Istanbul is a city full of young globetrotting citizens moving easily between East and West – in other words students like you! Its streets and neighborhoods are filled with sophistication, and so are the bars and restaurants found in areas such as Ortakoy and Akbiyik Streets. They’re places you’ll find in the heart of the essential and always-cool Sultanahmet district with its lively night scene.
However, today we’re going to focus on the Fatih neighborhood, highlighted by the way it contrasts with the European zone in Istanbul. It’s worth the visit, and of course it’s worth dozens of photographs. So what are the things you can’t miss? There’s plenty: among them is a place that is described by adjectives such as “authentic” and “labyrinthine.” Everything we tell you about the fascinating bazaar in Cagaloglu in Istanbul is not enough. In its stands they sell everything, from all kinds of fabric to knick-knacks. The best part is this is the spot where the Turks do their shopping; it’s not just tourists!
You’ve surely heard of what a “hammam” is. No trip to Turkey is complete without experiencing the curiosity of visiting a Turkish bath. Your visit will be full of relaxing moments, while there are other moments that…well…can be downright peculiar. Nothing beats your companions’ face when they start getting a full body massage. The professional doing the massage will rub you down with a glove with such genuine vigor that you’ll be in shock once you start seeing the layer upon layer of dead skin your body will shed. It’s an experience you must do, and there’s plenty of hammams to pick from. But if you’re looking for the prettiest hammam, go right to Hammam Ca?alo?lu (Prof. Kaz?m ?smail Gürkan Cad. No. 24); this place is a classic, with its origins dating back to 1741. Scenes from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” were filmed here in 1984.
You’ve also got the Cemberlitas baths (Vezirhan Cad. No: 8), which gives discounts to those with an international student ID. When it comes to Turkish baths, you’ll have plenty to choose from when you visit Istanbul. What are you waiting for?
Picture, with modifications | jacomi
