About me

Welcome to Turkish Girl Blog! 🌷

I’m Bilge, a Turkish girl living in Berlin, Germany, with a love for exploring beautiful places, getting lost in historic streets, and discovering the little details that make a place special.

You’ll probably notice that Istanbul holds a special place in my heart. But there’s more to this blog than travel guides and pretty pictures. So grab a cup of Turkish tea, get comfortable, and let me tell you a little about myself and how this blog came to be.

In the Beginning…

I grew up in Germany with Turkish roots, which meant that Turkish culture was always a part of my life. But there was one place I felt especially drawn to: Istanbul. I had always felt a connection to Turkey, but I wanted to understand that connection on a deeper level. I wanted to discover the country my grandparents had left behind, learn more about my own culture, and see with my own eyes where my family’s story began.

During my Erasmus year in Istanbul six years ago, I finally got the chance to do just that. Living there allowed me to experience Turkey beyond family visits and holiday memories. It brought me closer to my roots and made me fall even more in love with Istanbul, its history, its streets, its traditions, and all the little details that make it so special. Everything began there…

I sometimes struggle to explain what makes Istanbul so special to me. Is it the lively streets, the cats lying right in the middle of the street, posing as if they’re in a photoshoot? Is it the sound of the ferries, which you can hear from almost everywhere, as if they’re telling us something in their own language? The call to prayer echoing throughout the city? The smell of freshly baked simit in the morning? Or simply the feeling of being surrounded by centuries of history, where every street seems to have a story to tell?

I suppose this blog is, in a way, my love letter to Istanbul and my attempt to put that love into words, photographs and stories. An attempt to explain what makes this city so unforgettable, not just to me, but perhaps to anyone willing to look a little closer.

More Than Just Travel…

Over time, I realised that what fascinates me most about a place isn’t always its most famous attraction. Sometimes it’s a quiet street, an old building, a beautiful mosque, a tiny café, or a detail you might walk past without even noticing.

Two years ago I also discovered the most beautiful art form, Arabic Islamic calligraphy. It opened up a whole new world of history, culture, patience, and craftsmanship for me.

And that’s exactly what I want to share here: the beauty of discovering something new, whether that means exploring a neighbourhood in Istanbul, wandering through Berlin with my camera, or learning a traditional art form.

So, What Is Turkish Girl Blog All About?

At its heart, Turkish Girl Blog is a little love letter to Istanbul. It is my way of capturing the beauty, history and atmosphere of a city that has a very special place in my heart and perhaps my attempt to explain a love that words can never quite do justice to.

Think of this blog as your little corner of inspiration for discovering places and experiences beyond the obvious.

Here, you’ll find Istanbul travel guides, hidden gems, aesthetic photo spots and cultural discoveries. But I’ll also share my journey into Islamic calligraphy, a traditional art form that has taught me to slow down and appreciate the beauty of patience, precision and craftsmanship.

Whether it’s a hidden street in Istanbul, an architectural detail you might otherwise overlook, or a few strokes of ink on paper, I want to share the beauty of things that deserve a closer look.

Ready to Explore?

Whether you’re planning your first trip to Istanbul, looking for inspiration for your next city adventure, or simply love discovering beautiful places, fascinating cultures and little details that make a place special, I’m so glad you’re here.

So, make yourself at home, follow along and explore a little. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover something wonderful you never knew you were looking for.

Çay is ready. Come on in! ☕