Most people in their lifetimes have at least heard the word Istanbul. As to where it is or what culture it possesses, most people are really clueless about. I was the same way. When I sat down to write this blog, I really wanted to keep with the theme of writing about places that people typically don’t think about when they think about travel or vacation. I was looking at a map, I saw Istanbul, and I thought to myself, “Hmm…I wonder what’s in there.” As it happens, I was very pleased with what I learned about Istanbul. It’s a beautiful place and really does have a ton of culture. Istanbul is the capital of Turkey, and it’s one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
The primary religion in Istanbul is Muslim, which would lead one to think that it’s most likely pretty set in its traditions, but that’s actually not the case. While most people are predominately Muslim, there are actually a plethora of other populations residing in Istanbul such as Greek and Armenian. Another way in which Istanbul is very diverse is in it’s culture. There are a ton of ancient and historical buildings around and in Istanbul, but there are also lots of modern shops, cafes, and buildings.
One of the best things that Istanbul has to offer is food. Everyone loves food, and Istanbul is ready to provide. They have many famous dishes, but a few of the most notable are menemen, manti, and baklava. Menemen is a Turkish omelet. It has roasted peppers, onions, tomatoes, and is mixed with eggs, herbs, parsley, pepper, and grounded red pepper. Baklava is the Turkish dessert that Istanbul natives are most proud of. Baklava is a dessert made of phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup, but apparently takes a lot of skill and craftsmanship to make. Manti is the equivalent of a ravioli, which contains a dough and a filling. The filling is usually ground beef or lamb with onions and pepper, but other fillings could be anything from chicken to salmon. Manti is typically covered in a cold yogurt and garlic sauce.
Another thing that is important to know if you ever which to travel to Istanbul is the etiquette that they live by. Turks are incredibly inquisitive people, so if they ask a question you’d rather not answer, be vague. Always remove your shoes before visiting a mosque, and if you are a woman, you should cover your head with a scarf. The custom in Turkish culture is for the host to pay for the meal. “Splitting the bill” is not something that Turks do on a daily or even semi-regular basis, so know that if you offer to pay or go halvsies you’ll probably be rejected on that front. All in all, Istanbul is a great city with a lot of old and a lot of new. Definitely worth a visit.
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/istanbul-cultural-tips/
https://www.theistanbulinsider.com/top-10-things-to-eat-in-istanbul/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293974-s202/Istanbul:Turkey:Culture.html
Dimitri Petrakis says
Istanbul is definitely a rich city with a very rich culture. Originally the capitol of the Byzantine Empire it retains a lot of Greek and Roman traditions. Baklava specifically is also a traditional Greek dessert (better than the Turkish version of course). I made a post on my passion blog for baklava. I’m Greek by the way and we don’t care for Turks very much (old rivalries). I definitely will check out Istanbul (Greeks still call it Constantinople) if I get the chance.
sld5607 says
Paige,
There was a lot in good information in this post! Istanbul definitely seems like a beautiful city to explore, and I probably wouldn’t have thought about it as a traditional travel location. Also, the intricacies of the culture there would be very useful for anyone heading there soon!
Great post,
Steven