12 things to do in Istanbul
Most often, rest in Istanbul is limited to the study of several attractions, a walk through the markets and a beach holiday. The city will reveal all its secrets only to those who are imbued with its spirit and understand the habits of its inhabitants. With the help of early booking of tours to Turkey, you can plan in advance an interesting, advantageous trip to the former Constantinople and see for yourself the city in which Eastern and Western cultures are mixed.
We will show you 12 things that you definitely need to do in Istanbul in order to turn a vacation into a solid adventure.
Take a sail trip and spend the sunset on a ferry between two continents
It is especially great to visit Istanbul during the sailing regatta and visit the boat of one of the participating teams. During the race, sailboats reach speeds of up to 53 km / h. Beautiful landscapes will give a cruise on the Bosphorus. In 5 hours you will see most of the city’s palaces and mosques. If you want to just take a couple of photos from the water, take a ride on a public ferry.
Get lost in Istanbul
Do not build routes, but just wander around the city. So, you will find the most unusual and hidden places, as well as get to know interesting people.
Bargain at the Grand Bazaar
Bidding is almost a holy process for Turkish sellers. Always insist on discounts. At the Grand Bazaar you will find many unique things at reasonable prices.
Feel like a sultan in the Turkish baths
After an hour of wiping off with a special exfoliating glove (kese), you will feel cleaner than ever. Finally, drinking tea after the procedure will help to relax. This paradise is worth about $ 50. In conclusion, you can dress up like a sultan in the Galata Tower.
Visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
Believe us – this is an incredibly powerful experience. Find a good guide to Hagia Sophia to get around it completely and see a Byzantine mosaic adjacent to Islamic calligraphy. Plan your visit to the Blue Mosque to get there not during prayers.
Visit the tea factory
It was in Istanbul that we learned how tea is made. It turned out that this is a long and painstaking process that has been refined over a thousand years. The Black Sea region is a great place to see production in action. It seems that tea in Istanbul is drunk everywhere and that is all. Be sure to try apple, pomegranate and black varieties of it.
Go through the Turkish Alps to the Black Sea coast
One of the exciting reasons to buy a tour to Istanbul is the opportunity to climb more than two kilometers and spend the night there. Follow this adventure from Istanbul to Ayder Valley. There you can drink water from pure streams, eat mountain honey and enjoy the beauty of nature.
See the medieval castle of Zilkale in the valley of storms
As it approaches, it seems that this castle appears from behind the clouds. After his research, you will certainly want to try Turkish cheese fondue. Do not give up this idea, because this delicacy is divine.
Visit the “village of birds” and listen to the ancient whistling tongue
The settlement of Kushkei (Ku? Köy) is quite difficult to reach, but worth it. The village is located in the mountains between the cities of Trabzone and Giresun. For centuries, its inhabitants used a whistling language (Kush Dili), imitating the melodic intonations of the Turkish language. It allows you to communicate over long distances. A man who was a few kilometers away at the top of a hill, jumped in a circle on one leg in response to our whistle.
Tame the hawk
For hundreds of years these beautiful and proud birds have hunted in the Turkish mountains. Locals catch hawks and train every year. After a few months, they are returned to the natural environment so that they remain wild.
Go to the Princes Islands
These are scatterings of small patches of land in the Sea of Marmara. It is on the Princes’ Islands that there are the best observation platforms, allowing to assess the scale of Istanbul. Yes, and walk on them is sheer pleasure: shady streets, fresh wind and no car noise.
Visit the Topkapi Palace
For four hundred years the sultans lived here with their concubines. It was a time of intrigue, short-sightedness, excesses and diplomatic wars. A luxurious palace complex will reveal to you all the secrets of the harem.
In different periods of history, Persians, Greeks, Venetians and Romans tried to seize Istanbul. The city always proudly and fiercely met enemies. Today, the Turkish pearl tirelessly wins our hearts and welcomes guests. Istanbul is worth your attention!
