wedding week Notes ISTANBUL Notes

Neighborhood VISITS:

Sultanahmet Heart of old Istanbul - Historical Peninsula

• (Aya Sofya)- it functions as a museum, not as a mosque; it is absolutely breath taking! • The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)- one of the greatest mosques. • The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)- very mystical, wouldn’t miss it. • The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarsı)- great for gift shopping; must see! • The Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)- it’s quite big, I would do a fast tour of it so there’s time for other things.

TAKSIM TO BEYOGLU TO TO KARAKÖY Diverse and hip district

• Square (Taksim Meydanı)- not the prettiest site, however it is the biggest square in . It is also where the Istiklal Avenue begins. You should have an unhealthy greasy burger in Kızılkayalar late at night after a few too many drinks. • Istiklal Avenue (Istiklal Caddesi)- Cafe’s, shops, etc. It gets much more interesting as you walk towards it’s west end. Make sure you walk aroud the tiny streets on the west end. • Tunnel Area on Galip Dede Street (Tünel)- It’s the area that leads to from Istiklal Avenue to Galata. Many musical instruments stores and studios in the area. Also the underground Tunnel that leads to Karakoy on the sea shore is the world’s third oldest mass transportation system. • Galata Area (Galata)- Climb up the for a nice view of the old peninsula. • Karaköy Area- Currently trendiest area in Istanbul with small shops and cafes to hang-out.

ORTAKÖY TO ARNAVUTKÖY TO BEBEK Stroll along the Bosphorus

• Ortaköy to Arnavutköy to Bebek- You can walk if the weather is nice; one hour or so. The walk from Ortaköy to Arnavutköy is not as nice because you have to walk a bit inland. However, from Arnavutköy to Bebek it is beautiful, you walk by the Bosphorus. Definitely take a one hour boat trip from Ortaköy. • Ortaköy Coast (Ortaköy Sahili)- Nice area to escape from the cars and enjoy the sea and some tea. Fun outdoor market on the week-ends. • Bebek- Lovely neighborhood by the sea. If you want more of the Bosphorus, you can keep walking towards Rumeli Hisarı, where you will see a castle. • Boat tour- Try to make sure you are on the boat at dark, its fun to peek in peoples houses from the sea when they have their lights on. Don’t take the ones departing from the main dock, those are ferries for transport. The sight seeing boats depart directly to the left of the Ortakoy Mosque, which by the way is a beautiful example of Baroque mosque architecture.

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RESTAURANTS & BARS: Mostly around Beyoglu Area, but not all of them!

BEYOGLU (TAKSIM-TÜNEL-ASMALI MESCIT) AREA

• Yeni Lokanta- Modern/fusion Turkish cuisine. - www.lokantayeni.com • Mikla- Top floor, great views, pricey but great fusion gourmet modern kitchen. - www.miklarestaurant.com • Mikla bar- Rooftop great for drinks but can get very windy. - www.miklarestaurant.com • Gaspar- Stylish and modern, good cocktails and good food. - www.theguideistanbul.com/spots/ view/3696/gaspar/ • Münferit- Good cocktails, good interiors. - www.munferit.com.tr • Leb-i-Derya- Off of Istiklal Avenue on Kumbaracı Street; make sure to go to the one on Kumbaracı Street. There is another one on Istiklal Avenue. We haven’t been to that one, but it’s newer and probably not as nice. You’ll get amazing views and great cocktails, make a reservation at a table with views. www.lebiderya.com/kumbaraci_eng • Çiçek Pasajı in Beyoglu- “Flower Passage”, a great place to have meze’s and try Rakı- the anise drink famous to Turkey. - www.istanbultrails.com/2008/12/istanbul-flower-cicek-passage-formerly-known-as- cite-de-pera/ • Nevizade Passage in Beyoglu- Walk through the fish market parallel to the Flower Passage, it will be on your first right. Great place for young, alternative Turks enjoying ‘Efes’ beer. -www.istanbultrails. com/2008/12/nevizade-sokak-is-your-safest-bet-for-a-great-night-out-in-istanbul/ • Asmalı Mescit Street in Beyoglu- Popular bars, restaurants scattered around the area. You can also, check to see if there is any thing good going on in Babylon. - www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Guide-g293974-i8602- Istanbul.html

KARAKÖY AREA

• Lokanta Maya- Modern/fusion Turkish. - www.lokantamaya.com • Karaköy Lokantası- Traditional/modern Turkish. - www.karakoylokantasi.com • Ferahfeza- 5th floor with views, Med kitchen, brand new (owners of Leb-i Derya). -www.ferahfeza-ist.com

TOPHANE

• Istanbul Modern Restaurant- Great view of old city. - www.istanbulmodern.org/en/visit/istanbul-modern- restaurant_55.html

EMIRGAN

• Changa- Modern Turkish food at Sabancı Museum. - www.changa-istanbul.com

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES:

• Istanbul Modern - www.istanbulmodern.org • Santral Istanbul - www.santralistanbul.org • Sabancı Museum - www.muze.sabanciuniv.edu • Pera Museum - www.en.peramuzesi.org.tr page 2/2 • Galeri Mana - www.galerimana.com