Why You Should Visit Istanbul

Straddling two continents, any visit to Istanbul will be a one-of-a-kind adventure. With a vibrant old city full to the brim with cultural influences of the many empires that ruled here, layers of history will unfold before your every step. That, along with its energetic modern elements, great night life, and warm, warm locals, the city will quickly earn your admiration. Anyone who’s been can agree – Istanbul is something special.

If I’m being honest, I was nervous to visit Istanbul as a solo female traveler. Unfortunately it has a bad reputation; if you pay any attention to the news, you have heard of the terrorist attacks and political instability that the city/country struggles with. In the end, I had nothing to be nervous about. I was met with the friendliest locals who wanted to help me at every turn, absolutely unparalleled historical sights, and an overall atmosphere that felt overwhelmingly safe and welcoming. While terrorist attacks do (sparingly) happen here, and President Erdogan is nuts (but really how can I talk with my president?) – what country doesn’t have it’s share of problems? I’ve said it many times before but anything can happen to you anywhere at any time, and it’s irrational to completely avoid countries/cities for fear of an obscure possibility, to a certain extent. Turkey is so great that it’s worth any sort of “risk.”

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s what makes Istanbul so awesome:

No where else in Istanbul are the legacies of different empires so apparent as at the Hagia Sophia. Throughout its 1,400 year life-span, it has served as a cathedral, a mosque, and now a museum for all to take a gander. Take your time here, appreciating the mixture of elements that make this epic landmark what it is today. 30 Turkish Lira entrance fee ($9).

The Blue Mosque, aka the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a massive blue-adorned mosque built in the early 17th century during the rule of Ahmed I. The exterior is beautiful, but wait until you get inside and see what a stunning ceiling it boasts. It is currently still used as a mosque, but tourists are welcome to come and respectively visit the grounds. During your visit, the entrance (free of charge, btw) will provide you with a head covering, and arm/leg coverings if you need them. Muslims will be inside praying, so, like you should everywhere, visit with respect!

The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world! Criss-crossing covered pathways go on seemingly forever, selling everything from lamps to clothes to rugs – you name it! You could spend hours getting lost in this massive, chaotic, and energetic environment. Always bargain prices down for anything you buy here.

After visiting the Old Istanbul, I decided to check out the more modern side of the city. Once you start on Istiklal avenue, a large shopping district, you feel like you’ve entered a different era altogether. It exudes a contemporary ambiance that contrasts significantly with the rest of the historical city. At the end of the 1.4 km pedestrian street, you’ll find Taksim Square, which is home to fancy hotels, restaurants, and more shops.

The Bosphorus Strait separates Istanbul between the European and Asian side. It’s a great place to take a stroll, and even better – a boat tour. There are several choices differing in provider, length of the tour, and price, but all will offer spectacular views of Istanbul from the water!

Last but not least, both the cuisine and the local people of Istanbul are simply incomparable to other cities. Every time I looked even remotely lost, I had a resident pop up and show me the way, and one even bought my bus ticket because I didn’t have small change. Everyone I came in contact with, from the hostel owners to shopkeepers to waiters to people on the street, were simply genuinely kind and compassionate people. While its often the sights that draw me to any destination, its the interactions I have with people that really make me fall in love. Istanbul exceeded all of that. And, of course, Turkish cuisine was utterly delicious – hummus, pita, kebabs, and Turkish tea for every meal AND it’s super cheap! Also don’t miss the famous Turkish ice cream, Dondurma, where the vendors play fun tricks on you while you try to grab it from their hands.

Other tips: Dress modestly. You will see people in the newer part of Istanbul (Istiklal Avenue/Taksim Square) in every type of clothing, but in the old part of town, it’s best to cover your legs and shoulders at least, especially because you’ll be in and out of sights that require it as a dress code. For the best view of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, go to 7 Hills Restaurant on the rooftop. It was expensive, but the views made it worth it! Use the public transportation system, the tram is clean, fast, and efficient.

Overall, Istanbul is a freakin’ awesome city of contrasts and has officially made my list of favorite cities in the world. Come and see for yourself what makes it so special!