Emre K.

Smoking is banned indoors in Turkey, including restaurants, cafes, and hotels. However, outdoor terraces and nargile (hookah) cafes are exceptions. The law is well enforced in most establishments.

Sultanahmet for first-timers who want to be close to major historical sites. Taksim/Beyoglu for nightlife, restaurants, and a more modern vibe. Kadikoy on the Asian side if you want the local experie…

Avoid the taxi drivers who approach you inside the airport - use the official taxi queue outside. Also, insist they use the meter. The new Istanbul Airport is far from the center (about 50 km) so bud…

Cheapest: Havaist bus to Sultanahmet area (around 150 TL). Medium: Metro M11 to Gayrettepe then transfer to M2 and Tram T1 (under 100 TL with Istanbulkart). Fastest: Taxi (500-800 TL, 45-90 min depen…

Turkey is very safe for tourists. Millions visit each year without any issues. Petty theft exists in crowded areas like any popular destination. The biggest real dangers are aggressive taxi drivers o…

Uber does not currently operate with regular cars in Turkey. Use BiTaksi instead - it is the most popular taxi app and works great. It shows you the estimated fare upfront and you can pay by card thr…

April-May and September-October are the sweet spots. Pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and better prices. Istanbul is good year-round. Cappadocia is magical in winter with snow on the fairy chimneys. A…

Kadikoy is where real Istanbul lives! The food market (Kadikoy Carsisi) is incredible - way better than anything on the tourist side. Take the ferry from Eminonu and spend a whole day exploring. Moda…

Both men and women need to cover their knees and shoulders. Women need a headscarf. Free scarves and wraps are provided at the entrance if you do not have your own. Remove shoes before entering. Same…

The most useful phrases: Merhaba (hello), Tesekkur ederim (thank you), Evet/Hayir (yes/no), Ne kadar? (how much?), Hesap lutfen (check please). Turkish people absolutely love when foreigners try to s…