Istanbul, Turkey: Link Between 2 continents

Introduction

At the end of last year, I had many vacation days left from work, and I wanted to plan a trip to some Middle Eastern Country, which is not too far, not too expensive, and has good scenic views, for a relaxing vacation. I had a lot many options but I narrowed it down to Turkey, and where else can one start his trip in Turkey other than Istanbul?

Arrival in Istanbul

You see, Some cities welcome you quietly, and then some cities pull you in with both hands, their pulse matching the beat of your own heart. Istanbul was the latter. From the moment I stepped onto its ancient streets, I felt something stirring—an old familiarity wrapped in the thrill of the unknown.

But before going to the streets, let me describe how I was welcomed by the beautiful rainy weather of Istanbul. Perhaps it was the way the call to prayer echoed over the Bosphorus (a strait in Turkey), the rain that appeared to smear through the windscreen of our taxi, or maybe it was that familiar scent of damped soil as the rain soaked the earth. Istanbul was a contradiction—both familiar and foreign, chaotic yet graceful, ancient but so very alive.

The Duality of Istanbul

An important fact to understand before proceeding ahead is that Istanbul has two sides - literally as well as rhetorically. It is the city that divides Europe and Asia through the Strait of Bosporus, which also divides the city into the Asian side and the European side. Each side of the city is influenced by the continent it connects. While the alleys on the Asian side of the city reflect more Asian architecture and traditions, the designs and architecture of the European side are crafted in the image of Eastern Europe.

Accommodation

A few days before starting my journey, I had already booked myself a room at the Meyzi Hotel which was relatively inexpensive and quite close to the Airport. I knew that all the major sightseeing would be far from that location but when I started my search, all the good hotels were already reserved, and this one was the only option left with decent reviews on Booking.com and Google.

Here's how the Room was (which I got for less than 20€ per night with breakfast)

Places to visit

Blue Mosque

I began my journey where any traveler would—the Blue Mosque. Its domes and minarets stretched towards the sky, their elegance softened by time. Inside, the hush of visitors, the scent of old stone, and the cool blue of the intricate Iznik tiles wrapped around me like a dream. I sat for a while, watching the interplay of light through stained glass, feeling the weight of centuries in the air.

The inside of the Mosque is even more mesmerizing, together with the detailed calligraphic verses of the Holy Quran written in the Arabic language, the fine 17th-century designs on the walls and the pillars will captivate your attention easily.

From the inside, it appears like this

Hagia Sophia

Just a short walk away stood Hagia Sophia, pronounced as Aya Sofiya a monument that has seen empires rise and fall. Once a church, then a mosque, then a museum, and now a mosque again—it was a place where history refused to stay still. Standing beneath its massive dome, I felt dwarfed not just by its size but by the sheer weight of its past. The golden mosaics and towering minarets whispered stories of sultans and emperors, of faith and ambition. In its museum section, I traced my fingers lightly over ancient inscriptions, imagining the hands that had carved them long before my existence.

A little History detour

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) was originally constructed as a grand cathedral by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 537 CE. It served as the largest Christian church of the Eastern Roman Empire.

But in 1453, during the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire defeated Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI, capturing the city. The Hagia Sophia was then converted into a mosque.

Later, in 1935, it was transformed into a museum under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, before being reconverted into a mosque in 2020.

Its purpose has shifted over centuries—from a church to a mosque, to a museum, and back to a mosque, reflecting the city's rich and layered history.

Galata Bridge

By noon, the city was alive with movement, and so was I. I crossed Galata Bridge, where fishermen lined the railings, their lines dipping into the deep blue waters below. The smell of grilled fish from the boats docked nearby made my stomach growl, and I gave in—biting into a freshly made balık ekmek, the famous fish sandwich, as the city buzzed around me.

Galata Tower

On the other side of the bridge, I found myself at the base of Galata Tower, its medieval stone structure rising against the sky. But the queue stretched impossibly long, winding through the narrow alleys like an unbroken thread of impatient tourists. I was told that it could easily take up to 1.5 to 2 hrs for my turn. Already renched in the rain, I decided not to go up the Galata tower that day. I sighed, took a few pictures from outside, and consoled myself with the thought that some things are best admired from a distance.

Taksim Square

Later, I wandered through Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul, where the past and present collided in a symphony of honking cars, street music, and hurried footsteps. From there, I followed the steady flow of people into Istiklal Street—a world in itself. The red tram rattled past, a relic of another era, while stores spilled their treasures onto the pavement—Turkish delight in glass cases, leather shoes lined up in perfect rows, books in languages I couldn’t read but longed to understand. I wish I had taken those Arabic language classes I was searching on Babble some time back, to expand my linguistic knowledge. I guess, being a true polyglot isn't my cup of tea.

Grand Bazaar

No visit to Istanbul would be complete without losing oneself in the labyrinthine alleys of the Grand Bazaar. It reminded me of the Palika Bazaar in New Delhi, India, which I used to visit often during my undergraduate years. Under its vast, domed ceilings, I was swallowed by a world of color— handwoven carpets, delicate ceramics painted in deep blues and fiery reds. The shopkeepers were artists of conversation, calling out in a dozen languages, weaving words as skillfully as they did their wares. Bargaining was expected, almost a game, and I played my part, walking away with designer magnets as a souvenir that now shares space on the door of my fridge, along with many others, a tiny piece of Istanbul in my home.

After wandering through the Bazaar for quite a while, I finally found refuge.
At a café, I ordered a cup of thick, velvety Turkish coffee. Sinking into a quiet corner, I let the rich aroma of Turkish coffee stir me back to life and let its bitterness settle on my tongue as I watched people move past me.

Exploring City on Foot

As the sun dipped below the skyline, I found myself once again by the Bosphorus, watching the ferries glide across the water, their lights flickering against the darkening sky. The city shimmered—its mosques silhouetted against the twilight, its streets still alive with the rhythm of the night.

The following couple of days, I spent learning more about Turkish traditions and cultural heritage. Being a Punjabi myself, savoring different cuisines excites me even more. Another curious detail that caught my eye was the design of the public telephone systems. Subtle yet distinctive, they seemed to depict bells representing the arrival of a message. Here is how the Public Telephones by Türk Telekomwhat looked like.

Drawn in by the rich, tantalizing aromas of Turkish cuisine, I couldn’t resist sampling an array of dishes. Each bite was a discovery, a story told through spices and tradition.

Conclusion

Istanbul, I realized, wasn’t just a place. It was a feeling, a bridge between two continents, two cultures, two histories. And somewhere in between, I had found a piece of myself.

All the experiences are hard to put into words. As I understand, I wouldn't be able to do justice in describing the unique blend of culture, tradition, and architecture. Its essence is something to be felt, not merely described. I couldn't post all the beautiful images and videos I shot here in this blog, but I will try to post as many as possible on Social media handles. But, I undoubtedly urge everyone reading this, to at least once visit Istanbul, whenever you can.

As I turned away, the call to prayer echoed once more, and I smiled. Some places don’t just leave a mark; they become a part of you. Istanbul was one of them.