  Istanbul
Click to get the inside scoop from
real travelers here at VirtualTourist. See the Istanbul Travel GuideInside advice from real people on:Overview, Hotels, Things to Do, Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping, General Tips, Transportation, Off the Beaten Path, Tourist Traps, Warnings or Dangers, Local Customs, Packing Lists or Sports Travel.
 7057 Istanbul Tips.12582 Istanbul Photos.15 Istanbul Videos. Istanbul Pages by ophiro
Tips 1 - 9 of 9 Istanbul Local Customs
|
|
 |
Local Customs: Evil Eye
|
Tip Rating:   |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Evil Eye is a blue glass that looks like an eye.
it is called Nazar Bonjuk and you can buy it in all bazaars.
It can be on a ring , necklace , earring , bracelet and more.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you want to buy something you should always bargain for 2 reasons :
1. This is a well known custom in Turkey and if you wont bargain you might offend the seller.
2. This way you will get a better price.
to have a good bargain you should lower the price that you want to pay that the seller will raise it and this way both of you will be happy.
another trick is to leave the store and when he will go out and call you you will decide about the price - this way i bought a leather belt in 10 YTL instead of 35 YTL.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Although i saw a lot of turkish people that cant speak english they tried to help us when we needed - with hands or with other people that can speak english.
Most of the people i saw were very friendly.
For example - while waiting in the bazaar someone gave us chairs and offered tea or water and he didnt even tried to sell us something.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Turkish cuisine is very famous in the world.
While walking in Istanbul i saw a lot of places to eat - almost every second store is a food store.
They have a lot of simit stands outside and people selling simit while walking with a large mountain of simit on their head.
Simit is like a round bread.
They drink a lot of yogurt called ayran as far as i remember and also with Kebaps.
Turkey is a Kebaps heaven - a lot of kebaps vendors and stores - sometimes even store next to another.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When you want to enter a mosque you must take off your shoes.
There are places to put your shoes and you have to respect the place.
In most of the mosques there are signs to remind you and also people that will prevent the entrance with shoes.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Because the mosque is a holy place for the muslims you have to respect them and the place you enter.
dont go with short pants or undershirt.
if you will enter this way they will give you something to cover yourself or will prevent your entrance.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don't walk in front of a praying person because it can be that he is praying to you instead of praying to god.
This is why they closed the praying area in a barrier - Don't cross it.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raki , also known as the lion's milk , is the traditional drink in Turkey .
The taste of Raki is very close to the taste of Arak.
Raki is a clear beverage that is made from grapes.
We got Raki while sitting in a restaurant called Beyaz Balina and it was very good.
The raki is a very strong beverage with more than 40% alcohol so beware ! - i saw a woman that her husband had to drag her home after drinking raki.
You can drink the Raki alone but you can also add water or ice and the raki changes the color to a white or pearl.
The turkish people sometimes gather and drink raki , eat cold and hot salad , cheese and playing music or laughing.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On some places you will see a person with a huge jug on his back.
This is a tea seller and you can buy tea for a small sum of money.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join a Discussion Modern Tramway
(1 replies, Sunday, Jul 20, 2008, 10:33 AM UTC) WALKING OVER THE BOSPHORUS BRIDGE
(4 replies, Saturday, Jul 19, 2008, 5:48 PM UTC) Istanbul - Transportation suggestions
(10 replies, Thursday, Jul 17, 2008, 10:02 AM UTC) Be the first to reply to these questions BAYRAM - OCT 2nd (Cont'd)
(no replies yet, Tuesday, Jul 1, 2008, 8:17 AM UTC) BAYRAM – Kindly confirm our Itinerary from SEPT 30th – OCT 4
(no replies yet, Tuesday, Jul 1, 2008, 8:16 AM UTC) I want to meet traveller in Istanbul
(no replies yet, Sunday, May 11, 2008, 8:31 PM UTC) » All Istanbul Posts
» Ask about Istanbul $30 Istanbul, TY city sightseeing, Open-Top Bus Tour
(0 comments, Friday, Sep 7, 2007, 6:26 AM UTC) flights to India for 150-170 EUR, taxes incl.
(0 comments, Thursday, Jan 18, 2007, 11:01 PM UTC) » All Istanbul Deals
» Post a Istanbul Deal |
 Comments for ophiro about Istanbul | | | | |
NYTim Mon Apr 7, 2008 16:43 UTC
Great pages. I visited in 2006 but it was for only two and half days. This time I am going to Haifa for four days then 7 in Istanbul and the surrounding area. I will use your pages as part of my guide. | karbonhidrat Thu Sep 6, 2007 14:38 UTC
hello really you make wonderful page on istanbul :)... i am glad to hear that you had a good time in istanbul ... | canadiantrav Fri Jun 29, 2007 08:36 UTC
wonderful pages and so glad that you like Turkey...hope to see more from your next travels... | LeCeleste Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:50 UTC
About NYCNeedleworker:probably working for the Istanbul + Athens tourist office.Check his page. Member since 16/05/2006,never seen again.Massive comments on genuine VT-ers attacks neg experiences highlights pos ones .What a fake ,just delete his comment. |
|
|
email me
add as friend
