Istanbul

I’ve just spent the last five days in Istanbul where I marveled at the architectural wonder that is the Hagia Sophia, was humbled by the beauty of The Blue Mosque, haggled for jewelry and Iznik ceramics at The Grand Bazaar, had my fortune read from the grounds leftover from my Turkish coffee, shopped for exotic spices and sweets at The Spice Bazaar, sipped cocktails on the Bosphorus, ordered tea 100 times a day, absorbed thousands of years of rich history, and officially fell in love with one of my new favorite cities in the entire world. Now I’m heading south to the Turkish Turquoise Coast along the Mediterranean Sea!

(all images by HonestlyWTF)

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80 Comments

  1. ZET wrote:

    So nice to see you in İstanbul! 🙂

    10.14.11
    Reply
  2. Serberry wrote:

    Ah getting goose bumps from seeing these pictures. I am in love with Istanbul i’ve been there a few times and there is still so much to see! Enjoy Turkey!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  3. Nikki wrote:

    I’ve always wanted to visit Istanbul — a lot of the architecture is very reminiscant of what I saw when I lived in Southern Spain. Absolutely breathtaking! Enjoy the rest of your trip — can’t wait to see more photos!

    http://www.cositabella.com

    10.14.11
    Reply
  4. Liz wrote:

    looks fantastic! If you get a chance get a ‘gulet’ along the coast (i think that’s what they’re called). We went on one for a week travelling down the coast. Its just a small boat with about 15 people, we slept on the deck at night, all our meals were cooked for us and the food was simple but amazing. During the day we would pull up at secluded spots and you could go swimming right off the side of the boat, the water was so clear you could see the bottom. One of the best things I’ve ever done!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  5. Rochelle wrote:

    I’ve always wanted to visit Istanbul. Hope you had an amazing time. Please post more pictures. 🙂 Have a great day. Rochelle.

    10.14.11
    Reply
  6. Great pictures!!!! must have been a hell of a trip! everything looks amazing! 😉

    10.14.11
    Reply
  7. Cupid wrote:

    While searching on the web, I’ve found your blog which is really nice! and it is such a good coincidence that you are in Istanbul, here in my town haha! Kisses 🙂

    10.14.11
    Reply
  8. Wow love your photos!

    A friend is living in Istanbul and I can’t wait to visit her. And now, after seeing your photos, my desire to see the city is only bigger!!

    XO Charlotte
    http://www.thefashionguitar.com

    10.14.11
    Reply
  9. Nomadic D wrote:

    So glad you’re enjoying Turkey! I always get so excited when people go there and fall in love. All my extended family is in Istanbul so I get to go there minimum once a year and I just love it! And how about those turkish breakfasts, huh? Enjoy the beaches now!

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

    10.14.11
    Reply
  10. Jessie wrote:

    i would absolutely love to travel to istanbul. it is such an amazing place! i love your photographs 🙂
    xx, http://wordbyjessie.com/

    10.14.11
    Reply
  11. WOW! looks wonderful! i’ve always wanted to visit turkey, just haven’t gotten myself there, yet.
    have an amazing time!

    xx
    Z

    10.14.11
    Reply
  12. Kate wrote:

    these photos are so rich. have fun on the coast!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  13. What a great place! wish I could go there someday 🙂

    Kaye
    Fashion Blogger
    http://thestyleflux.blogspot.com

    10.14.11
    Reply
  14. jessica wrote:

    those photos are just stunning. i love the colors and designs. i bet you had so much fun!

    xo
    http://thenovelboudoir.blogspot.com

    10.14.11
    Reply
  15. cori wrote:

    i would die to have my picture taken like the second photo.
    what a dream trip.

    10.14.11
    Reply
  16. Thanks for sharing the photos. They are very inspirational. The patterns and colors are amazing. xoxo
    http://hellofridaybypaik.blogspot.com/

    10.14.11
    Reply
  17. Your photos are amazing. Istanbul is one of my favorite places on earth.

    xoxox,
    Courtney

    10.14.11
    Reply
  18. Elizabeth wrote:

    Istanbul has been on my list to visit for a while! Thank you for the pictures! They are wonderful!!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  19. Jessica wrote:

    Lovely! x

    10.14.11
    Reply
  20. J Umm wrote:

    Three letters W.O.W.

    it’s such a beautiful country! Defo on my places-to-go-list!
    http://www.styledecorum.com/

    10.14.11
    Reply
  21. Karla wrote:

    Hey i loved the pictures, lucky you, i wish i was there, seems so pretty, and the colors they use are amazing and very inspiring, arent they?? Bises.

    http://maxi-fancy.blogspot.com/

    10.14.11
    Reply
  22. melissa wrote:

    beyond words! lovely and so gorgeously textured. Thanks for this post!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  23. !!!!!! looks so amazing!!!! have a wonderful rest of your trip!!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  24. amourette wrote:

    These are amazing photos. Really talented work!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  25. Ambyr wrote:

    These photos are so beautiful!

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

    10.14.11
    Reply
  26. Oh my goodness, these photos are incredible! Thank you for sharing. It’s nice to get a glimpse of Istanbul that’s not filled with typical touristy photographs. Now I’m even more excited – we’re planning on visiting Istanbul in Spring 2012!

    – Ava

    10.14.11
    Reply
  27. Mrs. L wrote:

    Wow. Just……..wow.

    10.14.11
    Reply
  28. Lourdes wrote:

    I was just there (in May)! Turkey is so beautiful!! Have fun on the rest of your trip!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  29. Amazing, amazing shots!!! So jealous of your adventure! xo

    10.14.11
    Reply
  30. zeynep wrote:

    looks like you had a good guide since you’ve been to kale for breakfast:)

    10.14.11
    Reply
  31. Stephanie wrote:

    lovely photos. I hope I make it there one day!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  32. Alyssa wrote:

    I agree with Cori, the second photo is amazing! Totally Vogue worthy :]

    Shop vintage here!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  33. Sara P. wrote:

    Looks like the perfect trip. You deserve it!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  34. Stunning!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  35. Katherine wrote:

    Istanbul’s great! East meets West. Definitely one of the most underrated places… everyone should visit Turkey, not just for the sites but for the amazing people. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

    10.14.11
    Reply
  36. Ashlie wrote:

    I lived in Istanbul for a while and these photos make me so homesick for my favorite city! Especially the kahvaltı and çay in the mornings. Mmm…

    10.14.11
    Reply
  37. oh my god these photos are INCREDIBLE I want to visit so so bad. been living vicariously through your tweets and instagrams!

    http://www.dragonnfruit.com

    10.14.11
    Reply
  38. I was SO happy to see your post about Istanbul! I’m going in December and I am just that much more excited about visiting Istanbul. It will be my first trip there and I can’t wait for December!!!
    Thank you for the beautiful post!

    http://victoriainjapanland.blogspot.com

    10.14.11
    Reply
  39. Derya wrote:

    My native shore

    10.14.11
    Reply
  40. Zaina wrote:

    OMG! I was there earlier this year!! Turkey is awesome, i loved it! Thanks for refreshing my memories. teshekur ederim 😉

    10.15.11
    Reply
  41. Yildiz wrote:

    Been a Turk luv the way you captured the all the best things we have to offer 🙂
    please do visit us for the newest Turkish fashion trends @ JAPON STYLE

    10.15.11
    Reply
  42. melis aggul wrote:

    explained everything to Istanbul.

    10.15.11
    Reply
  43. Love your photos!! I feel like I was there.

    theBohmerian.com

    10.15.11
    Reply
  44. nazli wrote:

    Can’t believe you were here!! So glad that you love istanbul, I wish I had known that you were coming to Istanbul! Hope you’ll have fun in the south. xx

    kurnazli.com

    10.15.11
    Reply
  45. MELK wrote:

    Great Photo’s! Going there in two weeks for the first time, can’t wait!!!! X

    10.15.11
    Reply
  46. Gorgeous! I love Istanbul – it’s such an amazing place 🙂

    10.15.11
    Reply
  47. Nat wrote:

    Dear Erica and Abe, Come home soon. I miss you, 🙂 Nat
    ps: is that Abe pointing at Asia across the Bosphorus?

    10.15.11
    Reply
  48. Ceecee wrote:

    I was there 40 years ago. The Pudding Shop was where all the long hairs gathered. We went to the oldest bath house in town and a naked woman took control of my body, sloughing off dead skin with a mitt made of goat’s hair. I still have one mitt left. I travelled back to NYC carrying a beautiful vase, that I still have and use often. Months later I was working in a bank and a young woman I had met in Istanbul came up to my counter, and we laughed, sharing the feeling of being so lucky to have had such an adventure as Istanbul in 1971.

    10.15.11
    Reply
  49. jayne wrote:

    Your photos are amazing! Istanbul has now creeped up the list on places to go. Thanks for that 🙂

    jayne
    http://www.blamejayne.blogspot.com

    10.16.11
    Reply
  50. hasan koca wrote:

    welcome to istanbul 🙂

    10.16.11
    Reply
  51. timA wrote:

    Ah amazing post!
    Thanks for your words about my lovely city
    Im living in Istanbul and designing traditional jewelries. Please look at my Etsy shop ad tell me your comments.
    Have a nice trip!
    timA

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/timasartstudio

    10.16.11
    Reply
  52. Morgan wrote:

    I LOVE Hagia Sophia. It was one of my favorite locations I studied in college. The architecture and the culture and feeling behind it is all just beautiful and so incredibly moving. I am so glad you enjoyed your trip. The jewelry from this time period really inspired me to create my own jewelry business before I came to law school too. But that is on hold. I love your blog! Good luck!

    10.16.11
    Reply
  53. Plami wrote:

    Gorgeous! I should definitely go there, especially since I live so near!

    XoXo
    Plami

    http://www.fashionthrill.com/

    10.16.11
    Reply
  54. Incredible, incredible. And I LOVE these photographs. Just drinking them in.

    10.16.11
    Reply
  55. Stephanie wrote:

    I love stalking you guys especially when you travel, you take incredible pictures! I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip, can’t wait to see more!

    Steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

    10.16.11
    Reply
  56. caits wrote:

    ahh i went to turkey earlier this year and istanbul is amazing! i cannot get over it! such a wonderful place. this post makes me want to go back sooo much.

    10.17.11
    Reply
  57. Dana wrote:

    Crazy beautiful and so intriguing. I want to go!!! 🙂
    Dana
    http://www.culturedblog.com

    10.17.11
    Reply
  58. asong wrote:

    i am in love with these photographs… the texture and intricacy is so inspiring…. turkey is amazing! thank you thank you

    10.17.11
    Reply
  59. Jan w. wrote:

    What lovely colors and contrasts. You’ve convinced me that this is the place to visit. Thanks!

    10.17.11
    Reply
  60. alicia wrote:

    Hello! Looks like an amazing trip. I absolutely adore Istanbul and Turkey in general – more people should visit! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pictures.

    10.17.11
    Reply
  61. DDekor wrote:

    Nice Photos

    10.17.11
    Reply
  62. Melinda wrote:

    Always nice to see people passing through town. Your photos look great – especially the one of the cistern, it’s so dark in there that mine always turn out fuzzy!

    Melinda
    http://www.turkishlydelightful.blogspot.com/

    10.18.11
    Reply
  63. Laura wrote:

    Oh I adore Istanbul! I went there for about the same length of time a couple of winters ago. It was just amazing. I smiled seeing this as I have nearly identical photos! Oh to be back
    xxx

    10.18.11
    Reply
  64. Ebru wrote:

    I have been following your Istanbul pics on Instagram and love the fact that you love my city. I love it too – hence my blog, which I have to admit I have ignored over the oh-so-beautiful summer months, but I will be writing again soon. Thanks for all the beautiful pics…Best, Ebru from http://www.istan-cool.com

    10.18.11
    Reply
  65. Ayca wrote:

    Perfect pictures! I’m glad I’m living in this city 🙂 You’ve been lucky to have nice weather. Now it’s windy, rainy and cold 🙁

    10.18.11
    Reply
  66. lauren wrote:

    AMAZING!!

    thank you for sharing these photos
    Istanbul is a magical place
    I went to Turkey when I was a teenager – and it has stayed with me ever since
    I loved it and hope some day to go back!
    It was nice to return, if only in my mind, through your photos.
    thank you

    xo-L
    http://www.thesphinxandthemilkyway.com

    10.19.11
    Reply
  67. Onur wrote:

    All of you have to see Bosphorus and Topkapi and of course İstanbul for once.We are living İstanbul for 24 Hours.Come and enjoy…

    10.20.11
    Reply
  68. cherie wrote:

    are there any travel groups that travel to istanbul? it looks absolutely gorgeous, and I would love to go, but not by myself!

    10.23.11
    Reply
  69. Erica wrote:

    thanks guys, Istanbul was so magical – I can’t wait to go back! And @zeynep, that is indeed Kale Cafe – I’m obsessed – it was one of my favorites, I went back twice! xx

    10.25.11
    Reply
  70. Jess wrote:

    Holy hell! Wish I was there, it looks wonderfully fantastic and beautiful

    http://www.wangsfactory.blogspot.com

    10.26.11
    Reply
  71. Ayse wrote:

    Great photos…

    11.7.11
    Reply
  72. D wrote:

    you picked a good time to visit turkey! did you get to see pammukuale?? that was super wonderful…and saffronbolu where saffron originated…and i have to agree istanbul is an amazing city! =)

    11.7.11
    Reply
  73. love these images! seems like you’ve seen the most important things!
    xoxo, Betül

    http://balladofseasons.blogspot.com/

    11.10.11
    Reply
  74. Dekor wrote:

    I would like to thank you as someone living in Turkey. Sharing has been an incredibly beautiful.

    3.8.13
    Reply
  75. really very beautiful city

    10.1.13
    Reply
  76. Great Photo’s! Going there in two weeks for the first time, can’t wait!

    9.3.14
    Reply
  77. Turgay wrote:

    you have perfect pictures

    2.23.16
    Reply
  78. Turgay wrote:

    also you can see Turkish home decor items

    http://www.tuncergiftshop.com

    2.23.16
    Reply
  79. Dekorsin wrote:

    Great City, i have been there

    11.30.18
    Reply