#istanbul

#istanbul

Down Istanbul's hills and through its backstreets, you'll find neighborhoods that feel local and authentic-where shopkeepers greet passersby by name, laundry sways between windows, and the scent of home cooking drifts through open doorways. These are the parts of Istanbul that offer a more grounded perspective-not just what the city looks like, but how it lives. Bebek, Çukurcuma, and Cihangir are among the most rewarding to explore, especially for solo travelers, though anyone who makes the time will likely be drawn in.

Turkish coffee, introduced in the 16th century, became an essential part of daily life and led to the emergence of social coffeehouses known as kıraathanes.

The clashes occurred after Istanbul's chief prosecutor ordered the arrest of the editors at LeMan magazine for publishing a cartoon that publicly insulted religious values.

"We have had a good role here, especially with Syrian restaurants and food," Habesh says.