B&B’s Tips, Tricks, and Recs to get the most out of your stay in Istanbul
As you prepare for your trip to Istanbul, we are very excited to share some of our favourite spots in the city, crowd-pleasing tunes you can expect to dance to at the wedding, and other tips that will help you navigate one of the largest cities in the world. We can’t wait to see you there!
Turkish music
The below link will take you a Spotify playlist of some classic Turkish party songs. We hope you will have a listen before the wedding to familiarise yourself with the music so that you can also scream along with the Turks!
Notes on some of the songs
1. Senden Baska means “no-one else but you.” You get the picture. An old-timey classic.
2. Tarkan is arguably Turkey’s greatest popstar. Do yourself a favour and check his dancing out on YouTube. Simarik is an iconic song, and everyone is expected to make the “kiss kiss” noises in the chorus. Balim’s rules.
4. Demet Akalin is a diva. “Turkan” refers to Turkan Soray, the queen of Turkish cinema, famous for her incredible eyes and piercing gaze. The song is a feminist anthem about a woman whose relationship is on the rocks, and she refuses to be the one to apologise first. Instead she binges a bunch of old movies starring, you guessed it, Turkan.
7. Everyway That I Can is Turkey’s 2002 Eurovision winner. Truly a historic moment for Balim and her parents, who were watching the contest from their Paris hotel room at the time.
11. Baris Manco is a national treasure. Arkadasim Essek means “my donkey friend.” The song is a tear-jerking homage to pastoral life.
16. Osman Aga will take us to the Balkans. Albanians are expected to be on their feet for this one.
19. Butun Kizlar Toplandik (“all us girls have gathered”) is basically Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”—but make it Turkish.
22. Memleketim (“my homeland”). All the Turks will be sobbing. For the Americans’ shock and entertainment. Also a national treasure.
23. Duman is probably Turkey’s best-known rock band. The chorus of Senden Daha Guzel (“more beautiful than you”) is essentially just “I have never seen anyone more beautiful than you” over and over again.
25. Hele Bi Gel remains an iconic TV series opening number. The year was 2007, “Kavak Yelleri” was the coming-of-age series that had Balim’s entire 7th grade class in a chokehold. It was also the show that catapulted the band Pinhani to fame.
Istanbul recommendations and tips
If you have some time to spare, here is a list of some of our favourite places and things to do in the city:
Have raki-balik (Raki, a Turkish liqueur that is also referred to as the national drink, with meze and fish) at Koco Restaurant in Moda, Kadikoy. Go at sunset for great views and vibes!
Take a ferry (“vapur”) from Kadikoy to Besiktas or vice-versa. Grab a simit (circular Turkish pastry) from the docks and while you enjoy this most popular Turkish "street-food" yourself, you can feed it to the seagulls on the way for extra enjoyment.
Visit Galata Tower in the old Genovese quarter for a 360-degree view of old Istanbul where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus. Then have lunch at a cafe in the cobblestoned district around the Tower, or take a short stroll downhill to lunch in Karakoy.
Visit the Prince’s Islands — Buyukada or Heybeliada are the main ones to see. You can get a boat from the Asian side (shorter trip) or from Kabatas or Eminonu on the European side.
Walk along the Bosphorus from Ortakoy to Bebek for your fitness, stopping for a "healthy" ice cream along the way.
Go shopping along Bagdat Caddesi on the Asian side and stop for coffee at one of the many roadside cafes, or at Gron Cafe (our favourite) in Caddebostan district.
Visit the Pera Museum and have a stroll along Istiklal Street, the old thoroughfare of Istanbul. You can always stop at Haci Abdullah Restaurant for a historic and traditional home-made lunch.
Hamdi restaurant in Eminonu district is a fantastic spot for dinner—great kebap with wonderful views! You can always visit the Spice Bazaar (Misir Charsisi: the “Egyptian Market”) next door from there for the buzz, colours, Turkish delight, and wonderful smells.
Stop by the historic Sultanahmet Koftecisi in Old Town for the traditional Turkish meatballs, white bean salad and a hearty Ayran drink.
“Must-do” list for first-time visitors:
The Grand Bazaar
Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace
Dolmabahce Palace
The Yerebatan Cistern
A Boat trip along the Bosphorus with a Sehir Hatları Vapuru (City Boats) zigzagging between Asia and Europe
General tips:
Note that it is a good idea to carry cash with you at all times in Istanbul. This is particularly important for taxis and tipping.
TRAFFIC IS BAD. Most of the time. We recommend putting AT LEAST 30 minutes on either end of your travel plans to get to your destination in time. Good to leave at least an hour in advance if you’re crossing between the Asian and European sides.
While Uber works in Istanbul, it is through partnership with local cab companies, so you will still have to pay at the end of the ride. Also, it’s a good idea to have Google Translate up and ready in case the driver doesn’t speak English, which is the case more often than not.
In more “tourist-y” areas such as the Grand Bazaar, or the Golden Horn in general, we recommend carrying your belongings in a zipped bag or fanny pack, and generally being mindful.
Balim is happy to answer any questions that come up along the way! iMessage or WhatsApp her at +1-646-872-8361.
