Istanbul has many districts; within each district there are neighborhoods. Today, you’re exploring a neighborhood called Cihangir in the Beyoğlu district. If you’re looking for a neighborhood in Istanbul without the buzz — Cihangir is for you. You’re taking a morning stroll, allowing your senses to immerse themselves into Cihangir. The time of your walk…
Introducing Captured Thoughts by Ibn al-Jawzi Captured Thoughts, the translate of a book written by Imam Ibn al-Jawzi — a Muslim scholar iconic in the 12th century. Captured Thoughts is the translated version, as the original text was written in Arabic—Saydul Khatir. The complete title is: “Captured Thoughts: A Collection of Thought-Provoking Gems, Persuasive Eye…
There is no doubt regarding Istanbul’s rich, historical background. You’d expect to see flashbacks of history throughout the city. Today we explore one of these historical destinations as its role to Istanbul, Turkey slightly changed — Beyazit State Library. Beyazit State Library, also known as Ottoman Public Library, is the first national library of Ottoman….
As the name reveals, SALT Galata is located near the Galata Tower. Its exact location is in the old headquarters of Ottoman Bank, the central bank of the Ottoman Empire. SALT Galata serves students in terms of studying, researchers for research, and tourists to explore. The majority who pass through the doors are students from…
The Grand Bazaar is arguably the most popular touristic site in Istanbul. Only one can contest—Hagia Sophia, which some consider it the most touristic. And with Istanbul as the most popular city in Turkey, without debate, the Grand Bazaar ranks high in the most visited place in Turkey by tourists. What makes the Grand Bazaar…
Hagia Sofia has lived through as a mosque, church, museum, and now it’s back as a mosque. Living in the Sultanahmet district offers its residents (and tourists) the call of the five daily prayers from Hagia Sophia and its younger sibling—the Blue Mosque. Hagia Sophia was first opened in 537AD and the Blue Mosque was…
To analogize Istiklal Street for you, imagine a heart. It is made of four chambers, with blood circulating inside. Istiklal Street is one of those chambers and Istanbul is the entire human body. Now a question arises, what is the blood? Well, the blood are the tourists. They are the ones exploring—running through the body…
The Narrow Road Many shops surround Galata Tower as to feed off the tourism that the Galata Tower attracts. With the greater amount of attraction a site has, the more money a shop will gather throughout the day. Galata Tower ranks in the top three most tourist places in Istanbul. You start your walk south…
Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar, is in the Eminonu District of Istanbul, at the southern end of the Galata Bridge, near Eminonu’s ferry docks. Egyptian Bazaar’s First Impression The Egyptian Bazaar has a few entrances; today you’re entering through the one that’s across from the New Mosque Istanbul. As expected from…
Istanbul boasts two large airports that serve international arrivals and departures, including domestic flights. They’re named Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen, on Istanbul’s European and Asian side, respectively. You’re landing in Istanbul Airport, the major one of the two, and you’re arriving in the evening (6PM local time). The sun made its way below the…