Istanbul, Turkey lies at the crossroads of the world. Possessing a delicate mix of rich history and modern tradition, and the East and the West, this city inspires the hearts of many travelers around the world. Most importantly, this stunning Turkish city has built a reputation for itself as a prized tourist attraction with its historic sites, vibrant culture, and amazing food.
However, due to recent events, we have to wonder whether it is safe to travel to Istanbul in 2022? If you’re one of those people, worry no more. In this article, I am going to answer that question along with the best things to do and places to stay in Istanbul.
So, let us begin!
Is It Safe to Travel to Istanbul 2022?
There is no doubt that Istanbul is a fantastic destination for traveling. There are multiple things such as culture, food, and history that appeal to travelers all over the world. Moreover, it’s also cited as the crossroads between Asia and Europe. So, you can’t go wrong with your traveling expedition.
Due to recent evidence of corruption and political events, you might be wondering whether it’s safe to travel to the city or not. Are travelers targeted for the crime? Overall, Istanbul is quite a safe city for travelers coming from other countries. However, this doesn’t mean that crime doesn’t always happen.
Therefore, I would advise you to take a bit of caution and be aware of the surroundings while you’re exploring. It would also help if you were mindful of which tourist spots, public transportations, shops, and restaurants are well-known places for pickpocketing and theft.
Other than that, Istanbul is a pretty liberal city. You can stay out late as the nightlife scene is quite decent there. What’s more, people are friendly too. So, traveling to the city would be pretty fun.
What Are the Top Things to Do in Istanbul?
Now that you understand that Istanbul is a safe city let’s check out below the top things to do in the city.
Visit Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is one of the most attractive places to visit in Istanbul as it’s known as the city’s crown jewel. Taking a look at its history, we find that the Byzantine Empire built it as the main church for the capital city. Later, the Ottoman Empire took it over and converted the church into a mosque.
After the Ottoman Empire fell, the Turkish government thought of converting the mosque into a museum, and restoration work started. However, in 2020, they converted it back into a mosque.
When it was a museum, the visitors had to pay 100 TRY as an entry fee, but now you are free to enter whenever you want, which is a welcoming change. Overall, Hagia Sophia is the main tourist hub in Istanbul due to its elegance and long-lived history. I assure you that visiting it is worth every penny.
Attend the Whirling Dervish Show
Whether you visit the city for the first time or it is your 10th visit, it is considered one of the top things to do. As a reason, you shouldn’t overlook it.
You can see the dervishes perform at different venues in Istanbul, such as restaurants, bars, and Bosphorus Dinner cruises. However, there are two major shows that I personally recommend. Both of these shows are worth watching, despite their differing ideas.
The first location is the Orient Express Station close to Topkapi Palace. The show takes place in the hall’s underground, and the performance opens with a live introduction of Mevlevi music followed by a breathtaking Sema dance.
The second location is Hodjapasha which is located close to Hagia Sophia. This is the place to be if you want to lift your spirits. The show starts with a short introduction video related to the Mevlevi order and lasts for about an hour.
Learn the History of Topkapi Palace
If you’re into ancient history, then the Topkapi Palace is another incredible place to visit in Istanbul. It was the primary home of the Ottoman Empire during the 15th and 16th centuries.
These days, the place is utilized as a museum to preserve the history of the Ottoman Empire and its people. Not only this, but it also allows you to learn more about what it was like to live back then and the traditions of the ancient empire.
At the Topkapi Palace, you’ll find all kinds of historical architecture and artifact collections along with the exhibition halls to preserve the culture and history of the Ottoman Empire.
The entry fee for the palace is tucked at 285 TRY for an all-in-one ticket which includes access to the Hagia Irene and Harem Section. However, if you don’t want to visit these places, you can always buy a ticket worth 200 TRY too.
Shop at the Grand Bazaar
Now, Grand Bazaar is a colorful market in Istanbul that features more than 3,000 shops. With shops as large, old, and bright as those in this bazaar, even a prudent shopper would be tempted.
The market area covers crisscrossing streets full of shops and people selling different goods such as gifts, trinkets, jewelry, and souvenirs. Once you’re inside the market, you will hear the sound of the people, colorful visuals, smell of spices from all directions.
This marketplace dates back to the 15th century after the Ottoman Empire conquered the former Istanbul. Sultan Mehmet the 2nd ordered the construction of this bazaar as markets like these were traditional throughout the world. It is still remembered today as one of civilization’s long-forgotten business districts.
Grand Bazaar has an enormous history and an incredibly unique structure and connection to Turkish culture. So, even if you originally planned to skip shopping during your trip to the city, Grand Bazaar shopping is still a must thing to do.
Go Up the Galata Tower
A medieval stone tower, Galata, dates back to the 14th century and is one of the best sunset spots in Istanbul. It is a social and cultural hub in the city that boasts an array of restaurants, cafes, churches, monuments, cafes, and other sights to make your visit exceptional.
The Byzantine Empire originally built it as a lighthouse tower. Currently standing 69.9 meters tall, it is known as one of the oldest towers in the world. It is a nine-story tall tower, and all the major tourist attractions such as Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia can be seen from there.
At the moment, the entrance ticket for the tower is 100 TRY per person. Once you’re inside, you can take any of the two operating elevators to reach the top level. At the top, you can find a cafe or restaurant to rest in or walk into the balcony to be stunned by the beautiful view of the city.
What are the Top Places to Stay in Istanbul?
In Istanbul, there are a number of exceptional venues to stay. With that said, let’s check out a couple of them down below.
Sultanahmet
One of the biggest reasons to book Sultanahmet is that it is near major sightseeing spots such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace, all within walking distance of the hotel. However, if you love the nightlife, this hotel might not be the best option. That’s because it goes hushed after the sunset. If you’re still looking for a thrill, why not visit Taksim?
Taksim
Taksim is located on the commercial and modern side of Istanbul. There might not be any significant tourist attractions in the area, but you can find many local shops that connect Taksim to Galata. It is a popular choice if you like hanging out with friends and are also interested in shopping and nightlife. However, if you are interested in seeing the city’s culture, it might not be a suitable place for you to stay.
Besiktas
You can find Besiktas right next to Bosphorus. Even though it is more of a residential area with little streets and bakeries, it does have some high-end structures and fine diners. Besiktas is an excellent area to consider if you are there for business because of the luxury hotels, shops, and restaurants. Not only this, but the 5-star hotels available in this area are much cheaper than the ones located in the other part of the cities.
In a Nutshell
To sum it up, Istanbul is as safe a city as any other part of the world. You need to follow some safety tips just like you do while traveling to any other city. There are various places to visit that offer both history and leisure to travelers. So, don’t hesitate to book a trip to the city and get ready to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Traveling to Istanbul, Turkey? Here’s everything you need to know to have a fun trip.
