Tip 1: Get a Visa

A visa is important when planning a trip to Istanbul. Although the city of Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia, it's not part of the European Union; hence Europeans like Asians must obtain a visa before traveling to the country. In times past, you could get a visa on arrival. However, the protocol has changed. Visitors are required to obtain a visa online from their country before embarking on the journey to Turkey. So, to avoid any delay or complications at the airport in Istanbul, you must obtain a visa ahead of time. Usually, a trip to the city is not costly, although the price of flights varies depending on the location of the tourist.
 

Tip 2: Pick a Time to Visit

You can visit Istanbul at any period of the year. The experience can vary based on the time of the year you visit Istanbul. May, September, and October are good months to visit. These periods of year allow visitors to bask comfortably in the beauty of the city. For one, the weather is perfect for sightseeing, and vegetation has fully bloomed. The beauty and brightness of the environment are fully visible—a perfect period to capture amazing images.

If you fancy cultural events, this period will present you with a couple of festivals in town. You can feel the part by mingling with the events and enjoying a lovely time. Winter could also be an excellent time to visit too. Unlike spring or fall, when you get moderate sunbathing, winter is rainy and chilly. Of course, you'd still be able to see places of interest and engage in outdoor activities, albeit with certain limitations due to the weather.

If your free time falls into the summer, the heat coupled with the high number of visitors can be discouraging. However, if you are up for it, why not!
 

Tip 3: Learn a Few Words

As with other tourist destinations, learning a few words is quite important. Apart from the fact that the locals appreciate and find it amusing to hear visitors try to speak their language, it can also be helpful in some ways. Since you'll interact with the locals in some ways, a few things can save you from misunderstandings, help you to be more polite, and may even save your life. You could use Google Translate to learn a few things. You can learn to say words like; please, thank you, Hi, how much, and sorry. You don't have to say these words accurately. Many natives will grasp what you are trying to say even with an imperfect accent. In terms of pronunciation, Turkish is relatively easy. The words simply need to be stressed on the last syllable. Below are few translations:

Hello is translated as Merhaba 

Please is translated as lütfen 

Thank you is translated as teşekkür ederim 

Help means Yardım Edin 

Sorry means üzgünüm. 

If you should forget any word at any given moment, simply use Google Translate.
 

Tip 4: Safety In Istanbul

In 2017 and years preceding it, Istanbul wasn't so safe. There were incidents that discouraged many from visiting. However, after 2017, the security in Istanbul stepped up. With this development, the city is safer. Security personnel are a common feature of the city. Hence, in terms of security, Istanbul is quite safe.

Additionally, always have a means of identification with you everywhere you go. It could be a copy of your passport if you can't carry the original around. Above all, you should pay attention to your surroundings to avoid pickpockets. And this is because even though it's not a common thing, you can't rule out the possibility. Also, be vigilant to avoid scams. These precautions are what you'll keep in mind even when visiting other destinations in Europe.
 

Tip 5: Dressing and Grooming

The perception of the Turkish people when it comes to dressing and grooming is also important. You'd want to dress modestly when in Istanbul to avoid attracting undue attention to yourself or offending the culture of locals. Women want to wear clothes that don't reveal body parts excessively. Men should avoid shorts that are too far from the knees. While it's true that Istanbul is a modern city, Islamic traditions influence the custom here. If you visit a mosque, remember to bring a scarf along or purchase one. Alternatively, come with a hoodie to cover your head as a woman. Overall, the Turkish people are friendly and welcoming. Also visitors are not overwhelmed by the attention. Everyone goes about their usual activities.
 

Tip 6: How To Move Around in the Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul has buses and trains to help you get around the city easily. Trams, ferries, and other modes of transportation are available in the city to help you move around. You can get private taxis or Dolmushes to get you to various destinations. The only challenge here is that some taxis have broken meters which makes it difficult to track the journey and get the accurate cost to pay. Sometimes, drivers may take a longer route to charge more. The only way to beat this is if you use a google map -- this might work if the local driver doesn't come up with an excuse to use an alternate route. The only downside is that heavy traffic can impede your movement around the city. Your best options are tram and metro. Metro works into the night, and this is good news for lovers of nightlife.
 

Tip 7: Avoid Accommodations Near a Mosque and Taksim

Take this from people who have traveled to Istanbul; avoid accommodation near mosques or markets. Honestly, the call to prayer at dawn sounds melodic and beautiful. And if you're up for it, you may want to wake up to listen( it will most likely wake you anyway). However, it may not sound so interesting if you have to listen to it every day. It may disturb your sleep and leave you agitated if you like to sleep late. The sound is so resounding it can be heard as far as 5km. And it's the loudspeakers that amplify the sound -- sending it to every corner at 3:45 am till about 4 am. If it were just the dawn alone, maybe it wouldn't be so discomforting. However, the reminder sounds five times a day ( that's a lot). The best way to avoid it is to get accommodation far from a mosque. At least somewhere 7km away. However, if you want to experience it during your stay, go there around 3:30 am to see for yourself or choose another time of the day between afternoon and evening.

Taksim! You may have been wondering why this place is compared to a mosque. Well, it's a place that never sleeps and is always noisy. Music from various restaurants and squares keeps this location lively all day and night. If you want some silence after touring all day, stay away from Taksim. On the flip side, Taksim would interest a nightlife lover or someone not bothered by noise. Yes, some people can sleep peacefully even if their room is inside a football stadium. The bottom line is to get a room far from a mosque or Taksim to avoid loud and disturbing noises.
 

Tip 8: Go on a Boat Cruise 

Do you like the water view? Well, Istanbul has private and public ships & boats for people who want to enjoy the sea and view the city from there. Ship cruises are not costly, except you are looking for a private boat cruise. You may want to grab some bread to feed the seagulls. 

Tip 9: Be careful With Your Cameras 

Well, there are certain restrictions regarding pictures in Istanbul. Some places have signs that prohibit taking images. For example, you may not take photographs of some mosques. Additionally, local men and women may not want to be captured by cameras. It's often advised to take permission before taking photos of people. 

Tip 10: Try the Meals 

When you visit Istanbul, Turkey, you should try the local meal -- especially the street foods. It's a blend of many tasty things. Be adventurous and try as many dishes as you can. However, don't overeat in a day and always get bottled water (water from the taps is not healthy).

Tip 11: The Special Tip ( A Must Read) 

The last tip is special, and if this were to be an audio recording, this part would be whispered. So, the tip is; Beware of Shoe Cleaners! There are rumors that shoe cleaners trick tourists by making it seem as if they dropped a brush accidentally. Should a tourist pick up the brush as a nice gesture, the cleaner will then act all appreciative and insist on cleaning the tourist's shoe. After which the cleaner will ask for an exorbitant fee which must be paid or will try to collect it forcefully. Not so many have complained of this; however, it won't hurt to keep in mind. 

So, there you are! Keep the tips in mind and enjoy your time in Istanbul! 

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