Days Istanbul museums and sights are closed:
Topkapi Palace — closed on Tuesday
St. Sophia — closed on Monday
Dolmabahce Palace — closed on Monday & Thursday
Grand Bazaar — closed on Sunday
The Spice Market — closed on Sunday
Official Site for Tourism Office
Wiki on Istanbul
Istanbul Neighborhoods or Districts
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Nisantasi (nish-ahn-tash-yi)
- During the Ottoman Empire, sultans used Nisantasi as a hunting district. If you dissect the name Nisantasi it means this: Nisan means “shooting” by rifle or gun. Tas means “stone”. Sultan Selim III. built the first shooting stone in the district on 1791. Nisantasi became a residential district in the period of sultan Abdulmecit. The second half of 19th century Nisantasi became popular, as the sultans moved to Yildiz Palace from Dolmabahce Palace, and as it was near to Pera(Beyoglu).
- Nişantaşı is doubtlessly the most high end shopping and fashion center of Istanbul. Its name originates from the target stones which were built during the Ottoman period.
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- In Nisantasi, you can you can see the most luxurious cars and the most elegant people of Istanbul.
- Western designer boutiques line the streets of Nisantasi. One can see luxury boutiques like: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Alexander McQueen & Armani along with high end Turkish boutiques.
- Taksim (tAk-sim)
- Heart of modern Istanbul
- The Independence Monumment (Istiklal Aniti) in the circle at the southern end of the square commemorates the Turkish Republic founder Kemal Ataturk.
- Some of the best luxury hotels in Istanbul are located in Taksim: Divan Oteli (has a wonderful pastry shop), Ceylan Intercontinental & The Marmara Hotel (great for a drink in the lounge).
- Besiktas (be-shik-tash)
- Beşiktaş district council administers a number of key neighborhoods running up the Bosphorus on the European side. The district includes some of Istanbul’s best-known neighbourhoods, such as Arnavutkoy, Bebek, Etiler, Levent and parts of Ortakoy, Ulus & Yildiz
- Beşiktaş has a population of 190,813 according to 2000 census, and the district covers an area of 21 km2 (8 sq mi), making it one of the smallest districts of Istanbul
The metropolitan district of Istanbul located on the European side of the city, by the coast of the Bosphorus.
Taxis or “Taksi”
Yellow taxis are relatively inexpensive but have the infuriating tendency to refuse to take you somewhere if they can’t face the traffic. Traffic can be horrendous in Istanbul. During the day, the meter displays gündüz (day rate). From midnight to 6am, the gece (night rate) is in effect, adding 50 per cent to the cost (if the meter is not on, get out and take another taxi). Don’t expect your driver to know where he’s going; ask your hotel to write down the address.
Dolmus
Dolmus rides are extremely easy and one of the best ways to get around Istanbul. Dolmus, literally translated means “full” or “stuffed”. Dolmus are usually yellow in color but they are mini vans or mini-busses. Dolmus have pre-determined routes that they do not stray from. You can board a Dolmus from many points on their specified route. Once you board, you tell the Dolmus driver where you are traveling to and he will give you a price (normally not more than a few dollars). It is up to you to tell the driver when you would like to exit the Dolmus. It can be intimidating at first but certainly worth the Turkish experience.
Tipping culture
A tip is expected in restaurants, and 10 per cent is standard. If a service charge is included, an additional sum is still expected.
Boutique Hotels in Sultanahmet area, also known as, “The Old City”
*Contact Artun Travel for assistance with reserving any of these properties…
• Yesil Ev (Ye-shil) prices range from 80-500 Euro. A restored mansion decorated in 19th century style. 19 rooms total.
• Sultanhan Hotel prices range from 185 – 280 Euro. Sultanhan hotel has the largest lobby of all the boutique hotels in the Sultanahmet district 400 sq meters and 40 sleeping rooms.
• Turing Ayasofya Konakları prices range from 100- 280 Euro sandwiched between Hagia Sofia and Topkapi Palace, a row of nine hotel buildings in a rowhouse setting. Each hotel has seven rooms with private bathrooms. *Some rooms are not air-conditioned.
• Crowne Plaza prices range from 90 to 280 Euro.
Some Luxury Hotels in Istanbul
• Les Ottomans
• The Marmara Hotel
• Intercontinental Istanbul
• W Hotel Istanbul (close to Nisantasi & Dolmabahce)
My favorite travel books are the Eyewitness Guides, great info, descriptive, amazing photo detail:
Turkey (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)
Istanbul (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Top 10 Istanbul (EYEWITNESS TOP 10 TRAVEL GUIDE)
For more information or to book at trip please contact us HERE OR phone us at 312.263.1991 or 800.677.8875
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I LOVE the pic to the right of this post. Beautiful!