Istanbul: the Blue Mosque, the Bosphorus and the Grand Bazaar
3 daysAugust 2024Istanbul
They convinced me to go to Turkey and that's how I reached country 16 of my personal challenge of 30 countries before turning 30. Between mosques, a breakfast by the Bosphorus and so much Turkish tea, this is what I lived in Istanbul.
Istanbul at sunset, with Hagia Sophia in the background.
My arrival in Istanbul and the first Turkish tea
I traveled to Turkey in August 2024, after a very long trip from Chicago, in the United States. The first thing I did on arriving in Istanbul was go have the famous Turkish tea, because I love teas.
My first Turkish tea in Istanbul.
Trip facts
Duration3 days
Trip dateAugust 2024
Approx. temperature~30 °C, sunny
What I loved mostThe breakfast by the Bosphorus
This trip was country 16 of my challenge and I closed country 30 in India, which I tell in India in 3 days.
The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the museum
The next day I went to see the Blue Mosque. Afterward I visited Hagia Sophia, which is also the classic, and the Istanbul Archaeology Museum to explore the art this city can offer. I found it beautiful.
In the courtyard of the Blue Mosque.
The Bosphorus and a breakfast with a view
The next day my friend arrived to keep exploring together and we went for a stroll along the Bosphorus. She took me to a breakfast by the Bosphorus and, if you have the chance to book it, I recommend it, because it's a really lovely experience.
The Turkish breakfast by the Bosphorus.With my friend, with the Bosphorus bridge in the background.
At one point during the breakfast you can see the seagulls this close and feed them.
The seagulls come very close.Strolling along the Bosphorus.
Galata, San Sebastián cheesecake and the nightlife
If you're near the Galata Tower, you can't miss this amazing dessert, the San Sebastián cheesecake with chocolate.
Near the Galata Tower.The San Sebastián cheesecake, with its tea.
And, obviously, order a Turkish tea, which in almost every place they offered us for free.
The most surreal part of the whole trip was hearing Turkish music while exploring Istanbul's nightlife.
The Grand Bazaar and a rooftop with a view
We also took a tour of the famous Grand Bazaar, which is giant.
The Grand Bazaar, in Istanbul.
To close, I recommend going to a rooftop so you can appreciate the city from above. We went to Grace Rooftop and had this beautiful view.
The view from Grace Rooftop.
My tips for Istanbul
01
Book a breakfast by the Bosphorus. It's a really lovely experience and you can see the seagulls this close.
02
Order Turkish tea everywhere. In almost every place they offered it to us for free.
03
Try the San Sebastián cheesecake. I tried it near the Galata Tower, with chocolate, and found it an amazing dessert.
04
Go up to a rooftop. I went to Grace Rooftop and the view of the city was beautiful.
What I take away from Istanbul
Istanbul left me Turkish tea almost everywhere, a breakfast by the Bosphorus and a beautiful view from a rooftop. It was country 16 of my challenge and a trip I remember fondly.
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I visited the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Istanbul Archaeology Museum, strolled along the Bosphorus, toured the Grand Bazaar, tried the San Sebastián cheesecake near the Galata Tower and went up to a rooftop.
Is it worth booking a breakfast by the Bosphorus?
Yes. It's a really lovely experience and at one point you can see the seagulls this close and feed them.
What dessert to try near the Galata Tower?
The San Sebastián cheesecake with chocolate, an amazing dessert.
Do you pay for Turkish tea in Istanbul?
In almost every place they offered us the tea for free.
Which rooftop did I visit in Istanbul?
Grace Rooftop, with a beautiful view of the city.
Where did I travel to Istanbul from?
From Chicago, in the United States, after a very long trip.
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