A real spectacle

Loud, vibrant, sometimes contradictory — a city of continents, kebabs, cats, and contrasts, Istanbul leaves no one untouched.

 

When a city is home to over 15 million people, it's hardly ever a dull place. When that city is the cultural, economic, intellectual, and perhaps even emotional center of its country, life there will flourish. When its streets are home to amazingly friendly cats and dogs, their calm presence will rub off on the people too. And when this place is also located on two continents and by the water, it exudes so much character that it's hard to believe.

Istanbul is a destination that you can't prepare for and that can have very different effects on visitors. Some may find the fast pace of the city overwhelming, while others may find it challenging to find their way around given its size. However, Istanbul is sure to touch all travelers. Especially if you just go with the colorful chaos.

Just a bridge away from Asia.

 

The best way to do this is to explore the local cuisine, because Istanbul shows its affection (also) through the stomach. If you're feeling adventurous, you can join a guided food tour that slowly pushes the boundaries of participants' taste buds – a wonderful experience with many exciting insights into the city and country, far beyond the cuisine.

Those who are even more adventurous can explore the city's cuisine on their own. As everywhere south of the Alps, there are a few relatively reliable criteria for recognizing authentic places by their appearance. For example, listen carefully: the more Turkish you hear, the more authentic the cuisine. Neon lights, a running TV, and a fridge full of Coke are other characteristics. And if you're unsure, the people of Istanbul are helpful – no one will leave hungry.

People have lived in the area of today's city of Istanbul for over 8,000 years. Excavations have found traces of settlement from the Neolithic period, dating back to around 6500 BC. But you don't have to dig that deep to find today's striking landmarks: mosques, palaces, museums, and water everywhere. We also visited the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia extensively and learned a lot about Istanbul's history. We even discovered traces of a Viking (no, not a joke).

A city that has seen everything..

 

However, Istanbul's real attraction may not be concrete or marble. The highlight is the city itself. When you stand on the Bosphorus and look out over the water. When you realize that the other side is also another continent. When you let the sounds of the megacity wash over you and realize that hardly any movie offers such entertainment value. When another cat suddenly appears in a very unexpected place and demands a little attention.

Istanbul is quite a spectacle, everywhere and at any time. It is also clear that a city of this size cannot be without problems, but it seems to us visitors that there is nothing here that has not been overcome in some way over the last 8,000 years.

And so, after a few days, you leave Istanbul feeling that you have been torn away from this wonderful city far too soon, because you could probably spend a very long time exploring the different neighborhoods, museums, palaces, and, above all, people. In any case, the likelihood of returning is very high, because this magical place, somewhere between West and East, fills us with a little hope in its own unique way. Thank you, Istanbul – see you soon!

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Good to know

There are numerous flights to Istanbul from German-speaking countries. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus, for example, fly several times a day from Zurich. There are two airports to choose from. On the one hand, there is the newly opened Istanbul Airport (IST), which is huge and located relatively far outside the city, but works well. It takes about an hour to get to the city center by car or subway. The subway line is newly built and very easy to use. The other airport, Sabiha Gökcen (SAW), is located in the Asian part of the city and is mainly served by low-cost airlines. We haven't been there, but we've heard that this airport is chronically overcrowded.

It is also possible to travel by land, but this takes some time and a spirit of adventure. By train and bus from Zurich, you should allow around 40 hours of pure travel time. By car, the route is around 2200 m long, which corresponds to around 23 hours of driving time, for example via Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bulgaria.

There is a vast array of accommodation in Istanbul to suit all budgets. We stayed at the Westin Hotel in the elegant Nisantasi district, which is perfectly connected to the Osmanbey metro station and within walking distance of the central Taksim Square.

There are also countless restaurants, cafés, and bars. The following places stuck in our memory:

 

• Café Yüzde: Affordable, delicious, and popular with locals – from Dürüm to amazing desserts, it offers everything you would expect from fast Turkish food.

  
  

• Casius: A beautiful restaurant serving fresh dishes, including a good selection of vegetarian options.

  
  

• Salon Galata: Right in the center yet quiet, a very pleasant place for lunch.

  
  

• Degirmecioglu: Simple and tasty buffet-style street food and grilled dishes, affordable and very typical, located on a side street between Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar.

  
  

• There are many more exciting places to discover on a food tour from Yummy Istanbul – a small, guided adventure that we found very exciting.

 

When it comes to museums and other attractions, Istanbul has plenty to keep you busy for a long time. The famous Blue Mosque is well worth a visit, as is Hagia Sophia, located right next door. Not far from there, it's worth stopping off at the Yerebatan Cistern, also known as the Sunken Palace. Admission isn't cheap, but the unique atmosphere makes up for it. We particularly liked the "Istanbul Modern" Museum of Modern Art, which offers very interesting insights into contemporary art in Turkey and also has a great view over the Bosphorus.

What else travelers should know: Cats and sometimes dogs are omnipresent in the streets of Istanbul. Cats in particular appear in the most surprising places, even in restaurants or shops. The locals are generally very relaxed and friendly towards the animals, and some are also very actively involved in caring for them. People with allergies should simply be prepared for this.

A metropolis claimed by velvet paws.