“Büyükada is a stone’s throw away from the mainland, yet miles apart in terms of character,” Gürsel says.īuilt as a 6th-century Byzantine church, transformed a millennium later into an Ottoman mosque, and now operating as a museum, Hagia Sophia is a non-negotiable stop for any visitor. The island is a favourite haunt of Melkan Gürsel, the celebrated Turkish architect who designed Istanbul Modern, the country’s first modern art museum, and restored Beyazıt State Library. Once a Byzantine place of exile for royal relatives who might threaten an emperor’s power, it’s now home to a few thousand residents, along with pine forests and lovely, rugged beaches. To ditch the crowds, travel 20 kilometres southeast of Istanbul to Büyükada. When it comes to lunch, however, Nadel prefers to stay above ground, making a beeline for the Spice Bazaar, which she describes as “a riot of colour and aroma.” “I had a torch in my mouth so that I could see the fabulous, vast, beautifully constructed space around me.” The city and its dark, unexplored places made an impression, and she not only returns several times a year, she has also set 15 of her 19 popular thrillers with her go-to protagonist, Inspector Ikmen, in Istanbul. “Whether it’s soaps, rugs or cookware, you’re seeing things made as they would be in the Ottoman Empire,” he says.Ī collection of handmade lanterns at the Grand BazaarĪcclaimed British crime writer Barbara Nadel had a rather unconventional introduction to the Grand Bazaar when she first visited, as a teenager, more than 30 years ago: “I was lowered down into a cistern underneath the Bazaar by a policeman,” she says. “I was intent on telling people about what I saw – my experience in Istanbul pushed me to talk about the old world in a new way.”Įvery time he visits, MacKinnon is struck by Istanbul’s arts and crafts culture and the countless vendors at the Grand Bazaar who present their wares with pride. He deems it “an Instagrammer’s dream destination, which offers travelers a history lesson in Turkish design with every step,” and it inspired him to launch his travel website,. This area is one of the most photographed places in Turkey, attracting image-makers like Daniel MacKinnon, an award-winning creative director from Toronto who has explored the city several times for photo shoots and ad campaigns (from Glow magazine to CoverGirl). The Bosphorus Bridge – the colossal steel suspension bridge that connects Europe with Asia – soars right behind it. The traditional and the modern meet at the nearby Ortaköy Mosque, built in the Baroque style out of pink mosaics and white stone. In fact, Aila houses its very own Spice Library, where 103 jars of seasoning are beautifully displayed. The hotel’s spectacular restaurant, Aila, also has a menu and decor scheme that are thoroughly inspired by Turkey’s past and present.

Gorgeous herringbone floors and a stunning geometric ceiling make it a lovely place to linger over a tea service of almond macaroons and tasty flatbread with Thracian goat cheese. The Fairmont Quasar Istanbul, just a short walk from the Organic Market, also has a classic tea parlour.

“In Istanbul, a glass of traditional tea is a beautiful moment of comfort for me before going back to work,” she says. “I buy what’s available, letting it impose a rhythm on my cuisine.”Ĭity view from the Fairmont Quasar Presidential SuiteĪfter loading up on groceries, Yazıcıoğlu ducks into the courtyard of Hazzopulo Pasaji arcade, where she can enjoy another treat – all to herself. As the owner of Nicole restaurant in nearby Beyoğlu, Yazıcıoğlu has shopped for food around the world but has yet to find a place where her instincts instruct her ingredient choices so profoundly. Each Saturday, one of the hottest names working in today’s global culinary arts scene, Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef Aylin Yazıcıoğlu, treks over to find inspiration for her rotating tasting menus. Nature and architecture coexist harmoniously in Istanbulįor more than a decade, an unassuming parking garage has hosted the Feriköy Organic Market, where fruits and vegetables (and olive oil, and hot stuffed crepes) spill out from hundreds of stalls. Here, we map out their unforgettable experiences and favourite destinations for an inspiring day in Istanbul.

To go beyond any prescribed itinerary, we’ve spoken to five intrepid travelers – leaders in the fields of architecture, cuisine, art direction, literature and fashion – who have been influenced by this cultural hub. But it is the sounds of the city that stick with a first-time visitor: the chants of street vendors peddling their fresh bread, the honk of commuter ferries criss-crossing the Bosphorus, the daily calls to prayer that echo from more than 3,000 mosques. With its terracotta-tiled roofs and minaret-spiked hills, Istanbul will flatter even the most amateur of photographers.

Fairmont quasar istanbul