Turkey Istanbul

 ATATÜRK KÜLTÜR MERKEZI (AKM)-

 This popular culture centre in Istanbul is one of the four public corporate bodies under Ataturk Supreme Council for Culture, Language and History. Housing a library of over 60,000 volumes of books and periodicals, Ataturk Culture Centre also cooperates with other foundations in and abroad so you get to see its work up close and personal.

For more info visit:

www.akmb.gov.tr

 

ISTANBUL MODERN-

Istanbul Modern was quite a sensation when it first opened in 2004 as it was the city’ s first  and only museum of modern art.  Located in a converted warehouse in the Tophane district on the Bosphorous, the museum, with its permanent and temporary exhibitions spread over two floors is a must see.

For more info visit:

www.istanbulmodern.org

 

GRAND BAZAAR-

Also known as ‘Kapalicarsi’, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar isTurkey's largest covered market with 60 streets and 5,000 shops, and attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. The products on offer here vary from Turkish carpets, to glazed tiles and pottery, copper and brassware, apparel made of leather, cotton and wool, meerschaum pipes, alabaster bookends and ashtrays.  Check out especially ‘Sherazat’ for beautifully crafted pashminas.

For more info visit:

www.grandbazaaristanbul.org

 

CORLULU ALI PASHA CAFÉ-

Located in the old town, this is much more than a café. One of the oldest and deep rooted traditions in Turkey is the Nargile (Hookah), with both men and women finding great pleasure in smoking the waterpipe. The nargile started a whole new culture which endured for many, many years. Even today the nargile gives enjoyment to a special breed of smokers.The Medrese or mosque was built in 1709 and named after Ali Pasha but what people come here for is nargile. In an outdorr area near the mosque, locals and tourists can be seen smoking water pipes.

 

THE HOUSE CAFÉ-

This mini-chain  of trendy looking restaurants serving upmarket comfort food started out in 2002 but has since expanded to include 10 cafés in major Turkish cities.  Check out the original House Café in Tesvikiye and the one in Ortakoy with its large terrace overlooking the Bosphorous.

For more info visit:

www.thehousecafe.com.tr

 

CEMBERLITAS HAMAM-  

You have all heard about the famous Turkish baths or hamams and Cemberlitas is one Istanbul’s most traditional and one of the oldest.  A good scrub in a beautifully crafted building is an experience not to be missed.

For more info visit:

www.cemberlitashamami.com.tr

 

THEODOSIAN WALLS-

Also known as The Walls of Constantinople, the Theodosian Walls are a symbol of Istanbul’s history. They once defended the city of Costantinople (Istanbul today) when it was established as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. Today, only a few sections are left. When finished in 412 A.D., the Walls were almost 7 km (over 4 miles) in length, about 40 feet in height and including 96 towers, some as high as 65 feet, and 12 gates. In 1894 a disastrous earthquake toppled parts of the walls, but most of it still stands for our viewing pleasure.

For more info visit:

www.kultur.gov.tr/EN

 

SULTANAHMET-

This famous area of the city is located in the heart of historic Old Istanbul. It is a lively but touristy part of the city with a history stretching back well over two millennia. Some of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Ayasofya and Topkapi Palace are all in this area.

For more info visit:

www.kultur.gov.tr

 

SULTANHAMET BLUE MOSQUE-

A distinctive feature in Istanbul skyline and a popular tourist spot , the ‘Blue Mosque’ was built by Sultan Ahmet I in the 17^th century. It is the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets.

For more info visit:

www.kultur.gov.tr 

 

TOPKAPI PALACE-

This massive palace was constructed by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, (the Conqueror) in 1478 and has been the official residence of the Otoman Sultans and Heads of State for about 380 years until the construction of Dolmabahçe Palace by Sultan Abdülmecid. This imposing palace was spread over 700.000 m.² area during the foundation years but only about 80.000 m.² are left standing today.  The Harem is a particular favourite!

For more info visit:

www.topkapisarayi.gov.tr

HAGIA SOPHIA-

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) is one of the greatest surviving example of Byzantine architecture, Hagia Sophia, is a former Basilica, which later became a Mosque and is now a museum in Istanbul.  Worth visiting if only for the fabulous mosaics and marble pillars and coverings, which adorn its interior.

For more info visit:

www.kultur.gov.tr

 

KONYALI KANYON RESTAURANT-

112 years ago, the first Konyalı opened up in Sirkeci as a small corner shop with four tables. By the 1940’s, Konyalı was famous all around Turkey, having hosted numerous kings and queens, diplomats and politicians including Queen Elizabeth II, Benazir Butto and Richard Nixon. Now run by the 4th generation of Doğanbey family, fine Turkish dining service is provided at Konyalı Kanyon with a menu firmly rooted in Ottoman-Turkish cuisine.

For more info visit:

www.konyalilokantasi.com

 

KANYON SHOPPING CENTRE-

This big concrete juggernaut with its 160 stores, 9 screen cinemas and fitness centre is one of Istanbul’s best shopping centres with world –famous fashion retailers such as Havey Nichols among many other.

For more info visit:

www.kanyon.com.tr

 

HARVEY NICHOLS INSTANBUL-

Harvey Nichols is an international luxury store, renowned both in the UK and internationally for the variety of its exclusive fashion merchandise. It offers many of the world's most prestigious brands in womenswear, menswear, accessories, beauty, food and home merchandise.

For more info visit:

www.demsagroup.com

 

ISTIKLAL CADDESI-

Located in the area of Beyoglu, the more modern district of Istanbul, Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) is the city’s most popular strolling, shopping and snacking street. Now pedestrianised, this street is lined with boutiques, cafes, restaurants, galleries, and cinemas.

www.turkeytravelplanner.com

 

MIKLA-

Part restaurant and part bar, Mikla occupies the two top floors of the Marmara Pera Hotel in Beyoglu. The views over the city here are superb but more importantly, this is a restaurant, which offers a blend of Turkish and Scandinavian cuisine.  The restaurant is the project of owner and chef Mehmet Gur, one of the country’s most famous chefs.

For more info visit:

www.istanbulyi.com

 

360 TERRACE-

Set in a penthouse suspended on a 19^th century apartment building, ‘360’, a very trendy part bar part restaurant provides a breathtaking landscape view of Istanbul all the way from the steeple of St. Antoine’s Church to the Hagia Sophia Mosque and out to the Sea of Marmara.  The place to be at weekend when ‘360’ transforms itself into ‘club 360’!

For more info visit:

www.360istanbul.com

 

IDO-

A trip to Istanbul must include a boat trip on the Bosphorous. Ferries operated by IDO cross the strait several times a day. The views are truly spectacular.

For more info visit:

www.ido.com.tr

 

RUMELIHISARI-

Overlooking to Bosphorous on the European side of the strait, Rumeli is an impressive fortress built by Mehmet The Conqueror in the 15^th century in order to control commercial an military traffic in preparation for the siege of Costantinople.  The whole structure was planned by Mehmet himself and took less than 4 months to built.

 For more info visit:

www.kultur.gov.tr

 

ORTAKÖY-  

Lined with trendy boutiques, cafes and restaurants, Ortakoy is notably the most artsy neighbourhood in the capital.  Stroll down it’s streets, and you can window-shop, stop in for tea or coffee and even check out Ortakoy’s variety of street markets.

For more info visit:

www.kultur.gov.tr/EN