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest markets in the world, with 60 narrow streets with up to 4,000 shops to discover. Fine silks, sumptuous olive oil soap and glass charms to ward off the evil eye can all be found here. For a quieter experience, try the Arasta Bazaar in Sultanahmet. You’ll often find lower prices than in the larger bazaar, with no need to haggle.
3. Vintage and antique shopping
İstanbul has a seriously rich history, so it’s no surprise that its thrift stores are also next level. Vintage clothing lovers could easily lose themselves in the racks of famous basement shops stuffed to the brim with colourful vintage clothing and costumes. Or explore small second-hand stores with neatly displayed, hand-picked pieces. Looking for more highbrow finds? The Çukurcuma neighbourhood is where you’ll find museum-like shops specialising in antique furniture and rugs.
4. Unique street fashion
The cool, youthful vibe of İstanbul is best reflected in its stylish boutiques. Head to Çukurcuma to find items like hand-drawn T-shirts and one-off pieces by local designers, or stock up on high-end streetwear in Teşvikiye. You also can’t go wrong by taking a walk down to Karaköy, an exciting harbourside neighbourhood and a great place to find cutting-edge fashion boutiques that reflect the best of contemporary Turkish design.
5. Vibrant nightlife
İstanbul’s nightlife is the stuff of legend. Whether you prefer smoky basement jazz bars, minimalist terraces, or noisy indie clubs, you’ll find it all and more in the Beyoğlu district. This buzzing part of the city is bursting with options to keep you entertained after dark. Spend your evenings in rooftop bars that offer amazing views of the Golden Horn, in secluded watering holes set in courtyards shaded by fragrant citrus trees, or in atmospheric speakeasies serving cocktails created by expert mixologists. Head to this neighbourhood at the weekend and just follow the crowds and the music until you find somewhere that suits your vibe.
6. Amazing art
Whether it’s colourful graffiti in the stylish Karaköy neighbourhood or intricate hand-painted tiles from the Ottoman years, İstanbul’s relationship with art is undeniable. The city’s modern art scene is celebrated each autumn in the Contemporary İstanbul festival, while the biannual Beyoğlu Culture Route Festival celebrates everything: from classical art to emerging cinema. There are also plenty of galleries to visit throughout the year, with many showcasing works by up-and-coming artists.
7. Sumptuous street food
İstanbul’s street food is legendary. Strolling through the streets first thing, you’ll see peddlers selling fresh-baked simit (ring-shaped bread studded with sesame seeds) that’s especially good for breakfast. Dunk it into kaymak (clotted cream) and drizzle with honey. At lunchtime, the aroma of grilled meat and veggies is impossible to resist. One of many must-try dishes is Balık Ekmek – grilled mackerel and fresh salad, served in a soft baguette. Grab one from the boats tied up at Eminönü shore. Feeling brave? Try Kokoreç (grilled lamb intestines). Finely diced and mixed with oregano, salt, red pepper and tomato, this tangy and hearty dish is served on a sandwich.
8. The unique tea-drinking culture
When you visit İstanbul, it’s all about tea. And we’re not talking about English Breakfast with milk and one sugar, either. İstanbul locals happily while away their afternoons in çay bahçesi (tea gardens) sipping strong black tea from tulip-shaped glasses. This strong, bitter beverage is the perfect accompaniment to local sweets like baklava. Another sweet treat to try is Künefe – angel-hair pasta held together with melting cheese and doused in sugar syrup. Tea is also a must during the legendary Turkish breakfast. It’s a veritable feast with lots to nibble on, including black and green olives, cured meats, dips, jam, honey, boiled eggs, fresh cheese, bread, pastries, and juicy slices of cucumber and tomato.
9. Contemporary restaurants
İstanbul is also home to modern restaurants where chefs are proud to experiment with local produce and flavours. Try new approaches to mezze, farm-to-table dishes, quirky cocktails and legendary Sunday brunches. Vegans and vegetarians will find lots of creative plant-based brilliance in the city’s stylish eateries. And let’s not forget the Michelin-star restaurants here. The famous restaurant guide has set its sights on the city of cool for the first time this year, awarding four restaurants one star and 10 restaurants the coveted Bib Gourmand status.
10. Relaxing spas
Nowhere in the world does spas quite like Türkiye. After days of strolling through the city of cool, treat your tired muscles to an afternoon in the hammam (Turkish bath). Many of the spas date back to the days of the Ottoman Empire. Relax beneath the ancient arches and tilework that once sheltered sultans, as experienced therapists scrub layers off your skin – there are few more luxurious ways to end a day of touring. There are modern spa options too, with many upmarket hotels offering exclusive VIP treatments, like Cleopatra-style milk baths.
11. It’s a short flight from incredible Cappadocia
Finish your İstanbul city break with a trip to Cappadocia – one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Türkiye. It’s famous for its otherworldly ‘fairy chimney’ rock formations, best experienced from the basket of a hot air balloon. Back on the ground, explore the chapels and churches that early Christian communities cut into rock faces in Göreme or stroll through mysterious passages in the underground city Kaymaklı. Finally, visit the crumbling cave houses of Zelve, of which some date back to the ninth century and were inhabited until 1952. It’s just an 80-minute flight from İstanbul to Kayseri, Cappadocia’s nearest airport.
Are you ready to visit İstanbul?
Our list of reasons to visit İstanbul just scratches the surface. There’s so much to discover in this bustling city, no two trips are the same. Search flights to İstanbul and get ready to write your own adventure.
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