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Tourist complaints and warnings

Reviewed Radar reports

14 results

✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Other

The 'Dropped Shoe Brush' Scam near Galata Bridge – Don't pick it up!

Yesterday, while walking near the Galata Bridge towards Eminönü, a shoe shiner walked past me and 'accidentally' dropped his brush. Being polite, I called out and handed it back to him. H...

Location

galata / istanbul

Reviewed

18/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedCritical · 5/5Other

Card Acceptance

"Contactless credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Istanbul and Antalya (including small kiosks). Cash is only needed for taxis and street vendors. There is no need to carry thou...

Location

Location not specified

Reviewed

17/09/2026

What should I do?

Avoid immediate payment

Confirm the driver, destination and total price before entering the vehicle. Do not pay twice.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedMedium · 3/5Other

Topkapı Sarayı'nda Turistlerin Şikâyet Ettiği Deneyimler

# Radar Raporu: Topkapı Sarayı'nda Turistlerin Şikâyet Ettiği Deneyimler ## Ne oldu? İstanbul'a ilk kez geldiğinizi düşünün. Yüzyıllar boyunca Osmanlı İmparatorluğu'na ev sahipliği yapmış...

Location

TOPKAPI SARAYI

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Check before proceeding

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Radar Report: Being a Tourist in Sultanahmet and the Endless Shop Invitations

Walking through Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district, you may notice something within just a few steps: someone calls out to you. Sometimes it’s from a restaurant entrance, sometimes from a ca...

Location

Sultanahmet

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Sultanahmet’te Turist Olmak ve Bitmeyen Dükkân Davetleri

İstanbul’un Sultanahmet bölgesinde yürürken bir şey dikkatinizi çekebilir: Daha birkaç adım atmışken biri size seslenir. Bazen bir restoranın önünden, bazen bir halı dükkânından… Kimi ner...

Location

Sultanahmet

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Challenges Tourists May Encounter When Visiting the Basilica Cistern

Entrance Fees and Visiting Time: Is It Worth It? One of Istanbul’s most extraordinary historical landmarks, the Basilica Cistern offers an experience unlike almost anywhere else in the ci...

Location

Basilica Cistern

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Yerebatan Sarnıcı Ziyaretinde Turistlerin Karşılaştığı Sorunlar

stanbul’un kalbinin altında, yüzyıllardır ayakta duran sütunların arasında yürümek ve suyun üzerindeki yansımaları izlemek… Yerebatan Sarnıcı, ziyaretçilerine sıradan bir tarihi mekândan...

Location

YEREBATAN SARNICI

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Problems Tourists May Encounter When Visiting Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Located in Istanbul’s historic peninsula, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is one of the city’s most remarkable landmarks, famous for its enormous dome, Byzantine mosaics and centuries of histor...

Location

AYA

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi Ziyaretinde Turistlerin Karşılaştığı Sorunlar

İstanbul’un tarihi yarımadasında bulunan Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi; büyük kubbesi, Bizans mozaikleri ve yüzyıllara yayılan tarihiyle şehrin en önemli simgelerinden biri. Ancak ziyare...

Location

AYASOFYA CAMİİ

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Read the full report, confirm the price and conditions in writing, and keep your receipt.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Visitor Complaints About Topkapi Palace

Imagine visiting Istanbul for the first time. You want to explore Topkapi Palace, the historic residence of Ottoman sultans for centuries. You plan to discover its courtyards, visit the H...

Location

TOPKAPI SARAYI

Reviewed

14/10/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Keep your booking confirmation and contact the original platform before making another payment.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

He Dropped a Shoe-Shine Brush in Front of You — You Helped, Then He Asked for Money

You're walking through Istanbul. You're in Beyoğlu. A shoe shiner walking ahead of you suddenly drops his brush. He appears not to notice and keeps walking. You naturally pick it up and c...

Location

Beyoğlu, Istanbul

Reviewed

25/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

Turkey in Late April & Early May: What to Expect From the Weather

# Turkey in Late April & Early May: What to Expect From the Weather **Travel dates:** Late April – Early May **Route:** Istanbul → Cappadocia → Ephesus & Pamukkale → Antalya If you’re wor...

Location

Türkiye

Reviewed

24/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Keep your booking confirmation and contact the original platform before making another payment.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

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✓ ReviewedModerate · 2/5Other

The "Mandatory Scarf" Shop Trap: How Street Vendors Scam Female Tourists Outside Istanbul Mosques

I was walking towards the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) yesterday. Right before the main courtyard entrance, a street vendor approached me urgently. He pointed at my jeans and short-sl...

Location

Sultanahmet

Reviewed

19/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Confirm what is included, cancellation terms and the final price before paying the operator.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

✓ ReviewedLow · 1/5Other

Bitter-sweet experiences from my first solo trip to Istanbul (Sultanahmet)

Hi everyone! I'm James from London. I’ve wanted to see Istanbul my entire life, and last month I finally made it happen with a 5-day solo trip. I stayed in the Sultanahmet area. The city...

Location

Hagia Sophia

Reviewed

11/09/2026

What should I do?

Know before you go

Request a priced menu and confirm weight, extras and service charges before ordering.

Reviewed before publication. Conditions may change.

View full report →

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