I'm an Istanbul Local and This Is the Most Important Etiquette Tip to Know When Visiting Turkey

"I've lived in Istanbul for more than 12 years, and this city of nearly 18 million people can sometimes feel like a wild, etiquette-free zone-where people crowd you on the metro and treat traffic lights as mere suggestions. It's a sprawling, dynamic metropolis with every kind of person imaginable, both Turkish and foreign, from the deeply religious to the fiercely secular, from lifelong urbanists to recent arrivals from rural areas."

"Despite the bustle, Istanbul operates according to its own unique rhythm and that's what makes this city so special. For a visitor, it can be overwhelming to figure out what those unwritten rules are. My biggest tip for travelers is to be respectful of your surroundings and aware of how they shift across neighborhoods in a city this large and diverse."

"Take Kadikoy, for example-a youthful, vibrant neighborhood on the "Asia side" of Istanbul. Its streets are lined with cafes, bars, and tattoo parlors, reflecting its liberal, countercultural vibe. At night, parts of Kadikoy feel like a giant open-air house party, with people drinking, smoking, and socializing into the early hours. How you dress, drink, and behave here might look different from what's expected in more conservative districts like Fatih, where public drunkenness or loud behavior would likely be frowned upon."

Istanbul is a sprawling, dynamic metropolis of nearly 18 million people with a wide range of cultural and religious identities. The city functions according to neighborhood-specific rhythms and social norms that can vary sharply across districts. Turkey is majority-Muslim but officially secular, and women are not expected to cover their heads outside of mosques in most areas. Travelers should observe local expectations, adapt dress and behavior to the neighborhood context, and behave respectfully. Kadikoy exemplifies a liberal, youthful vibe with nightlife and casual public drinking, while conservative districts like Fatih favor quieter, more traditional public conduct.

Read at Travel + Leisure