The following is a guest post * by Zeina from thezeinadiary.com.

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Hello, My name is Zeina Atamish, I am an Iraqi/Hijabi travel blogger. I started blogging because I wanted to show that Middle Eastern Women and especially Iraqi women want and can make a difference in the world. I wanted to change how people look at me and smile and show them the positive side rather than the negative side.

As an Iraqi, it’s very hard to travel on my passport, because of all the dark news but despite that, I started a travel blog and shared what I loved about different places.

About Istanbul and me

Istanbul was and still is my home. In Istanbul, I found the person I am supposed to be. I was born again in the streets of Eminonu. Istanbul has a lot of underrated places, every street in Istanbul has a story to tell and some places spoke to me more than others.

Here are my top 5 places to visit.

The Secret rooftop

Not so secret anymore but buyuk Valdie han is still one of my best places to go, the amazing view and the smell of an old building (not bad one) are my type of activities. Wandering around that place, getting lost and asking random unhelpful Turkish people are why I fell love in Istanbul.

Besiktas

This place is only known for its famous football team (which I am a fan), Besiktas is one of the perfect places to have the perfect breakfast. Menemen with Chai, do I need to say more?

Balat

This is in the old part of Istanbul, there is a hidden story in every corner of Balat. Walking there just make you peaceful somehow and make you really appreciate history and present.

Ortakoy

As mainstream as it is for me, Ortakoy has a special place, eating waffles at 9 PM on the Bsporphers is just one of the reasons I fell in love with Istanbul. Adding music to this lovely weather and a cat, I think a night can’t be more perfect. The 5th place is not actually a place but more like the streets of Istanbul, the angry or cute

The 5th place is not actually a place but more like the streets of Istanbul, the angry or cute Turkish people, the cats and the food, those are the reasons why you should visit Istanbul. Istanbul was and still my home and I only felt so satisfied with life in Istanbul.

Have you visited Istanbul?

What is the very first thing that comes to your mind when you hear word “Istanbul”? Mine is – enjoying a cup of tea (of course, black Turkish tea :)) on the Bosphorus.