Istanbul – Quick Escape Kit

Hi there!

I just learnt that two of my best friends are going to Istanbul for Easter so I thought of writing a quick guide for this amazing city!

MUST SEE:

• Hagia Sofia (“Holy wisdom”). Former Orthodox basilica, later a mosque and now one of the most amazing museums in the world. What I love is just to walk around in this magnificent basilica, admire the mixture of christian & muslim religions all in one and enjoy the views to the Blue Mosque.

• Blue Mosque. I absolutely recommend to visit it during dawn. The coloured sky when the sun is going down makes it an incredible experience. Inside, sit down for a while, relax end enjoy the tranquility of its atmosphere…

• Cistern. Next to Hagia Sofia, you will find a small house with the entrance to the Cistern. This ancient cistern lies beneath the city and the first view is breathtaking of 336 marble columns, whose image is reflected in the water. Look for the Medusa’s head …

• Topkaki Palace. It was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years. Take your time to visit it since it is huge. Two areas that I loved were the Harem, and  the gardens with views to the Marmara sea.
• Grand Bazaar. I just love getting lost inside the bazaar: gold, textiles, bags, species, etc. So much fun!
• Galata Tower. It is a medieval stone tower, just across the Galata bridge from the Topkaki Palace. because of its situation, you can get 360º view of the city.
• Walk by the Bosphorus. Check this website for a quick guide of the most interesting points to stop such as the Ortoköy Mosque and the Ciragan Palace – now a Kempinski hotel.

FOOD: FAV PLACES

For dining, 360º restaurant is one of my favorites because of the views you get from the city and Anjelique is perfect for a dinner next to the Bosphorus.

For a glass of wine and some chill out time while being in between Sofia and Blue Mosque, go to the Four Seasons rooftop bar, St Sophia’s Terrace.

When shopping, let yourself get spoiled by the sellers with their amazing turkish tea and pastries. It is a sign of hospitality so best thing to do is accepting the invitation.

SOME FINAL TIPS

– You can travel with euros and exchange directly in the airport. In the Grand Bazaar you can also pay with euros sometimes…

– Get your visa once you land in the airport and before going through customs. Otherwise you will have to go back, get it and queue again… Trust me 😦 It is around 15€.

– If you like sweets, you must try the Turkish delights and the Baklava pastries. They are so good!

– If you are into jewels, there are some amazing pieces of the Ottoman style. One street far from the Blue Mosque, there is a small street with many little shops where you will find them Plus, there is a local chill out bar where you can have some Turkish tea and smoke shisha. Perfect combination!

I hope you find this useful! Enjoy your trip 🙂

Sara, The Accidental Tourist