Istanbul Travel Tips

Insider advice for your Istanbul vacation

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ogiovetti
Adventurer
Nov 7, 2008
Istanbul European Choir 5 stars
Travel Tip: Istanbul

Ataturk Cultural Center is also the home for the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra and Istanbul State Classical Turkish Music Choir. But the Istanbul European Choir also sublets this space when it performs with the IDSO. Like it's doing tonight and tomorrow with Orff's Carmina Burana. You can... [more]
ogiovetti
Adventurer
Nov 7, 2008
Ataturk Cultural Center 5 stars
Travel Tip: Istanbul

Istanbul bridges the divide between Europe and Asia and while you may be used to seeing the Turkish influence in Europe (Budapest, for starters), you may be surprised to see how much of an influence Europe has on Turkey. The country is often seen in both European and Asian guidebooks, and due to... [more]
melissa
Discoverer
Jan 12, 2008
Fishing Boats 4 stars
Travel Tip: Golden Horn in Eminönü
Part of Topic Out-of-body dining experiences

If you're just looking for a quick bite to eat between Sultanahmet sightseeing and Beyoglu shopping, definitely try the fishing boats on the Golden Horn in Eminönü. They've only recently started... [more]

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melissa
Discoverer
Jan 12, 2008
Haci Abdullah 4 stars (1 comment)
Restaurant Review: Haci Abdullah
Part of Topic Out-of-body dining experiences
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Haci Abdullah is a nice place to eat Ottoman food in Beyoglu. There were a couple of surprises. One, we couldn't get a real drink in there, only non-alcoholic beverages; two, we thought it... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: food restaurants istanbul turkey traditional

melissa
Discoverer
Jan 12, 2008
Sultan Pub 3 stars
Café Review: Sultan Pub
Part of Topic Out-of-body dining experiences

I'm not sure "pub" is the right description for this Sultanahmet eatery, but certainly as far as café-bars go it's more than adequate. The prices were a little bit surprising compared to what... [more]

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melissa
Discoverer
Jan 12, 2008
Cennet restaurant 4 stars
Restaurant Review: Cennet Restaurant
Part of Topic Out-of-body dining experiences

The Cennet restaurant in Çemberlitaş has a very specific aim, and they've mastered what they do perfectly. The focus is on Anatolian and Ottoman "nomadic" food, the sort of things that are still... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: food traditional unusual restaurants istanbul turkey

melissa
Discoverer
Jan 12, 2008
Yeşil Ev restaurant 4 stars
Travel Tip: Istanbul
Part of Topic Out-of-body dining experiences

Yeşil Ev restaurant is part of the hotel with the same name, and provides a beautiful, tranquil break from the hectic pace of sightseeing in Sultanahmet. The first time I went in there I couldn't believe how quiet it was, shaded and secluded with trees and a gorgeous fountain. It's actually... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: pricey food restaurants quiet istanbul turkey

melissa
Discoverer
Jan 12, 2008
Vöper sushi 4 stars
Travel Tip: Istanbul
Part of Topic Out-of-body dining experiences

Vöper is one of the few places you can go in Istanbul for good quality fresh sushi. This is the authentic deal, too, prepared by a real Japanese chef. It's located in the food court of the Akmerkez shopping mall, but don't let that put you off - I've never felt like this was typical mall food,... [more]

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melissa
Discoverer
Jan 7, 2008
Istanbul during the Şeker Bayramı 5 stars
Travel Tip: Istanbul

I have visited Istanbul several times at the end of Ramadan, during the four-day holiday known as the "sugar festival." In my opinion, this is one of the best times to visit Istanbul. Major offices and attractions may are closed on the first day of the holiday, but should be open after that.... [more]

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melissa
Discoverer
Dec 28, 2007
Sadly overlooked 5 stars (1 comment)
Travel Tip: Suleymaniye Mosque
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I think a lot of people spend so much of their attention on the Blue Mosque and the Aya Sofya that so-called "lesser" mosques like the Suleymaniye get overlooked. It's sad because the Suleymaniye... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: mosques buildings architecture istanbul turkey historical

Peregrina
Insider
Dec 24, 2007
Very close yet very far from İstanbul 4 stars
Travel Tip: Burgazada

Burgazada…Very close to İstanbul and at the same time too far . You can get there in 45 minutes from İstanbul (Kabatas Port ) and you can discover a place that is totally different from the... [more]
Scarlett3001
Explorer
Dec 21, 2007
Visiting the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul 4 stars
Travel Tip: Blue Mosque

If you spend your holidays in Istanbul, you should definitely visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. You can reach the beautiful building by food, because it is within walking distance of all the other... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: istanbul mosque architecture

melissa
Discoverer
Dec 17, 2007
The symbol of Islam in Turkey 5 stars
Travel Tip: Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is my favourite Turkish landmark for several reasons. It's a functional mosque as well as a tourist attraction, so there's not the usual lining up at the gates that you get in... [more]

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melissa
Discoverer
Dec 17, 2007
The best of the best 5 stars
Travel Tip: Topkapi Palace

If your time in Istanbul is short and you can only visit one main landmark, it should be Topkapı Palace without a doubt. I spent the better part of a day wandering around the complex and still... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: palaces architecture art islam istanbul turkey museums

melissa
Discoverer
Dec 17, 2007