Merhaba Turkiyeden! I’m finally making my way to visit Turkey. All these years of watching Turkish dramas have slightly paid off – just kidding! Considering I have a good ear, I think I could pick up the language easily if I tried. Noting this with the list of languages I’ve yet to master.
Turkey’s rich history and architecture have always fascinated me to the core. If you frequently visit my blog, you’ll know I’m an enthusiast for all things Islamic art and it’s the bigger purpose behind why I travel.
Back in grade school and university, I often geared my creative projects towards Islamic art, history, and development. I studied well-known architects like Mimar Sinan and many of the Ottoman architectural wonders, and to see it all come to life was breathtaking.
Turkey was everything I dreamt of and more. I stayed a total of 6 days, and it was worth every minute. Although I wish it was longer, my short stay gives me a reason to return. Turkey has a vibrant culture and one that shouldn’t be missed.
If you’re anything like me and love all things art, culture, and history, you’ll enjoy this short yet sweet guide to Istanbul.
About Istanbul
To start your trip, here are a couple of fun facts about Istanbul you don’t want to miss!
- Istanbul is the only city in the world that lies between two continents, both Europe and Asia
- Istanbul has been the capital of some of the largest empires including Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, but is not the modern-day capital. Ankara is the capital of Turkey.
- Istanbul has the highest number of mosques in the world, exceeding 3,000.
- During the Roman Empire, Emperor Constantine built the city on seven hills to match the seven hills of Rome. Imperial mosques are located in each of these seven hills.
- Istanbul is home to the third oldest subway in the world, after London and New York.
Halal Trip
Choosing to visit Turkey was inspired by Halal Trip (not sponsored). I was looking for experiences geared towards Muslim travelers, all while staying within my budget and timeframe. After multiple conversations with Leena and searching on Google and Instagram, I stumbled across Halal Trip. It was exactly what I was looking for. They had affordable deals, and everything was Muslim-friendly, with accommodation, tours, transportation, and food all included. The downside was I had to book my plane tickets separately.
Overall, I highly recommend checking their website and taking a look at the various travel destinations offered.
Entering Turkey
Do U.S. citizens need a Tourist e-visa to enter Turkey? The answer is yes. It’s a quick and easy process and can be applied anywhere and at any time. You can find more information on how to apply here.
Duration of stay
Since I was flying out of Hohhot, I took a flight to Beijing to access international flights to get to my final destination. From Beijing, I flew to Moscow, and eventually to Istanbul.
I only had a total of 8 vacation days, and 2 of those days were spent traveling to and from Istanbul. My tour package consisted of 4 days, 3 nights, and 2 days of organized tours in Istanbul. As for the remaining 2 days of my stay, I went on a road trip to Eskisehir – a small beautiful city west of Ankara.
Best time to visit
Spring (March to mid-June) is said to be the best time to visit Turkey, with the weather being moderate and the days long. The next is autumn, then summer, and winter is the last. I visited the first week of July, and I think the weather was a perfect temperature. There were humid and hot days, along with 1 to 2 rainy and/or foggy days. Just be prepared for the heat if you plan to visit during the summertime.
Where to stay – Sipahi Otel
Hostels and hotels are plentiful in the heart of Istanbul. As I mentioned, my accommodation was included in my tour package which made planning my trip a whole lot easier.
I stayed at the Sipahi Otel, located in the Fatih District and the heart of Istanbul. The hotel was clean, the service was great, the breakfast was wholesome, and everything about the location was convenient. A minute’s walk from the hotel, you’ll find the T1 tram line. This tram line gives you access to all the sites I’ve listed in the itinerary.
Getting around
Getting around the city, there’s a list of convenient and affordable options. For all public transportation (subway, tram, bus, boats, cable cars) you’ll need to purchase a card (Istanbul Kart). The card costs 7 TL, and money will need to be added for your trips. You can purchase the card at the small kiosks near the metro stations, bus stops, and piers. For more in-depth information on transportation in Istanbul, click here.
What to see
And now for the juicy stuff!
So much of my trip consisted of basking in the beautiful architecture, walking all over the city until I got blisters, making new friends, eating good food, and laughing and loving my heart out. I hope you fall in love with Turkey just as much as I did. Enjoy!
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque was the first site I visited on my tour. It was a complete splendor mashallah! It continues to function as a mosque today and is the most important mosque in Istanbul. The name was given because of the bluish interior decoration. Entering the mosque, as predicted, you’ll see a sea of tourists snapping pictures and surrounding the whole perimeter of the mosque, except for the prayer space.
It’s beautiful to see tourists from all over the world come to visit sites that hold a sacred history. At the same time, the amount of tourists becomes so overwhelming, and over time it affects the sacredness of a site. Nevertheless, there is no harm in visiting, but more so in forgetting what the purpose of the site is mainly for.
The first 4 sites, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, and the Topkapi Palace were only a 5-minute walk from my hotel. Depending on where your route starts, by tram, you’ll need to exit Sultanahmet.
Hippodrome
Located in Sultanahmet, the Hippodrome of Constantinople was a public arena mainly for chariot races during the Roman (203-330 CE), Byzantine (330-1453 CE), and Ottoman (1453-1922) periods. It was first constructed during the Roman Empire and was later rebuilt by Constantine I when the city was conquered and renamed Constantinople. During the Ottoman Empire, it was named Horse Square (At Meydani), although was used as a square.
Construction of the Ibrahim Pasa Palace in the 16th century and the Blue Mosque in the 17th century damaged the hippodrome, and it soon became abandoned and destroyed.
Today, the area is known as Sultanahmet Square and you’ll find many shops, restaurants, and activities taking place. It’s also very lively at night, and beautiful to witness.
Hagia Sophia
What is a trip to Turkey if you don’t visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia, honestly speaking? Constructed during the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century as a Greek Orthodox Christian cathedral, it eventually became an Ottoman imperial mosque during the Ottoman Empire. From 1934 to 2020 it functioned as a museum and now has returned to a mosque.
The Hagia Sophia only took 5 years to construct, making a complete architectural masterpiece considering the technique and beauty that was put into constructing it in the given period.
Topkapi Palace
Alongside the Hagia Sophia, you’ll find the Topkapi Palace. The palace housed and was the administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans during the 15th century. The palace has 4 main courtyards, a massive kitchen, mosques, a hospital, many pavilions, and a Harem. It now serves as a museum, and you’ll find many artifacts stored and preserved in the palace.
Make sure to pay close attention to the details of the buildings. They’re delicate and beautifully crafted!
Suleymaniye Mosque
Not too far of a walk from Istanbul University, you’ll find the Suleymaniye Mosque. This particular mosque was a must for me to visit. As I mentioned earlier, I studied Mimar Sinan and this was one of his artistic masterpieces that stood out to me. I highly advise reading about the architect and the mosque before you visit. You won’t regret it.
Entering the mosque’s courtyard, I had one of those Subhanallah moments, and my heart was full. I also broke down into tears from how emotionally overwhelmed I was.
If you plan on taking the tram, exit at Çemberlitaş. From there you’ll have to walk about 10 minutes to get to the mosque. On the way, you’ll pass shops, the Istanbul University, more shops, and residential housing.
If you’re a solo traveler like myself, I advise you not to stay too late near the mosque, as I was advised the same.
Eminönü – Bosphorus Cruise
The Bosphorus boat ride is a trip that takes you around the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. Along the way, you’ll pass both the Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, and many other historical and architectural sites. More information on tour options for the Bosphorus cruise can be found here.
My tour began with a 20-30 minute drive from my hotel to the European side of Istanbul, where we drove over the Bosphorus bridge. After arriving at the pier, my tour guide and I took the boat to the Asian side of the city. The boat docked near the Spice Bazaar, and y’all know how I get with markets. Keep reading!
Spice Bazaar
Located in Eminonu and across from where you can take the Bosphorus Cruise is the Spice Bazaar. If you’re a market junkie like me, take caution. Though it’s very touristy and you’ll likely pay extra for whatever items you buy, everything is very beautiful and tempting. And did I mention the number of options you have? With about 85 shops located in the covered market, expect to be overwhelmed.
I recommend not splurging on much the first couple of days and just looking and comparing prices. Once you have an idea of what’s a reasonable price to pay for what you are looking for, roll with it. And don’t forget to bargain, likewise be reasonable as well! Mama taught me well.
Grand Bazaar
No differently, the Grand Bazaar although bigger, is one of the largest and oldest bazaars in the world. It covers more than 60 streets and alleys, with over 4,000 shops. You’ll find everything from spices to textiles, accessories and apparel, souvenirs, and gifts. In other words, it’s a death trap for me.
Walking around the shops you’ll notice a lot of store workers trying to holler and get your attention to buy something. Be wary of them sweet talkers. They’re very bold. I had a man shamelessly tell me he’d help me find a boyfriend so I wouldn’t get cheated at the market. When I declined his offer, he boldly said he could fill the position. Men and their recklessness, eh.
By tram, the exit to the bazaar is Beyazit. It’s also a nice walk if you prefer to do so. As for all the sites listed here as well.
Main highlights
- Meeting a Colombian family at the Topkapi Palace and exchanging conversation.
- Meeting Naima, Saida, and Zahra while I was sitting alone at a restaurant lol.
- Entering the Suleymaniye Mosque and letting all my emotions out.
- Seeing cats everywhere!
- Having a deep conversation about history, Islam, and Turkey with my tour guide.
- The fish sandwich I ate at the pier near the Spice Market *chef’s kiss*.
- Buying Turkish pillowcases to add to my collection (I collect pillowcases from every country I visit).
- Visiting art shops and meeting artists.
Bucket list for next time
- Princess Islands
- Selimiye Mosque
- Galata Tower
- Ephesus
- Cappadocia
- Izmir
- Ankara
If my short and sweet guide to Istanbul was helpful, let me know in the comments below! Have any additional places in mind to add to my Turkey bucket list for next time, I’d love to hear them!
Until next time, teşekkür ederim Turkey!
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