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What can tourists do on a rainy day?
Hi, I’m visiting Istanbul next week (Dec 20th - 24th) and I see rain is predicted on most of the days. Are tourist activities like the Bosporus cruise, galata tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Hagia Sofia and… more
Yeah, you can totally still do all that stuff in the rain. Just grab an umbrella and some waterproof shoes. The Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are mostly indoors anyway. The Bosporus cruise might be a bit chilly, but if you're okay with a bit of dampness, go for it! The views will still be amazing. Maybe pack a change of clothes, just in case.
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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