Tuesday 10 November 2026. In Istanbul this is not a day like any other: it is the national day of tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who died on 10 November 1938.
Breakfast with the seagulls
A Turkish breakfast plate, with cheeses, olives and small salads. A seagull landed right behind the window.
There are a lot of seagulls in Istanbul.
9.05am, the whole country stops
At 9.05am the sirens sound across the country and everything stops for two minutes. Cars, people walking, everyone. It is the time Atatürk died.
Dolmabahçe Palace and Atatürk’s room
Before Dolmabahçe Palace, the city hands out lokma, those small round fritters, with a cup of water. The palace dates from the mid 19th century and runs along the Bosphorus. The visit takes you all the way to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s bedroom, the one where he died. The bed is covered with the Turkish flag, with flowers laid on top.
And a tea, served in its little glass.
The Galata Tower and Istiklal Avenue
The Galata Tower, built by the Genoese in the 14th century, sticks out above the whole district. From there you reach Istiklal Avenue, the long pedestrian street between Galata and Taksim, packed with people on this day of national tribute.
With the noise and the yellow taxis you would think it was New York. But it’s Istanbul.
Baklava, lamb kebab and a fish dürüm in Karaköy
A stop for Turkish pastries: baklava by the trayful, one of them decorated with the crescent and star.
A traditional meal at Münhasır Garden Döner & Kebap. First a spicy tomato meze, then a lamb kebab so tender it doesn’t even need sauce. Turkish tea comes free at the end of the meal, as always.
In the evening, a fish dürüm in Karaköy, at Karaköy Sokak Dürümcüsü. 300 TRY, so 5.36 euros, and it is really good. The fish is fresh, the fishing harbour is right next door.
