Nothing quite says Turkey, like a big box of yummy Turkish Delight. Made from a mixture of jelly, crushed nuts and icing sugar, these yummy treats have been a staple delicacy throughout Turkey since the late 18th century. You won’t struggle to find a huge variety of Lokum for sale around each and every corner of Istanbul, from market stalls to corner shops, just be sure to try out all the different flavours at least once, you won’t regret it!

Istanbul is one of those city’s that’s best viewed from up high. The iconic Galata Tower is the perfect spot for visitors to grab a stunning bird’s eye view of the city and to truly appreciate its incredible size and magnificent scale. Istanbul is the only city in the world to span across two continents, marvel as you admire the distinct contrast and differences between the city’s Asian and European sides.

Standing at an impressive 63 metres high, the medieval stone tower of Galata is situated in the beating heart of Istanbul’s Old Town, in the ancient district of Karakoy. The tower originally dates back to the year 528 but was later rebuilt into its current form during the 14th century. Dishing up stunning panoramic views over Istanbul’s fascinating Old Town, the Galata Tower is open daily from 9am to 7pm, with tickets available to purchase at the base of the tower. A bespoke restaurant can also be found at the top of the tower, offering a wide selection of local cuisines alongside exquisite views of the city.

The Whirling Dervishes belong to the Mevlevi Order of Sufism, founded back in the 13th Century in the central Turkish city of Konya. Whilst Konya is arguably the best spot to witness an authentic Dervish performance, there are still a number of great options available in Istanbul. The actual practice of whirling is a worshipping ceremony and also a form of meditation for the Sufi Dervishes. Their aim is to focus solely on God, whilst they are transported into a state of perfection as they ‘whirl’ away any negative and challenging thoughts. Remember to remain courteous and respectful whilst watching a Whirling Dervish show, these performances aren’t purely for entertainment purposes, they’re also extremely spiritual and importantly religious.

Even from the side lines you’ll be transported into another world, thanks to the show’s mesmerising music and utterly breathtaking performance. If you’re intrigued by this fantastic experience, you’re in luck, Istanbul has a number of spots scattered across the city that are perfect for catching one of these spellbinding shows, each covering different days of the week. I’d highly recommend booking your tickets a few days prior to your intended show as performances tend to fully sell out in advance.

Ahhh kebabs, those mouth-watering, juicy pockets of delicious joy. Where better to enjoy a kebab than in its original home, Turkey! The kebab is believed to date back to the 1300’s, when Turkish soldiers would skewer hunted animals on the end of their sword and cook them over an open fire. Nowadays, kebabs are prepared in a much more conventional way and can be found on almost every street corner across Istanbul.

Kebabs are a staple dish served almost everywhere in Istanbul, from five star restaurants to small, makeshift takeaway stands. Personally, I prefer finding a nice hidden takeaway spot over a big name restaurant, these places are often run by proper locals, offering a more genuine and authentic tasting experience of the local cuisine. You’ll certainly pack on a few pounds after a few days of sampling the delicious delights and delicacies of Istanbul, it’s definitely all worth it though!

A common image associated with Turkey is a cosy, smoke filled café packed full of colourful and extravagant hookah pipes. These authentic pipes first became popular across Turkey in the 1700’s, during the height of the Ottoman Empire. Since then, hookah pipes have reached almost every corner of the globe and can be found in virtually every city in the world. Predominately crafted out of colourfully engraved glass, these exquisite pipes are a famous Turkish handicraft made for the purpose of smoking and enjoying a wide range of flavoured tobaccos.

Sitting in one of Istanbul’s famous Hookah Cafés or lounges is an experience in itself, enjoy the relaxed and chilled out vibe that accompanies the art of smoking Hookah, whilst admiring the buzzing and bustling city beyond the vividly tinted windows. You won’t need to look far to find a spot for indulging in a spot of Hookah, there are lounges and cafes around almost every corner. Just be careful though, it’s extremely easy for time to fly by in these super chilled out abodes and you still have so much more of Istanbul to explore!

Beneath the busy and bustling streets of Istanbul, lies the immaculately stunning Basilica Cistern, the largest in a collection of several hundred ancient cisterns built below the surface of the city. This incredible engineering marvel was completed between the years 527-565 by Byzantine Emperor, Justinian I. The Basilica Cistern’s purpose was to supply water during ancient times to the Great Palace and its surrounding buildings. Thanks to its enormous size and impressive network of interconnecting aqueducts, the cistern was capable of gathering and storing an unbelievable 80,000 cubic metres of water within its walls.

Not only does the cistern boast a fascinating history, but it also oozes jaw dropping beauty with the structures 105,000 square foot ceiling being held up by 336 exquisite marble columns, each measuring an incredible nine metres in height. Even with its gigantic size, the Basilica Cistern is still incredibly detailed, the structure is not only super intricate but also mesmerizingly symmetrical.

The entrance to the Basilica Cistern is located slightly south west of Hagia Sophia, right in the centre of Sultanahmet. Descending the entrance’s 52 stone steps is also a great way to grab a break from the perilous summer heat of Istanbul, due to the cistern’s cooler underground temperatures.

The Bosphorus Strait is an exceptionally busy and strategically important waterway, that forms part of the continental boundary between Europe and Asia. The Bosphorus is one of the narrowest straits in the world, connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean and is also a vitally important route for the shipping of oil from parts of Russia to the rest of the world. There’s never a dull moment along the Bosphorus Strait, it sees an incredible 48,000 ships pass through its waters every single year. It’s not just purely shipping the waterway is famous for though, the Bosphorus is also an absolute fisherman’s paradise, attracting a wide variety of fish species throughout the year as they migrate between the differing and ever changing sea temperatures.

With the Bosphorus slicing right through the heart of Istanbul, it’s easy to see why hopping aboard a Bosphorus Cruise is one of the best ways to admire and take in a vast part of this spectacular city. There are a whole load of iconic sights lining the shores of the Bosphorus, from the prestigious Galata Tower and remarkable Blue Mosque to the elegant Maiden’s tower and impressive continent connecting bridges. Be sure to check out the different options available, as a number of boat companies operate along the Bosphorus, each featuring their own unique itinerary and inclusions. Oh, and of course, don’t forget to pack your camera!

Hagia Sophia is an utterly stunning spectacle, not only from the outside, but also from the inside, its incredible architecture and intricate detail is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. This incredible building was built over 1400 years ago, way back in the 6th Century, between the years 532 – 537 and still to this day stands proudly and majestically in the deep beating heart of Istanbul. Constructed during the reign of the Byzantine Empire, the Hagia Sophia was originally commissioned as a Church, until 1453 when the building was repurposed into a Mosque by Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed II and later transformed into a museum in the year 1935, by the then Turkish President. More recently, in 2020, the Turkish President made the controversial decision to once again convert the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque, however the doors have remained open for tourists to visit.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is open daily from 9am – 5pm, allowing visitors to marvel at the building’s sensational architecture and fascinating history. With the building’s design having been influenced over a number of centuries, the style and structure of Hagia Sophia elegantly displays the captivating history of multiple empires, cultures and religions. Without a doubt, Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest architectural marvels the world has ever seen and certainly deserves a spot on every visitor’s itinerary of Istanbul.

Istanbul’s famous Grand Bazaar is one of the largest markets on the planet, covering an area of over 30,000 square metres and boasting more than 4000 individual shops, across 64 bustling streets. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s only a place for shopaholics though, purely wandering the laneways of the Grand Bazaar is an experience in itself. The Bazaar’s elaborate labyrinth of vibrant stalls and stores are absolutely bursting with exciting energy and authentic culture. Almost a city in its own right, the Grand Bazaar is also home to an abundance of restaurants, bars, banks and even has its very own police station and mosque.

The Grand Bazaar is often referred to as the world’s first shopping mall, originally springing to life back in the year 1461 and continuing to grow in size and reputation ever since. Today, the Grand Bazaar attracts over 250,000 daily visitors, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions in the entire world! You can find almost anything and everything at the Grand Bazaar, but the market is most famous for its extensive and varied collections of jewellery, lanterns, carpets, textiles and ceramics.

The Grand Bazaar is open daily from 10am-6pm, so you’ll have plenty of time to browse and explore, don’t be scared of getting lost within the market’s winding lanes, that’s all part of the fun! Just make sure you’ve got your bargaining hat on when visiting, as bartering the price of a product is a huge part of Turkish culture. Don’t forget to shop around before you make a purchase too, often the best bargains are found away from the market’s main, central streets!

The absolute best thing to do in Istanbul is marvel at the remarkable beauty and elegance of the magnificent Blue Mosque. This phenomenal and prominent building has stood the test of time for over 400 years, standing tall and proud in the beating centre of Istanbul. The Blue Mosque, officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is an incredibly important religious site and also a heavily symbolical structure for all Turkish Muslims. Due to its sheer size and vast area, the Blue Mosque is capable of holding up to an astonishing 20,000 worshippers at a time.

No expense or detail was spared during the construction of the Blue Mosque, the building is not only a testament to the incredible power and wealth of the Ottoman Empire, but also showcases the empire’s strong history and important connection to Islam. The Blue Mosque’s exterior famously recognisable, thanks to the six 210 feet high minarets that protrude from the buildings roof. These architecturally stunning minarets surround the holy complex, giving the mosque its astonishingly grand and majestic appearance.

The Blue Mosque is open to visitors on a daily basis, with the exception of prayer times, at which point the mosque is only open to worshipping Muslims. As the Blue Mosque is an Islamic site, all visitors must ensure their knees and shoulders are covered at all times. Women will also need to wear a headscarf during their visit, these are available to borrow free of charge from the mosque’s entrance.