Yes, Istanbul is one of the new, great loves of tourists, especially from India. While Europe and the rest of the world always had it on their travel checklist, the countrymen back home have been bowled over as well. The charm of walking down an ancient city that beautifully bridges the gap with contemporary, Istanbul is a place like no other. If you, too, have plans or are roaming around one of its streets, we have experiences that are too good to resist. And yes, load in big boxes of baklava, for we will make you walk and explore Istanbul like the locals do.
Rustem Pasha Mosque
Istanbul has Hagia Sophia and that seals the deal. Well, not entirely, because Istanbul has so many parallels to it; parallels that are very well off the tourists’ to-do lists. If you are seeking something different than what the masses do, a visit to the Rustem Pasha Mosque is the perfect start. Built in 1563, this mosque is a visual treat with its splendidly blue Iznik tiles. Do not skip!
Church of St. George’s
You cannot miss this one even if you are an atheist or have little interest in all things religious. Another visual treat, the altar here will stun you beyond belief. An intricate display of craftsmanship, it has gold-leaf motifs and work that will look as beautiful in real as what its photoshopped versions look like.
Kuzguncuk
Once you are done with roaming around the more famous lanes of Istanbul, make Kuzguncuk your next stop. An erstwhile fishing village, it is more of Istanbul’s art district and is lined with art galleries, museums, and workshops of some of the most renowned names in the world of art, architecture, music and more. While in Kuzguncuk, there is no skipping the two Greek synagogues as well.
Rainbow Steps
This is, definitely, the most fascinating sights in the city; fascinating yet largely unexplored. Another visual delight, this colourful steps are the stuff that stunning Instagram posts are made of. These rainbow-coloured steps were painted by Huseyin Cetinel over four days; he opines that his reason was to make people smile. Yet, the move backfired as the government saw it as a sign of rebellion and painted it grey. In the end, the steps had to restored to their colourful glory in face of public outcry and protests all over the city. Quite some fascinating history.
Grand Bazaar
A trip to the Grand Bazaar is an essential if you seek to dive down the history of this city. It is often referred to as the oldest and largest covered market in the world. With more than 60 streets and 4000+ shops, the Grand Bazaar is a carnival of sorts. Also, if you have baklava on your mind, this is the place. What makes it a secret is the fact that you will hardly find any locals here, who might be wary of the huge number of tourists, including some of the world’s best photographers and filmmakers.
Eyup
Eyup is another secret that lies on Istanbul’s famous Golden Horn. It hardly sees any tourists, a fact of much wonder, as the views and charms of this place are nothing less than irresistible. The sudden expansive tree cover is, of course, a delight; plus, the ancient cemetery as well as some strangely-designed tombs. Walk up here for a bird’s eye view as well.
Egyptian Spice Bazaar
Well, there is really no skipping this one. It would be a sin to be in Turkey and not visit its spice bazaars. Another ancient setup, it was built in 1660 and has been since wooing spice aficionados from across the world. A great place to dig souvenirs, it has a fascinating variety of spices, dried herbs, coffee beans, dried fruits, honey and more. This is just the place if you do not mind losing yourself in a burst of colours. And, of course, a humongous range of Turkish delight.
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