Viator Viator Travel Blog

On a recent trip to Europe I had the pleasure of spending time in Istanbul, Turkey. The city is enchanting, bustling with people, and can intrigue any visitor. Istanbul has it all from ancient history to delicious food to phenomenal art and architecture to endless shopping…the list could go on forever. I want to share some memories from the journey to Istanbul:

1. Call to Prayer: Istanbul is home to millions of people looking at faith in different ways. Over 90% of the Turkish population are Muslim but anyone in Turkey has freedom of religion and beliefs. My traveling partner had lived in Kuwait city for a little over a year and was explaining the call to prayer to me on the plane ride to Turkey. I had most definitely read about the call to prayer and discussed it with others, but had never been in a city where I actually heard the call to prayer. The Muslim is called to prayer five times a day. The call to prayer is heard at dawn, at midday, the middle of the afternoon, just after sunset, and then about two hours after sunset. The muezzin, a man appointed to call to prayer, climbs the mineret of the mosque, and he calls in all directions, “Hasten to prayer.” Many mosques no longer require the muezzin to climb the mineret. Instead, a loud speaker carries the message. Bright and early the first morning I was startled awake by the speaker. It is actually quite a beautiful experience and for some reason felt calming each time I heard it.

2. Bazaars: If you want leather goods, Istanbul has it. If you want spices, Istanbul has it. If you want backgammon boards, Istanbul has it. If you want scarfs, shampoo, hookahs, shoes, tiles, jewelry, bags, rugs, Istanbul has it. This city is a shopaholics dream. And there is no better way to experience this firsthand than at the Grand Bazaar or Spice Bazaar. These bazaars are the nucleus of shopping in this great city. You enter and are overwhelmed (in a good way I think) with the endless stalls of merchants selling their goods, heckling for prices, and offering tea to get you to come in and stay a while. You could spend a whole day in the Grand Bazaar leaving with a shopping euphoria that matches no other. People are everywhere. Shopkeepers ask you to come in and drink some tea with intentions of selling their goods to you. If you head to the Grand Bazaar be sure to just take it all in, ask for a good price, and revel in the atmosphere. There is really no comparison in the USA. The Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) is a smaller version of the Grand Bazaar and much more manageable. We actually went into this bazaar with a guide and she took us to a wonderful spice shop where we hung out, drank tea, sampled fruits and nuts, and of course made purchases for pals back home.

3. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque: Pictures just don’t do these architectural gems justice. I could stare at both these places of worship for hours on end and never get bored. The look of them changes throughout the day as the light shifts. The Hagia Sophia as it stands now was built between 532 and 537. It is an exquisite example of Byzantine architecture. Muslim, Jewish and Christians have all prayed under it’s massive dome. The inside of the church is ornate with painted designs, golden angels and Muslim medallions. The iron-clad chandeliers are lit by individual candles and the pathway up to the top feels cave-like. I could have spent all day looking up at the intricate designs. The Blue Mosque is still very much an active place for muslim worship. Along with the Hagia Sophia it is the most prominent landmark in Istanbul. Construction of the mosque began in 1609 and the entire complex was completed in 1616. The elements I remember most vividly are the Turkish rugs, light through the stained glass, and blue cloth I had to wear over my head. If you have the privilege to enter this place of worship please be mindful and cover your head, take your shoes off, and turn off the flash on your camera.
4. Turkish Baths: On my list of the things to do before I die, a Turkish bath was a big front runner. The Turkish bath or Hamam is more or less a branch of the steam bath. It dates back to when the Turks arrived from Anatolia. These Hamams were not only places to relax and cleanse the skin but were part of daily life. No matter what your status, class or ranking in society all residents could come and go freely. Let me just say that it is difficult to put into words the experience at the Cemberlitas Hamam. You really cannot fully understand and enjoy it unless well you have had the pleasure to sweat it out in the steam room. Essentially you are wrapped up in a light fringed cloth or pestemal while relaxing on the raised marble slab. Heat and steam infiltrate your pores from every which way. Once it is your turn a friendly turkish lady scrubs you down with a kese (rough mit cloth). Layers of skin are removed and a massage follows. Once the treatment is completed you are lead out of the bath dazed and confused but thoroughly relaxed. This description is general but one has to see it to believe it. We took one of our traveling friends there for her birthday one birthday she will never forget.
5. Food & Drink: Anyone who likes to eat and drink well will enjoy Istanbul. This city has the best OJ I have ever tasted. I think I drank three huge glasses a day. Turkey is known for it’s succulent fruits and the juices confirm it. Tea, now I didn’t figure out the tea situation until a couple of days in. Shopkeepers serve tourists this way too sweet apple cider like tea. It is sold everywhere but is way too sweet and syrupy for me. The Turkish themselves drink a black more bitter tea. This tea was tasty and once I found it I couldn’t stop drinking it. Efes Pilsen, was the Turkish beer I consumed the most and goes great with shisha. And of course we cannot forget about Raki, the clear grape brandy flavored liquor with anise and diluted with water. This liquor is delicious and misleading with it’s clear appearance. Be careful not to over do it, ha. Turkish bread is baked fresh each day and is soft and delicious. Vegetables marinated in oils spices and vinegars certainly appease the appetite. We went to great lengths to eat well and succeeded. Turkish style pizza, a vegan restaurant, kebabs, tables full of mezes. My favorite evening was the one spent on the Nevizade. This is charming alley lined with outdoor restaurants serving delicious food. The roasted peppers, mushrooms, lamb and seafood were so savory.

This is just a sneak peak of the memories of endless wandering, wide-eyed viewing and jovial interaction. Find out for yourself and head to Turkey!

–Liz P

Planning a trip? Browse all of Viator’s tours and things to do in Istanbul. If you need a place to stay, check out Hotels in Istanbul on Planetware.com.