If you are looking for that once-in-a-lifetime travel experience, let me introduce you to Istanbul, Türkiye.
This article is part two of Exotic Istanbul. If you missed part one, please read it here. It covers getting around the city, our accommodation, the Hippodrome, the Hagia Sofia, and the Blue Mosque.
The Spice Bazaar
Istanbul has two iconic, and ancient bazaars. The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is Istanbul’s most famous bazaar. But I opted to visit the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. Built in 1664, the Spice Bazaar wins the prize for being the most colorful, and fragrant ancient bazaar.
This market offers just about every spice you can think of, and some I had never heard of, all heaped in colorful pyramids. It’s a feast for the eyes as well as the nose. Aside from the spices, you can find every kind of tea you ever dreamed of, along with the famous Turkish Delight candies of every color and flavor. I sampled several of these and had to buy a small bag.
You can also find herbal remedies, perfumes, dried fruits, nuts, baklava, olive oils, cheeses, Turkish coffees, Turkish rugs, incredible brass, silver, and ceramic wares, and my favorite – the beautiful Turkish lamps, and so much more! And the vendors do expect you to haggle with them over prices.
There was so much to see inside the covered market, and it continued on into the streets surrounding the outside. It was great fun, and I will definitely be visiting the Grand Bazaar on my next trip to Istanbul.
Galata Bridge
The Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn which gets its name from its horn shape. This waterway is the primary inlet of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, where the strait meets the Sea of Marmara. The Galata Bridge carries vehicles, pedestrians, and a tram line. This is the fifth version of the bridge to be built here on this site. This romantic looking bridge has been the subject of many paintings, poems, books, and featured in several movies, and it is also known to be an iconic fishing spot.
There are two walking levels on the bridge, and in 2003 restaurants started to open on the underside of the bridge. We spent several hot afternoons here, each time enjoying a plate of fried anchovies and a beer. You can sit back and watch the fishermen reel their catch in to the top level. There is also a killer view on both sides of the bridge.
On the Eminonu side of the bridge you can find these beautiful boats that sell a famous fish sandwich called Balik Ekmek, meaning fish and bread. These were quite tasty, but I much preferred the fish wrap found on the Karakoy side of the bridge. Small vendors with coolers full of fresh fish and a grill offered lavash flatbread, grilled fish, fresh veggies, and sauces.
Fun fact: It is even thought that the card game “Bridge” acquired its name because the British soldiers who invented it crossed the Galata Bridge on their way to their favorite coffee houses.
The bridge is nice to walk across and just take in the scenery and watch the fishermen, and a very convenient way to see more of the city.
Basilica Cistern
One of the few things not in walking distance for us was the Basilica Cistern. We took the tram, and it was quick and easy. Arriving early, we were among the first few to enter and enjoyed this massive place with only a handful of other tourists.
Built in the 6th century, the subterranean Basilica Cistern is another amazing piece of history and ingenuity. This is an ancient aqueduct that carried water from 12 miles away to be stored here in the cistern for the city’s elite to use. The 336 columns that support this underground cistern are actually recycled marble and granite columns from older buildings that were in the area at that time. It makes you wonder how old those buildings were!
These columns include two massive blocks from the late Roman period, that are carved with the head of the Medusa. These blocks were placed upside down to negate the power of the Gorgon’s gaze and are pretty amazing. Once holding almost 3 million cubic feet of water, the cistern keeps only a small amount today for aesthetic purposes.
This place has been featured in quite a few movies and I can see why. It is enormous inside, and the color changing lights give it an other-worldly and mesmerizing feel. The closer I looked at the ancient support columns, the more impressed I became. Some of them are intricately carved with flowers or vines, or Ancient Greek writings. As its name suggests, the Basilica Cistern is grand in scale and definitely worth a visit.
Galata Tower
The Galata Tower is an old Genoese tower in the Galata section of the Beyoglu (Bay-oh-Lou) district. Just a few blocks’ walk from our hotel, the tower was built at the highest point of the ancient walls of Galata. It served as a watchtower for invaders, then used as a prison for over 200 years, and then as a lookout tower for fires.
The tower is a historical symbol of this area, and it is really beautiful at night. It actually gets quite congested in the evenings and a little hectic. We walked up to it one evening and it was lovely. Then we went back early one morning to take pictures before all the tourists rolled in.
The tower is surrounded by nice restaurants and a variety of shops. It was at one of these small restaurants that we first tried Midye Dolma. Popular as street food and in restaurants, these are steamed mussels stuffed with aromatic rice. A squeeze of fresh lemon on top and they are truly delicious. My husband and I would polish off about 60 every time we went out for them.
Sulaymaniye Mosque
There are 3,000 mosques here in Istanbul and many of them are very impressive. We had visited a few already and one that absolutely deserves mention is the Sulaymaniye Mosque. It is beautiful and spacious inside, covered with amazing tile work. The outside is surrounded by lovely lawns and gardens.
This mosque is one of the best known sites in Istanbul and offers a commanding view of the Golden Horn. It is also one of the largest Ottoman era mosques in the city. It was built in 1550 by Suliman the Magnificent. I love that name. I love all these ancient rulers’ names here, they end with “the Magnificent,” “the Great,” “the Mighty,” “the Supreme,” Emperor, or Cesar. These guys let it be known what they were all about.
You can also visit the cemetery where the mausoleums of Suliman the Magnificent and his wife Hurrem Sultan can be found. Her mausoleum is especially lovely inside, covered with the blue Iznik tiles. This site is also free to visit.
Kadikoy
One morning we took one of the many ferries that cross the strait, to check out the Kadikoy neighborhood on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Kadikoy was actually named one of the 50 “coolest” neighborhoods in the world, along with being the liberal cultural center of the Anatolian side of Istanbul.
Even though this area is home to many bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops, it still has a more relaxing vibe than the European side does. This laid back area is famous for its fish and produce markets. Knowing that, we decided to just spend the whole day here and check it all out.
I loved wandering the streets here. The fresh fish and produce were amazing to look at, as was the neighborhood itself. After wandering around for an hour or so, we stopped at a corner bakery for some Baklava and Çay (Turkish tea). Everything was delightful.
The shopping here was great as well. I ended up with a new outfit and some Nazar Boncugu, or the famous Blue Eye talismans, to take home for gifts. We had a wonderful seafood lunch at one of the restaurants adjacent to the fish market. This is where I tried Raki for the first time. It’s popular to drink along with and after meals here in Turkey. I liked Raki more than I thought I would. With its strong anise flavor, poured over ice and a touch of water, I actually fell in love with the refreshing taste.
We ended up coming over here to spend another day during our time in Istanbul. During this trip we had a tasty lunch of Manti. This local dish features small ravioli like pouches stuffed with chunks of lamb. Topped with yogurt and either garlic or tomato sauce; it is amazing! I think I would like to stay here in the Kadikoy neighborhood on our next visit.
My husband and I both absolutely fell in love with Istanbul. In part three of Exotic Istanbul, I will be introducing you to the magnificent Topkapi Palace, Gulhane Park, and the Bosphorus Long Cruise.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you like discovering new foods either at home or when traveling? What are some places you have visited and what new food or drink did you discover there?