Things That Surprised Me the Most About Istanbul

Istanbul had been on my list for a while, but I don’t think I fully understood what it was going to be like until I actually got here. I knew it was a huge city, I knew it was on the water, and I knew that it bridges Europe and Asia, but when I arrived I really realized it’s way more layered, way more chaotic, and way more interesting than I expected.

I mean, tyhis is one place that was part of more ancient empires than anywhere else, with different party os history literally and figuratively layered on top of each other here. The unique history reaches every part of the city, from the architecture to the food and even the nightlife and culture.

I did a walking tour, a food tour, went out a few nights, wandered a lot, ate a lot (which is mandatory)… and these were the things that genuinely surprised me the most about Istanbul.

Where You Stay Makes a Huge Difference

Location really matters here in Istabul. While it might be nice to stay in the city center near the big mosques, I liked our spot on the other side of the river SO much – it was perfect to get to everywhere important. We stayed near the Galata Tower, and I would 100% recommend that area, especially if you can find one of the Airbnbs with a rooftop.

A lot of them have insane views over the city, and honestly they’re very similar to the views people pay for with those rooftop photoshoots you always see with all the seagulls. It’s also just a great base for exploring and is very walkable. From Galata, you can walk to the old center as well as to the shopping streets and Taksim square too (which are all great places to stay too).

If you can’t stay in Galata, I’d say check out Karakoy, aling the Istiklal Cd, just outside Sultanahmet, or Kadikoy for more local but still bustling vibes.

The Food Options are the Widest I’ve Ever Seen… You Can Literally Eat Across Two Continents in One Day

This might have been one of my favorite experiences. I did a food tour that started on the European side of Istanbul for breakfast and markets, and then took us on the ferry across to the Asian side. It’s such a cool concept that you cannot do anywhere else in the world – it’s a must.

We started with a full Turkish breakfast in Europe, went through markets like the Egyptian Bazaar, then took a ferry over to Kadıköy (which is an amazing more local area to check out) where the food scene has a totally different feel. We tried pide, lahmacun, manti (Turkish ravioli), lamb soup (Beyran), street food, stuffed mussels, pickled veggies, desserts… and you really start to understand how all these cultural influences have blended together to create the incredible food scene you can only get here in Istanbul.

After a long day of walking and eating our bodyweight in tons of different kinds of Turkish foods, you’ll most definitely need to wind down for a bit on your hotel room while you digest all the food and plan your next adventure. Plenty of travelers like to wind down with something a little more playful back at the room, and the world of online casinos australia has become a perfect downtime for travelers from Australia and the world.

The Layers of History Are Actually Mind-Blowing

I knew Istanbul had a lot of history, but I didn’t realize how layered it would feel in real life. This city has been part of so many different empires – Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman – and you can literally see it all stacked on top of each other as you walk around, not separated into neat little sections but all truly mixed together.

You’ll walk past something that feels very European, then turn a corner and suddenly it’s giving Middle Eastern, then there are influences from Central Asia and older civilizations woven in too, including an Ancient Egyptian column that was a gift to one of the Emperors.

Doing a walking tour helped so much with this, because otherwise it just feels like “wow pretty buildings” without really understanding what you’re looking at. I love doing walking tours when I arrive into any city to get a perspective on what I want to explore during the rest of my time there, and Istanbul was no different.

There Are SO Many Mosques, and the Smaller Ones Are Just as Special

You obviously know about the big ones like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (which are a must to visit, of course), but what surprised me was how many mosques there are everywhere…. like, thousands. You’ll just be walking around and stumble into one randomly without even trying. The calls for prayer here light up the entire city with their melody.

While the big ones are amazing, some of the smaller ones ended up being my favorites. They’re quieter, less crowded, and you can actually take a moment to sit, look around, and take it in properly. For example, the Rustem Pasha Mosque is a much smaller and less busy mosque really not far from the Egyptian Bazaar, but it’s incredible and entirely lined with blue tiles.

The Dessert and Tea Situation Is on Another Level

I expected Turkish delight and baklava, but I didn’t expect the variety. You’ll walk past shops with dozens of different flavors, including these rolled ones with nuts and fillings that are way better than the classic cubes. Shop owners will beckon you in with free samples, and they’re so good you’ll want to buy them all.

And then the teas… There are so many different types, and a lot of them are tied to different traditions or supposed health benefits. Whether that’s fully legit or slightly exaggerated, I was still very into it and ended up trying way more than I planned.

The Street Food Is Actually Really Good (Even the Stuff That Looks Questionable)

I’ll be honest, when I first saw street mussels being sold everywhere, my immediate thought was… absolutely not. It just looked like a guaranteed way to get food poisoning.

But then I did a food tour and realized they’re actually a huge staple in Istanbul, and people eat them all the time. They’re called midye dolma – mussels stuffed with rice and spices, squeezed with lemon — and once I got over the fear, I fully got it. I ended up going back for them multiple times after that.

There’s also the fish wraps by the water – balık ekmek – especially in Karaköy, which are super simple but so good. And those round sesame-covered bread rings you see everywhere are called simit, which is basically the Turkish version of a bagel and perfect for a quick snack while walking around.

You’ll also see things like döner, kebabs, roasted chestnuts, corn, and random little dessert carts everywhere, and it’s one of those cities where grabbing something quickly on the street ends up being just as good as sitting down somewhere (and cheaper)!

The Markets Go Way Deeper Than the Tourist Ones

Everyone knows about the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, but what surprised me was that there are markets nearby that actually supply those places. So instead of buying souvenirs at marked-up prices in touristy areas, you can go a little outside those main areas and find the same things for way cheaper.

Specifically, we wanddered some streets West of the Egyptian Bazaar (in Eminonu near the Rustem Pasha Mosque) and found out that the shops there sell trinkets and souvenirs in bulk to the actual markets themselves, which are mere streets away for much more money.

I got jewelry, evil eyes, little gifts, some clothing items, and even random stuff like a muscle massager and a stained glass lamp all for significantly less than what I saw in the more polished shops in the bazaars and in Galata. It’s a bit more chaotic and less curated, but that’s kind of the point and part of the fun… and you can get great prices!

The Medical Tourism Scene Is Huge

One thing that really surprised me, and that you start to notice once you’ve been there a few days, is how big the medical and wellness tourism scene is in Istanbul. I obviously knew about the hair transplant thing (from the Turksi hHairlines memes), but there are other treatments people come here for as well.

Dental work, cosmetic procedures, full health checkups, aesthetics like teeth/jaw and rhinoplasty… it’s a whole industry, and people are coming here not just because it’s more affordable, but because there are well-established hospitals and clinics that handle everything from treatment to recovery and follow-up care.

So if you have anything that needs to be done or any conditions you want to treat, definitely look into getting it done here. It’s a whole thing.

Istanbul Has a Way Bigger Party Scene Than I Expected

I didn’t go to Istanbul thinking it would particularly be a huge party city, but it absolutely is. There are a lot of good DJs coming through, proper club nights, and a mix of venues from big clubs to more underground-feeling spots.

I even ended up at a huge live show to see Kerala Dust in an auditorium one night, which I wasn’t expecting at all, and saw Elderbrook at Klein Phonix, which I understand is one of the bigger clubs with big artists playing there. My favorite club was called Gizli Bahçe, a few stories of bar/club inside an old house with a rooftop DJ, and we ended up at a club inside an old Roman building with some locals that I couldn’t even find the name of. The nights here just whisked us away!

It’s definitely worth checking what’s on while you’re there because you might end up at something really fun without planning it.

The Bosphorus Cruises Vary A LOT

Doing a Bosphorus cruise is one of those classic Istanbul things, and I almost skipped it thinking it would be too touristy, but I’m glad I didn’t. What surprised me is how different they are depending on what you book.

Some are very full-on with dinner, buffets, and shows, which can be fun but definitely more touristy. Others are way more low-key, like the one I did on a smalley yacht with unlimited wine and snacks, which we basically used as pre-drinks before going out. It’s worth doing a cruise of the Bosphorus Strait though, 100%.

Istanbul is More Expensive Than You Think (a Lot)

I definitely expected Istanbul to be cheaper. And while you can do it on a budget, it’s not as cheap as people assume, especially in central areas or nicer restaurants.

I remember going out for breakfast one morning, and it ended up being around $27, which I was not expecting at all. It’s not crazy expensive everywhere, and you can definitely do it more cheaply if you want to, but it’s also not the super budget destination people sometimes think it is.

Going to a Turkish Bath Is a MUST (and Slightly Humbling)

I had heard about Turkish baths before going to Istanbul, but I didn’t fully understand what the experience was until I actually did it… and it ended up being one of the most memorable (and slightly confronting) things I did there.

I went to Kılıç Ali Paşa Hammam, which is one of the more beautiful, restored ones, and even then… nothing really prepares you for the fact that you’re suddenly lying fully naked on a warm marble slab in a room full of other women doing the exact same thing. It’s very communal, very normal there, and you just kind of get over it pretty quickly.

Then comes the scrubbing… and when I say scrubbing, I mean layers of skin I didn’t even know existed just disappearing. I actually asked her if the amount of skin coming off me was normal, and she said no, which was both humbling and a bit concerning, so apparently, exfoliation is something I should have been taking more seriously.

What surprised me is how different hammams can be. Some are more traditional and local, with a very raw, communal feel, while others are more polished and spa-like with added treatments and a higher price tag. Either way, it’s 100% something you should try in Istanbul… just maybe prep your skin a little beforehand!!

The Cats are Truly Everywhere

I knew about the Istanbul cats, but I didn’t realize just how many there would be. They really are everywhere – on the streets, in cafes, outside shops – just casually existing like they own the city.

And everyone just kind of accepts it and takes care of them, which makes the whole thing even cuter. Once, my friend was followed by about 10 on the way back from the bar after feeding them some leftovers!

It’s Just… Really Beautiful

This one sounds obvious, but it still surprised me. Walking along the Bosphorus, seeing the skyline and the rolling hills with all the mosques, the mix of architecture, the many coastlines, the way the light hits everything at sunset… It’s a really scenic city.

It feels big and busy, but there are still so many moments where you just stop and look around and think… wow. I could truly fall in love with this city!

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I can’t wait until the next time I can return to Istanbul and explore it more deeply. What surprised you the most about Istanbul? Let me know in the comments!