After 6 nights in Istanbul

Istanbul is easily the most frustrating city I have ever visited.

It is incredibly scenic and full of life, but my experience was overshadowed by how aggressively tourists are treated. Within my first 48 hours, I ran into three scams and even had a pickpocket attempt just walking along the waterfront. I travel pretty low key, a small sling, a puma sweater and jeans so nothing flashy.They weren’t successful. I have traveled a lot, and I have never had to be this constantly on guard.

On top of that, I was asked where I am from almost daily, and when I said I am Canadian, people kept insisting on asking where I am really from. I was born and raised in Canada. When they didn’t get the answer they expected they kept on asking where my parents were originally from.

I understand inflation is high and tourist pricing exists, but this goes beyond that. It feels outright predatory.

The pricing of major attractions makes it worse. Places like the Göreme Open Air Museum and Hagia Sophia highlight the disconnect. I didn’t even bother going to the cistern or the castle. Istanbul is charging prices on par with or higher than major European sites, without matching the overall experience or value.

The attractions constantly try to upsell experience packages. Even when you say no, they keep pushing. It turns a simple visit into an exhausting back and forth.

It is a shame, because the city itself is beautiful. But between the scams, constant upselling, and pricing, this ended up being the worst travel experience I have had. After 6 nights, I am honestly just relieved to be leaving.

Never again.