Istanbul is an amazing city. Packed between Europe and Asia, the culture is unique, vibrant, and upbeat. We were fortunate enough to have a Turkish Airlines stopover in Istanbul for a couple of days flying home from our honeymoon in the Maldives. Surprisingly, our short visit to Istanbul was our favorite part of the entire trip. We visited the City on Seven Hills during December, so my packing essentials will reflect this.
1. A warm jacket.
Istanbul was surprisingly cold during our visit (especially coming directly from a tropical climate). The temperature was not intolerable by any means, but it certainly was brisk especially at night. During a visit to Istanbul, you are likely to be walking most of the time which translates to being outside. Further, many restaurants only offer outdoor seating (even during the winter). I am not sure how I would have survived dinners outside without a stylish coat.
Unfortunately, the Michael by Michael Kors jacket I packed is no longer available to purchase, but this and this are very similar. I would recommend the rain jacket over the other, but that is a personal choice. It did rain a decent amount during our trip. I have also been eyeing this
for quite some time. Maybe it’s time to pull the trigger and buy it? If you are looking for something more affordable, this jacket is super cute.
2. Good walking shoes.
As I previously mentioned, you will be walking a lot in Istanbul. Some of the city’s largest attractions such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar are located near one another. It is essential to pack good walking shoes. Many of the touristy areas of Istanbul have cobblestone, so I would avoid heels all together unless you can find a good block heel.
I purchased these years ago in army green, and they worked great (army green has since been discontinued). I have also heard friends raving about Rothys. My mom is a big lover of Danskos for comfortable travel shoes, so you could also look into packing a pair of those. Bottom line: get whatever shoes are the most comfortable for you. With all of the great options out there now, I love how you can find comfortable shoes without compromising style.
3. A nice scarf.
You might not know this, but you need a scarf if you want to visit certain attractions such as the Blue Mosque. To enter the mosque, all women are required to cover their head. I would recommend bringing your own scarf unless you would like to borrow one from the mosque.
I packed my Burberry scarf. However, I should have packed something a bit wider such as this, or this. As much as I love my Burberry scarf, it simply wasn’t wide enough to cover all of my head. It worked for me at the time, but I would pack a different option if I were to ever go back.
4. Black jeans.
Black jeans are a closet staple for me. They are so difficult to mess up, and they just have a refined look. To avoid overpacking for our 3-week trip, I only packed my favorite pair of black jeans for Istanbul. As I mentioned above, we were only in Istanbul for two days, so I packed some jeans and a couple of shirts to go with them. Even if you are planning on staying longer, I think black jeans are a great addition to your suitcase if you’re planning on visiting during the winter.
5. A good umbrella.
During our visit to Istanbul, it rained every day multiple times per day. You can try to go inside and avoid the rain, but you could easily waste an entire day considering how often it rains. An umbrella is a must. I mistakenly did not pack an umbrella, so we ended up buying one there. I personally love this for traveling, because it can fit into a bag or coat pocket until needed. Although, I adore this Kate Spade umbrella I was gifted a couple of birthdays ago. However, carrying it around all day might not be the most practical move. Either way, pack an umbrella. Hopefully you won’t need to use it, but you will have one just in case.
6. A cross body bag.
Finally (and most importantly), you need a crossbody bag if you are planning on visiting Istanbul. The crowds are very large even during off-season, and pickpocketing happens on occasion.To keep your belongings safe, a crossbody bag is essential. Whenever we went to very crowded areas such as the Grand Bazaar, I would simply rotate my bag, so it was placed in front of my body. By doing this, I was able to have the bag right in front of me to reduce the likelihood of pickpocketing while still not having to carry something with my actual hands. As much as I love a shoulder bag, I think they are much easier for someone to access in a crowded area.
I packed my favorite bag of all time, the Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 25. This bag is just a classic. The canvas is perfect for traveling, because it is so durable. I also love the treated leather on the Damier Ebene version; not having to worry about water stains from rain is always a plus (especially in Istanbul). If you are looking for a less expensive alternative, I have heard great things about this compact crossbody. If you do bring a bag to Istanbul, just make sure it is water treated first.
Hopefully this list gives you a great base to start packing. Obviously, this list is just the beginning of creating some fun new outfits to wear in Istanbul. Enjoy packing. More importantly, enjoy Istanbul! It really is a treat.
