Istanbul, Turkey Destination Guide
Section 1: Intro to the Destination
Istanbul, previously Constantinople, is a city which borders Asia and Europe, making it a city of mixed cultures and traditions and breathtaking historic architecture. It is also one of the most visited countries in the world. Istanbul welcomes all visitors to her dynamic city. Chaotic bazaars, vibrant bistros and romantic hotels jostle for space in this exquisitely beautiful city of colour and light.
Which of the Following Phrases Best Describes this Destination?
Vibrant, colorful, historic
What’s the Destination Known For?
Istanbul lies at the heart of the old Ottoman Empire. The city is considered to be at the cross-roads of all religions and cultures, which is reflected in her architecture and traditions.
Cultural landmarks: Hagia Sohphia, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans.
Bazaars: The Grand Bazaar is considered to be the largest covered market in the world.
Food: The food in Istanbul reflects Istanbul’s unique location offering a perfect blend of Asian and European food.
Nightlife: What better place for Istanbul’s nightlife than on the edge of the Bosporus. Exciting views of the ocean add a magical feel to party time in Istanbul.
Getting There
IST Ataturk Airport
Location: Yeşilköy, 34149 Bakırköy/Istanbul
Located in the Arnavutkoy District, 21.8 km from city center
Visa: US citizens can get a 90-day tourist visa for $20
Taxis: are reasonably priced and can be found outside main terminals – fixed price from 18TL
Bus: It is not worth taking a bus into the city as they can take a long time.
Uber: an option in Istanbul, but they are not as cheap as taxis
Location: Sanayi Mh., 34906 Pendik/Istanbul
Located in the Pendik district, 52 km from city center
Bus: Havabus shuttle from ain terminals – runs every 60 minutes
Main Station:
Location: Rasimpaşa Mahallesi, 34716 Kadıköy/Istanbul
Major road system
(TCK) network D650/D200 (major roads begin with the letter D)
Local Etiquette
Tipping: 5 – 10% for restaurants, cafes and bars. Hotel staff 5 – 20 TL
Greeting: The standard way to greet people Istanbul is with a handshake and saying “Merhaba”
Gestures: Do not point at people, it is considered rude. Do not make a circle with your thumb and index finger to indicate “OK”. It is considered very rude (means homosexual). It is also offensive to French kiss in public.
Toasting: It is customary to maintain eye contact when toasting: clinking glasses and saying “Serefe” (sounds like shey – ref – fey)
Words/Phrases to use often
Hello - Merhaba
Please - Lütfen
Thank you - teşekkür ederim
Yes - Evet
No - Yok hayır
I don’t understand - Anlamıyorum
Can I have an espresso please? Bir ekspres alabilir miyim lütfen
Everything is good - Herşey iyi
Cheers! - Şerefe
What time do you open/close? - Ne zaman kapatıyorsunuz / açıyorsunuz?
Weather
Temperatures:
Spring
High 61F / 18
Low 54F / 8C
Summer
High 82F / 28C
Low 66F / 19F
Autumn
High 77F / 25F
Low 61F / 16F
Winter
High 45F / 8C
Low 41F / 4C
Elevation 40 m / 131 feet
The best month for swimming is August, the average temperature is 72F.
July is the hottest month of the year at around 74F with the most sunshine. February is the coldest at 42F. The wettest month of the year is January.
How to dress: Summer -lightweight, Fall -layers with coat, Winter -heavy coat/warm clothes. Shorts and tee shirts are acceptable except when visiting mosques
Getting Around
In-city transportation:
Walking The very best way to get around in Istanbul is to walk. It is colourful, chaotic and vibrant. Most places in Istanbul are accessible on foot.
Metro: Runs every 4 – 5 minutes. Ticket machines at stations Cost 1.5TL per ride
Trams: Trams run every five minutes across the city. Cost 1.5TL
Taxis: Official taxis are yellow. Make sure meter is switched on when you begin your journey. Flat rate is 2TL
Uber: is available but not as cheap as taxis
Section 2: What to See, Do, and Eat
Breakfast
Cafe, Turkish
$$
Location: Bebek Mh., Cevdet Paşa Cd. No:69, 34342 Beşiktaş/İstanbul
Times: daily 8:00-24:30
Neat casual
Best dish: Pan Cakes
Turkish
$
Location: Sinanpaşa Mah., Çelebioğlu Sok. No:8, 34353 Beşiktaş/İstanbu
daily 7:00-19:00
Neat casual
Best dish: Eggs Benedict
Turkish, Cafe
$
Location: Bereketzade Mahallesi, Büyük Hendek Cd., 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Times: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-21:00; Sunday 10:00-20:30; Monday closed
Neat casual
Best dish: Mama’s Pudding
Brunch
Cafe, Turkish
$$
Location: Şahkulu Mahallesi, Galata Galip Cad., Tımarcı Sok. 3/B, 34420 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Times: daily 8:30-23:00
Neat casual
Best dish: Privito Salata
Cafe, International
$$
Location: Firuzağa Mh., Çukur Cuma Cd. 53/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Times: daily 9:00-24:00
Smart casual
Best dish Smoked Salmon
Turkish fusion, American, European
$$$
Location: Tevkifhane Sokak No. 1 Sultanahmet, 34110 İstanbu
Times: daily Brunch 12:00-15:00
Smart Casual
Best dish: Burek
Lunch
Turkish, seafood Vegetarian
$$
Location: Cankurtaran Mah. Utangaç sok. No:23, Sultanahmet/Fatih, 34000 Fatih/İstanbul
Times: daily 7.:30-24:00
Smart Casual
Best dish: Sea Bass
Turkish
$$
Location: Hoca Paşa Mahallesi, Ebussuut Cd. No:14, 34410 Fatih/İstanbul
Times: daily 7:30-24:00
smart casual
Best dish: Peyniri Izgara
Turkish, Seafood, European
$$
Location: Alemdar Mh., Cağaloğlu Hamamı Sk. No:17/J, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Times: daily 12:00-22:30; Tuesday & Wednesday closed
Neat casual
Best dish: Shrimps with butter
Dinner
Seafood Turkish
$$
Location: Alemdar Mah, Prof. K. Ismail Gurkan Cad No:14, 34122 Sultanahmet/Fatih/İstanbul
Times: daily 11:00-23:00
Neat casual
Best dish: Shish Kebab
Fun fact: This restaurant has handmade lamps as part of their decor
Turkish European
$$
Location: Alemdar Mh., Yerebatan Cd. No:9, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Times: daily 8:00-23:00
Smart Casual
Best dish: Stuffed Vine Leaves with Cherry
Turkish, seafood
$
Location: Küçük Ayasofya Mah, Kadırga Limanı Cd. No:136, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Times: daily 8:00-22:00
Smart Casual
Best dish: Grilled Chicken Shish wrap
Other
Fast Food
$
Location: Caddebostan Mahallesi, 34728 Kadıköy/Istanbul
Times: daily 9:00-22:00
Neat casual
Best food: Kebabs
Wine, cocktails
$$
Location: Tomtom Mahallesi, Yeni Çarşı Cd. No:44, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Times: daily 12:00-2:00 am
Smart Casual
Best wine: Kapadokya
Ice Cream Shop
$
Location: Yunus Mahallesi, Okyanus Sk. 2/A, 34873 Kartal/İstanbul
Times: daily 10:00-24:00
Casual dress
Best Chocolate: Nigdeliler
Top things to See and Do
Private Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise
Hire a yacht for two hours and cruise along the Europe and Asian shoreline. Visitors can experience the thrill of cruising past two countries, and passing by Sultans Palaces and Pasha Villas.
Location: Pick up from Hotel
Main Attraction: The Private Cruise yacht
Time: Two Hours at 8:30-10:30, 12:45-14:45, 15:15-17:15
Price: 299 euro
This exciting market has over 60 covered street and over 4,000 shops and stalls. It is said to be the number one most visited tourist attraction in the world.
Main Attraction: The kaleidoscope of color and hundreds of products
Location: Inside the Walled city, Beyazıt Mh., 34126 Fatih/Istanbul
Time Open: daily 9:00-19:00
Price: Free
Visitors experience a wonderful night of authentic song dance and music including dinner of local Turkish food. The evening includes belly dancing, folk dancing, music and singing.
Main Attraction: Authentic Turkish entertainment
Location: Cankurtaran Mh., Kennedy Cd. 40/1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Time Open: (4hr hour show) daily 7:45-23:45
Price: From 65 euro (book online)
This magnificent mosque is over 450 years old and embraces the Ottoman Empire and its power and glory. Completed in the middle of 16th century its architecture is breathtaking. The mosque is the second largest mosque in the city and is a must-see attraction.
Main Attraction: The magnificent architecture
Location: Fatih, Istanbul
Time Open: daily 9:00-19:00
Price: Free entry (Tours from 38 euro)
This superb subterranean edifice was constructed in the year “532” and was built with salvage columns from ancient temples. The sheer scale of this underground church is awesome. The Cistern attracts hundreds of visitors each year.
Main Attraction: The subterranean construction
Location: Fatih, Istanbul
Time Open: daily 9:00-18:00
Price: 20 euro
This magnificent tower dominates the Istanbul skyline standing at 63 meters tall (206 ft). Known as the Tower of Christ the edifice attracts visitors worldwide, who each year climb to the top balcony to get a panoramic view of the city.
Main Attraction the view of the city beneath
Location: Beyoglu, Istanbul
Open Time: daily 9:00-20:30
Price 12TL
Festivals/Parades
The shopping fest takes place in different months each year. In 2018 it was June and visitors to the city could shop for amazing discounts on fashion and other goods. All the shops in the city are decorated in bright colours to give shoppers a festive experience when exploring the many department stores offering discount after discount. During the fest there is wellness exhibitions, children’s workshops and attractions designed to make shoppers shop till they drop..
Main Attraction: The discounts
Location: All around Istanbul
Date: changes every year
Price: Free
This festival marks the celebration of youth and the beginning of the War of Independence for Turkey. This official state holiday begins on 19th May and includes sporting events, exhibitions dancing, music, digital lighting events and many other celebratory events.
Main Attraction: The sporting events
Location: All across the city
Date: May 19th
Price: Free
This festival is not to be missed. Every year Istanbul plays host to the international Jazz festival which attracts artists from all around the world. More recently the festival has embraced other kinds of music too from Reggae and blues to classic rock. Hugh open air venues take place during the three week festival.
Main attraction: The concerts
Location: Across the city
Price: Many concerts are free but entrance ticket prices vary depending on the type of venue.
Date: July
Nightlife
This is a guided pub crawl across the town. Popular with young local and visitors alike, the alcohol is cheap, drinking games are frequent and points awarded for completing drinking tasks while on the crawl.
Location: Meeting point is the Tower Pub in Beyoglu
Time Open: Thursday, Sunday, Monday closed; Wednesday 21:00-4:00 am; Friday & Saturday 21:30-5:00 am
Price: 25 euro
For lovers of live music this little jazz club is a ‘must do’. Jazz is just what visitors get at this charming venue.
Main Attraction: Jazz music
Location: Bereketzade Mh., Galata Kulesi Sk. No:8, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Times: Monday to Saturday 21:00-1:00 am; Sunday closed
Price: 50TL
This club has a large dance floor and state-of-the-art visual and sound systems. There is a good clubbing atmosphere with a modern feel. Bowls of fruit are offered with drinks. The entertainment includes dance shows, and acrobatic dancers. It is high energy venue, that charges quite a lot for drinks.
Location: Yıldız Posta Cad. Sinan Pasajı No:38 D:26, Gayrettepe / Beşiktaş/İstanbul
Time Open: Monday & Tuesday closed; Wednesday to Sunday 23:00-5:00 am
Price: 25 euro
Hidden Gems
Explore the eating establishments around Istanbul. Discovery culinary treats in back street markets. Learn the culinary secrets on a guided tour of the back streets.
Main Attraction: The variety of markets
Location: The Old City
Time Open: daily starting at 9:30 (5 and half hour walk); Sunday closed
Price: starting at 32 euro
This is a lovely place to sit and relax or take photographs. Camlica Hill is a quiet haven in the colour and chaos of the town below. With breathtaking views of the Bosporus, it is often overlooked by visitors to the city. The hill is a favourite place for locals who like to spend weekends picnicking and taking time out from the hub-bub of city life. There is a nice tea garden for refreshments.
Main attraction: The scenery
Location: Uskudar district
Time Open: daily 8:00-24:00
Price: Free
Kariye Muze (Chora Church)
This church is a hidden gem with many visitors overlooking the church with its medieval, Byzantine architecture. the church is now a museum and its beautiful mosaics inside the church, which tell stories from the bible is a must see attraction.
Main Attraction: The mosaics inside the church
Location: Dervişali Mahallesi, Kariye Cami Sk. No:8, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul
Time Open: daily 9:00-16:40
Price: Free
