Istanbul Things to Do

There are plenty of things to do in Istanbul. From bargaining at the Grand Bazaar to indulging in a hammam, the opportunities abound. However, one that often gets overlooked is heading to the meyhane, Istanbul’s take on the tapas bar and haven where the raki flows, the traditional folk music (rasil) is performed, mezes are consumed and the mood is vibrant.

Going to Istanbul? Prepare to be astounded, for Istanbul is one of the most intriguing metropolises in the world.

For more than 1600 years the city served as capital for two major world empires, first of the Byzantines and then of the Ottoman Turks, and has remained the cultural capital of Turkey since the country’s founding in 1923. The brilliance and beauty of this long legacy can be found throughout the city, in its monuments and in the spirit of its people.

Throughout its extensive history Istanbul has also been attracting a certain type of traveler. As a “bridge” between Europe and Asia, the city has lured in foreigners from the West to see at first hand the mysteries of the East, and from the East to see at first hand the mysteries of the West.

Most visitors to Turkey in search of a beach holiday head straight to the brash resorts which line the Aegean or Mediterranean Seas. But Turkey’s verdant Black Sea coast, more or less as long as the Western seaboard of the United States, has some unspoilt gems well worth seeking out. Amasra is a perfect example.

Few cities have grown so big, so quickly as Ankara, once known as Angora (yes, like the goats’ wool, which originated near here). It’s only been the capitol of Turkey since 1923 but the tall buildings, prestigious modern government quarters and urban sprawl which have sprung up since then can’t completely disguise the city’s ancient origins. Here’s where to encounter Ankara’s distant past:

The ruins of Ephesus, one of the most impressive Greco-Roman settlements on the Mediterranean, are justly famous, drawing streams of visitors to Turkey year-round. Far fewer make it to Aphrodisias, the spectacular ruin of a city, largely destroyed by an earthquake in the 7th century. Its obscurity can be partly blamed on its location; it’s about 140 miles (230 km) to the largest big city, Izmir, and even further away from Istanbul.

Turkey may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of winter sports, but skiing and snowboarding centers are sprinkled across the country’s mountainous interior, offering surprisingly good runs and facilities. Turkey’s ski culture is still a work in progress so you can find some resorts running well short of capacity, and charging a lot less than their Central European equivalents.

Istanbul is one of the great shopping cities of the world. Shops, arcades and above all the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar offer handcrafts that come from all over the country. But if you want to leave the city behind and combine your sightseeing with shopping at the source, here are a handful of locations around Turkey to get you started.