Istanbul Do’s And Don’ts: 10 Unwritten Rules That Every Istanbulite Knows

If you only have time for one meal in Turkey, make sure it’s a full Turkish breakfast. Hot bread, half a dozen cheeses, olives, clotted cream, sucuk (sausage), and— of course—fresh tomatoes and cucumbers are the cornerstone of a classic Turkish breakfast. Special dishes to try include kuymak (cornmeal and melted cheese), menemen (egg dish with peppers and Turkish tomato paste), and sucuklu yumurta (fried eggs with sausage).

The best time to enjoy a Turkish breakfast is at the weekend. But don’t worry about getting up too early. Turks enjoy sleeping in on the weekend, and restaurants won’t start to fill up before 11am on Saturdays and Sundays.

Exploring the Grand Bazaar (Capali Carsi) and Spice Market (Misir Pasari) on the historic peninsula should be on every Istanbul bucket list. However, these two popular attractions are notorious for overcharging tourists, often for lower-quality items. If you want to take home sweets such as Turkish delight (lokum) or baklava, walk around Kadikoy, Karakoy, or parts of Sultanahmet until you find a store’s window display that makes your mouth water. For reasonably priced souvenirs (and fewer tourists), take the ferry or M4 metro to Kadikoy on the Asian side of the city.

This iconic Turkish tradition is not to be missed. Not only is it a great way to unwind while on vacation, it's a simple way of connecting with Turkish culture. While most bathhouses accept walk-in customers, more upscale establishments may require a reservation. Keep in mind that genders are always separated, though; men are allowed to go completely naked, and those on the women’s side of the hammam are expected to wear underwear or bathing suit bottoms. All other clothing items are optional, but all guests are provided with a peshtemal (lightweight Turkish spa towel) to cover themselves as preferred.

Food is an integral part of Turkish culture, not only in its numerous dishes but also in how it’s enjoyed. Turks believe food is meant to be savored, whether it’s a tiny cup of Turkish coffee or a kebab as big as your head. This is especially true at restaurants, in particular when out with friends. The restaurant staff wants you to enjoy your experience just as much as your meal. So, you don’t have to worry about feeling hurried to free up your table. However, they’re so focused on you appreciating your meal that you might have to kick up a fuss to get their attention to ask for the check.

Even though it’s a short and scenic 20-minute ferry ride from Istanbul’s European side, most tourists miss out on the city’s vibrant and overlooked sibling. The laid-back Kadikoy district, with its abundance of restaurants, cultural activities, and seaside parks, is the perfect place to escape the tourist crowds while still finding affordable souvenirs. Next, head north to Uskudar, and you’ll find some of the city’s best seafood restaurants, along with attractions such as Beylerbeyi Palace, Camlica Hill, and the charming Kuzguncuk neighborhood.

Tipping is a relatively new concept in Turkey, but something that is very much appreciated. However, there aren’t hard rules about percentages like there are in North America and other parts of the world. Tipping is not expected at inexpensive restaurants, although you may see customers leave a few lira on the table. At fancier restaurants, 10–15 percent is sufficient. While credit cards are accepted at nearly every place of business, paper checks rarely have a space to write a tip. It’s best to leave cash on the table, in a tip jar, or—ideally—hand it directly to your server. It’s considered generous (and somewhat expected from foreign tourists) to tip taxi drivers (round up), salon workers, and hammam masseurs.

If you plan to use the city’s public transportation system more than a few times, buy an Istanbulkart. This indispensable card can be purchased and refilled at easy-to-use machines at both airports and most major public transit stops. This versatile card can be used by up to five people and grants access to the city’s buses, ferries, trams, funiculars, cable cars, Marmaray (Istanbul’s commuter rail), Metrobus, and some shuttles from both airports.

Insider tip: If you take the Marmaray or feel confident enough to brave the Metrobus, remember to scan your Istanbulkart upon leaving the station, as you are charged per stop.

If you’re lucky enough to experience Turkish hospitality firsthand, don’t forget to remove your footwear before passing the threshold of anyone’s home. You won’t have to worry about your feet getting chilly, as your Turkish host will almost certainly have several pairs of house slippers (terlik) to choose from. Don’t be surprised if they’re insistent on you wearing them. It’s a gesture born from making you as comfortable as possible, not from being concerned about tracking dust into the home.

Insider tip: When visiting a Turkish home, come hungry. You can expect multiple courses and a few choices for dessert.

Once used for Byzantine and Ottoman exiles, Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands are today a popular vacation and day-trip destination for Istanbulites. Known locally as Adalar (Islands), four of the Princes’ Islands are inhabited and open to visitors year-round: Kinaliada, Burgazada, Heybeliada, and Buyukada. Buyukada and Heybeliada are most popular with tourists—and for good reason. Both offer a variety of restaurants, Ottoman-era mansions, and historical attractions.

Insider tip: Be sure to budget a whole day for your Princes’ Islands adventure, as a one-way ferry journey can take up to two hours depending on your departure point.

If you don’t hear a Turk “tsk” within the first day of your arrival, you’re not listening carefully enough. At its most visible, it will present itself as a neck fully tilted back, eyes bulging, and a resounding tsk. Sometimes it can be as subtle as raised eyebrows. However, you’ll most often see it as a response to a question. This is not a sign of rudeness or disrespect whatsoever. While it can be used to show disapproval of someone’s actions, it’s most often used as a means of informal communication. Depending on the context, it can be interpreted as “no;” “there isn’t;” “I don’t have [what you asked for];” or, simply, “I don’t know.”