Edited by Matthew Wears
Caught in a swirling cultural gyre, where Asia meets Europe, Istanbul is the spirited lovechild of both continents. Subtle features of both European and Asian influences appear in the landscape of Turkish culture. To explore Istanbul is to examine this flourishing mix of culture. You could choose to visit the popular sites of the Old City or slip lightly off the trodden path to uncover the lesser-known jewels. After 12 years in the city, I still find crevices that surprise me!
Hidden gems in Istanbul never fail to delight the lucky explorer who stumbles upon them. Whether it’s shopping for irresistible trinkets, visiting the ancient mosques, Istanbul has it all. There is a wealth of secret places in Istanbul, which I hope to share with you. Whichever you choose to visit, you can rest assured that Istanbul off the beaten path will only ever enchant.