I am absolutely thrilled that Devconnect is coming to Istanbul. With just a few days left, I've been following discussions in Telegram groups, where people share tips and tricks. Likewise, I've been sending some recommendations here and there. Finally, I've decided to compile this post for all those who’ll be visiting.

First and foremost, let me introduce myself as someone who deeply loves Istanbul. Rest assured, you'll find great views & places, amazing food, culture and cats! Having spent most of my life in this city, I must confess that I might be a bit biased. Just a tiny bit. 🙂

So let’s get into it. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning, here are some notes that can help you get around.

Food

Istanbul is a foodie's dream, and you won't go hungry! It's got a bit of everything, thanks to it’s unique spot between Europe and Asia. The food here reflects centuries of history, influenced by the Byzantine & Ottoman Empires.

🌟 For a very comprehensive guide to the best restaurants in Istanbul, be sure to check out Kaan's Foodie Guide.

My personal favourite food picks:

• Lahmacun: aka Turkish Pizza. Thin, crispy dough topped with meat, veggies, and herbs.

  • Where to get it? Tatbak, Çiya, most kebab places

• Döner: Meat slowly cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Often served in a wrap or on a plate with rice on the side. Iskender is a variation that combines döner meat with yogurt and tomato sauce.

  • Where to get it? Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta, Bayramoğlu, Garaj

• Mantı: aka Turkish Dumplings. These are dumplings filled with minced meat (usually lamb or beef, in most places there are also veggie options generally filled with spinach or mushrooms) and served with yogurt, garlic and oil with chilli.

  • Where to get it? Sinop Mantı, Casita, Emek Mantı, Bodrum Mantı

• Turkish Breakfast (Kahvaltı): This is a whole event. You'll get a little of everything - cheeses, olives, fresh veggies, honey (bal & kaymak), and all sorts of bread. There's also "simit," a popular Turkish pastry covered in sesame seeds.

  • Where to get it? Van Kahvaltı Sofrası, Divan Bebek, Yer Moda, Beyaz Fırın, Journey

• Desserts: Baklava is layers of pastry filled with nuts topped with syrup - the pistachio one is my favorite. Künefe is made from layers of shredded pastry, and is filled with cheese, soaked into syrup, and served hot. It has a crunchy outer layer and a soft, sweet interior!

  • Where to get it? Güllüoğlu, Köşkeroğlu, most kebab places

* To be fair - I can add lots more food options here, but leaving it a 5 top picks for the sake of this post.

Some more tips:

• Tipping is customary in Turkey. It's typical to leave a 10-15% tip in restaurants and cafes and for services. However, you should check the bill, as some places include a service charge.

• Unique beverages to try: Turkish Coffee, Ayran (a cold savory yogurt-based beverage), Rakı (an alcoholic drink of Turkey)

• Anthony Bourdain visited Istanbul twice where he filmed season 6 of his show and has some cool rec’s.

Cowork

🌟 Highly recommend checking out Dogan's Guide, where he shares the best cafes and places where you can take your laptop with you.

Transportation

Metro 🚉

Use the metro when you can. Traffic is real, and it can get even crazier than you can imagine.

In most metro stations, there are machines where you can buy an "Istanbulcard," which you can use for public transportation. Don’t forget to add some money into it to pay for the rides.

Taksi 🚕

You have several options for getting around using taxis or ride-sharing services:

• Uber: Uber is available in Istanbul, and it's a convenient option for getting around the city. Uber in Turkey only uses licensed taxi drivers. Be sure to have the Uber app set up and link your credit cards.

• BiTaksi: BiTaksi is a local app that allows you to request a taxi. With the BiTaksi app, you can pay for your ride using either your credit card or cash.

During peak times, it can be challenging to get a cab through these apps. I cannot explain the times I couldn’t find a taxi… It gets super frustrating.

In such cases, you try getting a taxi on the street.

Here are some tips so that you don't fall into any tourist traps:

1. Get a Licensed Taxis: Look for officially licensed yellow taxis or the turquoise taxis.

2. Always Use the Meter: Ensure the taxi driver activates the meter at the beginning of the trip.

3. Use the Local Currency: Have Turkish Lira (TL) in cash for taxi rides. While some taxis may accept credit cards, it's best to have cash on hand, especially for short trips.

4. Clearly specify the Destination: Clearly communicate your destination to the driver. Show the driver the address or location on a map or GPS app to avoid misunderstandings. I also recommend looking at the route and specifying the road to take. Note that most drivers may not know English.

   I remember one of my friends got on the cab on the Asian side and was going somewhere near, like a 20 min ride. It turned out to be a +1 hour ride because the road they took was crossing the bridge to go to the European side and then back to the Asian side, almost where they started (?!)

5. Verify the Fare: At the end of your trip, verify that the fare displayed on the meter matches the rate on the official taxi fare card.

Turkish Bath - Hammam 🛁

Funny header if you've never heard that there's such a thing as a Turkish bath. But it's a huge thing!

A Turkish bath, also known as a "hammam," is more than just a place to wash; it's a whole experience with cleansing, relaxation, and culture. The process typically involves several steps, starting with a session in a hot, steam-filled room to help you relax and sweat. Next comes a scrub to remove dead skin cells, followed by a massage scented with aromatic oils.

Here’s historical hammam’s that you can visit:

• Galatasaray Hamam

• Cagaloglu Hamamı

Shopping

People often ask, "Can you take me to places where I can buy gifts?". You can check out shops in Beyoğlu and the Grand Bazaar to find cute gift options.

Now, when you get to the Grand Bazaar, be ready to do some bargaining. The shopkeepers often expect some negotiation. And here's a tip: don't rush into buying the first thing you see. Chances are, you'll find something similar just around the corner.

You can also checkout the Egyptian Bazaar for dried nuts and fruits & Turkish Delight! It’s just next to the Grand Bazaar.

What to do, Where to go - More Notes

• Be sure to go to Moda for a day & evening! It’s on the Asian side and a popular destination for locals and visitors offering a wide variety of food and drinks! 🍻

• Highly suggest that you take a Bosphorus Ferry Tours on a sunny day 🌞

• This isn’t a tourist guide but be sure to find a tour and head to the Historical Peninsula. It is one of the most historically and culturally significant parts of the city where you can find some of the most iconic landmarks and historical sites in Istanbul. It’s a place where ancient history and modern life coexist, and Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman heritage live.

• If you have a day to spare, you can go to the Prince Islands.

• You should definitely go to this area (Bebek) and grab a coffee at this hotel or the cafes nearby; the view is very lovely. You can walk around the area, get some ice-cream and enjoy the Bosporus.

• Two Turkish movie recommendations that are fun and take place in Istanbul:

  • Eyvah Eyvah: A comedy film portrays the clash of cultures as a man from a remote Turkish village navigates life in Istanbul.

  • Organize İşler: A Turkish comedy-drama film that tells the story of a small-time con artist who gets involved in more significant schemes.

Last but not least, make sure to take a walk by the Bosphorus!

See you soon, t-8! 👋