Overview
** ISTANBUL, TURKEY TOURS **
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Istanbul is a fantastic destination for black travelers. This is a middle eastern city, so be sure to understand the culture and religious requirements, but above all – just be respectful. While there is a diverse culture of travelers, I did not notice a lot of black travelers, but I am one person and I was not everywhere at all times. I can say for sure that everywhere I went, I was treated with respect and the color of my skin did not matter. It seems that many were more interested in where I was from and wanted to practice speaking English with me. There is a lot of culture and history to be absorbed, and let us not forget the food. I was able to try things I don’t normally eat as well as familiar foods prepared in a different manner. I felt safe in Ubers and taxi’s and as always, follow common sense whether you are travelling or at home. Always be mindful of your surroundings and again, be respectful of others as you would expect for yourself. Overall, I found Turkey to be a warm and inviting country with a lot to explore. As a travel tip, I would suggest for a female to always carry a scarf or turkish towel in the event you happen upon a place of worship or if you feel that the overall vibe requires a bit more modesty. You will be able to quickly cover yourself, respectfully. Sultanahmet and Fatih areas are really popular and i even found a 24-hour restaurant/hookah spot: Havuzbasi Cafe.
We visited Istanbul for a 20 hour layover in July. The point was to visit the Europe and Asia side. We booked a tour through “my local guide istanbul”. Our guide’s name was Salih and I found him through Google. He customized our tour for us since we were short on time. He arranged transport to and from the airport, recommended a hotel close to city center (Sura Haggia Sofia) and took us on a walking tour of the gardens, took us to get authentic Turkish food, Turkish Tea and Coffee, and we took the ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul for baklava and then the subway back to the European side – that was the first night. The next morning we visited the Blue Mosque and Haggia Sofia and the former stadium area of the city. Salih was very knowledgeable and we really got a good sense of Istanbul. We definitely want to go back. Breakfast at the hotel was generous and nice. Then transport arrived to take us to the airport.
I was tempted to leave a tip in the “history” category for all the culture immersive things to do. Not necessarily historic but coming from the western protestant persuasion, Istanbul was my first eastern, deeply muslim cultured experience. Istanbul quickly climbed to the top for best vacation spot, tied with Lagos. We employed the service of “with the locals” as a 2 day guide. First let’s talk about being prepared to respect local customs. Women should bring a scarf to cover your head if visiting an active mosques. We arrived via Turkish Air. We took pre-arranged car service to our hotel: Hotel Empress Zoe. My first boutique hotel experience. The architecture and decor was amazingly beautiful. There were house cats to greet you in the dining area. The view from our suite was perfect. Overlooking the town and ocean.
The narrow streets and erratic driving can be compared to that of NYC, India or Africa. We settled in an area with great energy right off the ocean and tourist friendly. Words don’t do justice to how beautiful and authentic the hotel was. Istanbul is a place we felt comfortable roaming around and exploring on foot. We could not say the same about western Africa. I think this is the reason this trip was so impressive. We had time to explore on our own day and night as well as hit us specific spots with our guide. We intended to hit the Suleymaniye Hamam bath house. We missed the small window of operational hours. On the lists of things I had to experience in Turkey were the Suleymaniye Hamamm, hookah, the Blue Mosque, the Asian side of the country, the Grand Bazaar and the Hagia Sophia. The most memorable aspect of this visit was how peaceful it was. The call of prayer in the morning was unbelievably settling. The shopping in Istanbul is amazing!
Wow! Where do I even begin? I actually had to do a full video review on my page because a caption wasn’t sufficient.
With all of the places I’ve visited, never have I felt so uncomfortable, so repulsed and objectified. What I found most scariest is the fact that the men justified their actions by saying “it’s been a long time because of the pandemic” or “tourists always…”
It got to the stage where I spent the last three days in my hotel. I remember asking someone in the hotel how Turkish men see black women, he responded saying they love them. But loved wasn’t the right word, more like fetishized. I was constantly groped by locals, there wasn’t a day that went by where I wasn’t touched. Men became aggressive and verbally abusive when you turned their sexual prepositions down. When there are just two of you (the other person was also black) amongst a group of men it was really uncomfortable and intimidating. For me the best part was when a man put his hand up my skirt. This wasn’t a miniskirt it was a loose fitting midaxi skirt. (I had broken my suitcase whilst in the way to the airport). I decided to just buy another one whilst I was there and throw away the broken one. The girl I travelled with was standing outside of the shop and it was just me and the shop owner. He kept stroking my leg and his hands went higher and higher (I was sitting down). I was startled so it took me a few seconds to be like what the hell get your hands off of me and demanded he gave me my suitcase ASAP, I no longer cared about wanting a different colour and I’d take what was in front of me if need be. In which he responded “why are you being like that for“, (I guess I’m stupid for not standing up and waiting outside because I carried on sitting down and just turned my face to the door) he then put his hand up my skirt and squeezed my thigh. I whacked his hand off me and it pretty much went downhill from there. I grabbed the suitcase that was there and just left.
It’s worth noting that I stayed in Sultanahmet. It was a total different experience in the new town. I wish I stayed in the new town because I generally felt that they just had more respect for you, Nobody hassled you and it was just a completely different vibe.
My main tip for black Women would be to make sure you go in a larger group, ideally with men too. I’d never ever recommend a solo trip, two of you isn’t enough. You need a group.
Welcome to Istanbul.
Here are my five things that I totally enjoyed in the city .
– I went on to the top of a rooftop near grand bazaar called @kubbe.istanbul. They have a gorgeous set up with sea eagle feeding while taking awesome pictures for $20
– Take a dinner cruise between two continents $40
– Bosporus Cruise for sunset to Kadikoy (Asia ) was amazing . I’d recommend you go the in the morning/ afternoon as is a totally different experience that the other side .
– Kadioki was another hidden jam waiting to be discovered with little cute restaurant. It can be combined with Taksim tour day although it can be overwhelming with tourist , shoppers etc . I will recommend a two night stay just to fully comprehend the whole experience.
– Full day to princess Island is not to be missed .
Stay |
I will recommend 3 nights at Fathin area ( European ) . I stayed at Meserret Palace Hotel which was a walking distance to Sultanahmet
Two more night at Taksim or Kadikoy. I stayed in Taksim as it recommend for solo traveler . I found Kadikoy more intermediating it is for local .
Food was quite affordable- I honestly didn’t get to pay for anything cause those Turkish man were offering me everything from lunch , dinner , gelato , name it . It was nice but please guide yourself as it can be “a lot” .
– Shopping |
-I wish I knew how cheap good quality clothes cost and I wouldn’t have brought a full luggage bag.
Transport |
Use a local bus shuttle from the airport to Taksim then buy a train card and juice it with atleast $30 for a week commute . The train take $3 – 5$ max per day and the other trips are free .
Night Life |
People don’t sleep in all part of the city . I enjoyed staying up and night walks around Sultanahmet area . Asian side is a party place and Taksim is more alive in the evening . All part of the city have life bands and performances. Shops closes at AM . Is a beautiful place.
I only stopped in Istanbul on a layover to South Africa. I flew with Turkish airlines, which I might were better than expected. They offer free wine and drinks, as well as their complimentary meals are decent for the most part. They also give you a nice little long flight kit, with slippers, a sleep mask, earbuds, and toothbrush and etc. I had a been unaware at first but was notified that they offer a free city tour if you have a longer layover. They hold your bags and everything, so of course I had to take advantage of getting another stamp and seeing another country for FREE!! Well included in the price of my ticket with them.
You get on a tour bus after going thru the customs process with a group of people. You go to the main city and are allowed a few hours to roam on your own, but they also give you a small tour and info. It was in March when I went and a bit chilly, but my hoodie kept me warm enough. They have plenty of historical mosque and buildings in the area. You definitely can get all the photo ops and walk the neighborhood with colorful buildings and eat at the local restaurants. They have stores for shopping and plenty of coffee shops and cafes. They also had a very heavy police presence and they had big guns. I felt safe and nobody bothered me as I was solo. People were nice and didn’t mind taking pictures for me. They had a small central park area where you could rest and just take in the day and views. It was a great time for the few hours that it was. I hear that it has a whole lot more to offer and I definitely wouldn’t mind visiting again in the warmer seasons.
I was in Istanbul in November 2018, the weather at this period of the year is a bit chilly. Coat, leather jacket weather. Turkey has a lot to offer food wise.
My friends and I were staying in (Beyoglu)Taksim (Nightlife, hipster, alive area). We went for breakfast to this restaurant called Privatocafe for a typical Turkish breakfast. DELICIOUS. Later that day for lunch we stopped by another place called Antakya kebab (kebabs are very popular) and so full of flavours. We would have at least one each day. Istiklal street is where it’s at. Cafés, restaurants, boutiques, lounges, bars you will find everything on that street.
Here’s a top 10 of restaurants I’ve been to
1.Privatocafe (breakfast)
2.Antakya kebab (snack, lunch)
3.Haci Abdullah (lunch, dinner)
4. Antique Market old bazaar (spices)
5.Berivan Çay Ocagi (cafe)
6. Ruby (in Besiktas)for drinks
7. Mado (dessert)
8. Galata Meyhanesi (dinner)
9. Cappadocia Restaurant (in hobyar)(dinner)
10. Liman Cafe (by the water)
All super affordable!
Istanbul is one of my favorite places to travel to. I’ve been there 3 or 4 times and just can’t get enough of it. The first time I’ve been there, I was pretty surprised to see how nice and welcoming the people there were. Whenever we entered a shop, a free bottle of water or a cup of tea was offered to us. The hotels are pretty cheap, you can find a decent hotel with a spa and Turkish bath and the food is overall cheap and very delicious.
The city can be busy and chaotic on some days, especially near the Grand Bazar market, but that’s what makes its charm!
I have travelled to a few countries and a few cities across the world, and I am yet to find a place with cuisine as amazing as Turkey! I would confidently label Turkey as the Foodie haven!
Turkish food menu is characterised by tasty, juicy meat-full skewers, plus a whole lot more! There is a wide variety, from sweet Baklava and rich yoghurt, to amazing pickles and Turkish coffee! Not to forget about the Turkish tea – simply irresistible!
I loved the buffet meals we had from all over Turkey, especially while in Kusadasi. “Turkish dishes will surprise your taste buds in a manner that will leave you amazed, wanting a whole lot more!”
Istanbul is a busy, chaotic city filled with so much history. It is advisable to visit during the off season to avoid standing in long queues. We stayed at Sultanahmet to be in the center of it all. Prior to traveling to Istanbul, we read and heard about how the taxi drivers can rip you off so we avoided taking any. We visited the grand bazaar, the blue mosque and hopped on the big red bus for a city tour. We also did a boat cruise to see both the Europe and Asia side (would highly recommend).
Overall, Istanbul Is a city filled with so many history, beautiful landscapes and culture. I personally didn’t enjoy instabul as much as we visited during the peak time, the roads and trams were packed with people. If you can, I’d recommend taking a day trip to Pamukkale, it was definitely worth it.
Istanbul is an amazing city with its clash of contemporary and traditional. It is also known as the cultural hub of turkey and the only city in the world that is situated in two continents (Asia and Europe). There are so many attractions to see such as the Topkapi palace, the archeological museums, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Suleymaniye and Grand Camlica mosque along with many other beautiful mosques. I suggest to spend 3-7 days on a first time visit and that might not be enough to cover it all however it will be worth the stay.
Let me start off by saying: I MISS ISTANBUL!
Visa: depending on your passport you cant obtain and pay for an e-visa here: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
The process was very simple and so quick!
I did not use a guide and planned all the activities from the hotel reception desk.
Where to stay: I stayed in Sultanhamet area which was close to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and most of the tourist attractions. Istanbul has two areas: The European side and the Asian side, so technically I went to two continents over 3 days, LOL!
For nightlife, I recommend going to Taksim area where you can do all the club and pub-crawling you like. Istanbul does not fall short of night-life no matter what area you are in.
Another tip if you want to plan ahead is to use the GetYourGuide app which will show you estimates of tours so that you don’t overpay when you book on the spot :-)
Here are some things to do/see:
– Bosphorus Boat Tour
– Dolmabache Palace
– Blue Mosque
– Hagia Sophia
– Galata Tower
Istanbul is an absolute destination for all travellers. In Europe there only few places where you can feel home. Locals are very welcoming. As a black woman i had no bad experience at all. All the guys where asking me if i was married lol. One of my friend met her husband there.
The city is full of history. The multiples mosques are gorgeously and can be visited everyday for free or very cheap fee’s. The Grand Bazaar Kapalikazi is very nice too if you like to stop and discuss with locals.
Foodies will really appreciate all the restaurants and kebabs (the real one). To hang out at night go to Istiklal street and Taksim Square. It’s very easy to move with the metro.
I recommend a cruise on the bosphorus, a magical moment (between Europe and Asia).
Oh and i couldn’t resist the pastries so be ready to gain some weight.
A well-known, yet an important fact is that Istanbul serves the role of a bridge between two continents: Europe and Asia. Though I didn’t have time to visit the Asia side I would encourage others to do so. I didn’t know what to expect upon my arrival, but was stunned by its beauty “it’s simply a magical city”. So many beautiful Mosque and building can been found all through the city. Take a trip down to the Grand Bizarre where you can find any kind of good under the sun. The market is very vibrant and bustling with people. Another must visit is the Blue Mosque, I was able to find a photographer on AIRBNB and he took me around and helped me capture great pictures. If you want a breathtaking view and fine traditional cuisine try Melka.
I think what I hate most about western media is the perception that all Muslim countries are either dangerous or homogenous; And what I love most about Turkey is that it breaks all of those lame a$$ stereotypes. I’M OBSESSED WITH ISTANBUL, to put it lightly (lol). The city is vibrant, diverse, energetic, full of history, culture, delectable foods; everything you could ever want from trip hoping to inspire your heart, free your mind, and break free from all pre-disposed, and often false, notions of what Muslim-majority countries are like. Make no mistake, Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, however, what was more impactful was their pride for being of Turkish and Ottoman first. The Turkish people are a prideful people, as they should be. They have a strong history of democracy and secularism, and have a strong faith that echoes at hours of prayers all throughout the city. The older generation is so adorable and the young people are trendy AF. It really is a beautiful sight to see the juxtaposition of past and future generations cohesively living their best lives. It made me so happy. Before I get into what you should do while visiting Istanbul, please note that Turkey is cheap-cheap (lol). For $1 USD, the going rate is 5 Turkish Liras; so the return, considering the exchange rate, is quite favorable. Also, I’d recommend no less than 3 days in Istanbul. The city is split between two continents: Europe and Asia and both side are worth exploring. Keep in mind that Istanbul has 2 international airports: Istanbul Attaturk (IST), which is on the Euro-side, and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW), which is on the Asia-side. IST is closer to the city centre, about 45 minutes. SAW is around 1.5hrs-2hrs away, depending on traffic. Whichever airport you choose to fly into, it’s very simple and affordable to get into the city. I recommend you taking the coach HAVABUS company, which travel to and fro each airport. It’ll cost you around $3-$5 USD one-way. You’ll need to pay in Turkish Lira to the attendant while seated on the bus, so be sure to exchange money prior to exiting the airport. The coach buses depart on every half hour, but be sure the check their schedule online. There is no need to book it in advance.You also have the option of taking a cab. I’d recommend the Turkish “Uber” version, which is called BiTaksi. It is much cheaper than the local taxi companies. Be sure to download and activate it before you arrive because you’ll need a working telephone number to receive a text for activation. You’re also welcome to buy a SIM card upon arrival, BUT this is the one thing in Turkey I found extremely overpriced. I ended up not even getting a SIM. I just deferred mostly to my off-line google map, which I highly recommend you download regardless of whatever country you visit. On the Google Maps app, you can download selected map areas onto your phone’s hard drive for use while off-line, which is amazing. I’d also recommend downloading Google Translate and “off-lining” the Turkish language because a lot of local people don’t speak English very well. Once in the city centre, you can basically walk everywhere or take the buses/trolleys on the cheap.
Things to do: (First Day) I’d recommend starting off in the most historic area in Istanbul, Sultanahmet. There you’ll find the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Museum, which are must-do’s and are extremely important parts of Turkish history. There’s also Topkapi Palace, Basilica Sistern and the Grand Bazaar. Here’s a little, not-so-secret tip: there’s a roof-top spot overlooking the city near the Grand Bazaar. Just pin “Buyuk Valide Han” on your google maps and look for stairs and signage. There should be a small tea/coffee shop down this sketchy looking hallway. Don’t be alarmed, you’ll be going in the right direction (lol!) You can also ask around because it even took me a while to find it, but it will be worth your while – I promise. Also located in the Sultan area is the infamous Ayasofya Hamam, which I’d recommend you save for your last evening in Turkey. If you haven’t looked up Turkish bath, be sure to do so before signing up for this (LOL). It was the most relaxing, yet bazar experience I think I’ve ever had. Would I do it again, hell-to-the-yes.
Day two: remaining the on the Euro-side of Istanbul, I’d venture across the Galata Bridge to get a view of the fisherman and maybe even grab a seafood lunch. Then head over to Galata Tower, maybe even visit the SALT Galata museum, which in my opinion is an architectural marvel. The Galata/Taksim area is a great place for nightlife and restaurants. There are also a set of super cute rainbow stairs on the main road (Meclis-i Mebusan Cd.), heading towards the Dolmabahce Palace, which I’d recommend you visit both. The Ortakoy Mosque is also a must-see. It is the cutest, little mosque ever over looking the water and a bridge that crosses over to the Asian side. A nice hangout spot up in the Ortakoy neighborhood is The House Cafe. It has great views of the mosque and bridge – highly recommend grabbing some tea and dessert here. Last day: take the dollar ferry across to the Asian side of Istanbul to the Kadikoy Ferry Terminal. Kadikoy is also a great walking neighborhood, lots of cute shops and restaurants. Stroll to Leylek Cafe Bistro and have to Turkish tea, which enjoying the umbrella art hanging above you. It’s a really cute Instagrammable spot. I also spent a lot of time just people watching at the ferry terminal and relaxing.
One can never be sure what kind of experience to expect traveling while black, but I’d give Turkey an A+. People are overly friendly, and they’ll mostly just want to take a selfie with you but in good spirits. In conclusion, I cannot express enough how much I loved Istanbul. It blew my mind in every way and cannot wait until I return. Happy travels!!!
Ive been to instanbul for just one day and i can say it was a beautifull rich city. But i was in turkey to do some adventures some adrenaline activities. And i can assure you that Alanya and Antaya is the best place to be. My bucketlist is a little bit crazy but i had the chance to ✔️ 5 of the bucketlist. I did paragliding, parasailing, seadoo, quadtour
And mountainbiketour. I had a blast and I recommend the paragliding was one of my best experiences till now. All this at a verry cheap price. I will definitely go over there one more time awesome people i made allot of friends over there. If you want to do things you should ask for hassan hes the best ig: hakansahinnnn. The ride to Alanya was like 1 hour and 15 min. Paragliding was the most expensive that was like 60 euros woth pictures and video. Parasailing and seadoo togheter 55 euros. Biketrip was 15 euros and e rented a scooter for 15 euros a day and the next day i got it for 10. Company i use was Tui bus was included from the airport to alanya
Istanbul is not only a city rich in culture but also incredibly affordable. We were lucky to be able to stay in a really nice hotel at a very reasonable price- We stayed at Raddison Blu and payed around £59 per night (413 TL). There’s a really lovely spa and Hammam there. We ate very good food at great prices, around £14pp (100 TL) for a nice dinner.
We also travel around the city cheaply- we did a lot of walking! ( But there’s just so much to see we hardly notice). However if you would prefer to take taxi’s they’re roughly 32 TL (£4) per every 5 miles. You have to visit the Grand Bazaar (one of the first shopping malls of the world). Take a trip to Nusr-Et (Salt Baes restaurant), we went there because well we wanted to see what his restaurant was all about… the food was incredible!! The food was well presented, it’s all a show ha and the staff gave us a great experience.
If you want to go somewhere on a budget, then Istanbul is definitely a place to visit.
One of the highlights of my short stay in Istanbul was the infamous Turkish bath. We went to Cemberlitas Hamami which was open until midnight and no appointment was needed. It was 55 euros for the bath entrance, a bubble bath (in which they bathe you) and a 30 minute massage. It was heaven! It was so relaxing & calming. Be prepared to get wet head to toe and ladies be prepared to be topless with tens of women in the room. If you’re with bad, kiss him or her goodbye because the separate you guys at the door. All in all, it was a great experience and I would highly recommend any of the baths there.
Istanbul was such a treasure to visit!
Food was absolutely amazing! Everything from kebabs, stews, fish was just delicious! Don’t forget to wash it down with a bottle raki or apple tea and a baklava for dessert.
So much to see, from the Afya Sofia to the Blue Mosque, Istanbul is quite picturesque!
Black women, be prepared. Turkey doesn’t get many Black people come through their country, so you will be a celeb! Affordability is #1 here! 1 US dollar is equal to 4.65 Lira and you can get a meal for $5-10 easily.
Istanbul is hands down one of my fav places I have travelled. We stayed approx. 7 days which def was not long enough. I stayed in Taksim Square which is the heart of nightlife,. There is always something going on. From Clubs to Restaurants, it’s a good area to stay since you can walk everywhere. There were a lot of local people with their children asking for money, following you around…. One even put her hands in bae’s pocket! Travelling while black in Istanbul isn’t problematic. Everyone assumes you are American (I am Canadian) the call you brother and sister, and they seem nice enough until you tell them “no”. But overall , you get some looks but its not bad.
My favourite was the Grand Bazaar. You can spend hours and hours shopping there (Ladies get your wallets ready). There is everything you can want, from shoes, to pots and pans, if you want something you ca find it.. Get your bargaining hat on, you def need to do that for every purchase. And get ready to walk away if you don’t like the price… they will come after you and you will get it for the price you want.
Highlights to visit
-Blue mosque
-Süleymaniye Mosque
-Spice Bazaar
-Bosphorus Cruise
-Aga Hamami (Oldest Turkish Bathing house)
-Grand Bazaar
Getting around the city is very easy. We took the subway everywhere – even at night.. The directions are easy to follow.
Eat as much as you can.. the food there is dynamite! You can eat all day every day.. LOL its just so tasty.
We did rent a car and drove for an evening to the Red Sea – which is on the Asian side of Istanbul. The rental was reasonable and driving there is easy. We got there in the evening, had a nice dinner and dipped our feet in the Red Sea. I high recommend doing that for an evening.
All in all its highly recommended, you get a little of everything in one trip!
Touring Istanbul’s ornate houses of worship and palaces could keep history buffs and culture hounds busy for weeks. Most attractions are clustered in the Fatih area, though districts like Beyoglu (where Taksim Square resides) and Besiktas (which features Ortaköy and Dolmabahçe Palace) are no less exciting. The Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum are essential, but simply exploring the street traffic and observing daily life here are equally fascinating. Food is a central part of the culture, so menus should be studied just as seriously as a map (which is also a must). The food was the most amazing part of the trip! And you should check out the many bazaars around town when looking for souvenirs, but if you only have time for one, be sure to visit the largest and most famous: the Grand Bazaar. How we rank Things to Do.
-Hagia Sophia Museum
-Blue mosque
-Süleymaniye Mosque
-Topkapi Palace Museum
–
-Taksim Square(this is the party area but don’t hotel there! It felt unsafe for two women traveling at least)
-Grand Bazaar
-Galata Tower
-Ortaköy
-Bosphorus Cruise
-Getting Scrubbed in a Hamam
The Naz City Hotel will have you feeling like a Queen at an affordable rate. I stayed in a one bedroom suite for about $80 US dollars/night. The hotel was close enough to everything so getting around was not a problem. The staff takes care of all your needs and are super friendly. They will even set you up with tours that won’t break your pockets! Look no further if you want a really nice luxurious hotel!
I had a wonderful time and there was never a dull moment. The Turkish bath, checking out the different restaurants and visiting the historic sites and markets were among my favorite things. Oh yeah and taking a boat ride and going in and out of Asia and Europe within minutes wss pretty cool!
The mosques, bazaars, and Turkish baths of Istanbul could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip: an eyeful of breathtaking architecture here, a good-natured haggle over a carpet there. Kick your trip off at the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), which is visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.
You can use istanbul metro to get around because it’s like any other metro. I’ve been there for protests and being black they protest like we do. But Turkey is so much more. You can shop the night bazaar and buy everything you saw in the stores for a discount. I mean everything. I brought Calvin Klien knock off underwear in 2014 and they are still really good. As well as sweaters etc. There knock offs are in a lot of cases better quality than the real brand especially the leather. If you go to istanbul take a lot less but be mindful of the size. When it says one size fits all try it on. Americans are bigger. Head over to the Taksim area for the clubs. Suada or Sortie is really nice it’s down by the Bosphorus bridge. They use to have a club in the middle of the water where Europe and Asia met. And you have to try the bath house. I can on and on about turkey. If you have questions just ask.
Istanbul is an amazing city with tons of history and things to do. Despite recent religious and political difficulties, Istanbul is a lovely city with very friendly people. I went with my boyfriend in 2015 before things started to get really crazy in the summer of 2016 with riots, coups, etc. and we had a fantastic time. We spent a long weekend there but could have easily stayed for a few more days. During our 2.5 days in Istanbul, we visited the Grand Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market and took a ferry down the Bosphorus Straight. The mosques are absolutely beautiful and each one has its own style. The grand bazaar is also fantastic especially for anyone who enjoys local items- I came back with beautiful scarves and housewares. The Spice Market is also fantastic and smells wonderful- I would highly recommend this to buy spices, teas, honey, and especially turkish delights- I brought so many of these back to my family over Thanksgiving and everyone loved them. The ferry down the Bosphorus straight was really cool- Istanbul is very interesting because it is between too continents (Europe and Asia). It was fascinating to be able to sail right between the two continents but I would not recommend the boat that we went on- the entertainment was not great- do your research as there are many different boat companies that do the same route so I am sure there are better options.