Istanbul Turkey

Here is an overview of Istanbul in Turkey including lifestyle information attractions and activities in the Istanbul area and surrounding towns and villages.

Istanbul

Istanbul is truly a world city, a city which everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. It is an enchanting blend of Eastern and Western culture, a vibrant, modern city, with a unique identity, its rich past coexisting alongside its youthful exuberance. Although no longer the capital of Turkey – Ataturk created Ankara as the capital at the heart of his new Turkish Republic, as a symbolic break from the Ottoman Empire – it remains the country’s cultural and business centre.

It is a city of contrasts, bustling with the cacophony of 21^st century life, and yet achingly beautiful. It is set in a stunning location, surrounded by water – the narrow strait of the Bosphorus and the serene Sea of Marmara separating Europe from Asia. Istanbul has a foot in each, celebrating the best of both heritages. As Byzantium, Constantinople and finally, Istanbul, it has been the capital of three Empires, each leaving their mark in the form of stunning palaces, castles, mosques, churches and monuments. The legacy of its chequered past can be seen in every turn of the modern city.

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Orientation and Where to Stay
The layout of Istanbul can seem confusing at first. The Bosphorus or Bogaz divides the city into the European and Asian sides, linked by two magnificent bridges, spanning the continents, the first of which was opened in 1973 to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Republic. Most visitors to the city, staying for a few days, will have little reason to visit the Asian side, except for as part of a Bosphorus tour, on a boat which zigzags from side to side, to take in the best of each.

The European side, however, is also divided in two by the Golden Horn or Halic, which roughly divides the historic part of Old Istanbul, encompassing the areas of Sultanahmet and Laleli, from the modern city. It is crossed by a number of bridges, the most famous of which is the pontoon, the Galata Bridge. Most visitors on short city breaks stay in the old town as the vast majority of the sites which they will be visiting are in this area. Istanbul’s most famous sites – the Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Cami, Aya Sofya (Haghia Sophia), Topkapi Sarayi (Palace) and the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) – are all within a 30 minute walk of each other. It is easy to get around on foot or by making use of the tram, which provides a regular service on the pedestrianalised main street. In terms of accommodation there are now a number of characterful boutique hotels in the area of Sultanahmet, many of which are restored Ottoman wooden mansions. These are ideal for those who really want to savour the authentic atmosphere of the Old Town. Those on a budget may want to consider the more modern and competitively priced hotels of the Laleli district, although priced hotels of the Laleli district, although this area is much busier.

Although it is convenient, the disadvantage of staying in the Old Town is that, since it is not a residential area, you don’t really benefit from the ambiance of the modern city of Istanbul, with its excellent restaurants, lively bars and cosmopolitan feel. Some of Istanbul’s finest, most luxurious hotels are located on the Bosphorus with stunning views over the straits, or in the modern business districts. There are also some historic establishments in the area known as Pera, which blossomed at the turn of the century. The heart of modern Istanbul, is Taksim Square and the streets around. The advantage of staying here is that in the evenings you have a wealth of restaurants and relaxed bars within an easy walk of your hotel.

Wherever you choose to stay, it doesn’t take much to make the most of the city, and even three days will give you the opportunity to see the highlights. It is such a large city, however, that even if you visit time and time again, you can still discover something new each time. It is easy to get around. There are a couple of handy trams – one in the old town, and the other in the main shopping street in Pera, Istiklal Caddesi. Taxis are plentiful and relatively cheap and there are also dolmus and bus services for those who really want to explore. Most Tour operators can arrange tours to see the main sights.

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Sightseeing|
There is so much to see in Istanbul that it is impossible to cover everything. Go armed with a good guidebook to give you the low-down and make sure that you get the most of your stay.

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The Bosphorus
Some of Istanbul’s finest vistas are to be seen from the Bosphorus. If you have time it is well worth spending at least half a day viewing the sights and savouring the atmosphere. You can take a guided tour on a small boat, or Turkish Maritime Lines (TDI) runs a good value public ferry service which leaves two or three times a day and does the full round trip as far as Anadolu Kavagi, the nearest village to the Black Sea on the Asian side, and back to Eminonu. It is a charming place, known for its fish restaurants, and the walk up to the ruined fortress overlooking the village, is well worth it for the stunning views. As you leave from Eminonu you can benefit from some beautiful views back towards the old town with its evocative skyline of turreted roofs and minarets. As you head towards the Black Sea you will pass the Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace and the 15^th century fortresses built by Mahmet II, Rumeli Hisari and Anadolu Hisari. Also look out for the stunning wooden Ottoman mansions, many of which have been renovated and form some of the cities most desirable residences. Even if you don’t have time for a Bosphorus trip just take one of the distinctive city ferries for a quick trip from Eminonu to the Asian shores and back – to Uskudar for example, just to admire the views of the old town.

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The Princes Islands
Those who are staying for a little longer in Istanbul, should really set aside a day to visit these charming islands in the Sea of Marmara, just off the coast of Istanbul. The picturesque scenery of wooded hills, charming beaches and authentic Ottoman mansions, combined with the tranquil atmosphere, make for a pleasant contrast to the city itself. Easily reached by ferry or hydrofoil, the ambience of the islands seems worlds away. Buyuk Ada, or ‘Big’ island is the most popular with visitors. No cars are allowed but you can take a trip in a horse and carriage to visit the Monastery of St George.

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Beaches
Istanbul itself does not have beaches, although some people do swim from the Princes Islands. If you are staying for longer and want a real resort experience, however, it is better to take a bus to Sile on the Black Sea Coast and spend a couple of days in this delightful resort with its vast golden sandy beach and relaxed atmosphere.

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Shopping
Istanbul is a great place to shop. Whatever you want to buy, you can find the whole range – from souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar to designer labels in exclusive malls. The same rules apply as in the rest of Turkey i.e. fixed prices in ‘normal’ shops and bartering in and around the bazaars.

Shopping in the Grand Bazaar, Kapali Carsi is a unique experience. Although some find the atmosphere overwhelming, if you get into the spirit of it, it is fun. The salesmen’s banter is light-hearted and they are experts at guessing nationalities from a distance and choosing their language accordingly. Some of the lines are sure to bring a smile to your face even if you are not interested in buying. Feel free to browse – the shops selling similar wares tend to be grouped together, which makes it easier to see what’s on offer before committing yourself. It is usual to be offered a glass of apple tea, elma cayi, to ease the bargaining process. The best advice is simply to decide how much you want tom pay for something, start haggling a bit lower and then move up to your original price. You will soon get an idea of prices if you ask around. The Bazaar has thousands of shops, together with cafes, banks, a post office, police station and even a mosque – in fact a self-contained community. They sell everything here from cheap textiles to fine gold jewellery. Leather goods are excellent value as are ceramics, silver and, of course, carpets. It is worth a wander around the Ic Bedesten, the oldest part of the Bazaar at its very centre, where they sell an eclectic range of antiques and bric-a-brac.

The Spice Bazaar, known in Turkish as the Misir Carsi or ‘Egyptian Bazaar’ is also well worth visiting for dried fruit and nuts, spices, including saffron, Turkish delight and cotton goods. You can even find stalls where they will custom-make a perfume for you. If you have time, the walk between the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar is interesting. To keep your bearings, just head uphill through the maze of streets where street vendors sell their wares at rock bottom prices.

Those who are more interested in looking at the other end of the scale should head to the area of Nisantasi for designer shops, the modern mall of Akmerkez or Istiklal Caddesi. If you are in Istanbul over the weekend you should take a trip to the area of Ortakoy, just under the first Bosphorus Bridge to visit the atmospheric Sunday market which takes place on the seafront.

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Eating out and Entertainment
Nightlife in Istanbul is a unique mix – you can find the latest clubs, which are some of the best in Europe or a café with cushions on the floor, where you can smoke a hookah pipe or nargile. Wherever you choose to eat, whether you want a quick snack in the midst of sightseeing or a romantic dinner for two you are likely to find delicious food made fresh ingredients, and can expect good value for money. If you want traditional street entertainers and musicians head to the area of Kumkapi near the Sea of Marmara, in the old town, famous for its fish, or the Flower Passage Cicek Pasaji off Istiklal Caddesi. You can find excellent restaurants with views and many in historic buildings, as well as some very fashionable restaurants serving international cuisine. Istanbul is famous for its fish and seafood so you should try to eat fish at least once during your stay. There are some excellent fish restaurants along the Bosphorus.

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