Well Traveled In Istanbul, Turkey: What To Do & Where To Stay In This Lively City

Sitting at the crossroads of two continents—Asia and Europe, East and West—Istanbul is a deeply enriching travel destination that's like nowhere else in the world. Because it is steeped in history and landmark buildings, there is no shortage of awe-inspiring sights and locations to explore—from Roman ruins to grand mosques.

The food is a rich culinary blend of Mediterranean fare, fresh seafood, kebabs, global spices, and sweet treats (a la Turkish delight). The culture is infused with centuries' worth of influences, such as Roman, Greek, Ottoman, and Byzantine empires.

And the city's architecture reflects its storied past and present—you'll see grand palaces, winding bazaars, picturesque parks, and some of Europe's tallest skyscrapers.

The international social club and hotel opened their Istanbul establishment in 2015 and is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful of the many houses. Built in the historic Palazzo Corpi and located in the Beyoğlu district, the house has restored many of the grand palazzo's elements, making it a jewel box of a building.

The interiors are designed with the same luxurious flare as the other international houses but with some local touches that make you still feel right at home in Turkey. 

But it's not just a great place to awe at, the hotel amenities are top-notch too. (To be expected of Soho House's reputation.) The hotel has several restaurants and bars to eat at, which serve meals to accommodate many eating preferences.

Every city has that one hotel that's synonymous with Old World luxury. That's the Ciragan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul, a truly iconic hotel. Sitting on the Bosphorus strait, the palace has world-class views of the water and city.

The Ottoman-origin building was originally built as a gift by a sultan to his daughter, so you can imagine the sort of opulence on display.

The two most famous mosques in Istanbul are the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, both quite different and equally breathtaking. They're in a similar area (which is easily walkable), so you may want to plan to visit them on the same day. 

The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (pictured below) houses some of the world's most treasured religious artwork—from not just the Islamic faith but the Christian faith as well. (It functions as both an active prayer site and a museum.)

Built in the sixth century, it functioned as a place of worship for the Catholic, Orthodox, and Islamic faiths at different points throughout its history. 

The Blue Mosque is a massive structure that gets its moniker from the thousands of blue tiles that decorate the inside of the dome. It was built during the Ottoman Empire, and much of the design features reflect the historic time of the country.

Now a sprawling museum, the Topkapi Palace once served as the home of the sultans, their families, and their harems. It also served as the headquarters and center of the Ottoman Empire. So, yes, a lot of history has happened within its walls. 

Bathing culture comes in many forms across the world, and one of the most famous is the Turkish Hammam (sometimes called a Moorish bath or Turkish bath in the West).

The practice has deep religious and societal roots, as for centuries it has been used as a place for social gathering, ritual purification, and general hygiene.

Hammams are traditionally public bathhouses (in the vein of Roman bathhouses), separated by sex. There are private hammam experiences, too, if you're more comfortable alone.

As for the ritual itself, you're taken into a warm bathing room where an attendant will wash and vigorously scrub you. (Emphasis on vigorously—this is serious exfoliation.) 

This is a cultural experience you simply can't miss. Spend half a day wandering around the Grand Bazaar. It's one of the oldest and largest bazaars in the world. Within the twisting aisles and shops, you'll find everything from spices and scarves to antique jewelry and rugs. 

While it's certainly easy to get lost while making your way through the stalls, there are sections where a majority of the stores focus on the same goods, such as leather, gold, jewelry, and rugs.

So if you have something specific in mind, you'll want to make sure you go to the specific section. And not far from the Grand Bazaar is also the Egyptian Bazaar. This is where you'll find perfume oils, spices, herbs, and delicacies. 

Be prepared for meze plates, fresh seafood, kebab, and sweet treats.

Akin Balik

This locale has earned itself a reputation as a restaurant that doubles as a "culinary anthropology center." Go here to try foods from all over the region—with recipes sourced from locals that were passed down for generations.