Turkey has always fascinated me as a travel destination. I love it so much that I’ve visited the country multiple times. During my fourth visit, I explored Turkey for 12 days, traveling by sea and land using ferries, buses, and trains.
I flew to Turkey via Kuala Lumpur, with Istanbul as my destination. It was the middle of winter, and the air was freezing when I arrived in Istanbul after more than 12 hours of travel. A thick jacket and the warmth of my backpack offered some comfort.
From Istanbul International Airport, I headed to the city center in Fatih, specifically to the Sultan Ahmed area. My accommodation was located right behind the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. I planned to stay in Istanbul for only two days.
This wasn’t my first time in Istanbul—I had visited the city more than twice before, yet I never grew tired of exploring this city that bridges two continents. I even enjoyed revisiting familiar attractions. I spent much of my time in the Sultan Ahmed area, where many tourist sites are within walking distance, such as the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Sultan Ahmed Park, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. I also visited the Basilica Cistern and took a Bosphorus tour on a small cruise ship, sailing across the iconic strait.
After two days in Istanbul, I traveled to Bursa by ferry. While you can also take a bus to Bursa, the ferry is faster as it cuts through the sea route. The ferry departs from Eminönü and arrives in Mudanya, from where I took a bus to Bursa city center.
If you’re taking the ferry from Istanbul, it’s best to pay using the Istanbulkart, a multipurpose card that can also be used for buses, trams, and metros. Unfortunately, the Istanbulkart doesn’t work in Bursa, so it’s necessary to buy a separate card called the Bursakart, available from machines at Mudanya port. The bus journey from Mudanya to Bursa took almost an hour. I alighted in the city center and then took the metro to my Couchsurfing host’s house.
In Bursa, I stayed with a friend I met through Couchsurfing. Her house was located a bit far from the city center, but it was conveniently near a metro station. She lived alone in a house gifted by her mother.
During my stay in Bursa, I explored the city, which was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. I visited historical sites and the tombs of the first Ottoman sultans, including Bursa Ulu Camii and Yeşil Camii mosques. I also ventured to Cumalıkızık Village, a preserved Ottoman-era village.
One evening, my friend invited me to watch a Sufi whirling dance performance after work. Snow started falling as we made our way there, covering the streets in a white blanket, adding to the magical atmosphere.
The cultural house hosting the Sufi performance had a unique charm. Women sat on the balcony, while men occupied the ground floor, level with the male dancers. Witnessing this renowned Turkish dance in person was mesmerizing. After the performance, the audience was treated to hot tea and pastries in the garden—a perfect way to end my final night in Bursa.
The next day, I continued my journey to Izmir by bus. I bought my bus ticket on the spot at Bursa’s bus terminal and chose Kamil Koç, a well-known and reputable bus company. The journey from Bursa to Izmir took about five hours.
By the time I arrived in Izmir, it was late afternoon. A friend picked me up in his taxi and took me to his house, which was quite far from the city center. Since he was busy with work, he only stayed long enough to chat briefly and ensure I had everything I needed before leaving me alone at his place.
That evening, I spent my time alone watching Turkish TV shows, even though I didn’t understand the language. Occasionally, I contacted my friend via WhatsApp to ask for directions from his house to the city center. Thankfully, there were dolmuş (minivan-style shared taxis) that passed by his neighborhood, making it easier to get around.
In Izmir, I visited several interesting spots in the city center. I went to Konak Square, where I saw the Yali Mosque and the iconic İzmir Clock Tower. I also explored two shopping centers: İzmir Optimum and Forum Bornova.
The city of Izmir faces the Aegean Sea, and some of its shopping centers are located along the waterfront, such as the Konak Pier. I strolled along the coastline and stopped by the shopping center to warm up.
To enjoy a panoramic view of Izmir, I visited the Historical Elevator of Izmir. This historic building has cafes and restaurants at the top, offering scenic views. I also made my way to Kadifekale, the ruins of a fortress perched on a hill.
The castle is situated on Mount Pagos, 186 meters above sea level and about 2 kilometers from the city center. There’s a dedicated bus route that takes you directly to the castle. From there, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Izmir.
I spent two days exploring these attractions. On my last night in Izmir, my friend returned home. We didn’t talk much as we were both exhausted. After dinner, we retreated to our respective rooms.
Still in the province of Izmir, I continued my journey to Selçuk (pronounced Seljuk). Early in the morning, my friend kindly dropped me off at the train station, as he was on duty near Izmir Airport, which happened to have a train line to Selçuk.
This was the last time I saw my generous friend. He even used his card to pay for my train ticket to Selçuk, an act of kindness I deeply appreciated. It was an incredible experience, marking the halfway point of my Turkish journey.
Unfortunately, all the photos I took during my trip with my mirrorless camera were lost. I discovered this upon returning home, as the memory card had become corrupted due to being full without my knowledge. Luckily, I had a few pictures saved on my phone, which helped preserve some of the memories from this unforgettable adventure.