Activities
You can see istanbuls top sights in 2 to 4 days. Istanbul’s top sights include the architectural masterpiece of the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. The Istanbul Grand Bazaar, the old city and more
Once you've settled into your Istanbul hotel, you might want to take a city tour for orientation, and later a Bosphorus cruise or an excursion to the Princes' Islands, to the nearby cities of Edirne, İznik (Nicaea) or Bursa, Gallipoli and Troy, or even Ephesus or Cappadocia.
Be sure to take some time to just sit at a sidewalk café and sip Turkish tea or coffee, or go native and smoke a nargile (water pipe). Dine on savory Turkish cuisine in an excellent Istanbul restaurant, consume a traditional fish sandwich by the Golden Horn, and you'll realize why it's my favorite city in all the world.
Climate
Istanbul is a year-round destination. However, the winter months (December to February) can be very cold. July and August are often hot and humid. The best times to visit are April and May, and September and October.
Eating Out
Turkish people are passionate about their food which draws influences from its history and each region has its specialties. Istanbul is a city where almost all kind of cuisines can be tasted due to its multicultural inhabitants.
Key ingredients in Turkish food are primarily meat and legumes. Turkish meals are generally soupy and breakfast is not one to be missed. Meals are generally cheap and street food should be savored
Getting Around
Getting around Istanbul is mainly by public transport. Trams, buses , light rail services are available within and around the city. Passenger ferries are also available but can be expensive.
You can also hail taxis almost anywhere and anytime. Don’t forget to tip the driver and demand that the meter be switched on. Hiring a car is not advisable.
Turkish airline, the country’s international carrier connects major cities around the world. Cruise ships are also available for tours and sightseeing purposes.
Kids Attractions
If you’re coming to Istanbul with your kids, here are some of the fun activities for them.Start by visiting the Miniaturk: this theme park will take the children on a historical journey with 59 models of different Istanbul sites for children to play in. There is even a Trojan horse and a castle included.
Encounter sea life at the Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium with over 15000 resident creatures and 21 themed zones.
Experience Vialand: This entertainment hub offers activities for all age groups. Adventure Zone, Play Zone for kids, History Zone and Shopping zones await visitors.
A visit to the Istanbul Toy Museum features exhibits of over four thousand toys from all over the world. Each room in the museum is designed in a different scenery. The Bosphorus tour also provides views of the city from the ocean
Language
Turkish is the official language.
Money
The official currency is the Turkish lira ₺ (TRY).
Night Life
Istanbuls nightlife hub features Beyoglu with endless clubs, café-bars and live music venues Across the water on the Asian side of the Bosphorus Kadikoy is the buzzing nighttime district. At night, check out the following bars for a taste of Istanbul nightlife: Dogzstar, Karga, Le Fumoir
Restaurants
Istanbuls nightlife hub features Beyoglu with endless clubs, café-bars and live music venues Across the water on the Asian side of the Bosphorus Kadikoy is the buzzing nighttime district. At night, check out the following bars for a taste of Istanbul nightlife: Dogzstar, Karga, Le Fumoir
Resturants in Istanbul are well away from the tourist hub. Apart from budget places, reservations are recommended wherever possible, particularly in the case of upscale restaurants and at weekends.
Expensive restaurants include: 360 Istanbul, Feriye Lokantasi, Leb-i Derya
Moderately priced restaurants : Amedros, Buhara Restaurant, Lacivert, Canim Cigerim
Cheap restaurants to visit: Hala, Saray Muhallebicleri.
Shopping
The Istanbul shopping festival is a shopping and entertainment centre and Istanbul being one of the sopping hotspots of the world will host the festival for the fifth time this year. Advantageous discounts by world known brands will be on offer. This festival will feature a very magical opening ceremony, concerts, fashion shows, street parties, a variety of events activities and promotions
As a shoppers paradise, Istanbul provides endless shopping opportunities for items ranging from clothing to souvernirs and handcrafts. Sopping locations include Sultanhmet and Nisantasi. There are branches of large shopping malls in Atakoy, Etiler and Levent district. Markets such as the Grand Bazaar in Beyazit provide antique shops, jewellery, furniture , textile and embroidery for visitors and locals
Sightseeing
Popular sights not to be missed include: the Architectural masterpiece of the Hagia Sophia, Kapali Carsisi(Grand Bazaar), the Egyptian or spice market and the blue mosque are also not to be missed.
Other sights include: Topkapi Palace, Galata Kulesi (Tower), Suleymaniye mosque, Yerebatan Sarayi(Basilica Cistern), Istanbul Museum of modern Art, Turkish and Islamic Art Museum.
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