I’m a recent college grad from California, 22 female, looking to spend a month in either Istanbul or Turin Italy in august. I’ll be working remotely part time and just wanted to explore another city. I took a semester of Italian at school this year, and want to practice Italian; and love Italian food. I’ve not been to Turin but have been to Rome/Florence other cities before. My budget for airbnbs are very tight, and Turin was one of the only few cities in Italy I could find decent airbnbs under my budget.
I haven’t been to Istanbul before and love history, so would love to visit. Istanbul is also cheaper but I wonder if Italy is a bit safer for women traveling solo. I also don’t know Turkish.I heard Italy in august is super hot and a lot of the locals leave for vacation- although I'm not sure Istanbul is better on that front!
Any suggestions?
What I want in a city: safe for women; history; good cafes/restaurants (vegetarian); weather can be hot but not so hot that I can't go outside at all!

12 Comments
Sha

One reason I won't go back to Istanbul happily, just to hang out, as a MALE mind you, is that male/female roles are so narrowly and, in my opinion, frighteningly circumscribed. The men don't wash their armpits but still hang onto the hanging streetcar straps with aplomb. The women do not look at a man, ever. I mean ever.

In Turin you may have some of lechery coming at you, but not as much as other places where the young kids come into town for the sole purpose of fawning over young women, but women have independence, attitude, and style. One laced "que SCHIFO!" and the guys shrink off, whereas in Istanbul it is an culture defined, outright, by (sexist) male/female roles.

Turin is also a fabulous city, just gorgeous, not tourist-besotten, lots of beauty and ease and plenty to see. Istanbul has plenty to see, as sights go, but it is culturally highly circumscribed - - Istanbul can be a great experience, but not for exploring who you are as a single woman.

I think Turin would be the best place. I was there in Nov and stayed at The Golden Eagle through booking.com. Fabulous location, terrific budling and and a gorgeous one bedroom apt that could not be beat. Very easy to get around, walkable, great transportation and extremely safe. You will speak the language and people are friendly, helpful and city has a great, young vibe. Food, OMG! I thought people and women in particular were very stylish. Felt very safe at night. I loved it,

I think Turkey is wonderful and Istanbul also. More a darker vibe than Turin and would be a bit hesitant about going out on my own at night. Architecture and sights are a wonder to behold but I am not an adventurous eater so that might be a challenge for a month unless you are into ME food.

If your budget could swing it, and you could spend a long weekend there, that might be a compromise. Enjoy.

Please check in the correct rules/visa for working remotely. Tourist entry does not allow work I believe.

Dfourth seems to be describing someplace in very conservative Islamic eastern Turkey, definitely not Istanbul. Go to Istanbul's Taksim Square on a Friday or Saturday night and you'll see men and women dressed to the nines and heading out drinking and clubbing just like you would in any other major city in Europe. But sure, a guy who goes to Istanbul seeking one-night stands will be disappointed, that's not how dating culture works there.

You've chosen well -- both of these cities are great places to spend some time. It must be said that in August, both will be hot as hell.

In Istanbul's Old City (the Sultanahmet district), you'll be constantly approached by people trying to get you into their uncle's carpet shop, or their leather shop, or any other place they might pry some money out of you. You're not in any danger, but it gets exhausting. So if you go to Istanbul, stay not in Sultanahmet but in the second-oldest district in town, Pera -- around Tarlabasi Avenue, Taksim Square, that area. This is the city centre for normal working people, with a 1,000-year history and a great atmosphere. And no carpet shops.

In Italy, you'll be constantly approached by men trying to get in your pants. Again, you're rarely in danger (they will eventually take no for an answer) but it will get tiring. The more Italian you look, the less of a problem this will be. If you're blonde and light skinned, it will be incessant. And I don't just mean young, charming handsome men -- I mean men older than your dad, too. From Turin you'll definitely have more options for good short-distance day trips and weekend trips than you will in Istanbul. On the other hand, Italy is easily twice the cost of Turkey.

Whichever one you choose, don't choose your place to live until you've walked around there at night. Being near major public-transport stops and/or late-night groceries is good, as it keeps people on the street into the late hours. And cabs are cheap in istanbul, so if you feel more comfortable taking cabs at night (when Istanbul's horrible traffic is reduced) rather than walking, that won't break the bank.

Regardless of which one you choose, I suggest trying to find women's chat groups on social media focused on either city. There must be some. I can well imagine that there are plenty of young local women in both cities who'd love to show you around and help you get acclimated in exchange for a chance to practice their English and talk to someone who figured out how to work virtually at such a young age.

This was unnecessarily and inappopriately insulting, Twelvestring, though it is good to have your input, and a wide variety of perspectives are always appreciated here. I was not referring to scoring with women, I was referring to the general tone and culture (actually during just general walking about town daytime). Here's a link to a single women's traveler guide to Istanbul (it includes these cautions about Taksim Square):

" Avoid hanging out solo in Taksim late at night (after 10 pm), especially on the main street Istikal Cadessi. It’s also advisable to not go solo there on the weekends. Men won’t grab you, but they can give intimidating looks. High heels and mini-skirts should also not be worn around town. You will see many local girls dressed in all types of outfits, but it’s best to avoid any unwanted attention."

https://www.theblondeabroad.com/solo-female-travelers-guide-to-istanbul/

Apologies for offending you, dfourth. I was just perplexed by your comment that "The women do not look at a man, ever. I mean ever." That's extraordinarily strident, and I've spent enough time in Istanbul to know that's not true. In Eastern Turkey, it is absolutely true. But not in Istanbul.

Thank you all for your responses- I've heard different perspectives on Istanbul and I'm sure they are all valid (my understanding is also particular neighborhoods in Istanbul can be significantly more conservative than others, while some neighborhoods are extremely liberal not unlike other European cities). I'm indian American myself, a country with rather different gender norms from the West- and can understand those differences, while I simultaneously still think India is one of the most beautiful places to visit, even for women. (Although, I'm not suggesting Turkey is at all the same culturally to India, of course).
I ended up choosing to go to Torino, mostly because I speak the language and honestly, just really want to practice my italian and try italian food. I really want to go to Istanbul too, that will be next . I will look distinctly foreign in Italy but certainly not 'blonde' haha, I guess I'll see . Women's chat groups is a great idea, will do!

There’s good shopping and of course great food, wine and chocolate in Torino. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

This is true and should be considered. You are not allowed to work in Schengen, remotely or otherwise, on a tourist visa, and even though you won't have an actual visa you will be entering on a tourist visa.

Makes sense! You'll generally find restaurants a lot cheaper at lunchtime than dinnertime. Note that in some cafes, there is a significant surcharge (sometimes a fixed price, sometimes a percentage increase in your tab) if you sit down.