What NOT to do in Istanbul

What NOT to do in Istanbul

Heading to Istanbul or moving there and unsure of how to make the most of out of the city? We´re sure you’re familiar with some of the city’s most magical locations, but do you know what to NEVER do in Istanbul?

Don’t wear revealing clothing to mosques

Goes without saying but perhaps a solid reminder. Respect Turkish etiquetteand dress appropriately (cover as much of your skin as you can) – especially in mosques and churches.

Don’t stick to foods you know

Be adventurous and explore your taste buds. Istanbul is home to some of the most delicious foods (and plenty of new spices) you can find and we can guarantee you will fall in love with at least a few of them. Doner kebab, baklava, mercimek, sutlac rice pudding, dondurma sticky ice cream, sesame seed covered pretzels and delicious street food – Istanbul is an absolute paradise for foodies. And don’t even bother visiting McDonalds or Starbucks.

Don’t take a taxi (unless you really have to)

As most large cities (we’re looking at you, London), taxis are expensive and the journey through the never-ending traffic can be draining – walk and explore new neighborhoods (or better yet, those more daring can also ride a bike).

Don’t fall into tourist traps

Istanbul is the 6th most visited city in the world and thrives off tourism. Whether you are a newly-moved resident or just visiting, you should steer clear off common tourist traps and always keep an eye on your belongings. Turks are extremely friendly and will help you with everything you might need – but as you know, you can always find trouble in every city.

Don’t ignore the city’s most popular attractions

Yeah, we know they’re touristy and there’s crowds, cliches and huge waiting queues. But it’s Istanbul and there will be crowds everywhere you go. Landmarks like Aya Sofya, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and Dolmabahçe Palace will bring an unforgettable (and sometimes very much needed) zen into your life that you won’t be able to get anywhere else so put them back on your travel itinerary.

Don’t get scared of stray animals

Stray animals have been a huge part of Istanbul’s history and these four (and sometimes three, two or one) legged creatures are quite the controversial topic in some areas of the city. The city has a “Trap Tag and Release program” – the animals get vaccinated and then re-released back on the streets. However, these animals suffer as much abuse as they get loved – be on the good sideand make sure you’re nice to these homeless creatures. Or better yet, adopt one into your new home in Istanbul!

Do Not Expect the Drivers to Stop

In Istanbul things work differently. Turkish drivers do not stop for pedestrians even if they should. They think that vehicles have a right of way at all times. To them, pedestrian crossings usually do not mean more than diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. So, as a pedestrian you have to give way to cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Have eye contact with the driver and make sure that he is going to yield the way. Be careful at all times and do not expect the drivers stop, even if the little green man tells you to cross the road.

Do Not Try to Understand ‘Dolmuş’ Drivers

A dolmuş is a privately operated car or smaller bus. Locals frequently use it to get around. There is a placard in the window showing its destination, and depending on its capacity, it holds up to 15-20 people. But the “capacity” is always open to question and known by no one but the driver.

The adventure starts once it takes off after every seat is taken. As it lumbers down the road, the dolmuş driver honks to see if people along the way want a ride and also to alert other drivers and let them know that he is coming. The driver speeds up when the vehicle is filled up, or better to say that passengers are packed in like sardines in a can. Soon you realize that the driver is determined to set not only the Guinness records for number of passengers per ride, but also getting from point A to B in shortest amount of time.

All dolmus drivers are similar. They are reckless, unruly, and ignorant. They use their brakes only for picking up or dropping off new passengers. They careen dangerously around corners, change lanes while counting out change, and maneuver in different ways you would not even attempt in a video game.

A trip by a dolmuş in Istanbul is like a high-speed ride in a stolen car. Don’t try to understand the dolmuş drivers in Istanbul. Just join the locals and enjoy this adventurous ride from the outskirts of the city to downtown at the price of a dollar or two.

Do Not Show Your Wealth

Like so many other big cities, there is a risk of falling victim to theft and crime in Istanbul. Although the installment of CCTV cameras has dramatically reduced the incidences of pick pocketing, mugging, and bag-snatching, undesirable encounters still occur in Istanbul. Like real coyotes, the coyotes of Istanbul hunt both day and night and run swiftly. They mark people who stand out as easy prey and victimize them. Do not let them ruin your holiday. Just be watchful in and around tourist areas, including Sultanahmet, the Istiklal Street, and the Taksim Square, and don’t show off your wealth.

Do Not Pick Restaurants That Do Not Provide Menus

A dinner in a restaurant which does not look fancy can turn out to be awfully pricey. There are rip-off restaurants that care to make money, not satisfy customers. Those restaurants usually do not provide menus to customers; instead a waiter comes and ‘recommends’ certain foods that you should try. Stay away from such restaurants and don’t waste your hard earned money on restaurants that are only concerned with their profit margins.

Do Not Look Like an American Tourist

You should avoid looking like an American tourist. Not because the Turks do not like the Americans. It is exactly the opposite. Turks do love the Americans, especially American tourists who stand out like sore thumbs. Americans are at the top of the list of spendthrifts among all nationalities. Therefore, if you shine like a “rich American” in the crowd you may likely be sucked into tourist traps, targeted by carpet dealers in the Grand Bazaar, and pay through the nose. Innocent questions like “where are you from?,” “where are you staying?,” or “where do you work in America?,” in fact, are all ingeniously asked by a carpet dealer to understand your origin, economic status, and personality. Get ready to fudge direct questions about your life, and try to deconstruct the image of stereotypical American wearing a baseball cap, athletic shoes, and brand name t-shirts with easily readable names like Nike, Gap, Abercrombie, etc.

Do not argue that baklava is Greek

Well, not only baklava… Many other types of mouth-watering food are disputed between the Greeks and Turks. There are many legends and rumors claiming the originality of baklava, doner, dolmades, kofte, kokorec, tzatziki, etc. It is silly to try to find out “who invented first?” Baklava is an old dessert originating in the 8th century B.C. Turks and Greeks (and even Arabs) claim it but we will never know. Food transcends political and cultural borders. Baklava, like other contested food, is eaten by everybody from the Balkans to the Arab lands. To be on the safe side, do not argue that baklava is Greek. Leave the politics out of kitchen and allow Turkish chefs to mesmerize your taste buds.

Do not wear a flimsy sundress to the Blue Mosque

Turkey is a secular country with a predominantly Muslim population. While you will encounter women covered head to toe just about everywhere in Istanbul, you will also see women with much less clothing than in America walking down the same street. Dress casually in Istanbul, but please remember to dress properly when you visit religious places, such as the Blue Mosque. Do not forget to bring along a layer of “modest dress” to cover your legs, shoulders, and chest. For example, don a t-shirt instead of a sleeveless top. For your legs, pants, a long skirt, or shorts that end at your knees would be appropriate. Just try not to wear mini-skirts or tight Kylie Minogue shorts. It is also advisable to cover your hair with a scarf although non-Muslim women are mostly tolerated if they do not wrap their heads tightly. In short, no dress codes, no worries! Just a little respect in the house of God…

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