Sampling the delicious and diverse street food of Istanbul is another experience not to be missed.
The Turkish phrase for Bon Appetit (Afiyet Olsun) may become a battle cry as you catch the public ferry for a ride across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of Istanbul. First stop is the colourful and chaotic Kadikoy Market.
Crammed with all manner of culinary delights - from olives to bread to stuffed grape leaves - the market is bursting with fishmongers, fruit sellers, butchers and gourmet food shops.
Lamb-topped Turkish pizza, sugar-coated sweets and kebabs are all musts. You can then stroll across the low-lying and much photographed Galata Bridge where fishermen have been pulling in the daily catch for generations.
The bridge is also home to countless stalls selling everything from jewellery to simits (Turkish bagels). As you cross to the other side, you’ll find yourself in the Beyoglu district and the famous Karakoy Gulluoglu, purveyor of the best baklava in Istanbul. Famous the world over, this Turkish pastry is made from several layers of filo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey. The walk continues up the hill to Galatasaray, a neighbourhood that is home to one of Turkey’s most famous football teams of the same name. And if you need a rest, you can hop on the tram on Istiklal Caddesi, the city’s grand bustling boulevard lined with shops and restaurants, as well as famous landmarks.
© Greek Cruises 2024
