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Ask Locals in Istanbul!
Valueable advice or meet people in Istanbul for travel tips, best food recommendations, hidden gems, or social hangouts with locals, guides, and travelers.
Trends in Istanbul
Is it okay to sneak my own booze into the AJWA Sultanahmet, even though they don't serve alcohol?
I don’t want to impose or cause an issue, but I didn’t realize the hotel was dry. It appears very nice otherwise. Would they react poorly to having a bottle of wine in the room?
Probably best to err on the side of caution. Hotels that don't serve alcohol often have strict policies about bringing your own. A quick email to the hotel might be worth it to avoid any awkwardness.
Affordable Istanbul Sweets
Looking for reasonably priced, good quality Turkish delights in Istanbul. Prices varied wildly (3500 TL, 1250 TL, 600 TL/kg) at three different shops – all tasted the same! Any recommendations?
Honestly, you're getting ripped off. Those prices are insane. Head to the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı). You'll find tons of little shops selling lokum – some touristy, some not. Just wander around, compare prices (but don't be afraid to haggle a little!), and look for places that aren't super flashy. The smaller, less obvious places often have the best deals and the quality is usually just as good, if not better. You should easily find good lokum for way less than 600 TL/kg, probably closer to 200-300. Trust me, your wallet (and your taste buds) will thank you.
Wow, thanks! That's incredibly helpful. I completely overlooked the Spice Bazaar – I was focusing on the more obvious touristy spots. Haggling is definitely something I need to work on, I'm terrible at it! But 200-300 TL/kg sounds much more reasonable. I'll definitely check it out. Appreciate the tip!
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