You know where I am talking about, but this post is about what I really loved about the place.

Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city. It is the only place of its size to straddle two continents – Europe and Asia, with the Bosphorus Strait separating both of them. Home to over 15 million people, it is vibrant, chaotic, and beautiful at the same time.

But what makes this place so attractive to me? Well, for starters, let’s digest through some pictures here, shall we?

History and Architecture

The familiar names of Constantinople and Byzantium were what the city was known as. With countless empires vying for the throne of becoming the imperial capital, from the Roman to the Byzantine to the Ottoman, history has flipped its pages here for centuries.

Modern-day Turkey is an Islamic nation, but if you enter places like the Hagia Sophia, you can still see mosaics of Christian holy characters on the walls. This is about preservation and respect, as the place was once the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years. Still, Hagia Sophia today is a wonder to behold; the architecture is mind-blowing, and there is so much to be amazed by just in the building alone!

There are so many historic sites in the city; I only went to three. This is not something I’m very proud of, as I should have stayed longer to explore more. Topkapi Palace is a marvel of tiled interiors and classy lamps, a huge place of enormous rooms and lavish furniture, and not to forget, gardens that overlook the city where you can just admire how incredible this city is. Which brings us to the next segment…

Great Vistas

Istanbul is a paradise for the landscape photographer. Sitting in a very strategic location with water dividing it into various sections, you can easily find some good scenes to capture. But even if you put your camera down for a while, your eyes will be in love with what you look at. This is one of the most spectacular cities I have visited when it comes to skyline; you can see multi-storied buildings clash with the towering minarets and domes of ancient mosques. Then the closer you are to the water, the more epic the view becomes.

Seagulls flutter their way around the sky, freely making their wing moves with tolerable shouts, telling everyone that they are near the sea. I really like places like this; I don’t know, seagulls just make a place so much better to be in, since I have an affair with the ocean…

But you don’t have to climb to the highest point or hop on a ferry to get the best views. Simply walk on the Galata Bridge and see local fishermen trying their best catch while having such an impressive view of the other side of the city. Or zigzag your way to some hidden cafes, such as the one at Buyuk Valide Han, where you will be rewarded with a picturesque scene of busy Istanbul, with a company of a hot Turkish tea.

The Local Life

Being the largest city in Turkey, you don’t really need to expect too much about its local culture. It has all the big sights and sounds, and the traffic as well. But embrace it while you join the crowds; you will then see its true identity.

It is nice to be patriotic about your country, and the Turkish people are very, very proud of their homeland. Nowhere in the world have I been to have so many national symbols hanging on the front of shops, alleyways, and anywhere that seems potential for them. In Istanbul, you get to see the crescent and star flag almost everywhere, and the shimmering lamps and string droplets of the evil eye serve as ornaments wherever.

But these don’t really define what Istanbul really is. It is the people. Their smiles and welcoming gestures made my time in the city a wonderful one. People really do try their best to help you, only expecting as little as a visit to their business as a return, or nothing at all. Life may seem busy in Istanbul, but it is a joyful one.

Did I mention anything about the food? Other than tea, the people here showcase their cuisine in the best way possible. Everything is mouthwatering, from gigantic kebab meats to hearty dishes like manti. If you have a sweet tooth, fill your appetite with some crispy baklava, or a classic Turkish ice cream to sum up your meal. There is just so much to eat.

Magic Moments

So what do I mean by magic moments? The magic moments were the times that I got amazed by the most, like experiencing a glorious sunset or having thousands of glass lamps lighting up in front of me. Istanbul does offer all that, and there is just so much more to be enchanted by; I was only there for two days…

First written in November 2019