My personal favorites

Sightseeing Overview

It takes time to see Istanbul properly, since examples of its 2,000-year-old past can be difficult to find amid the chaos of the present. The list is very long when it comes to places to go so you have to make some choices. These are my favorite places to in istanbul.

Sultanahmet

The heart of historical İstanbul is Sultanahmet, the district centred on the Byzantine Hippodrome in the oldest part of the city. The city is best explored on foot, as most sights are within easy walking distance of one another. If the pace does get too much, a tea garden is never too far away.

Tunel / Taksim / Istiklal

The Tünel climbs the hill from Karaköy port to the start of Istiklal Street, a mile-long pedestrianthoroughfare leading up to Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul and home to much of its nightlife. Istiklal Street which crosses Istanbul’s new town on the European side. Day and night, no matter when, there are always people walking and hanging out on this street, one of the busiest streets in Istanbul.

There are innumerable cafes and bars on the side streets from Istiklal Street. From Turkish folk music to Techno music, a lot of bars and clubs are blasting their sounds into the street, it is like a big flood of music. Last summer we were going though one of the side streets, suddenly “Karadeniz” music jumped into our ears. Karadeniz means Black Sea, in Turkish, there is very original and characteristic music and dance, people from there are very proud of their unique culture.

Topkapi Palace
Originally built as a summer residence and the seat of government, Topkapi Palace was home to harem, state administration and military personnel in the 16th century, with around 3,000 residents. Sultans abandoned it for Dolmabahçe Palace in 1855, but many of the sumptuous jewels of the original treasury (including the Topkapi dagger, and gold-plated throne of Murat III), the armory, silk ceremonial robes, Chinese ceramics and the collection of manuscripts, all convey the old Ottoman decadence. Near the Imperial Gate is Haghia Eirene Museum, venue for concerts during the International Istanbul music festival. The prison-like Harem, comprising several dozen ornate rooms which once housed up to 300 concubines, is only open to guided tours and requires a separate ticket (and separate queue). Weekends and holidays are more crowded.

Kapali Çarşisi (Covered or Grand Bazaar)

The Grand Bazaar Covered Bazaar) in Istanbul is one of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets and 4,000 shops, and has between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. The bazaar contains two bedestens (domed masonry structures built for storage and safe keeping), the first of which was constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.

Publicity Video of a Timeless city

If you're like me visual makes a better impression. Have fun!

Hotels

Even though I hope you will be having too much fun to stay in your hotel room, it is still important to find a decent hotel to stay.

Here is a list of some great hotels. This is a great list because there is something for everyone.

General Inforamtion

ISTANBUL GENERAL INFORMATION :

The first of the seven hills on the promontory has been the most important and dynamic part of the city in all ages. When the city was first founded, the acropolis was a typical Mediterranean trading center surrounded by city walls. This trading center was enlarged and rebuilt during Roman times. The most prominent buildings and monuments of the Roman era were built in the vicinity of the Hippodrome. Very few relics of these works have endured to the present day.

The imperial palace, known as the "Great Palace", used to spread over an area extending from the Hippodrome down to the seashore. Only the mosaic floor panel of a large hall remains from this palace today. The Augusteion, the most important square of the city, used to be here, and between the square and the main avenue there was the Millairium victory arch. The road used to extend as far as Rome and the stone marking the first kilometer was located here. The baths, temples, religious, cultural, administrative and social centers were all in this district. The area maintained its importance in the Byzantine and Turkish eras. Therefore some of the most important monuments of Istanbul such as the Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art and the Basilica Cistern are all located around the Hippodrome.

The main streets in the city (those leading down to the harbor and those extending toward the city walls in the west) started at the Hippodrome and followed the slopes of the hills. The streets were lined with business establishments and mansions. The side streets were narrow and some were stepped. Some of the main streets had two-galleried sidewalks. There were spacious squares along the route and the side roads forking from these squares led to the city gates. The main avenue was called the Mese, and Via Egnetia, the road to Rome, started at the Golden Gate (Altmkapi).

Hippodrome means square for horses. The Hippodrome was built by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus towards the end of the 2nc* century and it was extended to an immense size by Constantine the Great. Some historians claim that it could seat thirty thousand spectators, while others put the figure at sixty thousand. The main attraction was the two or four-horse chariot races. In Roman and Byzantine times, the Hippodrome served as the city's main meeting, entertainment and sports center until the 10tn century. Like many of the other monuments in the city, it lost its importance with the Latin invasion in 1204. Besides the chariot races and gladiator fights with wild animals, there were performances by musicians, dancers and acrobats. There were many public holidays during Roman times to allow opportunities for all these activities.

The Hippodrome was shaped like a gigantic "U" and the imperial box, built like a balcony with four bronze horses on its roof, was situated on the eastern side. The sand-covered surface of the Hippodrome was divided into two by a low wall around which the chariots raced. On this wall stood monuments brought here from different corners of the empire and the statues of famous riders and their horses. Successful chariot drivers were very wealthy and could have anything they wanted. Originally there were 4 teams of drivers whose supporters' clubs formed large quarrelling factions and competed for position and prestige in the city. From time to time politics intermingled with the races, and the clashes between competing forces turned into bloody massacres.

The original ground level of the Hippodrome was 4 or 5 meters lower than the present surface. Three monuments have remained to our day: the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the Walled Obelisk. In the Turkish era, too, festivals, ^ceremonies and performances used to be organized here. The Palace of Ibrahim Pasa opposite Sultan Ahmet Mosque is the sole example of the imposing private residences of the 16th century. This elegant building now houses the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art.

Only the round southern end of the vast Hippodrome has survived. This is a brick structure decorated with tall vaults. In later ages, all of the stone blocks and columns of the Hippodrome were used for building material. The ruins in the park to the right of the entrance to the Hippodrome belong to 4th" and 5th century private palaces, and a little further along there are the remains of the Byzantine Hagia Euphemia church. TEXT SOURCE : GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

Turkish Food

It is said that three major kinds of cuisine exist in the world; Turkish, Chinese, and French. Fully justifying its reputation, Turkish Cuisine is always a pleasant surprise for the visitor.

In addition to being the refined product of centuries of experience, Turkish Cuisine has a very pure quality. The variety and simplicity of the recipes and the quality of the ingredients are guarantees of delicious meals.

So I would like to recommend some restaurants.

Museums of Istanbul

There are several museums in Istanbul for every taste. These are my favorites:

Archaeological Museum

This complex was build by the end of 19th century by the architect Vallaury thanks to great efforts of famous Turkish painter Osman Hamdi Bey. It includes the exquisite Tiled Kiosk and the Museum of the Ancient Orient and houses a large collection of artifacts and works of art belonging to ancient Greek, Roman and other Anatolian civilizations dating back to the 6th century BC.

The Ataturk Museum

House where Ataturk lived and worked before the War if Independence during his stay in Istanbul between 1918 and 1919, originally was built in 1908 and restored by the Municipality of Istanbul in 1943, opening to the public in 1981. Top floor of this building was reserved to His mother and His sister, meanwhile Ataturk used middle floor for himself and lower floor for His loyal officer.

Fine Arts Museum

On the order of Ataturk, this museum was opened in 1937 in the crown prince suites of Dolmabahce Palace. It was the first art museum in Turkey and only one in Istanbul until recently.

ART, CULTURE, AND ENTERTAINMENT

Istanbul is an international art and cultural center. The International Arts and Cultural Festival is held each year in June and July with famous artists coming from all over the world.

Istanbul Design Weekend

Istanbul also has a rich program of night entertainment. Nightclubs provide splendid entertainment throughout dinner, ranging from a selection of great music. The city basically offers nightlife and entertainment in every kind. The choice is incredible and there are several centers of nightlife all over the city.

Here are some suggestions.

My experience: Some places could be way too pricy (unexpectedly). So you might want to check the menu (price list) before ordering.

Your Way to/around Istanbul

Getting There

There are two inter national airports, two bus stations from which international services arrive and depart, and two international rail stations. booking

Around Istanbul

The most popular way to explore Istanbul is the Bosphorus ferry.

To be safe, check the timetable as the schedule can change.

Taxi:

İstanbul is full of taxis. All taxis have digital meters and must run them.

My Experience: Some drivers could be con artists but you will notice them easily. When yo do, just change your taxi.

City buses:

The bus system in İstanbul is extremely efficient. Buses are run by the city and you must have a ticket before boarding. Buy tickets from the white booths near major stops

A Quick look to Istanbul

Istanbul Through Lenses

This video is made by 150.000 pictures to show four different seasons of Istanbul.

It took five years to put it together.

Why Istanbul?

- European Capital of Culture for 2010

A city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development.

- A huge metropolis connecting continents, cultures, religions and being home to eleven million people; and one of the greatest business and cultural center of the region.

- Throughout history, Istanbul has been home to countless societies and cultures. (Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman)

- The museums, churches, palaces, grand mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty.

- As one of the most energetic cities in the world Istanbul continually gets to be an attraction center.

- Turkish Cuisine

and I love Istanbul!!!