Pallavi Pasricha
11-Sep-2026
From Istanbul’s minarets and bustling bazaars to Cappadocia’s surreal valleys and skies dotted with hot-air balloons, Türkiye unfolds in two unforgettable moods at these destinations.
One of the best things about travelling to a city again is to discover something different. This was my third visit to Türkiye’s largest city, Istanbul. I had admired the intricate detailing of the tiles at the Blue Mosque, seen the scriptures at Hagia Sophia, walked through Grand Bazaar, soaked in the view of Istanbul from Galata Tower and taken the tram through Istiklal Street. This time I was determined to do something offbeat.
Did I manage? No. And I am very happy about it. Why? Because in a city whose story goes back more than 2500 years, on each visit, one uncovers different facets of these destinations, especially with a seasoned guide.
Straddling two continents – Europe and Asia – Istanbul sits on one of the world’s great crossroads. Magnificent mosques and monuments rise next to ancient bazaars, the sizzle of street food mingles with the aroma of Turkish coffee, and boats on the Bosphorus that divide the city’s east and west beckon one to savour its sights and sounds.
Luckily my hotel was close to Istiklal Street and Taksim Square. A stroll through this 1.4km pedestrian only lane is a great way to begin uncovering the city. Lined with high street brands as well as restaurants serving traditional Turkish food, it is the perfect place to sample a doner kebab and get your first introduction to the cuisine.
If you don’t feel like walking, hop onto a red tram that runs from Taksim Square through Istiklal Street and ends at Tünel Square. From here Galata Tower, one of Istanbul’s most recognisable landmarks, is a mere five-minute walk. One of the world’s oldest towers, it dates back to the Byzantine era in 507-508 AD but was rebuilt in the 14th century. Climb up and you are rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and Istanbul’s domes and minarets – an awe-inspiring sight.
Cheesecake lovers, do not miss the famous San Sebastian cheesecake at Viyana Kahvesi, located just a few steps away from the tower. Instagram may have made it viral but it definitely lives up to the hype. If you have time, stop at one of the several rooftop bars in the area.
To get a true sense of the city’s fascinating past, set aside a full day to explore Sultanahmet Square in the heart of the historic district where landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque (also called Blue Mosque), Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern lie within walking distance. The journey takes you back to 7th century BCE when Istanbul began as the Greek colony of Byzantium. It later became Constantinople, the capital of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, before the Ottoman Empire took over in 1453. The footprints of these civilizations echo throughout the city.
A good starting point is the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum, whose magnificent interiors offer a visual journey through Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman past. It was a church, then became a mosque, then a museum and in 2020 was declared a mosque again.
Our guide Bulut Okçu asked us, “Can you see if it’s blue? It’s not. So why do you think they call it the Blue Mosque?” The answer is simple. Thousands of blue tiles line the interior and when sunlight streams in through the countless windows, the whole space acquires an ethereal blue glow. The breathtaking space is decorated with more than 20,000 handmade ?znik ceramic tiles – take your time to admire the detail.
Keep at least three hours to go through the lavish chambers and glittering treasures in Topkapi Palace to get a glimpse into the grandeur and lavish lifestyle of the Ottoman sultans – it served as one of their main residences.
Don’t miss the Basilica Cistern. Built during the Byzantine era, it is the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul. Descending into its vast underground chambers, surrounded by hundreds of columns rising from the water and pools of light illuminating the darkness is quite an experience. The setting may seem familiar – some scenes of the Tom Hanks film Inferno were shot here.
End the trip with a boat ride down the Bosphorus. Gliding past grand palaces, graceful minarets and waterfront mansions in the soft glow of the setting sun, Istanbul unfold from a different perspective.
CAPPADOCIA
I couldn’t wait to reach my next destination, Cappadocia. The fascinating sight of volcanic rock formations known as fairy chimneys, burrowing underground in a cave hotel and gliding over the unique landscape in a hot air balloon makes the experience in Cappadocia straight out of a fairytale picture book. The topography, shaped by centuries of volcanic eruptions and erosion, is unlike what you will find anywhere else in the world.
Make Göreme, the main town in the sprawling Cappadocia region, your base and stay in a cave hotel for a unique experience. Carved out of natural stone and rock, these were originally homes of the empires that created a vast underground community here.
I began the day with the region’s most famous offering – hot air ballooning. Although it was my second experience, it was still magical. At daybreak, I watched with anticipation the balloon being set up and begin to glow with bursts of flame against the pale morning sky. I was soon in the air gliding gently over the surreal moonscape peaks, rocks and fairy chimneys. Then slowly the pilot took us higher and the spectacle of the entire valley unfolded before me. Being surrounded by a myriad of other colourful balloons made it ever more ethereal. After the one-hour ride, everyone celebrated by popping champagne with the balloon pilot.
Here’s one tip. Take just a few pictures but don’t let photography ruin the experience. Savour the ride without any distraction so that you truly capture the moment.
Turkey is known for kebabs and Cappadocia takes pride in the Testi kebabs, also known as pottery kebabs as they are baked in a clay pot for at least four hours. It is served in a unique way – you have to break the clay pot with a sharp knife or hammer that the server brings to your table. What emerges is a super soft kebab that simply melts in the mouth.
Make your way to one of the valleys: Devrent (also known as Imagination Valley), Pa?a ba?lar? (also called Monk’s Valley), and Love Valley. It’s fascinating to see the fairy chimneys created by tall conical rock formations – their fantastical shapes invite comparisons with animals. The most obvious ones are the camel and dolphin, but for others let your imagination run riot, hence this name. It seems as if someone has beautifully sculptured and shaped these tall structures that look like mushrooms, but it’s all the handiwork of nature shaped over millions of years by volcanic eruptions, wind and erosion.
If shopping is a quintessential part of your holiday, then Cappadocia, known for carpets and ceramics is the perfect place. While there are plenty of colourful markets to browse, a niche place is Kybele Boutique Ceramic. It has several rooms with gorgeous handcrafted pieces and an on-site workshop where you can understand this process and even try your hand at it. At Bazaar 54, pick up rich hand-knotted Turkish carpets in silk or wool.
As I left Cappadocia, I couldn’t help but think about how contrasting these two destinations are. Istanbul is rooted in its past, but it is energetic and constantly moving. Cappadocia is quieter, slower and almost dreamlike. One is defined by centuries of history and the rhythm of a great metropolis; the other by landscapes that seem to belong to another world. Perhaps that’s what made travelling between the two so special – two very different sides of Türkiye, each making me want to return one more time.
