Did You Know Sultanahmet Was a Popular Stop for Hippies in the 1960s? I was personally quite surprised when I first heard this. The idea that one could take a bus from Sultanahmet all the way to Kathmandu still amazes me. One place where hippies would frequently gather and spend time in Istanbul was the Lale Pudding Shop, which still operates in Sultanahmet today. If you ever find yourself there, you might come across a bulletin board filled with letters and photos from that era, left behind by the hippies themselves.
Since there were no phones back then, it’s known that the hippies used this board to communicate. Anyone setting out on a journey, looking for a travel companion, needing a ride, or short on funds would use this bulletin board. Even families trying to reach their children traveling in the East would sometimes leave messages on it in hopes of reconnecting.
A Hub for the “Flower Children”
Though Turkish newspapers and media outlets in the 1960s often portrayed the hippies negatively, Sultanahmet stood out as one of the few places that embraced them. These flower children, who traveled from Europe to India for just 45 dollars on buses known as “Magic Buses,” were often on a journey to understand Eastern philosophies. These long-distance buses were far from comfortable and were notorious for breaking down, yet the demand was high. Some hippies even had to camp out in deserts for weeks.
As hippy tourism grew in Sultanahmet, several bus companies emerged, leading to fierce competition. These companies even had their own slogans and brochures—one of which read, “Let Us Fly You Away!” Thanks to extensive photo archives online, it’s now easy to visualize those times: hippies chatting with locals in Goa, showering in Indian villages, reading books along the now-dangerous borders of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, or deep in conversation with monks.
They didn’t just pass through—they boosted the economies of every stop they made.
Life-Changing Journeys and Lasting Memories
Some hippies who came to Istanbul from Europe ended up becoming imams; others went on to India, embraced Buddhism, and never returned. Every one of them has a powerful story—because they were all seekers, and that search made them unique.
One common trait many hippies shared was their ability to bond with locals, along with a genuine love for the people and cultures they encountered. It was perfectly normal back then to see hippies drinking tea in Turkish teahouses from slender-waisted glasses, playing backgammon or okey. They generally got along well with locals, though their liberal views on relationships and life often caused friction with more conservative segments of society. Despite these challenges, many overcame them through wit and resilience.
A Salt Shaker Returned After 18 Years
There’s even a story of a hippy who returned a salt shaker to Lale Pudding Shop 18 years after taking it. In fact, Bill Clinton visited the Lale Pudding Shop twice—just out of curiosity.
These individuals chose the road in pursuit of freedom—and perhaps a sense of rootlessness. Today, we have access to everything with incredible ease. Compared to the past, access is no longer the problem—but this ease may have distanced us from organic experiences. We tend to forget the importance of “being on the road” or letting things take time to ferment, mature, and become beautiful. We consume everything too quickly.
A Final Note
Once upon a time, these flower children passed through Istanbul. They clearly pursued their personal goals, but they also contributed to a remarkable global experiment. Here’s to remembering the journey—and believing in the process.
For those interested in learning more, I recommend the book titled Lale Puding Shop.