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Istanbul

GETTING THERE

AIRPORT

Istanbul Ataturk International Airport (IST)

It is the main Turkish airport and is located 23 Km (15 miles) West of Istanbul.

The metro stop is only 10 minutes walking from the airport and the Istanbul Metro system provides quick and easy access to the city, including the intercity bus terminal.

Shuttle buses and taxis are also available.

Car rental companies include:

Avis; www.avis.com, 

Budget; www.budget.com,

Hertz; www.hertz.com

Alamo; www.alamo.com

National; www.national.com

Sixt; www.sixt.com.

www.ataturkairport.com/eng/index.php

Telephone: +90 212 465 5555 

ATTRACTIONS

Hagia Sofia

It is world famous because of its huge dimensions and its original architecture, with the wonderful dome. The interiors contain stunning Byzantine mosaics, marble columns, several precious icons and frescoes. Hagia Sofia was in origin a Christian church, until the 15^th century, and then it became a mosque.

Address: Sultanahmet Square

Telephone: 212 518 1802

Blue  Mosque

Its complete name is Sultan Ahmet Camii and it represents a magnificent example of Ottoman architecture. It boasts six minarets and several domes and is considered Istanbul’s landmark.

The interiors are decorated with a plenty of blue and white Iznik tiles and the typical Ottoman flower pattern.

Address: Hippodrome, Sultanahmet

Telephone: 212 518 1319

Dolmache Palace

It represents a suggestive example of Ottoman architecture, one of the Sultans' palaces. Its opulence and traditional decoration are really astonishing.

Address; Sultanhamet

Topkapi Palace Museum

The Topkapi Palace consists of some buildings with interconnecting gardens. It is located on one of the hills surrounding the city, and it offers a suggestive view of Istanbul and of the Bosphorus Straight.

Rooms, halls and apartments of the harem are opened to visitors, showing all their magnificence and opulence.

Address: Topkapi Sarayi, Sultanahmet

Telephone: 212 512 0480

www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr/~history/topkapi.html

Covered Bazaar (Kapali Carsi)

Best known as Grand Bazaar, it is the most important and oldest bazaar in the Islamic world. It is a suggestive and original place, consisting of a tangle of 65 narrow or large streets lined by 4000 shops, hamams and mosques. Visitors can find and buy traditional craftworks, particularly jewellery, carpets, typical meerschaum pipes, ceramics, textiles and clothings.

Address: Kapali Carsi, Beyazit to Eminonu Harbour.

Turkish and Islamic Art Museum

It is housed in the wonderful 16th century building of the sultan’s Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasa and contains a unique collection of Islamic art works, including ceramics, textiles, metalworks, manuscripts and Koran cases.

Address: Ibrahim Pasa Sarayi, Atmeydani 46, Hippodrome, Sultanahmet

Telephone: 212 518 1805

SHOPPING

Shopping in Istanbul is particularly suggestive and tourists love wondering down the narrow streets looking at the small shops and markets for souvenirs, spices, leather goods, carpets, kilims and all other typical handcrafts.

The Grand Baazar is the main area where making this kind of shopping and it is an unmissable attraction for its charm. It contains almost 4000 shops full of typical Turkish products, including  jewellery, carpets, typical meerschaum pipes, ceramics, textiles and clothings.

Nuruosmaniye Caddesi is an important area for jewellery and for  fine art boutiques.  

NIGTHLIFE

Istanbul is famous for its suggestive and vibrant nightlife, from dinner time to late in the night.

The evening traditionally starts at one of the many meyhanes - a type of Turkish tavern famous for raki and mezze platters. Some of the best nightclubs are in Ortaköy, overlooking the Bosphorous; among them, maybe the two most popular are Reina and Sortie, both famous for supermodels, millionaires and the effortlessly hip. For jazz music, head to enduring classics Nardis Jazz Club and Istanbul Jazz Centre.
Clubs and bars are all open till  very late in the night and generally drinks prices are good compared to European cities. 

For local listings check out Time Out Istanbul or the Turkish Daily News.

360

It is the most famous bar in Istanbul and offers a breathtaking view from its terrace, while tasting delicious Turkish dishes and traditional specialities or your favorite cocktail.

Address: İstiklal Caddesi 311 Galatasaray 8th fl, Mısır Apartmenti 

www.360istanbul.com

Telephone: 212 251 1042 

RESTAURANTS

Istanbul  blends European and Asian influences and this makes  its cuisine particular and original. Its culinary offering is wide  but the Sultanahmet area  has the most restaurants.

Traditional Turkish fare such as turbot with saffron and raspberry, or cinnamon flavoured chicken kebabs, can be enjoyed at restaurants in the Edirnekapi and Ortaköy areas, while the best seafood is in Kanlýca. Istanbul restaurants serving a fusion of Turkish, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine are found in Beyoglu and Sisli, while Taksim and Ortaköy are home to some excellent cafés.

Asitane

This famous restaurant offer authentic Ottoman cuisine and is housed in a 19th century mansion overlooking the Golden Horn. It gives you the opportunity to try Ottoman dishes directly from the kitchen of Topkapi Palace.

Address: Kriye Camii Sokak 6, Edirnekapi

Telephone: (0) 212 534 8414

Korfez

This restaurant has a charming view of the Bosphorus Straight with tables set on a deck right over the water and a view of the bridge. It serves delicious seafood, perhaps the best seafood in the whole Istanbul. The restaurant provides a ferry for customers coming to dine there from the European side of the straight.

Address: Koerfez Cad. 78, Kanlyca

Telephone:90 216 413 4314

Mikla

It is situated on the top two floors of the 18 storey Marmara Pera Hotel, this gourmet restaurant offers a stunning view of the charming lights of Old Town. Chef and owner Mehmet Gürs prepares Turkish and Scandinavian meals, gloriously melted.

Address: Mesrutyiyet Cad. 167, Tepebasi

EVENTS

The Bosphorus Swim

Every year thousands of swimmers cover the distance between Kanlica and Cemil Topuzlu Park on the Bosphorus Straight (7 Km).

This event takes place on 18th July.

www.bosphorus.cc

International Istanbul Music Festival

The International Istanbul Music Festival is characterized by a plenty of opera and ballet events, with classical performers and artists from all around the world. 

It traditionally takes place in June.

www.iksv.org/muzik/english

Turkish F1 Grand Prix

The track is located 56 miles (90 Km) from the city centre.

Address: Istanbul Park

www.formula1.com