MISTAKES Tourists ALWAYS make in Istanbul
Summary
TLDRThis video highlights common mistakes tourists make in Istanbul, such as assuming everyone speaks English, relying on Hop On Hop Off buses during peak hours, and joining large group tours that limit personal experience. The speaker advises learning basic Turkish phrases, considering private tours for a more authentic experience, avoiding high season for better prices and less crowd, and respecting local customs like removing shoes in mosques. Additionally, viewers are cautioned against eating at chain restaurants instead of local ones, mispronouncing Turkish dishes, and underestimating the importance of bargaining in markets. The video also clarifies that the Bosphorus is a strait, not a river, and offers tips for internet access and respectful behavior in public places.
Takeaways
- π― Don't assume everyone in Istanbul speaks English; learn basic Turkish phrases for communication.
- π Be cautious with the Hop On Hop Off bus timing to avoid peak traffic hours and crowded weekends.
- π₯ Traveling in large tour groups might limit your experience; consider private tours for a more personalized visit.
- π½ Avoid eating at chain restaurants; opt for local eateries to enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine.
- π Visit Istanbul during the low season for less crowd and more affordable accommodations.
- π Be aware of national holidays and events like Ramadan to avoid busy times and enjoy a more peaceful experience.
- π For internet access, consider using eSIMs like idolo for convenience and to avoid varying prices at local shops.
- π£ Show respect by removing shoes before stepping on carpets in mosques and other sacred places.
- π Keep your voice down in public transportation, mosques, and other quiet places to respect locals and other visitors.
- π΄ββοΈ Istanbul is not bicycle-friendly, so avoid bike tours, especially in crowded areas.
- π¬ Skip the hype around Captain Candy; seek out local shops for authentic Turkish delight.
- π¬ Understand the culture of bargaining in Turkey, but keep it relaxed and avoid trying to haggle in inappropriate places.
- π Know that the Bosphorus is not a river but a strait connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea and dividing Istanbul.
Q & A
What is the common misconception about language in Istanbul according to the video?
-The common misconception is that everyone in Istanbul speaks English. However, while English is spoken in touristy areas and by some locals, it's not universally understood, so learning basic Turkish phrases is recommended.
What advice does the video give about taking the Hop On Hop Off bus in Istanbul?
-The video suggests being mindful of the timing when taking the Hop On Hop Off bus, especially avoiding peak hours like 4 to 6 p.m., as Istanbul can be very chaotic and traffic-heavy during those times.
Why might traveling in a large group in Istanbul be less comfortable than expected?
-Traveling in a large group might be less comfortable because you have to adhere to a set schedule and may not be able to linger at places or take more photos as you wish. Also, the quality of restaurants and food might be compromised as they cater to large groups with fixed menus.
What is the video's suggestion for a more authentic Istanbul experience?
-The video recommends taking a private tour with a certified tour guide, like the one offered by the video creator's husband, which allows for a more personalized and authentic experience.
What are the downsides of visiting Istanbul during high season?
-During high season, which is typically from late May to mid-September, tourists can expect large crowds, long lines at attractions like the Blue Mosque, and higher accommodation costs.
Why should tourists avoid eating at international chain restaurants while in Istanbul?
-The video suggests that there's not much difference in cost between international chain restaurants and local Istanbul restaurants, so it's better to spend the same amount and enjoy authentic local food.
What is the importance of knowing the correct names of local foods when traveling?
-Knowing the correct names of local foods is important as it shows respect for the local culture and can prevent misunderstandings or offense, as some food names might have cultural or historical significance.
What is the video's recommendation for having internet access in Turkey?
-The video recommends using an eSIM (embedded SIM) from a provider like idolo, which can be activated as soon as you arrive and is not subject to varying prices at different physical locations.
Why should tourists avoid speaking loudly in public transportation and religious sites in Istanbul?
-Speaking loudly in public places like the metro, buses, or mosques can be seen as disrespectful and annoying to locals and others, so it's advised to moderate one's voice volume.
What is the main reason the video advises against bicycle tours in Istanbul?
-Istanbul is not a bicycle-friendly city, with vehicles not respecting bicycles and crowded areas making it difficult and potentially dangerous for cyclists.
What is the cultural significance of bargaining in Turkey and how should tourists approach it?
-Bargaining is a part of Turkish culture, especially in local bazaars and street markets. Tourists should approach it in a relaxed manner and avoid trying to bargain in inappropriate places like shopping malls.
Why is it incorrect to refer to the Bosphorus as a river?
-The Bosphorus is not a river but a strait that connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea and divides Istanbul into two parts, the European side and the Asian side.
Outlines
π£οΈ Language Barriers and Tourist Misconceptions
The paragraph highlights the common misconception that everyone in Istanbul speaks English. It advises tourists to learn basic Turkish phrases for communication. The speaker also discusses the Hop On Hop Off bus tours, recommending they be taken during less busy hours to avoid traffic. The paragraph touches on the downsides of traveling in large groups, such as limited time for exploration and subpar dining experiences, and suggests private tours for a more personalized experience.
ποΈ Visiting Istanbul in High Season and Internet Solutions
This paragraph addresses the downsides of visiting Istanbul during peak tourist seasons, such as long lines and higher accommodation costs. It recommends traveling during the low season for a more relaxed experience. The speaker also warns about the impact of national holidays like Ramadan on local availability and crowd levels. Additionally, the paragraph provides advice on securing internet access in Turkey, suggesting the use of an eSIM from a company like idolo, which offers a reliable connection without the need to search for local sellers.
π½οΈ Dining Locally and Respecting Cultural Etiquette
The speaker emphasizes the importance of dining at local restaurants to experience authentic Turkish cuisine, rather than opting for international chains. They also stress the need for tourists to correctly identify and refer to local dishes to show respect for Turkish culture. The paragraph includes a personal anecdote about ordering a 'pide' and the importance of using the correct term. Additionally, it advises tourists on how to behave in sacred places like mosques, such as removing shoes before entering prayer areas, and the importance of maintaining a respectful volume level in public spaces.
π΄ββοΈ Avoiding Common Tourist Activities and Understanding Local Customs
This paragraph discusses several activities that may not be suitable for Istanbul, such as bicycle tours due to the city's lack of bicycle-friendly infrastructure. It also cautions against visiting certain overhyped shops for sweets, recommending local alternatives for a more authentic experience. The speaker touches on the local custom of bargaining, suggesting that it should be done in a relaxed manner and primarily in bazaars and street markets. Lastly, the paragraph clarifies the geographical nature of the Bosphorus, explaining that it is a strait, not a river, and highlighting its significance in dividing Istanbul into two continents.
βοΈ Conclusion and Call for Audience Input
The final paragraph wraps up the video by inviting viewers to share their thoughts on common tourist mistakes in Istanbul. It encourages audience engagement by asking for additional insights to help others plan their visits better. The speaker also reminds viewers to like and subscribe for more content about travel in Turkey.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Istanbul
π‘English misconception
π‘Hop On Hop Off bus
π‘Group tours
π‘Authentic experiences
π‘High season
π‘National holidays
π‘Local restaurants
π‘Cultural respect
π‘Bazaars
π‘Bosphorus
Highlights
Misbelief that everyone in Istanbul speaks English is a common tourist mistake.
Learning basic Turkish phrases like greetings and asking for directions is recommended.
Taking the Hop On Hop Off bus is not bad, but timing is crucial to avoid traffic.
Traveling in large groups can be less comfortable and limit personal exploration.
Private tours with a certified guide offer a more personalized Istanbul experience.
Visiting Istanbul in high season can lead to crowded attractions and higher accommodation costs.
National holidays and festivals can make Istanbul very crowded; it's better to avoid these times if flexibility allows.
Eating at international chain restaurants instead of local ones is a common mistake.
Using an eSIM like idolo for internet access in Turkey can be more convenient than local packages.
Removing shoes before stepping on carpets in mosques is a respectful practice often overlooked by tourists.
Speaking loudly in public transport and sacred places can be seen as disrespectful.
Istanbul is not a bicycle-friendly city, so bicycle tours are not recommended.
Captain Candy is not an authentic Turkish shop; better options for sweets are nearby.
Bargaining is part of Turkish culture, but it should be done respectfully and not overdone.
The Bosphorus is not a river but a strait connecting two seas and dividing Istanbul.
Transcripts
[Music]
if you're visiting Istanbul soon here I
share the most common mistakes tourists
make when visiting the city so that it
would happen to you too believing that
everybody in Istanbul will speak English
and this is a big misconception because
many people when they come here are
expecting that everybody will be able to
understand them and communicate with
every tourist in English but the reality
is totally different maybe in the most
visited areas like sutan taxim square
and maybe the most visited cities or
regions like apia antalia Ephesus yeah
you might find people locals that might
be able to speak English even in some
parts also languages like Spanish or
even Arabic but don't expect that every
person will will be able to speak to you
in English that is why we recommend you
to learn at least the basic phrases for
you to be able to communicate with
locals like for example hello how much
is this how can I get to the metro
station and little basic if phrases the
next one is taking the Hop On Hop off
buser bus and I'm not saying that in
fact it is bad because to be honest it
is not bad the only thing that I'm
saying is that pay attention to the time
you're planning on taking this bus and
this is because let's remember that
Istanbul is a very chaotic City
especially at peak hours er especially
if you're planning on taking it between
4 maybe to 6:00 p.m. trust me that will
be not the most suitable thing to do so
just pay attention to the timings maybe
you can do it very early morning maybe
around 10: 10:30 that will be ideal
because most of people are in their
office at schools so you will not be
stuck in traffic also pay attention on
weekends because also weekends here in
the city usually is when also the locals
sent to go go out visit friends visit
family so the city is much more crowded
and the traffic it's almost impossible
so maybe in some other cities it's a
great option I have done it in Toledo in
Spain with my parents and to be honest
in Toledo was a great choice and also
it's a great option for those who cannot
work for for for a long time and maybe
they just want to get into this BS and
get to places easier but in istano the
situation is a little bit different so
that's why you need to pay attention to
that traveling in Istanbul in a huge
group with maybe 25 or even up to 50
people at the same time and I'm not
saying this is bad but the reality is
that it will not be as comfortable as
you believe it to be and many people I
know they they prefer this type of
tourist because first of all they are
much more affordable than Private Tours
or even smaller group tours but even for
example let's imagine that you're
visiting a place and you would like to
stay a bit longer to see more of the
place and even take some photos more
likely you will not be allowed to do
that because you are depending in the
other 25 30 people or 50 people so you
have to be moving really quick in order
to to finish the circuit of that of that
tour and when it comes to the
restaurants as well take into
consideration that when you are
traveling in a big group H usually these
tourists what they have to do is that
they have to choose a specific
restaurants where they will be able to
receive big groups of tourists so
usually they're not very good
restaurants and they also already have
fixed menu for these groups so you will
not be able to try more authentic places
and even Foods in the city while taking
those type of Tours but don't worry
because I have a solution for you if you
really want to to discover stul in a
much more authentic way and basically in
a tour that will be focused only in you
and you will be the one in charge of the
time then also you can check our tours
that we are giving with my husband who
happens to be a a certified tourist
guide in Istanbul and some other
provinces of turkey so you can take a a
private tour with us so I'll be I'll be
sharing the link in the description box
and pin comments visiting isul in High
season especially when it comes to
summer season when it when it is between
maybe late late May to all the way to
mid-september and I am telling you this
because unless you don't really have
time to choose or to be flexible on your
traveling dates then you have to expect
that when you come to toble more likely
you will find huge lines to visit the
main attractions like the blue musk a
and even top cap palas and ASO the
accommodation will be much more
expensive so that is why if you're Flex
ible in traveling to Istanbul we highly
recommend you to do it in low season
like for example right now which is
November end of November and to be
honest there's not much tourism going
around even there's no line at all to
enter AA Sophia another thing to keep in
mind is that if you're planning on
traveling to Istanbul pay attention to
the national holidays especially like
those festivals or holidays like for
example the Ramadan or even the
sacrifice Feast usually is when locals
also have a holidays and days off from
from their office and schools so of
course every place not just in Istanbul
but all around Turkey all of the places
like riches hotels and every attraction
is very full so unless you really want
to experience the the spirit of Ramadan
season because to be honest visiting
isul during this season is is very
interesting because you can learn a lot
about the Ramadan but unless you don't
want to be with with a lot of crowds and
and everything then I suggest not coming
during that time going abroad and eating
think at only famous chain restaurants
and this is a very common mistake that I
see and I canot understand that why some
people try to do it because they believe
that that it is much more affordable
that even eating at local restaurants in
any country they they're visiting but to
be honest when it comes to Istanbul
there is not much difference between
these H International chain restaurants
like fast food restaurants to local
restaurants so basically you can spend
almost the same amount of money and but
you will be be able to to try authentic
foods of istambul so that is what I'm
I'm telling you unless that you're
crying for something because maybe you
have been here in the city for maybe
months and you would like to try not
only kebabs or the or the Turkish uh
foods and you want something different
then just go for it but to be honest if
it is like your first time and you're
traveling uh for just a few days I
highly recommend you to instead look for
more local
restaurants not calling Turkish foods
accordingly and I'm saying this because
let's remember that some Turkish foods
are very similar to other Foods in
different countries especially the
Middle Eastern countries or Greece so
many people for example when they come
here instead of calling a donor they
call it Shawarma for example or even
they call it gidos or hos to be honest I
don't know how to pronounce it in in
Greek so please do the proper research
and call the foods accordingly depending
on the country you are visiting and it's
not that maybe people will get mad at
you you call it
like in in Turkey but to be honest like
some people can take it like in a bit
disrespectful that is why it is
important for us as Travelers or
tourists to do the proper research
beforehand and even try to learn the
correct names of the foods we are going
to try in that new country for example
in this case I just ordered for myself
one p donet and I'm not going to call
this one sh or G because it is not at
least not in Turkey in in Turkey so here
we call them donut P donut or donut D so
please call them
[Music]
accordingly this not only happens with
donut or with the Shawarma or the ketos
this also happens very often and because
we have heard this like tourists
ordering for example yogurt in instead
of saying y they say Greek Y and let me
tell you that this is a very sensitive
topic when it comes to baklava to
specially yogurt between Greece and and
turkey so that is why here in in the
country don't say Greek yogurt just
State your that's it and the next one is
about how to have internet in Turkey I
know that in many of my previous videos
I have I have suggested what local
companies in the country you can
purchase your your package however I
have found a better option for you and
that way you won't have to be dealing in
looking for a for a place in Istanbul to
purchase your package and let's be
honest also even though it is the same
brand you will have to pay different
prices because at the end of the day
they are frenchise and they don't really
respect the prices just for the brand so
if you want to avoid all of these and
losing time in looking for a proper
place then I highly recommend you to get
the famous eims in case that you don't
know what is an eim basically you you
just go online there are many different
H brands that you can purchase them with
but I personally have been using idolo
idolo is a great company that um in my
previous travels I have been using it
and also just recently like two weeks
ago I was traveling in Japan and South
Korea and I was using it and it worked
wonders so basically as soon as we
landed we like our plane just landed we
we just turned it on activated it and
with it within 10 15 minutes we were
able to already use our Internet the
only thing that you have to keep in mind
is to make sure that your mobile like
your phone actually supports these eims
and also with your carrier you have to
make sure that it's not blocked but that
can be easily fixed because if your if
it's only blocked by your phone carrier
in your home country you can just give
them a call and and inform them that you
have to unblock your your phone to be
able to use an eim and because I have
been using this service for quite a
while and I love the service that is why
I have also a kit for my audience and in
case that you want to purchase this eim
with idolo I will be giving you a coupon
to get a 10% in any purchase you do
there so if you want to to get that 10%
off I will be leaving the link in the
description box of this video and the
pain
comment this is one of the biggest
mistakes that I see tons of tourists
making when they are visiting AA Sophia
musque and any other mask and this is
not removing the shoes before they step
onto the carpet let's remember that
every time we visit any sacred place
like musks we need to remove the shoes
before stepping on the carpet so this is
something that I see very often even
though there are some signs like telling
tourists please do not step on the
carpet remove your your shoes outside
they still don't do it and they just
pass it away and they're stepping on the
carpet so please be respectful of this
rule inform yourself before visiting
sacred places what is the etiquette we
cannot visit places just without not
knowing anything so please pay attention
to your surroundings and I know that
especially when when the mosque is very
very crowded there are some some people
telling others to please not to step on
the carpet but I guess we don't have to
tell you this you just have to act just
as other people does so just look at at
locals how they are doing everything and
just follow their
lead and another mistake that can be a
bit annoying especially for locals and
those ones who are just going back home
after a long day of work is hearing
tourists or in general any person
speaking very loudly in the tra that is
why we recommend you that as soon as you
are inside a Metro a bus or any mosque
as well please try to keep your voice a
little bit moderated this doesn't mean
that you cannot speak yes of course you
can speak but let's try to moderate our
voice
volume another experience that we have
seen H here in stanbul is that some
people are trying to get these bicycle
tours in the old Peninsula but let's be
honest here isul is not a bicycle
friendly place not as some other places
in Europe so here to be honest I
wouldn't recommend it and the main
reason is because one the vehicles They
Don't Really respect H bicycles and
secondly this area where usually they do
the tours is one of the most crowded and
frequented places of the city which is
around amonu CI and also it's a bit
difficult because people are not just
walking on the sidewalks but also in the
middle of the road so it gets quite
quite difficult especially on weekends
or peak hours so I wouldn't suggest
doing that
the next one will be buying these
candies at this very popular shop not
just in stambul but in many other cities
of Europe and this one is Captain candy
I see many people being overhyped about
this store but to be honest it's not
even Turkish I mean it's not authentic
you will not get those flavors so that
is why instead if you want to buy
something sweet something delicious as
well and something that it's from Turkey
I will highly recommend you just to walk
couple of of meters away and you will
find one of the best best shops to buy
Lum or the Turkish delight and here
you're not only buying good flavor but
also you're buying
history let's remember that tury is one
of those countries where bargaining is
part of their culture but also I have
seen some visitors or tourists that are
trying to to to go so intense into this
bargaining custom yes you can do it and
of course locals will be up to it but
also you need to be a little bit more
relaxed about it and also I have seen
some some people trying to bargain not
only in the bazaars but also they try to
bargain for every service they are
receiving and also inside the shopping
malls it's that doesn't mean that it's
not allowed but it is funny so basically
here the custom is that you can bargain
for example in local bazaars in Street
bazaars inside the Grand Bazaar spice
Bazar or even at the shops around the
spice bazaar like in amonu neighborhood
but other that than that I wouldn't
suggest it calling the Bosphorus a river
and I am trying to explain this because
it is good to know what exactly it is
the Bosphorus so the poorus in reality
it is not a a river it is a a straight
or a canel that is connecting two seas
in this case the Sea of morm and the
Black Sea it is a natural straight and
also it divides Istanbul into two parts
the European side and the Asian side but
it is it is incorrect calling it a river
so these were some of the most common
mistakes that I see tourists making in
Istanbul let us know in comments below
what others you would like to add to the
list so also others can read them and
take them into consideration if you like
this video please don't forget to give
it a thumbs up and subscribe to our
channel for more videos like this about
Eble in Turkey every week see you next
time
bye-bye
Browse More Related Video
Honest Prague Guide: The Only Video You Need to Watch
Santorini ON A BUDGET ? Totally possible !! (Hotel + Food + Buses = 40β¬/day)
10 Tourist Mistakes to Avoid in EUROPE | Things to Know Before You Visit Europe
19 MISTAKES Tourists Always Make in Japan You Can Avoid
Unspoken RULES of Japan - What I wish I Knew Before Coming
FOOD IN ROME: 18 Things To Know Before You Eat in Rome, Italy | Italian Food
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)