Why Istanbul Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List

Istanbul! A glittering meeting of two continents in one city! 

If this doesn’t tantalize your travelling spirit, then I don’t know what else will! 

 Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosporus Strait.  Its old city reflects the cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled there.

This is not my first time in Turkey but this was the first time I thoroughly explored the city of Istanbul, doing all the touristy stuff and more! 

And let’s just say for now that, Istanbul or Turkey is my favourite travel destination! Yup you heard it here first 😃. 

 Turkey was on lockdown during my time there so a lot of places were closed down. However, tourists were allowed to move around freely (That’s a country which is serious about tourism ).

This means I couldn’t explore all the places I would’ve liked to but the few places I did get to explore were so worth it!

So why should Istanbul be on your travel bucket list you ask?

Well let me give you 10 reasons why! (Think awesome fun and totally memorable experiences!)

1.Visit the iconic Hajia Sophia and Blue Mosques

There are thousands of mosques in Istanbul! But these two mosques stand out for their history and intricate architectural designs!

Words will fail me if I try to describe the beauty of these mosques! Because whaaat! Such iconic edifices!

Please note that in order to be granted admittance into both mosques, you must be moderately dressed, and women must wear head covers. I was prepared so didn’t have any issues at all .

A key tip to having a fun and stress free trip is to RESEARCH ! 

Yes! RESEARCH! RESEARCH!RESEARCH! Please read about all the places you intend to visit, and know what works for you . 

 However, don’t worry if you don’t have a scarf as a woman , they lend you one  at no cost to enable you to enter the mosque!  

Having said that…why will you cover yourself with community scarf 🤣. So please take your own oo, like I did!

 Entry to all the mosques is absolutely FREE! If you decide not to enter the mosque, you can definitely take photos in front of the blue mosque. It really is a beautiful place! 

2. Visit the Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower in the Galata/Karaköy quarter of Istanbul, Turkey, just to the north of the Golden Horn’s junction with the Bosphorus.

 It is a high, cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline and offers a panoramic vista of Istanbul’s historic peninsula and its environs.

 The Galata tower gives you a 360 degree bird’s eye view of Istanbul. And it is unbelievably beautiful! 

 You pay 30tl which is about $4 to enter the tower .

3. Take a trip to the neighborhood of Balat ! 

Balat is a down-to-earth neighborhood of narrow cobbled streets and colorful houses where hip cafes and cutting-edge galleries sit next to old-school neighborhood grocers.

Buildings like the Greek Ecumenical Patriarchate basilica, synagogues, and Byzantine churches attest to the area’s cosmopolitan past as a center for Jewish, Greek, and Armenian communities. 

The Chora Museum has golden mosaics and vibrant frescoes.

Lmao the pictures on the internet definitely look better than the reality. Still… go. Because it shouldn’t be glitz and glamor everyday.

I actually liked the vibe there although as I mentioned earlier, the country was on lockdown so the cafes, bistros and galleries were closed .

It was in Balat that I met the Colombians! And I will be writing about them in my next blog post . Suffice to say…that was one of the most memorable afternoons I’ve ever had as a solo traveler. 

4. Go to Grand Bazaar 

Grand bazaar was closed on this trip but I went there the first time I was in Turkey so it counts 😃

The Grand Bazaar (Turkish: Kapalıçarşı, meaning ‘Covered Market’; also Büyük Çarşı, meaning ‘Grand Market’, in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, wiith 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of 30,700 m2, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.

In 2014, it was listed No.1 among the world’s most-visited tourist attractions with 91,250,000 annual visitors. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls of the world.

With the above info, you know why you should go to Grand Bazaar. It will be a  truly unique experience!

5. For the culinary experience 

 See eh! Turkish food is so good! 

 What’s more! The food is reasonably priced. They will give you plenty of food and it will end up being under 100tl which is about $20 ! 

 So… if for nothing at all , please put Istanbul on your bucket list for the food . I gained 3kg in less than one week! 

 That should tell you how good the food is  and how affordable it is as well ! 

Please go and spend money on the food because the money you will use to buy the food isn’t the one you will use to buy a Mercedes Benz 🤣.

The culinary experience isn’t only about the food but the ambiance too! 

A lot of the eating areas are located by the sidewalks (alfresco),  or close to historic places with amazing views! So just go eat out in Istanbul!

6. Experience the Bosphorous on a yacht

See eh ! You cannot and I repeat you cannot go to Istanbul without taking that cruise too!

Yes the city runs on water and you can ferry everywhere like a bus : just hop on and off. But you need the yacht cruise experience!

Don’t do the big boats. Too crowded. Do the smaller grouped boats instead. And do so at sunset! It’s absolutely wow! 

Admire panoramic views that you ordinarily wouldn’t see!  And get access to excellent photo opportunities of Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque , the Rumeli fortress and many more local landmarks .

Just contact the Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Luxury Team here to book your best experience on the Bosphorus

7. Nightlife in Istanbul

Even though the country was on lockdown, I know for sure that Istanbul has an exciting nightlife! 

 The nightlife ranges from affordable to ultra luxury, and everything in between. In fact every budget is well catered for when it comes to Istanbul nightlife. 

 From what I saw the first time I visited Istanbul , there are nightclubs with a sea-view, or just a relaxing cafe serving you hookah, and some open all night long. 

According to my Colombian friends , they had their best shisha in Istanbul!  So for my Shisha lovers, you’ve a reason to go to Istanbul. Lol 

8. Play Dress Up as a Sultan/ Sultana of the various empires

9. Other places of interest to see or things to do in Istanbul

 Taksim  Square is a very popular spot . Also visit the Maiden’s Tower, Tophane and Marine museum , Topkapi Palace and Baslica Cistern . Attend a Sultana Belly dancing shows and dinner in Istanbul or even a dinner cruise on the Bosphorus.

 Just hop on and hop off the Big Bus to experience all these. Besides everything is really affordable!

There are 1000 and 1 things you can do in Istanbul ALONE!

 I’ve just scratched the surface so destination Turkey please! 

Outside of Istanbul, you can go to Cappadocia which I already wrote about here

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Generally Istanbul is super affordable!

See, this is the first place I’ve been to that I had a lot of change on me returning to my destination. The food , transportation, and everything is just budget friendly. 

 Yes you can go high brow, but there is no need to do that in Istanbul.  Just do budget friendly and your experience will be as exhilarating as someone who went all out ! And that’s why you must go to Istanbul!

How To Get To Turkey 

Most types of Visas for Turkey fall under three main categories.

 These are : e-Visa, Sticker Visa and Work Visa to Turkey. 

If you are going to Turkey for travel purposes, it is easier to get a Turkish e-Visa if you have a valid US, UK or Schengen Visa. 

I filled the online e-Visa form here since I have a valid UK Visa. 

The e-Visa fee is $60 per person. It is a quick and easy process to obtain the e-Visa. Once you are done with the payment, the e-Visa will be emailed to you in an hour’s time. (usually)

 If you do not have a valid US/UK or Schengen visa, you will need to download the form from one of the approved visa centers’ websites. Alternatively, fill the form online, print a copy, sign it and then submit the form to the centre.

 VFS centers can also help in obtaining the Turkish visa.

Where To Stay in Istanbul

I was at the Asian side and I wouldn’t advise anyone to go there. 

 Not because it’s not beautiful, but because all the fun and must see or do things are on the European side. 

So please find one of those budget friendly and yet eclectic places that are dotted in and around the Faith District which is a walking distance to everywhere! 

 PS : by the way if you’re rich and reading this , please lodge at the most expensive hotel in Istanbul, Ciragan Palace , Kempinski which starts from $500 a night and will be waking up to the Bosphorus every morning as views 😃

How to get around in Istanbul

Because I was on the Asian side , I was taking lots of taxis to the European side and it was just a drop in my pocket.

However, if you stay on the European side  just get a metrocard which you can use for both bus, and ferry which takes you everywhere!

Also download the Bitkaksi app (a ride hailing app ) here it’s very convenient for moving around.

 And bring along a good pair of sneakers because you will be doing a lot of walking around.

So you see! Istanbul is a whole vibe ! 😃

I tell you eh! I haven’t had as great an experience traveling to any country as I did in Istanbul! 

Everyday was a hit and I was so happy! And all as  a solo traveler! Imagine going with a friend?! 

 This and many more is why you must go to Istanbul too!!! .

 Don’t forget to look up at other cities in Turkey like Cappadocia and Antalya

So what’s the verdict? Is Istanbul on our bucket list ?! And oh please don’t forget to share with your family, friends and everyone on your social media

thanks, I really appreciate 😃