Recommendations for Turkey
The bridge between Europe and Asia.
Turkey is truly a magical place that spans across Asia and Europe. Think Ottoman heritage and secular culture—which vibrantly lives on in neighborhoods across Istanbul like Bebek, Cihangir, and Kadikoy. You feel like you’re in a movie. Well, literally you can walk down streets in Cihangir and see sets randomly.
Its architecture and mesmerizing views perplex you, while the organized chaos makes it such a fun place to be.
Listening to the soundtrack of Istanbul, consisting of calls for prayer, locals conversing, stray cats & dogs talking, seagulls singing sends warm energy through your veins.
The flavors of the Turkish table leave you with an insatiable desire to keep trying more. Not to mention, the unmatched hospitality that makes travelers feel at home in such a short amount of time.
There are so many places to see and things to do, which is why it makes Turkey a great destination for different types of travelers.
On what to do in Çeşme—a beach town on the West Coast of Turkey.
Çeşme is a beach town that will leave you sunkissed and in a dream-like state of mind. Located just 85 kilometers (53 miles) from Izmir, this Aegean oasis has an adorable town, warm people, amazing food, and places to vibe. The word Çeşme means fountain in Turkish and is said to be named after the many Ottoman fountains scattered across. Here are some of my recs:
Where to stay
Biblos: If you’re celebrating something special or just want to treat yourself, Biblos is the place to be.
The Stay Warehouse Hotel: You want to get some work in but also have nights where you go out, this is the perfect vibe for that.
Airbnb: I stayed in this really cute stone house which was a true cultural experience. Situated so close to the beach clubs and nightlife. The host was great. Recommend if you like things aged and intentional with a quirky design.
Beach Clubs
Yuzu Beach: Great for happy hour—I love this place.
Restaurants
All exceptional.
Kapari Bahçe: In the cute little town, nice cocktails.
Markus Ribs: Did a late-night dinner and drinks here. Was perfection all around.
Tarla Alaçatı: Good for last day breakfast.
Asma Yaprağı: A true oasis. The concept and flavors are curated intentionally and with a lot of love.
Night out
Om Paparazzi (nice crowd and great live Turkish music and cocktails)
Walk the streets of Alaçatı and pop in and out of bars
Oh, Istanbul
Istanbul will blow you away with its architecture, character, dining, and shopping. The city is organized chaos, which you’ll find thrills you in a great way. A journeyed history that expresses its culture through delicious food and warm culture. I recommend staying in Cihangir if you like the hipster vibes, or in Bebek, if you want to have access to the luxurious lifestyle Turkey has to offer.
Things to do / Places to see
Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Palace
Dolmabahce Palace
Baslica Cistern
Princess Islands
Grand Bazaar
Restaurants
Kahve 6: Good for brunch or a quick bite.
Emily’s Garden: Lovely for brunch and to spend the day in the garden writing or doing work—or just chilling.
Mürver: Stunning views and unmatchable service.
Demeti (a must)
Mikla: Sister restaurant of Mürver, haven’t been yet—though the head chef is Mehmet Gürs, süper creative and eclectic.
Suna’nin Yeri: Adorable restaurant on the water—accessible by boat if you wanted to do a Bosphorus cruise then have dinner there.
Lucca (great for dinner into the night)
Although this list doesn’t cover all of the places, these are my recommendations that I’ve personally really enjoyed. I think it will set you in the right direction with planning your visit. Hope you enjoy!
