Anyone here been to Turkey? Specifically Istanbul.
I'm thinking of going solo at the end of September. I have a few questions.
What's best to do and see? Is there a local nightlife culture? Is it possible to hook up with Turkish women?
For some reason, on online forums, chat websites etc, I get messages from Turkish girls/women more than ANY other nationality. I do pretty well on dating apps (5+ matches a week in London anyway).
Any experiences?
What do you like gay? What do you want to see?
Obviously there's night life and sluts, it's a 16 million city. If you're just looking to get laid WHERE CAN I GET SOME PUSSAY, open Tinder and do what you do back home. You can get smashed anywhere in Beyoglu. Bebek if you don't like your money. Maybe Kadikoy if you want the Asian side.
Honestly, cultural/historic things, good markets, interesting neighbourhoods, things that are worth visiting that the layman can enjoy and appreciate.
>WHERE CAN I GET SOME PUSSAY
It was less this, just an interest since Turkish girls seem incredibly, incredibly receptive to me online. I know my dating profiles are good and I have a good time at home, but I wondered if being British would actually put me a step ahead there. I know Turkey is obviously a Muslim country and likely more conservative compared to elsewhere so it makes me cast doubts slightly about how good things actually might be.
Thanks for the insight so far anyway.
>I know Turkey is obviously a Muslim country and likely more conservative
That's deep Anatolia. The Aegean coast and Istanbul are far more liberal and whores in skimpy clothing aren't much less common than girls wearing hijab and covering their lewd ankles. Think more Eastern Europe than Egypt.
How long do you have and how much do you care about history?
I’ve visited Istanbul and will be there pretty soon again. Loads to see and do, if you like history and cultural stuff there’s literally tons of it. Food is very good too.
Women is a bit of a weird subject. I visit a woman there and she stays with me when I visit. Turkish women are great and I like them much more than euro/American types. It’s a more liberal city so there are some that will fuck but you have to tread very carefully. Often they’re happy to do some stuff with you but don’t expect them to just give it up. Lots of obvious virgins. However I find them great to be around, easy to talk to, great guides and really keen to make sure you enjoy yourself.
Basically, go with low expectations to get laid. I wouldn’t set up too many dates with different girls because you want them to get comfortable with you. It will take time, but you can be really lucky. Tinder is your friend, they love British accents, don’t mention sex until she’s comfortable. You can be nicer than you would to women normally because Turkish women automatically respect you more from the beginning.
Thanks for the insight anon, this is really useful stuff.
Three questions.
>Best part of the city to stay in
>Top 3 things worth checking out
>How long does it take to make women "comfortable"
Obviously I'm British with a very noticeable accent, guessing that would be a massive benefit in that department as you mentioned.
That’s fine.
You probably want to get an apartment in the Beyoğlu area. That’s like the old city so the big stuff to visit is really close. Check out the big mosques like Hagia Sophia, you should definitely check out Galata tower and Basilica Cistern. But there’s loads of other places like Topkapi palace and stuff too. Arrange some visits with girls, they love it when you’re interested.
Obviously it depends on the girl but just do not mention sex, no matter what. They’ll find you more interesting and probably ask you why you never mention it. Ask them about their family, figure out if they’re strict Muslims, ask them if they drink. You’ll get a feel for what they’re like. Start mentioning these cultural places you want to visit and you’ll probably get a date offer straight away.
>big mosques like Hagia Sophia
Travesty. Fuck that carpet. Also upper gallery in renovation and not accessible.
>Basilica Cistern
In renovation and not accessible whatsoever.
In fact, you'll get that a lot in Istanbul now - fuckers have started a bunch of renovation projects during Covid and failed to finish any of them. Either through inefficiency or intentionally (Chora church, most likely)
Oh well, other big mosques to see and other cisterns too. Basically the same stuff. It’s not exactly going to wreck his trip.
Blue Mosque interior is basically worthless as well, it's all covered in corrugated iron and scaffoldings to the point you can't see shit but the top of the dome. Yeni Camii is closed completely too.
Although the diggest damper is probably the Basilica Cistern. Mosques are replaceable enough, but the other cisterns are nowhere near as impressive.
>upper gallery in renovation and not accessible.
ha. you think this but the tour guides in their say "it is forbidden to go upstairs". Theyre not reopening it.
> Hagia Sophia
> mosque
kys
Kysses to you too anon, the Hagia Sophia is a cute mosque and I liked it too
It was built by Christians as a Christian church. The architecture is Christian, as are the frescoes (when the mudslimes don't decide to cover them up with white paint).
If someone went to al-Aqsa and put a cross into it it would still be a mosque.
>If someone went to al-Aqsa and put a cross into it it would still be a mosque.
That's what the crusaders actually did kek. They named it Templum Solomonis (Solomon's Temple). The Dome of the Rock was renamed into Templum Domini (Temple of God).
>Templum Domini (Temple of God)
Or rather Temple of the Lord to correct myself
t. Latin knower
>Arrange some visits with girls, they love it when you’re interested.
Thanks for the tip. This is super useful and I've noticed this already. Girls across MENA are very much like this which is cool.
>ask them if they drink.
How common is drinking culture amongst young people?
Pretty common actually. I haven’t found anyone that had a problem with me having a drink either. Girls will often happily take you for a look around the bars and stuff even if they’re not drinking. I’ve never personally experienced this because I’ve always had something prearranged, however I’ve heard that Turkish men can get difficult if you try approaching girls in bars on your own. So probably easier to just find one or two to go out with first.
I heard its a bad time to go. Inflation is terrible. Yes you get more hard currency for your Euro/Dollar, but its runaway so bad that prices of everything have skyrocketed compared to what they were before.
Take a look at a chart of lira's exchange rate, then inflation, then the exchange rate again. Compare the numbers.
It's dirt fucking cheap now. Resorts and tourist shit will milk your euros, but anything used mainly by the locals almost feels like you're robbing them.
Interesting. Have you been there recently? So like restaurants and transport and stuff are dirt cheap?
Just got back from Turkey last month. A chicken durum is about 20-25 TL, restaurant dinner between 40-80. Sandwich 10 TL. Just avoid touristy places like Sultanahmet- they'll charge you 180 for a kebab that goes for 60.
Transport isn't super cheap since they're paying out the ass for gas like everyone else. Not horribly expensive though. Eg Canakkale - Istanbul private company bus will run you 300TL. Public transport is cheaper, trains are great if you can actually use them where you're going. A single ride in Istanbul with the chargeable card goes for 7 TL.
Revolut works well. You have to watch your ATMs since some charge retarded commissions. ING, Halkbank, PTT and I believe Ziraat were free. Obviously always refuse DCC if proposed.
Cool. Thanks anon. Debating between Greece and Turkey. Do you have an idea which one is currently cheaper?
Actually I'm looking at hotels and it looks like Istanbul is way cheaper than Athens (and cleaner too?). I'm seeing like 4 star hotels for 30 dollars a night, the same price seems to get you a run down shabby room in Athens. Istanbul is looking tempting.
I've been recently. Don't get finessed at the grand bazaar and keep your passport etc. about you so you don't get pickpocketed. Some vendors eil ltry to sell you stuff in dollars when they detect that you're a foreigner.
You can probably get lower, some hotels try to do a hidden dual pricing system for foreigners and locals. Just ask the local price and the manager will probably kaugh at your shrewdness. It's a nice place, great food and great views if you go outside istanbul too.
I went to Turkey without the vax. You just need the fit to fly covid test a few days beforehand.
>I went to Turkey without the vax. You just need the fit to fly covid test a few days beforehand.
Is this true? I heard Turkey dropped all COVID related entry requirements on June 22nd? About to apply for my Turkey evisa today or tomorrow. Btw how long does it take to get the Turkey online tourist visa in your experience? Thanks...
I just got my evisa today. It's instant.
Based. Maybe we'll cross paths there. Gonna do the evisa today and try and head out there this weekend.
Some questions do you buy your plane ticket before or after you apply for the evisa? Is the evisa a QR code? Thanks and have a good trip.
turkey in general is way cheaper than greece
Did you go elsewhere in the country? Looking at going from Georgia across northern Turkey to Istanbul.
Same plan! Is there like a train from Istambul to Georgia/Armenia/Azerbaijan?
Idk if there is a train to Azerbaijan but it is a short flight from Turkey. I just spent two weeks in Baku and it is a great place
Where could you get lira and not get ripped off by ATM fees and shitty ATM exchange rates?
I've heard hotels sometimes charge different rates for locals and tourists. Is this true?
Do I need a Booster shot to enter Turkey? I'm only double-jabbed.
stupid bro if you want some hairy turkish pussy just go to north london (hackney/haringey/enfield) and get some there no need to fly all the way to SHITSTANBUL
t. urkish diaspoo
Hagia Eirene is far more moving than Hagia Sophia. There I said it.
but seriously it feels much more holy
Based Iconoclast
maybe its that barely anyone goes in it too. I went in June and the price to enter Hagia Eirene alone was 140 TL. Pretty steep but dont regret it.
i wanna tap some hoejabi pussy how doable is it in turkey
too many refugees, if you want to experience the Turkish Laik Life™ go to Moda Beach, grab yourself a couple of em Russian beers and enjoy your beer while watching the glorious Marmara Sea. A great memory.
t. Turk
What are the Turks opinions on refugees? Do they want them gone or are they bro's with each other just because their Muslim?
the refugee question is the crucial point which will decide the winner of the next election in 2023.
a silent majority accepts them as their muslim brothers and sister but the mood is changing very fast because people from very different cultures like afghani and pakistani people also started to come to turkey in the last months
I just got invited to visit someone I know who works as a diplomat in Ankara. Good idea? Is Ankara boring? Is it worth going to Greece before or after turkey to get the whole experience? Are there good affordable beach resorts in turkey?
Anybody know the best mobile app to call for a ride? Like the Turkish version of Uber in the US?
Also what is the best way to not get scammed right out of the airport when taking a taxi to the hotel? Is there better area of the Arrival gate to hail legit taxi's?
Flying into Istanbul Airport btw.
stay active, id love to hear your experience, I go in September
For sure bro. Will keep the thread updated.
What neighborhood do you plan staying in? Any food or site that you are especially excited for?
>What neighborhood do you plan staying in?
The Nisantasi area. It's supposedly like Istanbul's more modern area with shopping malls, cafe's and nightlife and stuff for regular Turkish locals. The Old Town area seems like a ripoff and kind of tourist trappy for staying in permanently, and seems better suited for the odd day or two visit, while the other areas have cumbersome windy streets that seems difficult to navigate, so for a first-timer a more modern area seems suitable to me for convenience and ease to dip my toe in the water, so to speak. It's not far from anything however, it just north of Taksim, and a major subway station is right in the middle of the area for an easy dip down to the Old Town or wherever else in the city. This is how I usually like to do foreign cities, stay in a comfortable area thats not too exotic as a homebase, then go see the more off the beaten path stuff via subway or public transit.
>Any food
Oh man where do I start. Probably the thing I'm looking forward to the most. Turkish breakfast and the kebabs for starters, Doner, Kofte meatballs, Lide (like a Turkish pizza), Kumpir (the Turkish equivalent of a stuffed baked potato) and Meze platters. Not to mention the seafood and stuff, cant wait.
>Sites
Going to play it by ear, I booked this trip on kind of short notice so havent had much time to do too much research on which places to see specifically, just various districts and stuff. All the meme stuff like the Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar for sure, but for now you probably have a better idea of what to see specifically at the moment than I do lol. Open to recommendations if you got any my dude.
This is what I have saved in my notepad
Topkapi Palace
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/istanbul/attractions/topkapi-palace/a/poi-sig/402212/360887
Aya Sofya
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/istanbul/attractions/aya-sofya/a/poi-sig/401908/360887
Kariye Museum Chora Church
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/istanbul/attractions/kariye-museum-chora-church/a/poi-sig/402174/360887
Basillca Cistern
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/istanbul/attractions/basilica-cistern/a/poi-sig/402088/360887
Grand Bazaar
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/istanbul/attractions/grand-bazaar/a/poi-sig/402194/360887
Sweet! Thanks anon :3
Thanks for the info too! Great explanation of staying in Nisantasi. I'm super excited. Are you staying in Istanbul the whole time?
I'm only staying in Turkey for two weeks, would stay longer but I have some friends in Croatia that I need to meet. So most likely just two weeks in Istanbul unless I grow bored and run out of things to see, but I doubt that's going to happen in Istanbul lol. Since the evisa is good for 180 days though, if I like it enough I may indeed return some time afterwards though. Would love to check out some beach coastal areas in Turkey.
You'll have a great time, fren
Anyone know general cleanliness of Istanbul? How are the refugees and homeless population? Worry about pickpockets? Muggings?
Drug scene? Is hash popular? Shisha? Anything else?
Definitely gonna try some shisha 🙂 Forgot to mention that
>Kariye Museum Chora Church
Closed until further notice
>Basillca Cistern
Closed until further notice
>Grand Bazaar
Grand Souvenir Store. Walk through the complex to see the size of the building and gtfo, it's an absolute tourist trap. 30 minutes max. The actual bazaar peddling counterfeit clothes to the locals is in the surrounding streets. Don't even think about buying anything without haggling, leaving the store and waiting for the guy to shout after you. They'll start with 2 times the usual price the moment they see your pasty skin.
It's pretty safe. Been three times in total, nothing's ever happened. Surprisingly not that dirty too, maybe a bit better than the Mediterranean standard.
Nog central is around Yenikapi. The actual shithole is Tarlabasi, just north of Istiklal Street. You won't get shanked immediately on entry during the day, but it definitely feels sketchy. Don't go there at night. Balat and Fener used to be poverty central, but the area is getting gentrified with colorful hipster cafes. Still, lots of run down houses the further you go up.
Pickpockets I'm usually paranoid about so no real input there, I walk with hands in my pockets like an autist.
Don't pick up the brush when a shoeshiner drops it.
The Istanbul one, probably not. There's fuck all on it but Topkapi and Galata. Lots of the museums are under a different jurisdiction and not covered by the pass (eg. Dolmabahce). Count your planned entries against the price. The overall Museum Pass for Turkey is great value though.
You can get the Istanbul Card for public transport, it'll pay for itself quickly with the fee reduction. Alternatively, I think you can get a multiple fare non-rechargable at a discount. Single fare without either is a waste of money.
>Nog central is around Yenikapi. The actual shithole is Tarlabasi, just north of Istiklal Street.
Thank you for this insight
Would you agree that Nisantasi area is the right place to stay?
What is considered a good tip price in Turkey without neither insulting the locals nor breaking the bank over time?
Any specific apps one would recommend to download before I get to Istanbul?
good question, also is a museum pass, train pass, and SIM card worth getting?
also is a Hammam worth it? am I getting a hairy man? happy endings?
yes