Some Information About Istanbul

If you want to visit Istanbul, probably you already know some place to see, but I will try to propose some "maybe" not known destination.

For example the district of "Kadıköy" which is on the Asian side. You can arrive there by ship from the districts of Karaköy, Eminönü or Besiktas. When you are passing to the Asian side, you will see the "Haydarpasa" train
station.

In Kadıköy you can eat kebab at "Iskender Kebap" restaurant (there is only kebab in this restaurant, so if you are  vegetarian, I don't suggest it :) ). It is on the Rıhtım street, close to the port, next to the post office (PTT).

Also, there are so many beautiful pubs, cafes and restaurants in Kadıköy.

Moda which is a quiet neighborhood in Kadıköy. To reach it, it is possible to walk from the port, or to take a "nostalgic tramway". Actually I prefer to walk, like this you can see so many things. It lasts about 20 minutes by walking. In Moda, there is an ice-cream shop which name is "Dondurmaci Ali". There are delicious ice-cream and also there are so many waffle shops just next to this shop (Address: Moda Caddesi No: 264/A).

If you want to make some shopping or to find some little expensive cafe and restaurant you can take a "dolmuş" (a kind of yellow minibus, like taxi but so many people may take at the same time) close to the port of Kadıköy to arrive at Bağdat Street. And there is also the Bazaar of Kadıköy which name is “Salıpazarı”. It is the biggest bazaar of Istanbul, but it's open only Tuesdays and Fridays. You can find so many thing at little prices.

There is also some peaceful place for trekking like “Riva” and “Polenezköy”, but I always went by private car, so maybe you can ask to the hotel for the bus which arrives Riva or Polenezköy, but I don't know it's easy or not without car.

And if they are not already on your list, some turistic place :)

European Side:

1.       Sultanahmet District: Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı), Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), Topkapı Palace, Archeological Museum etc.

2.       Beyoğlu District:  The square of Taksim, Istiklal Street (there are so many bars, pubs, shops, cinemas etc. On this street there are two pleasant passages "Halep" and "Atlas". You can find original things there.), Galata Towar (for the panoramic view of Istanbul).

3.       Ortaköy District: Mosque of Ortaköy. There are so many night clubs in this district like Sortie. And you can eat  Kumpir (Baked Potato).

4.       Sariyer District: You can visit Emirgan. It's just on the sea/Bosphorus coast. Normally there are so many beautiful gardens with tulips. You can go by bus from Beşiktaş.

Bosphorus:

1. Boat tour at Bosphorus. You can take the boats from Eminönü or Karaköy districts.

2. Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi), which is in the sea. But first of all, you have to pass to Üsküdar district and then you have to take one of the little boats on the coast for arrive to Tower.

3. Prince Islands: Actually there are nine islands, but the most beautiful and known are Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada et Kınalıada. You can also swim in the Islands, but take care of yourself since sometimes there is a pollution, it depends to the weather and the sides of the islands. You can take the boat from Kadıköy or Beşiktaş (Kabataş).

I think that's all I can suggest for now... If you have another question, don't hesitate to ask.

Good journey and have fun :)