Istanbul, Where East Meets West

By Sharon Kurtz

There are many reasons why I fell in love with Istanbul. It’s the only city on the globe to straddle both Europe and Asia, a true melting pot of cultures.

History comes alive in Istanbul

You’ll find over a dozen UNESCO-recognized sites throughout the city. Here are some of my favorites.

The Hagia Sophia is a Byzantine marvel, anchoring the Old City of Istanbul and serving for centuries as a landmark for Orthodox Christians and Muslims. Built as a Christian Basilica nearly 1,500 years ago, it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453. When Turkey became a secular Republic in 1934, Hagia Sophia became a museum and UNESCO World Heritage site. In 2020 the court annulled its museum status, and it has once again become an active Mosque.

The Blue Mosque is one of the Istanbul skyline’s most iconic features. Its cascading domes and six minarets top one of the most impressive monuments in the world. The interior is decorated with 20,000 hand-painted Iznik-style tiles in more than 50 tulip patterns.

The Ottoman Empire ruled from the Topkapi Palace for over 600 years. It served as the principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the administrative headquarters, with over 4,000 people living on the grounds. Transformed into a museum in 1924, it displays some magnificent Islamic works. Don't miss the Harem, where the wives, children, and concubines lived.

Other choices include the Great Palace Mosaics Museum depicting daily life, nature, and mythology from a Palace thought to have been built by Emperor Justinian I over 1,500 years ago. The lavish Dolmabahçe Palace interiors are covered in gold and opulent crystal chandeliers. Completed in the mid-1800s, the last of the Sultans resided here in the waning years of the Ottoman Empire. The iconic 196-foot Galatea Tower from the 6th century has panoramic views of Istanbul and the Bosporus Strait.

Shopping At the Grand Bazaar

Located inside the Walled City, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets. Construction began in the 15th century, shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. The labyrinth of vaulted roofed winding streets and domed buildings are lined with over 4,000 enticing shops, whose wares spill out to tempt customers—shopkeepers are relentless in their quest for a sale. I captured these good-natured vendors sharing their morning tea in one of the many small, sweet shops in the bazaar.

History and Rituals of Turkish Hammam

You can't visit Istanbul and not enjoy a Turkish bath. I chose the historic

Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami for a traditional bathhouse experience. Built in the 16th century—it was the first hammam built with a women's section mirroring the men’s.

The structure is classical Ottoman bathhouse style —with marble interior and 24-carat gold taps and bath bowls. I was scrubbed, bubbled, exfoliated, then oiled and massaged until my skin was pink and smooth as a newborn baby. I floated rather than walked back to my hotel.

Food! Food! Food!

Food lovers will revel in Istanbul's mouthwatering cuisine. Primarily the heritage of Ottoman culture, it can be described as a fusion of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. It may be famous for its kebabs, but that's just the start. Few cuisines in the world can rival Turkish cuisine for Meze, a spread of small dishes akin to appetizers, paired with Turkey's famous puff flatbread, called 'lavas". Neighborhood pushcarts with warm simit (sesame bread rings) are cherished street food.

Istanbul’s vibrant neighborhoods

Istanbul is uniquely divided into districts, each distinctly different from one another. Getting out and exploring the neighborhoods is the best way to discover the city.

Ortakoy is located just north of Besiktas, right under the first Bosphorus Bridge, famous for its open-air

Photos, opposite page, left: Turkish Coffee; Dolmabahce Palace; Istanbul Skyline from the Bosphorus Strait; Blue Mosque; Galatea Tower; Simit Pushcart Vendor; Historic Red Tram in Taksim Square; Meze Platter; Dolma stuffed squash blossoms; Baklava with Turkish Coffee

Hagia Sophia Refection

fish market. Pop into a charming cafe for a traditional Turkish coffee and baklava as fuel for your journey.

Beyoglu is marked by the iconic Galata Tower and Istanbul’s most famous pedestrian avenue, Istiklal Caddesi, perfect for strolling and shopping. A historic red tram runs down the middle of the bustling street and ends in Taksim Square, the very heart of the city. Hop on a ferry from Karakoy port to Kadikoy; if you're lucky, you might even spot some dolphins swimming in the Bosphorus. Cross the Galata Bridge, watching the fishermen sort their daily catch.

With its kaleidoscope mix of East and West, ancient and modern, traditional and trendy, it's not hard to see why I fell in love with Istanbul.