The majority of the tourist sights and attractions in Istanbul are located in Sultanahmet-Old City. These include the Spice Market, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cisterns, and the Grand Bazaar. Here’s our step-by-step guide to help you get … Continue reading
Category Archives: Turkey
The cheapest way to get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Taksim Square
In preparing for our recent trip to Istanbul, we learned that the cheapest way to get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to the area near our hotel, which happened to be Taksim Square, was by shuttle bus. Not finding a clear set … Continue reading
Things to do in Istanbul – visit the Whirling Dervish Museum (Galata Mevlevihanesi Müzesi)
One of the more noteworthy museums in Istanbul is the Galata Mevlevihanesi. This former Whirling Dervish Lodge, and the surrounding cemetery, situated at the lower end of the pedestrian street Istiklal Caddesi make for an easy stop on your … Continue reading
Things to do in Istanbul – Visit the Pera Palace Hotel
Considered to be the ‘Pearl of Istanbul’, the Pera Palace Hotel is an historic landmark located in the Beyoglu district, formerly known as Pera, on the north shore of the Golden Horn. This luxury museum-hotel allows visitors to pop in to … Continue reading
Where to eat and where to sleep in Istanbul – near Taksim
There seem to be many good eateries in the vicinity of Istanbul’s Taksim Square, Unfortunately, we had just four nights in the city and were only able to try a few restaurants in this area. We learned about most of them … Continue reading
Where to eat near the Galata Bridge
As we made our way across the bridge and through the ancient Galata neighborhood, now known as Karaköy, we found several eateries we though were worth mentioning. The majority of these are located northeast of Galata Bridge on or near the waterfront along the … Continue reading
Things to do in Istanbul – Walk across Galata Bridge
For a nice view of Istanbul take a stroll across the Galata Bridge. The bridge spans the Golden Horn, a naturally protected harbor and inlet of the Bosphorus River, filled with fishing boats, tour boats, and ferries. The first bridge on … Continue reading
Things to do in Istanbul – Visit the Harem at Topkapı Palace
If you’re planning on visiting Topkapı Palace, we highly recommend that you pay the additional entrance fee for a tour of the Imperial Harem. This section of the palace was a private and restricted area where the Sultan lived with his … Continue reading
Things to do in Istanbul – Visit Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)
Spread out over 7 million square feet, Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı) may be the highlight of any trip to Istanbul. This sprawling estate, built in the 15th century on the site of an ancient Acropolis, served as the administrative, educational, and art center … Continue reading
Things to do in Istanbul – Visit Suleymaniye Mosque
If you enjoyed your visit to the Blue Mosque and would like to see an older yet equally impressive mosque, consider stopping by Süleymanïye Camii. The crowds here can be smaller, which makes Suleymaniye a more comfortable place to visit. The … Continue reading
Things to see in Istanbul – Orient Express Train Station (Sirkeci Terminal)
If you’re nearby to Istanbul’s Galata Bridge and the Spice Market and you have a little time to spare, you may want to check out the Sirkeci Terminal (İstanbul Garı). This historic train station is an easy 10-minute walk east of … Continue reading
Things to do in Istanbul – Stroll through the Spice Market
Istanbul’s Spice Market, like the neighboring Grand Bazaar, has been part of the city’s historical trading center for centuries. Thinking about this historic market conjures up images of bags and barrels of exotic spices, and the aroma of overwhelming fragrances. Yet, … Continue reading