Halic
The Pierre Loti Cafe
Cicek Pasaji
Kapali Carsi
Misir Carsisi
Pricess Island
Kilyos
Darica Bird's
Paradise
Istanbul marinas (Atakoy)
The Klassis Golf and
Country Club |
HALIC (THE GOLDEN HORN)
This horn-shaped
estuary, divides European Istanbul. One of the best
natural harbors in the world, the Byzantine and
Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests were
centered here. Today, lovely parks and promenades line
the shores where the setting sun dyes the water a
golden color. At Fener and Balat, neighborhoods midway
up the Golden Horn, whole streets of old wooden houses,
churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and
Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy besides here at
Fener. Eyup, a little further up, reflects the Ottoman
style of architecture. Cemeteries sprinkled with dark
cypress trees cover the hillsides. Many pilgrims come
to the tomb of Eyup in the hope that their prayers
will be granted. The Pierre Loti Cafe, atop the hill
overlooking the shrine is a wonderful place to enjoy
the tranquility of the view. 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. These performances are held mostly
in the Ataturk Cultural Center. Those who enjoy
classical music can hear it at Cemal Resit Rey Hall.
Operas, operettas, ballets, film, concerts,
exhibitions and conferences will contribute to the
cultural palette of the city. Istanbul also has a rich
program of light entertainment. Nightclubs provide
splendid entertainment throughout dinner, ranging from
a selection of Turkish songs to the famous belly-dance.
Istanbul is an international gambling city; there are
many casinos. (We'd like to remind that all casinos
were closed till the second announcement from the
government.) Alongside these are modern discos,
cabarets, and jazz clubs in the Taksim-Harbiye
district. In Sultanahmet, there are a number of
restaurants in restored Byzantine and Ottoman
buildings which offer a unique setting for an evening
out. Kumkapi, with its many taverns, bars and fish
restaurants, is another attractive district. People
have been meeting for years in Beyoglu district's
Cicek Pasaji for snacks and seafood specialties. Also
in this district, the narrow Nevizade street, near
Cicek Pasaji, is the best place in Istanbul for eating
Turkish specialties and drinking raki. You may also
want to visit Tatilya Cumhuriyeti, a large amusement
park in Beylikduzu. On the Bosphorus, Ortakoy is the
best place for nightlife in Istanbul, with its
nightclubs, jazz clubs, fine seafood restaurants and
bars. In Eminonu don't miss an opportunity to see the
fishermen dressed in traditional Ottoman clothes on
their Ottoman-style boats where you may board and
taste their famous delicious fried fish.
SHOPPING
One could visit Istanbul for the
shopping alone. The Kapali Carsi, or Covered Bazaar,
in the old city is the logical place to start. This
labyrinth of streets and passages houses more than
4,000 shops. The names recall the days when each trade
had its own quarter: the goldsmiths' street, the
carpet sellers' street, the street of the skullcap
makers. Still the commercial center of the old city, the
bazaar is the original shopping mall with something to
suit every taste and pocket. Turkish crafts, the world-renowned
carpets, brilliant handpainted ceramics, copperware,
brass ware, and meerschaum pipes make charming
souvenirs and gifts. The gold jewelry in brilliantly
lit cases dazzles passersby Leather and suede goods of
excellent quality make a relatively inexpensive
purchase. The Old Bedesten, in the heart of the bazaar,
offers a curious assortment of antiques. It is worth
poking through the clutter of decades in the hope of
finding a treasure. The Misir Carsisi or Spice Bazaar,
next to the Yeni Mosque at Eminonu, transports you to
fantasies of the mystical East. The enticing aromas of
cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every
other conceivable herb and spice fill the air.
Sultanahmet has become another shopping mecca in the
old city. The Istanbul Sanatlar Carsisi (Bazaar of
Istanbul Arts) in the 18th century Mehmet Efendi
Medresesi, and the nearby 16th-century Caferaga
Medrese, built by Sinan, offer a chance to see
craftsmen at work and to purchase their wares. In the
Arasta (old bazaar) of the Sultanahmet Mosque, a
thriving shopping arcade makes shopping and
sightseeing very convenient.
The sophisticated shops of the Taksim, Nisantasi,
Sisli districts contrast with the chaos of the bazaars.
On Istiklal Avenue, Cumhuriyet Avenue and Rumeli
Avenue, you can browse peacefully in the most
fashionable shops that sell elegant fashions made from
Turkey's high quality textiles. Exquisite jewelry as
well as finely designed handbags and shoes can also be
found. The Atakoy Galleria Mall in Atakoy and Akmerkez
Mall in Etiler have branches of Istanbul's most
elegant shops. In Bakirkoy, the Carousel Mall is worth
a visit, as is Atlas Passage in Beyoglu. Bahariye
Avenue, Bagdat Avenue and Capitol Mall on the Asian
side, offer the same goods. In Istanbul's busy flea
markets you can find an astonishing assortment o goods,
both old and new Everyday offers a new opportunity to
poke about the Sahaflar Carsisi and Cinaralti in the
Beyazit district. On Sundays, in a flea market between
the Sahaflar and the Covered Bazaar, vendors uncover
their wares on carts and blankets. The Horhor Carsisi
is a collection of shops that sell furniture of
varying age and quality. The flea markets in the
Topkapi district, on Cukurcuma Sokak, in Cihangir, on
Buyuk Hamam Sokak in Uskudar, in the Kadikoy Carsi
Duragi area between Eminonu and Tahtakale, are all
open daily. After a Sunday drive up the Bosphorus,
stop between Buyukdere and Sariyer to wander through
another lively market. The environs of Istanbul.
PRINCES' ISLAND
The
Princes' Islands, an archipelago of nine islands in
the Sea of Marmara, were places of exile for Byzantine
princes. Today, during the summer months, wealthy
Istanbulites escape to then- cool sea breezes and
elegant 19th-century houses. Büyükada is the largest
of the islands. Here you can enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn
phaeton (carriage) among the pine trees, or relax on a
beach in one of the numerous coves that ring the
island. The other popular islands are Kinali, Sedef,
Burgaz, Heybeliada, Buyukada. Regular ferry boats
connect the islands with both the European and Asian
shores. A faster sea bus service operates from Kabatas
in the summer.
BLACK SEA COAST
On
the European side of the Black Sea coast, 25 km from
the outskirts of Istanbul, Kilyos' long, broad sandy
beaches draw crowds of Istanbul residents in the
summer months. The Belgrad Forest, inland from the
Black Sea on the European side, is the largest forest
around Istanbul. On weekends, Istanbulities drive out
to its shade for family picnics and barbecues. Seven
ancient reservoirs and a number of natural springs
refresh the air. The Ottoman aqueducts, of which the
16th century Moglova Aqueduct built by Sinan is the
most splendid, lend a majesty to the natural
surroundings. Overshadowing the entrance to Kemer Golf
and Country Club is the 800-meter-long Sultan Suleyman
Acqueduct, also built by Sinan it is one of the
longest in Turkey The 500-stable Equestrian Center
offers trail riding. On the Asian side, Polonezkoy, 25
km from Istanbul, was founded in the 19th century by
Polish immigrants. Istanbul residents come to its
pastoral landscape for walks, horseback riding and to
enjoy the traditional Polish food served by
descendants of the original settlers. On the Black Sea,
70 km from Uskudar, Sile's sandy beaches, fish
restaurants and hotels make it one of the most
delightful holiday places near Istanbul. Sile bezi,
cool cotton clothing, popular with tourists, is
fashioned here. The Bayramoglu-Darica Bird's Paradise
and Botanic Park, 38 km from Istanbul, is a unique
resting-place, many species of birds and plants from
all over the world can be seen in this huge park,
which also has restaurants and a promenade for
pedestrians. The charming fishing town of Eskihisar,
southeast of Istanbul, boasts a marina where yachtsmen
can moor their boats after a day out in the Sea of
Marmara. In town, the house of Osman Hamdi Bey,
Turkey's great 19th- century painter, has been
converted into a museum. Neighboring sites include the
tomb of Hannibal between Eskihisar and Gebze, and a
Byzantine castle.
Many
istanbulites have summer homes near Silivri, the
popular vacation area about 65 km from Istanbul. A
large holiday resort, it offers everything from
casinos to sports, health and fitness facilities,
including the Klassis Country and Golf Club, and
excellent dining. The conference center attracts
business people who escape the city's fast pace for a
working holiday A regular sea bus service connects
Istanbul to Silivri.
YACHTING
Yachting is a popular activity in Istanbul. This is
the only place in the world where you can enjoy the
beauty of a mystical landscape while sailing back
throuah history to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times,
and view magnificent castles, palaces and mosques.
From the North Sea through the European interior,
yachters can sail down the European channel system and
the Rhine and Danube Rivers into the Black Sea harbors
and to the Istanbul-Bogazi and Istanbul marinas - a
safe and short way to get there. Sail on the Istanbul
Bogazi under the enormous bridges spanning two
continents and around the Princes' Islands to their
beautiful bays. You may anchor and enjoy the serenity
of this area. After enjoying all of the sights return
to one of the two large marinas in the area. Atakoy
Marina is on the European side and Kalamis Marina is
on the Asian side. Both offer 24-hour service.
International Offshore Yacht races are held in
Istanbul every summer. For more information related to
yachting, please check our
sailing paradise pages
GOLF
The Istanbul region offers lovely opportunities for
golf enthusiasts: The Klassis Golf and Country Club,
65 km from istanbul in Silivri, is one of the area's
largest golf clubs, with an 18-hole course and a
9-hole course. The Kemer Golf and Country Club, 18 km
from istanbul in the Belgrad Forest near the town of
Kemerburgaz offers a formidable test of golf skill on
its 9-hole course. The istanbul Golf Club in the
Ayazaga district of Istanbul has a 9-hole course. For
our special golf tour packages please
click here
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