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Snapshot: Istanbul, Turkey

Snapshots are mini town/city guides for smaller places or cities I have only experienced briefly. Here’s a little snapshot of Istanbul.

Sultanahmet

What are one’s first impressions of Istanbul?

Most visitors stay in the historical Sultanahmet area. From here, Istanbul looks absolutely beautiful. Truly, it is one of the world’s great cities. It’s highly developed, more so than most Eastern European cities, the streets are clean, the buildings range from grand to charming, and the hustle and bustle is infectious. On first impressions Istanbul looks like a winner, but the nightlife lets it down. Sultanahmet itself is dead after hours, forcing you to venture further afield.

Leyla Tutgutlu

What are the women like?

Slightly disappointing. I was expected Turkish chicks to be smoking, but it’s not to easy to find a good looking one. After coming from West Africa, Turkish girls looked frumpy and a little pudgy with wider hips. That said, there is a huge ethnic mix given the city’s significance in the Ottoman empire. There are gems to be found.

In terms of mindset, they are a Mediterranean culture, therefore usually warm and friendly. They’re Muslim, but barely. The girls are extremely liberal. Hijabs are rarely seen in Western Istanbul. For all intensive purposes, consider Istanbul a European city. Street game and pipelining are the best methods of meeting women, as nightspots are, in my experience, horrendous cockfests. Turkish girls are very interested in meeting foreign men and many speak English. Sex can happen fast. Turkish are considered very loyal in relationships.

Recommendations for street game: Istiklal Caddesi and Taksim square. If you’re serious about getting the flag, it is recommended you don’t stay were we did in Sultanahmet (personally I don’t regret it, it’s gorgeous). Lumiere from Roosh’s Turkey forum recommends staying here, near Istiklal Caddesi. Defo a better location for nightlife and gaming.

Where should I go at night-time?

Sigh… this is Istanbul’s biggest downfall. The hookah bars are cool, but if you want a proper night out this usually requires trekking across the city.  Taksim is one of the main nightlife centers. It’s not cheap and options are great either.

Another area is Istiklal Caddesi, which apparently has some really cool bars. When I return, I’ll be checking out that area.

The Bottom Line

Absolutely amazing city, but don’t go for nightlife. Perfect place for a romantic getaway.

 

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38 Responses to Snapshot: Istanbul, Turkey

  1. Lumiere November 4, 2011 at 8:03 pm #

    Thanks for the mention but the linky to the hostel does not work.

  2. Sid November 6, 2011 at 9:40 am #

    I agree with the romantic getaway idea. Istanbul is a gorgeous, gorgeous city, but it’s not great for game. I went into a bar in Taksim, and it had one of those lovely bar scams where you’re expected to pay hundreds of bucks on a glass of wine for a chick. I booked it before they got me, but even Turks agree that the place can get sketchy outside of Sultanahmet. Ultimately, the Muslim atmosphere renders the place too prudish to be worth it just for flagging.

  3. Buck Dangler November 7, 2011 at 4:03 am #

    Was this post for me? I feel so special! I’ll let you know if we find any hidden gems next weekend.

  4. ExtraStout November 9, 2011 at 7:02 pm #

    Intensive purposes?

    LOL

  5. james November 10, 2012 at 5:11 am #

    it’s one of the most difficult place to get a flag. lucky you havent beaten by turkish guys there

  6. cockmaster November 13, 2012 at 6:14 am #

    Agreed with james the guys there are quite aggrassive when cockblockin foreigners(includin theri own) to protect theri women
    ya they are liberal for a muslim nation..but the women would be jailed for wearin a hijab….the turkish government trys to be european…includin legalisin prostitution which brings lotta trafficked women
    sex happein fast thats usually with the rebellious crowd….dont be surprised to meet a man an espically women in theri 20s still be virgins

  7. puffpuffpassmaster June 22, 2013 at 11:23 pm #

    Im Going To Istanbul In couple of days . I wanna know how to score weed there or hash a=

    • Mik May 15, 2017 at 9:03 pm #

      Watch ‘Midnight Express’ again, until the desire passes.

  8. MrSociable August 12, 2013 at 11:29 pm #

    For the guys who are going visit Istanbul.

    I personally travel a lot and live for 3 years in Istanbul for University.

    Nightlife – Sucks! But definitly and an awesome city for daygaming. My most lays are from daygame.. And I had a couple of same day lays. You guys should definitly concentrate on building an emotional connection. ( Because turkish chicks have this desire to be falling in love sponteniously, caused the high drama movies.)

    It’s definitly easy in Istanbul. Just be more spontanious and build connection with them.

  9. andrew August 17, 2013 at 10:04 pm #

    Just enjoy the city and the nice things, I am not saying sex isnt nice but over there defo you are going to be watched and your gonna stand out and the family or interested local guys are gonna know one way or another and hotels are pretty strict about female visitors there etc – and ultimately shes gonna want to marry her own and be a virgin etc etc and thats kinda sweet really so why not take your own romantic connection from home and just enjoy the city.. you won’t leave in a cloud, unless you are some kind of adonis/.GOD in which case you dont need advice do you 😉

    • Russel August 8, 2020 at 3:12 am #

      Turkey is one of the worse places i have been for woman. But i go for quality. Other guys that i met felt the same way. (Men who go for quality)

  10. VİC İST August 25, 2013 at 2:55 pm #

    u should be poor u got no idea whats istanbul capable of.. total epic fail review about istanbul

    • AlkanO August 27, 2013 at 6:08 pm #

      Are you from Istanbul dude?

    • iamnotasuit November 6, 2014 at 1:52 pm #

      Yeah, this is the worst review i’ve seen on here. I live in istanbul. It is easy as fuck to get laid here. No one, but i mean no one, would ever plan on having a night out in sultanahmet. Just as a quick indication of the nightlife here: there are over 1000 bars off of istiklal street; the clubs don’t close till 630…

      • Nurlan September 15, 2015 at 9:34 am #

        How I can get laid down in Istanbul? Which bar do you recommend?

  11. dexter jay September 7, 2013 at 6:47 am #

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  12. Ronald October 12, 2013 at 7:12 pm #

    Istanbul, and Turkey as whole is totally waste of time. You’ll lose all your money and you wont get any woman. Choose Bulgaria or Greece nearby, it’s easier and more qualified over there.

    • omid ashoori November 6, 2014 at 8:21 pm #

      Absolutely and turkish man try to swindle u by inviting u to might clubs

  13. Caner February 14, 2014 at 6:50 pm #

    Do you want to find girls in Istanbul? Where will we find prostitutes? Brothels? Yes, of course! Istanbul offers a multitude of corporal pleasures with thousands of female sex workers. But need we remind you that Istanbul is not your top destination for sex tourism!

    Avoid Bar Scam and join our Red Light District Private Tour where Prostitution legal and regulated in Istanbul.

    We guarantee your safety during the excursion as a reliable and trustworthy guide’ll be accompanying you.

  14. Travel&Flag June 18, 2014 at 3:30 pm #

    Alright champs, let me give a local report for you about Istanbul.

    SIGHTSEEING:
    First, the classical stuff…Sultanahmet region, Hagia Sofia, Basilica Cistern are MUST. If the weather is nice, take a bosphorous tour with a ship (day game is possible here). Go to top of the Galata Tower for amazing view, wonder around the famous Istiklal Street.
    Bagdat Street is nice for shopping and eating which in Anatolian side. If you wanna try the local cusine, I strongly suggest Zubeyir Ocakbasi. and of course try the local alcohol raki.

    GIRLS:
    It is not a city like one of eastern europe city in which you can score easily. The one night stand ratio is quite low, but English speaking guys with accent has advantage here. It would be very hard for picking up girls from bars, so I suggest day game here. The girls like to speak/practice English with foreigners and tend to take you to local bars. (of course they expect you to pay). Do not hesitate to make move, you can understand whether you are wasting your time instantly. Most girls are virgin so be careful about the girls you are targeting. (do not go for classy dresses girls!)

    The easiest pick up strategy for most bars is wait until the end of the night and always put your radars on. Eventually, the attention seeking girls will be left alone and will be easy target at late night (especially for foreigner).

    CLUBS:
    Angelique (trance music, one coctail around 15 euros, pick up chance is good), Faces (house/pop music, one coctail around 10 euros, chicks are very young, but pick up chance is high), Masquerade (top notch place, expensive, but most girls are looking for guys to get them drinks and fuck), Nuteras-Nupera (trance/house music, one coctail around 13 euros, pick up chance is good, go with reservation)

    ACCOMODATION:
    If you plan to get lucky, rent your own place for day and don’t stay in hotel. Girls don’t like to look of the judging receptionist and not so willing to go to a hotel from bar. Remember that Turkey is a little bit conservative about such things.
    If you feel more comfortable with hostels, I suggest you try a hostel near Pera region, close to nightlife and pubs. Most guesses are foreigners there, so you may even pick up some tourist girl from the breakfast time.

    Paid Sex:
    It is way overrated and expensive in Istanbul, I do not suggest this. You can simply fly to northern Cyprus and do that at same price in total.

    At last, just try to have fun in the city and don’t expect to much for sex life. Go to pubs, talk to people and experience new things. If you can score a Turkish girl, feel free to believe that you are good in this game 😉

    • Ntv July 5, 2014 at 11:09 am #

      your tips are cool man..really practical !!

  15. Achaios November 25, 2014 at 5:20 pm #

    I am a Greek. You don’t appreciate Turkish beauty, I believe Turkish women are amongst the most beautiful women in the world because they are quite mixed. Especially the Central Asian-Euro mixed girls (aka Eurasian) are the most beautiful I think. I don’t think that Turkish girls are easy (far from easy), but they have got a soft spot for us Greeks. Whatever you do, don’t give them false hopes and be straight with them right from the start on what are your intentions, e.g. “fun”. Like someone else said, watch out for girls who are escorted. If you hit on a girl who is escorted, you will get gangbanged. Turkey reminds me of provincial cities in Greece in the 1960’s on that matter, heh. For us, moving about in Turkey and staying out of trouble is easy b/c our culture is similar and we can understand things about their culture that foreigners don’t get, but someone from NW Europe acting out in Turkey like they do at London with women in night clubs, will get himself into some very serious trouble very fast. Let’s just say that if you do that, you will be “going nowhere fast”.

    Something else: Do NOT hit on women wearing esarp (head scarf). These are Erdogan’s voters, the conservative pious muslim version of Turkish girls or girls from the provinces. Instead, hit on women who are dressed like Western girls and seem to behave like Western girls. These are Kemalist or Nationalist girls, the closest thing you will find in Turkey to “westernized” girls.

    Be advised though, the “westernized” appearance of many Turks is just a facade, and below that facade they are very much we say “Anatolites”, which in English would translate I guess to “old fashioned”. So, be very respectful of Turkish girls, doubly more so than in other countries, be honest with them and you will have a good time.

    There is one more reason to be nice to Turkish girls which is that they are very nice themselves, and their culture conditions them to be perfect wives. So, be nice to them and you may even end up with a Turkish wife who will be staunchly faithful to you (if you are faithful to her too).

    Good luck guys.

  16. Pounder November 28, 2014 at 11:43 am #

    Turkish women are not easy at all.. Most of them are kinda cute, but ALL play hard to get and they play it with a bit of an attitude!
    communication is very very difficult, Turks don’t speak foreign languages

    I really don’t recommend Istanbul for anybody who wants to get laid…
    the city is indeed beautiful but your chances as a foreigner are as low as ever.

    Be careful, many of the bars off Istiklal Cad. are just aimed to stealing and robbing.. and there are tens of pimps in the roads that usually offer you “nice places with girls” but it is just a trap.. !

    Bottom line is: Turkey is only good for sightseeing! nightlife is super super boring, and DJs are stupid compared to anywhere else.

  17. aslan April 3, 2015 at 2:45 pm #

    Gals and Guys

    istanbul is just good for travel and history y
    For action, there are better countires where sex is not taboo.
    In Turkey morality has different meaning. It is not about right or wrong buy the facts.
    If having fun (sex) Istanbul might not be the best place.
    Lets not forget, there are always exceptions. But there are other things to enjoy in Istanbul lets not miss them

  18. Mr Expert July 31, 2015 at 5:56 am #

    It’s absolutely not true that Istanbul nightlife is bad. You have to know how to nightgame there.
    Not in Sultanahmet and not in Taksim/Istiklal area. Go to Ortakoy and Kurucesme side where there are the fancy and pretty expensive night clubs; favourite 2 are Anjelique and Reina.
    Hint 1: Don’t go with group of guys to these clubs, you will be rejected from entrance.
    Hint 2: Book a dinner rezervation at Anjelique or Reina for 10 pm session, it will cost about max 40-50 Euro/person. After dinner, find a good spot in the club to hang out with your drink and check for the right girl who you will be nightgaming.
    Hint 3: Girls in these fancy clubs always speak good English. Always give them trust that you are not talking to them for one night stand and you often come to Istanbul. Be romantic, and talk about how good your career and business is. Turkish girls like successful businessman roles.Offer them some drinks, it proves your wealth for them.
    Hint 4: Don’t ask them to come home with you from the first night. Give them a kiss, take their numbers and go on the next day. I guarantee you fuck them the 2nd or 3rd night based on your skills.Most of the turkish girls love the dream of marrying a classy foreign guy.

    • TibiGuy October 12, 2015 at 2:01 pm #

      MrExpert–does that work for sure? I know over here in NYC you cannot pull off the dinner/club night transition that easily? My buddy and I will be in Istanbul for one Saturday night during a layover before we fly to Lviv–looking to try and have a great night w/o any complications.

      • Travel&Flag October 14, 2015 at 1:11 am #

        Hello there mate. The club transition is no problem at all. The fancy places like Anjelique, Sortie, Lucca accepts dinner reservation and transforms into a club around 11-12pm.
        Although there isn’t a dress code, you gotta be a bit sharp to turn on the charm 😉 Try Ulus 29 in your list too and good luck 🙂

  19. lofty April 29, 2016 at 7:19 pm #

    Mr Expert comments are right. But be aware that the places he mentions are very expensive and you also get a very sophisticated extremely wealthy local clientele.

    If you think that girl you like is wearing a dress looking like a 5000 dollar Versace dress, she most probably is. If you think she is a wearing a replica 50k watch, it ain’t a replica!

    I got talking to nice attractive girl, her family had a yacht, chalet in Switzerland, flat in Paris etc. We made good friends in the end, but not how you think it will be.

    Just because you think you have a few thousand dollars on you, you want be king here, in a city where there as many billionaires, as anywhere else.

  20. Andy September 21, 2016 at 5:00 pm #

    Hey dudes welcome to Istanbul! If you new in the city need to have a good time hit me bro! I can get you high with good MJ and get some beautiful nice BB. Contact andyk2287@gmail.com

  21. Another crazy idiot September 28, 2016 at 9:59 am #

    Well, first time I’m not quite along with Mark. Good to mention as diversity of perception makes the world a shinier spot. So, my intensive Istanbul story: It was a CS gathering as we used to hold them twice an year here and there in the Balkans. I went there with a bunch of say ten other Bulgarians, including my girlfriend at the time. It was arranged that we stayed at the still not officially opened hostel “Planet Paprika” held by a very friendly and wise globetrotter, Serhat or better known as Mr. Paprika. It was already nighttime when we arrived, so I didn’t lose time and gave a good round of the home-made booze I had brought (grapes rakia with scent of honey). My gf was supposed to meet a friend of hers with whom she was very close from back in the years studying in the Sorbonne. The Turkish chick had her attorney-in-law practice and actually invited us to stay with her in the loft above the office. As described it was a mirrored bed, spacey and with a beautiful view over Asiatic part of Istanbul. I never had the chance to see it as there was the condition bed is big enough for three of us and the host chick had no objection in sharing it with us but my gf did. It was a big disappointment as she was the one to call for a good-sex-based relationship and this jealousy shit all of a sudden came out of nowhere. In the go of the night (and conduct of the Turkish chick) I got more or less convinced I missed a great night for the three of us. First fuck up! We strolled around the Taxim area bars and the Istiklal bound ones. The CS party was at a bar that had several floors, each with its thematic sound and atmosphere. The Turkish goats were, of course, there with their childish and absurd approaches towards the girls – “U so byutiful. I want to merry you. You be my quin” and all that diabetic sleezy shit that their simple minds could reproduce. Therefore the Turkish chicks are dead about intelligent and in other way romantic guys of whatever in the West… After that we went to the “Araf” bar where I remember again strolling with the lift the different floors with different parties. At some moment I was dancing friendly with one Nigerian chubby mamma when one Greek loser started to shout of jealousy and approached me with a knife. Me and my gf gave him a good lesson the hard way and went on partying. Some time in the mid of the night we decided to go back to the hostel as we were wasted. Another Bulgarian friend of ours went to another bar, known for reggae and ska with two chicks from the gathering – an American and a Chinese from Inner Mongolia (a rather smart chick). He came in the morning, totally wasted, just as me and gf had some discreet play in the dorm while all the other sleeping. He laughed and shared just a couple of lines, implicating it was his Swedish night :). Later the same day just as me and gf approached Taxim square for a meeting, there was a huge sudden bomb explosion. It was crazy I’m telling you! Later at the Kapali carsi out of nowhere a 100% medieval Japanese dressed in a rather expensive kimono crossed our path… Later in the evening there was a big party in the nearby university campus. I preferred not to go as I don’t like this type of masses concentrations with polite non-sense talks and cheep beer. Instead, I stayed in the hostel where I had a very splendid talk with a very charming Serbian traveler who worked for the hostel. There was that imminent click between us. Talking on her law studies, Belgrade nightlife, her recent trip and experiences in Tanzania and around, the explosion of today. We talked mildly and drank a bit of booze and who knows what was to come after but all of a sudden again my gf jumped in from nowhere, swearing at me, calling me infidel and such shit. It turned she never went to the party but stayed outside all of the time spying on us. Therefore I left my 50 cent in your other article on living with a gf but that’s another story. It was her second fuck up in two days.

    All in all I tried to illustrate that Istanbul is as I see it the eternal Rome, the glamorous Babylon where anything may happen. One may have an intense night and die on the other day 🙂 There you’ll meet cosmopolitan people, you can party hard all night, eat tremendous food and make memories to never forget…

  22. Flow October 10, 2016 at 4:51 pm #

    Hey dudes, If you need some hook up on quality 420, contact barrye2800@gmail.com. He got really good stuff!

  23. cheeky chappy August 5, 2017 at 8:40 am #

    look like a mix of reviews for this city. can anybody confirm its has many curvy, busty, peach bumed girls or are they super rare?

  24. Sipopa September 9, 2018 at 10:28 am #

    Lived in Istanbul.
    Lovely city to visit and amazing food and so cheap compare to other major cities.
    Sadly the Arabs and Muslims evil on earth fucked it up.
    The vast Europeans or Americans that came to visit for holidays been replaced by the evil cheap radical Qataris or Saudis that can not afford Cannes or London.
    Nightlife is pretty wack and bad. Bebek is probably the better part where rich Turks and expats like to hang!

    • mat January 12, 2019 at 4:52 pm #

      I assume that you are a christen motherfucker. The evil and dark souls are your like of people arround the area. I wish eradication for your kind.

      • Mark Zolo January 25, 2019 at 10:45 am #

        Allah says he’s sorry you can’t get laid.

  25. bray December 14, 2019 at 5:18 am #

    I really like the C.O.H./Q.O.G. portion of each city. It is a great snapshot of what to expect. I don’t see it in a number of cities on the site. I’m hoping it will continue across the board.
    I always come here first before going to a new city and really enjoy your guides and recommendations.

    • Mark Zolo December 17, 2019 at 3:35 pm #

      thanks man

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