Mark P.

The bridge has been a fishing spot for centuries. Ottoman-era travelers wrote about fishermen on earlier versions of this bridge. It is a living piece of Istanbul history that you can participate in…

I have visited Turkey 8 times over 15 years and never had a safety issue. Turkish hospitality culture makes it one of the friendliest countries for travelers. Just be aware of common tourist scams li…

Ephesus alone deserves a full day if you include the Terrace Houses and the Archaeological Museum. Rushing through one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world feels like a waste. I recommen…

Derinkuyu goes 8 levels deep and housed up to 20,000 people historically. Some passages are quite narrow and low. If you are mildly claustrophobic, Kaymakli might be better as it is wider. The deepes…

As of 2025, foreign tourists need to pay an entrance fee of 25 EUR (or equivalent in TL). Turkish citizens and residents still enter free. It was a big change from the previous free-for-all policy. D…

Cats have been part of Istanbul for centuries, going back to Ottoman times when they were kept to control rodents and were considered spiritually clean. The documentary Kedi beautifully captures this…

The Goreme Open Air Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with rock-carved churches from the 10th-12th centuries. The frescoes inside are remarkably well preserved. The Dark Church has the best fres…

The tower dates back to 1348 and offers 360-degree views of Istanbul. The entrance fee is about 650 TL for foreigners now, which is steep. The views are incredible but the observation deck is small a…

The Istanbul Museum Pass covers Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irene, the Archaeological Museum, and several others. At around 1500 TL, it pays for itself if you visit 3+ museums. The biggest advantage is ski…