ISTANBUL
Istanbul
When to go?
The best times of year to visit Istanbul are from April to June and September to October, roughly the months of spring and autumn respectively.
Events
• April, Istanbul Film Festival
• June/July International Music and Jazz Festival
• September/October, International Istanbul Biennial
Must See
• The Sultanahmet district, the oldest part of the city, where there are some remnants of Byzantine Constantinople, such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern.
• Galata Tower, built in 1348, 62 m tower is highly recommended for visitors to get a feel of the surroundings.
• Taksim and Istiklal Caddesi, this 1.5 km pedestrianised boulevard is lined with shops, cinemas, markets and restaurants, and especially crowded at night.
• Turkish&lslamic Art Museum; Sultanahmet
• Archaeological Museum; Gulhane Park
• Istanbul Modern, collection of contemporary arts from Turkey and around the world; Karakoy
• Yildiz Park, rising above the area of Besiktas, with woodland and landscaped gardens. At the top are Malta Kosk and Cadir Kosk.
• Mevlevi Monastery, museum, Tunel
City Recommendations
Shopping
• The famous Spice Bazaar.
• Old City is competitive in terms of price and variety of specialised goods, such as carpets, kilims, silver jewellery and collectors items.
• Cukurcuma (along Turnacibasi Sokak, off Istiklal Caddesi) is the heart of the antiques district.
• Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoglu has a plethora of clothes, music, and book stores, while the real fashionistas should head to the area of Nisantasi.
• The restored harbour area at Ortakoy is taken over by a craft and antique market.
