Istanbul: 10 Years Later — Is It Time to Go Back?
In October 2015, I visited Istanbul with two hometown friends and stayed in the Galata neighborhood, just downhill from the iconic Galata Tower. Each day, I’d open my balcony be greeted by the call to prayer. Far from eerie, it was soothing, and something I’d previously heard only in movies. I actually looked forward to it. There are five calls a day.
Galata was a maze of cobblestone streets, anchored by the ever-busy Istiklal Avenue with its clanging red trolley. Slip away from the main road and you’d find narrow alleys hiding tea stalls, hookah lounges, and little shops. I bought a watch in one of those market that lasted me years. I don’t have it anymore, but for what I paid, it was a solid buy.
From there, it was a short walk to the Galata Bridge, with a whole stretch of restaurants tucked underneath. Back then, if you walked through, every single place tried to get you to stop in — like running a little gauntlet. All the spots looked pretty similar, so we just picked one once for a beer, sat by the water, and watched the boats go by.
We also grabbed one of the legendary balık ekmek fish sandwiches near the Galata Bridge — served on a warm, crusty half-loaf with a grilled mackerel fillet, lettuce, sliced onions, a squeeze of lemon, and a pinch of sumac. Simple and satisfying.
We wandered through the astonishing underground Cisterna Basilica with its Medusa pillar, strolled beneath the domes of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and always found our way back to Galata’s pedestrian maze. One memorable evening, we dined at 360 Istanbul, which had a stunning city view and performers. We also decided to take the ferry across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of the city for the thrill of being in two continents in one day, sipping tea from real glass cups and feeling connected to the city’s rhythm.
The Istanbul I visited in 2015 was textured, noisy, flavorful, and magnetic — a city that seemed to hum with life in every direction.
You can see more from my time in Istanbul in this short video I put together — watch it here.
What’s Changed Since Then?
Safety & Travel Advisories
Shortly after my trip, in January 2016, a suicide bomber targeted Sultanahmet Square near the Blue Mosque, killing ten people — most of them German tourists — and injuring several others. It was unsettling to hear, knowing I had walked that same area just months earlier. Since then, there have been some other incidents over the years, but Istanbul remains a major destination, with tourist areas busy and well-patrolled. As of now, travel advisories for Turkey sit at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, mainly due to the risk of terrorism and occasional political demonstrations
The political climate has shifted in the last decade, with changes in rules around public gatherings and how certain cultural sites are used. The Hagia Sophia, which I visited as a museum in 2015, has since been reconverted into a mosque. Visitors are still welcome, but now need to plan around prayer times and follow mosque etiquette, including modest dress and removing shoes before entering the prayer areas.
Recent Shocks & Natural Events
Turkey’s earthquake risk is real. In April 2025, a 6.2-magnitude quake hit near Istanbul, causing injuries, moderate damage, and temporary school closures. Fortunately, the main tourist areas weren’t directly impacted — but it’s a reminder to keep travel plans flexible. More recently, a 6.1 quake in Balikesir province sent tremors through the region, even snapping mosque minarets, though Istanbul itself was mostly unaffected.
Alcohol Laws & Health Warnings
While that $1 gyro from the street vendors from 2015 is still a memory I’d happily relive, not everything in Istanbul comes cheap. Alcohol prices remain noticeably higher due to steep taxes, and rules around where it can be sold have tightened — generally not within about 100 meters of mosques or schools, though tourist-heavy venues are often exempt. In early 2025, a methanol poisoning outbreak from counterfeit alcohol in Istanbul and Ankara caused dozens of deaths and hospitalizations, so it’s worth sticking to reputable bars and restaurants if you plan to drink.
Political Climate & Protests
In March 2025, the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor set off large-scale protests, bringing road closures, restrictions on public gatherings, and even temporary limits on social media. Most of the unrest stayed confined to specific areas, but it’s a good reminder to keep an eye on local news and be aware of what’s happening around major city centers.
Then vs Now Visitors Numbers & Global Buzz
Back in 2015, Istanbul welcomed about 12.6 million international visitors, which ranked it the 5th most visited city in the world at the time. Fast forward to 2024, and that number has climbed to around 18 million, shooting Istanbul up to the 2nd spot globally, trailing only Bangkok. That’s a serious bump in global traffic.
To Go Back—or Not?
Maybe the only way to know is to buy the ticket.
Have you ever revisited a city years later and found it transformed? Better? Different? I’d love to hear your stories below. Use the contact link below.
Sites to See in Istanbul
See Istanbul’s top landmarks — Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar — all in one private full-day walking tour with hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise - Sail in style on a luxury yacht down the Bosphorus at sunset, with views of iconic landmarks like Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, and Rumeli Fortress. Enjoy complimentary drinks, canapés, and live commentary from your onboard guide.
Cappadocia Dream: 2-day tour from Istanbul & Balloon Ride Option - If you want to escape Istanbul for a couple of days, head to Cappadocia—about a 1.5-hour flight away—for surreal landscapes, cave churches, and an underground city. This two-day tour covers the highlights, with transport, guides, and lodging arranged, plus the option for a breathtaking sunrise hot air balloon ride.
Written by Tyler, founder of Globetroves™
About Me | Instagram
Posted August 2025
