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Guidebooks write about how “Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia,” but that’s not the reason you should visit the city formerly known as Constantinople. The real reason is the sense of mystery and intrigue you feel when you arrive. Turkish pop music blares against the call of the muezzin. Carpet dealers bully and charm you into buying a rug as you wander down smoky alleyways to lavish palaces. Women in headscarves and long skirts, men in jeans and Billy Idol tee-shirts rush by as you lose your way in the invigorating chaos of a back street bazaar.

Istanbul is shrouded in history, layered in religion, and wrapped up in theatre. Muslim life blends seamlessly with the business of the street. Food vendors offer delicious samples of lokum, a young boy hawks electronics from Taiwan while a man stops and prays at a street-side mosque. Shopping is like swimming in an ocean of people – carpet sellers, shoeshine boys and salesmen from stores push at the tide of bodies wandering through the streets. Cars roar past, and the air is thick with the smells of spice, fish, and flowers – and the treasures of Turkey.

Istanbul Pictures

Things to do in Istanbul

Topaki Palace, Aya Sofia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Underground Cistern, and the student area of Beyazit are just some of the historically and socially important places to explore in Istanbul.

The Carpet Museum, Mosaic Museum, Harbiye Military Museum and Yedikule Fortress Museum are on most people’s lists to tour while in Istanbul.

The hamman, or turkish bath, is a tradition that every visitor should try. Many of the baths in Istanbul have been around since medieval times, and the architecture and decor is amazing. Religiously, culturally, and socially important to Turkish society, the hamman is a good way to experience the local culture while enjoying a bit of luxury. What usually happens is you enter the bath wrapped in a towel, and then wash, or have someone wash you from the basins that line the walls. Afterward, you can get a massage from an attendant. First, you are exfoliated with an abrasive mitt, then given an enthusiastic massage. Finally, some hamans have saunas, where bathers hang out for awhile before returning to the changing room for a drink.

Find things to do in Istanbul

Nightlife in Istanbul

Taksim Square is the place to go for discos and rock clubs. Jazz bars are popular, as are nightclubs, where you can have dinner and see a Turkish-themed show with belly dancing and the like. Night cruises along the Bosphorus are also a fun (and cheap) way to spend the evening. For gay and lesbians discretion is a good idea in Turkey. While there are a few gay nightclubs in Istanbul and around the resort areas, homosexuality is not socially accepted in Turkey.

Dining in Istanbul

Tea could easily be Turkey’s national beverage. Served in dainty glasses, intensely brewed cay is available everywhere. Elma cay (apple tea) is equally popular. Extremely thick, strong kahve (Turkish coffee) is another popular drink. Beta, a syrupy, fermented drink of wheat berries, garnished with a dash of cinnamon and a handful of roasted chick-peas is sold by street vendors in the winter. Beta can also be found year-round at certain cafes or dessert shops. Meze, or appetizers, are similar to Spanish tapas in that they make a wonderful light meal and offer a smorgasbord of Turkish specialties.

Shopping in Istanbul

The Kapalicarsi (Grand Bazaar) has 4,000 shops, and buyers are expected to bargain hard for any goods they may want. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday there are auctions for furniture, carpets and jewelry.

Istanbul Travel Tips

• The weather in Istanbul is perfect during May-April and September-October, so try and book your cheap flight during these months!
• If planning on going in May though, be careful of high hotel rates because of the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
• It is recommended not to drive in Istanbul because of heavy traffic, impossible parking, and Turkish signs. The best way of transportation is walking or cab.