The El Camino Travel Guide to Istanbul, Turkey
Written by Samuel Greene and prepared with El Camino Travel expert Eric Monkaba
Tomtom, sourced from Instagram
North, south, east, and west have one thing in common—they all start in Istanbul, the center of the world. Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus Strait, with the confluence of the Black Sea to the north, the Mediterranean to the south, Asia to the east, and Europe to the west. In the words of our travel expert, Eric Monkaba ,
“You can feel it. You’re in two places at once. It’s indescribable.”
Tradition and innovation challenge the meaning of the word, “culture”, and coexist in a chaotic, yet orderly way.
From the center of Roman Christendom to the heart of the Muslim Ottoman Empire, Istanbul is proof that change is the only constant. Its markets teem with treasures from all over the world like textiles from Kazakstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and as far away as Indonesia. Cinnamon, cumin, mint, pepper, sumac, and thyme fill the air as cuisines from Italy, Greece, Persia, and beyond have created a swirling array of flavors being redefined on a daily basis through the experimentation of modern chefs. At every turn, the relevance of what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen in Istanbul reverberates through three continents.
Hos geldin! Welcome to Istanbul!
Stay
Tomtom Suites - Once a Franciscan nunnery, this refurbished 20-suite boutique combines modern art, classic and clean style, breathtaking views, and best of all; each room has hammam (bathhouse)-style bathrooms (whirlpool and all!). If your Istanbul trip is meant to be a bit of a romantic getaway too—this is for you.
Also included in the guide:
A twenty-bedroom boutique in the heart of one of Istanbul’s oldest and best neighborhoods
An airy, light, and simple stay, just steps away from the Blue Mosque
A centrally-located hotel that plays with hard, modern architectural features while still feeling accommodating
Neolokal, sourced from Instagram
Shop
Textiles, textiles, and more textiles. Turkey is famous for them, and we’ve got some great recs. We recommending visiting Lokal Maqaza for your next summer wardrobe where you can shop locally designed and made clothing, accessories, and gifts.
Also included in the guide:
A serious textile maker, specializing in Suzani’s which are Kazak, Uzbek, and Tajik tribal embroidered textiles
Where to shop high-end bed coverings, pillowcases, and Turkish rugs
Ceramic stores selling unique and handcrafted pieces for your home
Tomtom, sourced from Instagram
Eat
Neolokal - We can’t stress enough that Istanbul is old. There’s so much history that there are recipes classified as “endangered”. Neolokal is a team of chefs, headed by Maksut Asgar, dedicated to using modern techniques to recreate ancient recipes for the present-day world to experience before they’re forgotten for good, and the tasting menu is definitely worth the trip.
Also included in the guide:
A restaurant adorned with 50s & 70s chrome furniture, and humble yet exquisitely reimagined traditional foods
In the words of our travel expert, a restaurant that served “hands down one of the most delicious meals I've had. More than a year later and I still dream about that dish.”
A pop-up venue where very meal is an experience and story, and a highly recommended food tour
Lokal Maqaza, sourced from Instagram
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