Travel guide
Istanbul

The 12 keywords Istanbul

1. #Atatürk

Main Turkish statesman of the 20th century. Mustafa Kemal, known as Atatürk (the father of the Turks) founded the Turkish Republic in 1923. It will modernize the country and establish the principles of secularism. His influence on the social life of the country is always very great, and it is difficult to ignore him as his portraits, statues and photos are present.

2. #Backgammon

One of the oldest board games in the world, probably from Mesopotamia. In Turkey, every opportunity is good to play. In some alleys filled with small tables provided for this purpose, the Turks, while drinking their tea, crack the dice on the wooden tray. Combining strategy and luck, this game is quickly addictive!

3. #Bazaar

Istanbul is full of bazaars, each district has its own speciality (bazaar of fabrics, bicycles, light bulbs...). The best known are the Egyptian market (spice market) and the big bazaar with its 5,000 shops. Between ceramics, jewellery, carpets and copper objects, it is the ideal place to go shopping if you know how to bargain well.

4. #Bosphorus

About forty kilometres long, the Bosporus serves as a passage between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, thus marking the border between Europe and Asia. Its traffic is one of the densest in the world: 50,000 boats a year and more than one million Istanbul residents cross from one bank to the other every day. Three bridges and a tunnel cross it.

5. #Turkish Coffee

According to the rules of the art, Turkish coffee must be slowly heated in sand over a fire to obtain a balanced aroma. It is necessary to specify the quantity of sugar when ordering: sade (without sugar), orta (medium sweet) and şekerli (very sweet). After tasting, a falcı can read the future in the remaining pomace at the bottom of the cup.

6. #Kebap

The term kebap, which means grilled meat, can include lamb, mutton, beef or chicken. There are many types, it can be served as a dish with braised tomatoes and peppers, as a sandwich or rolled in a wrap. In France, we know mainly the doner, which cooks vertically.

7. #Mosques

Istanbul is known as the "city of seven hills and a thousand mosques". Today, there are 3,300 of them, some of which are pure jewels of Ottoman architecture. It is imperative to visit the Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque, avoiding the prayer hours (5 times a day), especially on Fridays between 12 and 2 pm.

8. #Nazar boncuk

Made from glass paste, this ancestral talisman is found throughout the Middle East, particularly in Turkey. Hanging on the doors of houses, in offices..., it symbolizes the envious gaze of others that could cause various misfortunes to a person. This talisman would have the ability to absorb these bad energies.

9. #Rakı

Turkish national alcohol, aniseed, at 45 degrees, generally made from grapes, it resembles pastis or ouzo. It is drunk very fresh as an accompaniment to long meals made up of mezzes and fish. Some rules to follow: first serve rakı, water and then ice cubes. To be enjoyed in moderation, rakı is strong!

10. #Teras

Many restaurants, hotels, cafés, bars and nightclubs have a terrace. This asset is put forward to promote the establishment. Many of them have a beautiful view of the Bosphorus, but sometimes it is more of a fashion effect and no panorama is on the horizon. It should be noted that the fresh air remains pleasant.

11. #Tea

Çay (tchay) in Turkish. An essential drink of Turkish culture, offered as a sign of hospitality, it is drunk everywhere and at any time, served in small glass cups. Harder and stronger than tea served in Europe, do not hesitate to ask for it açık (atcheuk) to make it lighter. Turks usually have tea after a meal.

12. #Tulip

If you are told tulips, you may think of the Netherlands, but tulips come from the Middle East! It is a symbol of Turkey, and especially of Istanbul (Turkish lale). It took on its full importance in the 16th century, in the Ottoman gardens. It is found as a motif on ceramics. At the end of April, the tulip festival celebrates spring.