It’s easy to lose yourself In Istanbul’s grandiose history, but modern Istanbul is a simmering metropolis, well worth a visit in its own right. The shopping is world class and the nightlife pulsates around Taksim Square. Even though Istanbul is no longer the capital, it’s still the country’s business and cultural centre, still the city where new trends are created.
Turkish Lira, TL1 = 100 kuruş
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- Daily Turkish News
- www.turkishpress.com
The official opening hours for shops are 9.00-18.00. However, some traders and shops stay open until midnight.
Most hotels will have at least one 24 hour restaurant.
Approximately 13 million in Greater Istanbul
Atatürk Airport (right after customs)
+90 212 465 31 51
Hotel Hilton (entrance)
+90 212 233 05 92
Railway station Sirkeçi
+90 212 511 58 88
Hippodrome
+90 212 518 18 02
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The City
Constantinople, the centre of the Byzantine Empire which lasted over a thousand years, later became Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire for almost 500 years. The city is a mixture of Europe and Asia, a unique urban composition. A stroll around Sultanahmet, inside the city walls, among mosques, museums and the Great Bazaar is a trip through both history and daily life.
Modern Istanbul is on the other side of the Galata Bridge in Beyoglu, around Taksim and the northern suburbs with lots of good restaurants and shopping. Istanbul’s Asiatic quarters have avoided much of the tourism and have retained a more humdrum character. Waterways play a central role in the life of the city and boat traffic on the Bosporus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara is extremely intensive. Along the banks you can find small cafés where you can enjoy a glass of tea and magnificent views over the town.
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Do & See
Istanbul is a vibrant city whose grandiose history is utterly fascinating. Take a stroll around the city and admire the amazing mosques, museums and the Great Bazaar, or even visit an authentic Turkish bath.
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Turkish Baths
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Topkapi Palace
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Istanbul Modern Museum
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Hodjapasha Cultural Centre
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Dining
A meal often begins with meze—a number of small dishes such as aubergine purée, börek, various salads and cheese. Filling vegetables such as tomatoes, paprika, aubergines and zucchini with rice and minced meat is typically Turkish (dolmasi). There are special restaurants that only serve kebab or köfte, meatballs, look for Kebabci or Köfteci. Simpler restaurants are called Lokanta.
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Kumkapi
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Galatasaray Fish Market and Çicek Pasaji
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Four Seasons
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Ozi Pizza & Pasta
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Barbeku House
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House of Medusa
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Eleos
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Nostra Casa
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Rana by Topaz
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Beyti Restaurant
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Cafes
Coffee has played an important role in Turkish lifestyle and culture so there is no wonder that Istanbul offers many old and new cafés. Why not try a cup of traditional Turkish coffee or tea which is served in a tiny gracious cup?
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Patisserie De Pera
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Pierre Loti Kahve
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Mesale Restaurant
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Mangerie
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Bars & Nightlife
The really trendy places are outside the city centre, in Etiler, Levent and Ortaköy, but there’s also plenty to do around Taksim.
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Orient Express Bar
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Roxy
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360 Istanbul
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Litera Restaurant / Lounge-Club
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Shopping
Formerly, the various guilds had their own special areas in the Great Bazaar, Kapali Çarsi, now it’s mostly leather, carpets and gold. The Bazaar has over 5.000 shops and haggling is essential.
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Galleria Ataköy
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Bagdat Caddesi
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Tourist Information
Atatürk Hava Limani - Airport
The international airport, Atatürk Hava Limani, lies near the Sea of Marmara, around 25 km from the city centre. Buses run to Taksim Square every 30 minutes, journey time 45 min. The simplest and quickest journey is by Metro to Aksaray and takes around 35 minutes.
+90 212 465 55 55
www.ataturkairport.com
Istanbul’s other airport, Sabiha Gökçen, is on the Asiatic side and is used mostly by domestic flights and some smaller airlines. There is no direct transport between the airports - change at Taksim.
+90 216 585 50 00
www.sgairport.com
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Public Transport
There is one public and one private bus network, IETT and Halk Otobus, respectively. The underground, Tünel, runs from Karaköy till Istiklâl Cad in Beyoglu and takes a few minutes. There is also a museum tram up toward Taksim Square.
Another tram route goes from Kabatas via Galata bridge and the Spice Bazaar to the south-western suburbs. The Metro goes from Taksim north to Levent and from Aksaray to Otogar in Esenler, where buses depart for other parts of Turkey and Europe and to the airport.
Dolmuses are minibuses or large taxis that depart when they are full, and stop where you want them to. They are the cheapest form of transport.
Ferries between Europe and Asia leave from Eminönü, Karaköy and Besiktas to Üsküdar, Kadiköy and Harem.
Akbil is a type of payment card that can be loaded with various sums and used on buses, boats and trams. Can be bought at major junctions.
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Taxi
Taxis are yellow in the inner city and lilac in the suburbs. There are numerous taxi companies. Different hotels work with different companies and can book your transport to the airport. It’s best to hail a taxi on the street, or go to a taxi rank and ask for a business card.
Istanbul Taxi Service
+90 212 518 1518
City Transfer Istanbul
+90 212 517 0090
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Post
The main post office is on Yeni Posthane Cad., near the railway station Sirkeci. Other PTT-offices are on Taksim Square and Istiklâl Cad. Open 09.00-17.00 Closed Sundays.
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Pharmacy
Pharmacy is called Eczane in Turkish. In the window of the pharmacy there is the address and telephone number of the current duty pharmacy.
Istiklal Pharmacy
Asmalı Mescit, Beyoğlu
+90 212 244 2618
Itır Eczanesi
Next to Taksim Square
+90 212 244 4325
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Electricity
220 volt
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Telephone
Country number +90
Area code: 212 and 216
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