Holidays in Turkey: East meets West in irresistible Istanbul

Changes are afoot as Turkey elects a new leader, but for visitors to this city from East and West, it's still...irresistible in IstanbulSiobhan Grogan says the city is "equally captivating than Rome or Athens". a former 1920s tobacco warehouse READ MORE: Inside Athens' 60s-inspired hotel with rooms from £73
By Siobhan Grogan for The Daily Mail
Posted: 09:25 BST, 14 May 2023 | Update: 09:47 BST, 14 May 2023

The smell hits you first. Before I even step through one of the 21 ornate entrance doors to Istanbul's 15th-century Grand Bazaar, I'm greeted by a heady smell of saffron, rose, and leather, mingled with the rich scent of strong Turkish coffee.
"The first ten minutes inside will be amazing," advises my guide Koray Yalkut, as we weave through crowds heading into the same direction. “Then the next ten seconds are overwhelming. And after half an hour you'll want to leave.'
Obviously he underestimates my commitment to negotiate.
< p class="mol-para-with-font">One of the largest covered markets in the world spanning 62 streets, the bazaar attracts up to half a million visitors daily to over 2,000 shops , some of which are still run by the 15th generation of the same family.
Within minutes, I am lost in the ornate alleyways, mesmerized by rows of Turkish delight , rainbow colored pashminas and pomegranates. Inside a shop called Aladdin, staff present bowls of pistachios and baklava while I choose between bottles of flower oil perfumes and giant packets of dried fruit. They send me on my way with an effusive farewell and a free bag of fragrant spices.

Travel May 14, 2023 0 42 Add to Reading List

Holidays in Turkey: East meets West in irresistible Istanbul

Changes are afoot as Turkey elects a new leader, but for visitors to this city from East and West, it's still...irresistible in IstanbulSiobhan Grogan says the city is "equally captivating than Rome or Athens". a former 1920s tobacco warehouse READ MORE: Inside Athens' 60s-inspired hotel with rooms from £73

By Siobhan Grogan for The Daily Mail

Posted: 09:25 BST, 14 May 2023 | Update: 09:47 BST, 14 May 2023

The smell hits you first. Before I even step through one of the 21 ornate entrance doors to Istanbul's 15th-century Grand Bazaar, I'm greeted by a heady smell of saffron, rose, and leather, mingled with the rich scent of strong Turkish coffee.

"The first ten minutes inside will be amazing," advises my guide Koray Yalkut, as we weave through crowds heading into the same direction. “Then the next ten seconds are overwhelming. And after half an hour you'll want to leave.'

Obviously he underestimates my commitment to negotiate.

< p class="mol-para-with-font">One of the largest covered markets in the world spanning 62 streets, the bazaar attracts up to half a million visitors daily to over 2,000 shops , some of which are still run by the 15th generation of the same family.

Within minutes, I am lost in the ornate alleyways, mesmerized by rows of Turkish delight , rainbow colored pashminas and pomegranates. Inside a shop called Aladdin, staff present bowls of pistachios and baklava while I choose between bottles of flower oil perfumes and giant packets of dried fruit. They send me on my way with an effusive farewell and a free bag of fragrant spices.