LOCAL CULTURE
Dress
The only time visitors to Turkey are asked not to wear shorts and women are requested to cover their arms and legs is when they visit a mosque. This is asked as a gesture of respect, much as when tourists visit European cathedrals. While, for cultural or religious reasons, many Turkish women do cover their heads, it is not obligatory for a tourist to do so. You may barrow a scarf at the entrance of the mosque.
Tipping
The major restaurants usually do not add tips to bills,therefore the general tendency is to leave approximately %10 tip of total bill.
Bargain
We highly recommend you to bargain with shop sellers at the Grand Bazaar.
DID YOU KNOW ?
Dolmabahce Palace
Ataturk (the founder of the modern Turkish Republic) stayed here when in Istanbul and died here on the morning of November 10, 1938. Clocks throughout the palace are permanently stopped at five minutes past nine, the time of his death.
The Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
The Grand Bazaar is the oldest covered bazaar in the world, with more than 3,500 shops.
Tunel Metro
The Tunel Metro is the shortest underground railway in the world and also one of the oldest, built in 1871-76. It takes just 90 seconds to travel between Tunel square and Karakoy Square.
WHAT TO PACK
Money
We recommend that you exchange at least a little money - just enough to cover airport incidentals and transportation to the hotel - before you leave home, so you can avoid queues at the airport ATMs.
Turkish dictionary
Bring a Turkish dictionary or phrasebook; the people of Istanbul love to help tourists, but it helps to be able to say some words in Turkish.