No mosques, no sultan’s palaces, and no strolling along the Bosphorus. A pinch of contrasting hardcore and a cozy underground for discerning intellectuals.

These days it’s hard to find an interesting program about Istanbul, even on Youtube. All the presenters and bloggers show only painfully hackneyed itineraries. Of course, Istanbul is a powerful imperial city, but it is also a city of contrasts, with its secret places that reveal its true soul. Unfortunately, no one shows these contrasts.

The contrasts of Istanbul are not the colorful historical monuments or the colorful markets, but the symbiosis of searingly dissimilar worlds. And sometimes they intersect so closely that it no longer seems out of the ordinary. 

For example the contrast of Istanbul is that in the same markets you can see stores with frank underwear for little girls sold by a compassionate Muslim. Or the fact that on a Sunday afternoon you can see burqa-clad women with children sitting on the lawn and transgender woman five meters away, catching clients.

And what about the underwear? It all started a long time ago. The Prophet set a precedent by marrying 8-year-old Aisha at 50, who became his widow at 18. Muhammad took poor girls, widows, and others who needed help to ensure their status and patronage. Since then it has been the custom in poor Islamic families to marry off very young girls to adult men. It is not known if such tradition exists in Turkey, but there are special clothes for minors here.

Now let’s move on to five locations in Istanbul, where the borderline of special Istanbul contrasts shines cheerfully, but in a softer way as well.

Cukurcuma Street

At the very beginning of the street is a store with rare furniture, decor and unusual antiques. Connoisseurs of beautiful interiors flock here to give their houses a special charm. Nearby is Istanbul’s favorite hipster store with reclaimed furniture that has been salvaged from landfills and breathe new life into it. 

Next you can dive into the art of Turkish artists. There are numerous stalls along the street where you can buy evocative paintings like The Last Supper with Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, John Lennon and other idols.

Chukurjuma is also famous for the “Innocence Museum” with its curious collections of strange things. All items belong to the fictional characters Kemal and Sibel from Arzaan Pamuk’s novel with the same name. Arzaan Pamuk is a revered writer and Nobel Prize winner.

Arsen Lupen Bar

Istiklal is raging with its endless bars, cafes and restaurants. The most touristy establishments appear on the main street, but the underground ones peek out only from the alleys.

One of these special places is Arsen Lupen Bar on Mis Sokak Street. To get inside, you have to walk through the restaurant. At the restaurant, take the elevator and go up to the fourth floor. As soon as the elevator doors open, you will find yourself in a dense space of grunge and rock ‘n’ roll, where hipsters chill unhurriedly. Here you can get to know the young people of Istanbul, who know everything about the underwater life of the city.

Pudding Shop

In the 60s the wind of spiritual quest permeated the social life of Istanbul. In the Sultanahmet neighborhood, the Pudding Shop was a stop for European seekers of truth. Before loading up their van and heading off to conquer India and Nepal, they would gorge themselves on Turkish cuisine, filling the café space with esoteric conversations. 

In that special decade, the Pudding Shop was a unique place to learn about all of Turkey’s tourist destinations. The Colpan brothers, the owners of the cafe, were probably the first in the country who broadcast Western culture through themselves. Today, the esoteric flair of the Pudding Shop has dissipated, but the coziness of the cafe remains, as does the board with tourist advertisements.

Ashiyan Cemetery

Fans of the Gothic atmosphere should not miss the Ashiyan Cemetery. It’s an incredibly picturesque spot on a mountain ridge overlooking the Bosphorus and the charming ruins of the fort.   

Members of the Ottoman dynasty and members of the Turkish intelligentsia, such as the poet Orhan Veli, also rest in the cemetery. On his grave the Istanbulians leave various amusing notes.

Venus Studios

Venus is a cute space surrounded by local street art. It’s a perfect place for a jam session. Outside, there’s an abundance of plants and beautiful vases. Rastamans in a consistently good mood often hang out at the entrance, with whom you can chat about high things. Inside the studio, the atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing.

The Atlas Mountains are so enormous that they span three countries: Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The Sahara Desert isolates coastal Africa like a gigantic curtain.

20 million years ago, the mountain system was formed. The Atlas was most likely present throughout the initial stages of world development. Mountains have formed over millennia and grown to amazing heights. Their ridges, which are crowned by three peaks, reach for 2092 kilometers. Toubkal, Ouanoukrim, and Jebel M’Goun are the three highest points. Toubkal, at 4167 meters, stands tall in the sky. At different locations, the climate belts shift. One creation contains multiple universes that convey amazing stories about their creator. With their individuality, all mountains are enchanting. They have a magnetic pull for adventurers because of this trait.

Todra Gorge

The Todra Gorge is located in the East of the Atlas Mountains, 15km from Tinghir. Todra and the whole area around it stand out with its beautiful sandy red hue. You’ll feel like you’re on another planet inside this gorge.

For thousands of years, Todra and Dades Rivers have been slowly making their way through 160-meter high rocks. The road they vacated is tiny compared to the giant cliffs — just 10 meters. The rivers have dried up a long time ago, leaving behind a path for adventurers.

Now the canyons have acquired a well-groomed and walkable appearance: the roads have been filled with soil and there are many hiking trails. Here you can meet cute local mules.

Tinghir — the nearby town which is buried in an oasis and in its authentic beauty. There are many hotels where you can stay overnight surrounded by the local coloring. In Tinghir lives a Berber population, the Amazigh, which means «free and noble people».

Taroudant

Caravans passing over the Sahara and Atlas Mountains stopped in Taroudant. Taroudant has long been known as a trading city, with a thriving market dating back a thousand years.

Saffron and coriander aromas fill the air, and the stalls are brimming with merchandise. Rare Moroccan spices, beautiful fabrics, jewelry, handicrafts, handcrafted carpets, clothing, and shoes by local artisans can all be found here. Taroudant is known as Little Marrakech due of its bustling atmosphere, which is similar to that of a large metropolis.

Tizi-n-Tichka Pass

The Tizi-n-Tichka Pass is one of North Africa’s most popular viewpoints. With its majesty and color palette, it provides beautiful views of the mountains. Some visitors have the impression that they are on another world.

Tizi-n-Tichka Pass — must have of Morocco. It’s like hanging over an abyss as you drive down a narrow serpentine road. But the majestic panorama is worth it.

Toubkal National Park

Toubkal’s natural beauty is astounding. Relief grottos, caves, and gorges with the cleanest rivers flowing through them may be seen from the summit. Mountain meadows, juniper, tamarisk, thuja, and oak trees can be found nearby. Wild cats, mountain lynxes, jackals, mouflons, and small rodents can all be found in the forest. Monkeys, black panthers, and genettes can be found in the Atlas’s more distant areas. Butterfly species that are extremely rare can be discovered in the shrubs and meadows. Spiny-tailed lizards, chameleons, cobras, and vipers are reptiles.

Toubkal’s beauty was even more stunning, but in the past, this wonderful location was constantly victimized by people’s cruelty and stupidity. Rare animal hunting was common in these places, with miles of forest cut down and lakes emptied. In Toubkal, half of the spectacular fauna that formerly thrived here is now extinct. Lions, giraffes, elephants, buffalo, and antelope are no longer part of the royal wildlife. Animal preservation is now being given more attention, and efforts are being undertaken to protect what is left. Near the reserve, there are numerous comfortable hotels and guest houses. Outdoorsy types can rent a tent and set up camp. Food and other essentials can be purchased near the equipment rental locations.

Ifrane Ski Resort

Ifrane is 1700 meters above sea level. Skiers and snowboarders will find it excellent in December. In terms of attractiveness and skiing conditions, Ifran is comparable to Switzerland.

Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and a lush cedar forest with maple groves adorn Ifran region. Monkeys can be found in the forests, and pike and cod can be found in the lakes. Ifrane’s architecture is entirely in the European style. This is one of the noises from Morocco’s colonial era.

Ski resort Oukaimeden

At 2600 meters above sea level, Oukaimeden offers a breathtaking view of the Atlas Mountains. Their peaks are blanketed with snow all year. Oukaimeden is one of Morocco’s most prestigious ski resorts. Because the season runs from November to April, travellers have plenty of time to plan an active vacation.

There are conditions for both experienced and novice athletes. Skiing isn’t the only way to have fun. Archery, mountaineering, and bobsleigh are all options. Relax in the sauna, have a massage, or simply sit quietly by the fireplace with a glass of wine.

Marrakech is about 70 kilometers distant, so you can simply get out and enjoy the royal city’s sunlight.