How long does it take to explore a city?
A Cute Little Seaside Town of Istanbul: Şile
Şile is located on the Asian side of the city by the shores of the Black Sea. It is a laid back seaside town of Istanbul. There has been a fishing village here since 700 BC and a lighthouse since the Ottoman period. Today, Şile is a beach resort, popular with people who want a resort atmosphere without the expense of travelling to the Mediterranean Sea. Şile is about an hour’s drive from the city and was always a retreat from the city. During Türkiye’s economic boom of the 1990s, a great many summer homes and holiday villages were built for the city’s middle class. There is a small but sandy beach, a little harbour of fishing boats, dense forest behind and a quiet pleasant atmosphere during the week. There are a number of bars and restaurants with sea views especially in the little park around the lighthouse. Şile is also known for Şile cloth, a crimped-looking, light, see-through cotton fabric, made on the Şile coast, sold in many shops in the town and sent to the bazaars of Istanbul. There is a fair to promote Şile cloth in the town held every summer.
A Historic and Colorful Neighborhood: Balat
The name Balat is probably derived from Greek palation (place), from Latin palatium, after the nearby palace of Blachernae.
Real travelers always visit the popular tourist attractions of a city at least once, but they are more curious about the hidden gems and unknown historical spots of a destination. It is always a pleasure to discover locally popular markets and streets of a city or to explore a forgotten historical area. You will get a lot of answers from many blogs and websites on attractions and must-see spots of Istanbul, but you will probably won’t find the hidden beauties of the city on that list. Since Istanbul is an extensive city filled with many interesting neighborhoods and areas, it is hard to explore the city in a short period of time. Let’s take a look at some of the hidden but magnificent gems of Istanbul…