This is the top MUST SEE in Istanbul. A church converted to a mosque converted to a museum tells the story of the city.
The Blue Mosque regularly closes for prayer. Check the hours beforehand and make sure to dress respectfully. Be prepared to take off your shoes when entering.
New Yorker: Çiya is the creation of Musa Dağdeviren, a forty-nine-year-old chef from southern Turkey, who has masterminded an ambitious project to document, restore, and reinvent Turkish food culture Read more.
Ismet Baba in Kuzguncuk is reasonably priced and serves a neighbourhood clientele. The best time to go is in the early evening for meze and rak› next to one of the open windows.
WSJ: With its hip cafes and power-lunch spots, the neighborhood once known as the Wall Street of Istanbul has become the city’s most stylish area Read more.
"Climb around on the ramparts in a way the US would never allow you to do. Great views and a fun hour." - John Jaeger
"Once a Greek, Armenian, and Jewish ghetto, it is where the young creative and artisan folks are moving because it is still cheap and very, very, genuine." - John Jaeger
Begin your day in the subterranean depths of the Basilica Cistern, a 1,500-year-old building supported by 336 columns. Don’t miss the twin blocks carved into snake-haired Medusas.
A good reminder that Turkish food isn't just about kebab. Great simple food, fresh ingredients and well prepared.
Great place for special days. View is great. Menu is great. Really pricy. Make reservation unless it is hard to find a table with view.
Topped with a distinctive witch's hat roof, the prominent Galata Tower dates back to the days when Genose traders were settled in this part of town.
Beautiful former bank building that now hosts a library and exhibition space. Loved the exhibition about Turkey's 8 neighbours. Free entrance.
The Rolls Royce carrying Bond to meet Kerim Bey pulls up outside the Nuruosmaniye Mosque under watch of a Bulgarian agent in From Russia with Love (1963).
The four courtyards and plethora of buildings and pavilions that make up the Topkapı Palace complex (topkapisarayi.gov.tr ; £8.70, closed Tuesdays in winter) are a whole afternoon’s entertainment.
1 Michelin star restaurant - incredible view (great at sunset), fine food, expensive bill. Worth going up there for a cocktail without staying for dinner
Some facts. Boza is one of the oldest drinks in Turkey dating back to the 4th Century. Turkish Boza is made from Wheat Durum, Water, Sugar, Roasted Chickpeas and Cinammon.
Find the almost-hidden staircase near the northern (?) entrance, sneak upstairs to the restaurant and catch a peek (and pic!) of the markte from above via the dining room window. Be speedy!
Pro tip: shop like a local outside the market along the western wall. Half the price, twice as good service and quality. Bonus: pick up fresh ground Turkish coffee at the famous Kurukahveci Mehmet.
Also known as the Grand Bazaar, this covered market is one of the largest and oldest in the world. You will not run out of shops to choose from here, so if you want to do serious shopping, go here.
