Istanbul

File:İstanbul 4228 - Ortaköy Mosque along the Bosphorus

Note: Istanbul was Constantinople. Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople

Turkish: İstanbul) is a city of fantastic history, culture and beauty. Called Byzantium in ancient times and the city's name was changed to Constantinople in 324 CE when it was rebuilt by the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine. The name "Istanbul", which - perhaps surprisingly - comes from Greek and could be translated as a corruption of "to the city". While the term had been in widespread use for centuries, it only became the official name of the city upon the foundation of the Republic of Türkiye in the 1920s.

The most populous city in Europe, Istanbul forms the financial center of Türkiye and confidently straddles the borders between Asia and Europe as it has for millennia: this is the result when you mix ancient Christendom, a medieval metropolis and the modern Middle East. Situated on either side of the Bosphorus, Istanbul retains its metropolitan status: the city's population is more than 14 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the world.

Lauded in antiquity as "the second Rome", this is a city where you most certainly should roam — culture and excitement lie around every corner and more than 2000 years of history await you.

Districts

The system of neighborhoods and municipalities of Istanbul is quite sophisticated and was changed in 2009. Here is a simple division of the city into approximate regions:

Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City Essentially Constantinople of Roman, Byzantine, and much of the Islamic Ottoman period, this is the walled inner city, with most of the famous historical sights of Istanbul.

Beyoğlu Housing many of the nightlife venues of the city, this neighborhood which includes Galata, Istiklal Street, and Taksim Plaza has also its own share of sights and lodging.

Istanbul/New City Main business neighborhood of the city, also home to many modern shopping malls, and neighborhoods such as Elmadağ, Nişantaşı, Levent, and Etiler.

Istanbul/Bosphorus European bank of Bosphorus that is dotted by numerous palaces, parks, water-front mansions, and bohemian neighborhoods.

Istanbul/Golden Horn Banks of Golden Horn and the estuary that separates European side into distinctive neighborhoods. Eyüp with an Ottoman ambience is located here.

Istanbul/Princes' Islands An excellent getaway from the city, made up of an archipelago of nine car-free islands—some of them small, some of them big—with splendid wooden mansions, verdant pine forests and nice views— on the islands, and also on the way there.

Istanbul/Asian Side Eastern half of Istanbul, with lovely neighborhoods at the Marmara and Bosphorus coasts.

Istanbul/Western Suburbs Western chunk of the European side. Istanbul Halal Travel Guide History of Istanbul While relics of prehistoric human settlement were found in the Yarımburgaz Cave near the Küçükçekmece Lake and during the construction of a subway station in Yenikapı, Ancient Greece

Turkish: "full") is a shared taxi, travelling on a fixed route, which costs more than a city autobus but less than a normal taxi. They can carry up to 8 passengers. They are easy to recognize, because they also have the yellow painting as taxis and carry a Dolmuş sign on its top. They will only start driving when all eight seats are full, which is also where the name derives from.

The main and most important routes for dolmuşes are :

• Taksim–Eminönü (Taksim stop, near the Atatürk Cultural Centre, in Taksim square)
• Taksim–Kadıköy
• Taksim–Bostanci
• Taksim–Aksaray (Taksim stop, Tarlabasi Avenue, close to Taksim square)
• Kadıköy–Bostanci (Bostanci stop, in front of the Bostanci ferry port)
• Taksim–Tesvikiye (Taksim stop, in front of Patisserie Gezi, in Taksim square)
• Beşiktaş–Nisantasi (Beşiktaş stop, in front of the Beşiktaş - Üsküdar ferry port)
• Kadıköy–Üsküdar (Üsküdar stop, Near the Üsküdar - Beşiktaş and Üsküdar - Kabataş ferry port)

If you want the driver to make a stop, you can say İnecek var. (EE-neh-djek war! -- Someone's getting out.) or Müsait bir yerde. (mU-sa-EEt bir yer-deh. -- At a convenient spot.)

Disabled travellers

While constant constructions and reroutings in pedestrian areas make the city streets fairly hard to negotiate by wheelchair users and the public transportation administrations of the city have taken steps to accommodate them.

Pavements along many major streets in the central areas, as well as pedestrian crossings, have tacile pavings installed. Many pedestrian traffic lights also alert by voice (only in Turkish, though).

Buses

The process of replacing old buses with newer ones accessible for people using a wheelchair is ongoing. Many buses on central lines have a low floor and a built-in ramp (consult the driver to lean the bus down nearer to the ground, to open the ramp, and to assist into the bus, though any of these might unfortunately be imfeasible during peak hours in interval stops. Think of a sardine-packed bus unloading all of its passengers to lean down).

LCD screens show the stop names while approaching the stop and voice announcements are made.

Tram

Trams are accessible for people using a wheelchair from the station platforms which are low and equipped with gentle ramps right from the street (or sidewalk) level.

All stations are announced both on a display and by voice in the trams.

Metro

Almost all stations of Istanbul's metro system are accessible for people using a wheelchair, with lifts/elevators down or up to the platforms from the street level available around the station entrances. All through the system and the trains are easily accessible from the station platforms. For assistance, look for the security guards in grey/black uniforms near the station entrances.

All stations are announced by voice in the metro trains. In most lines it is also announced on a display, but not in the older trains of the M1A/M1B. Instead, you should look at the signs in the stations, which are big and common enough.

Most metro stations have detectable surface indicators guiding the visually impaired from the street level right to the platform.

What to see in Istanbul

HagiaSofia Istanbul - Hagia Sofia AhmetCamii Silhouette - Sultan Ahmet Mosque at dusk Turkey, istanbul, basilica cistern - Basilica cistern, built by the Romans

With its long history at the centre of empires, Istanbul offers a wealth of historic and religious places to take in. The bulk of these ancient monuments, dating back to Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, including the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque, free), and Basilica Cistern are around Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Sultanahmet Plaza, while some others are dispersed throughout the peninsula of Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|old city, such as the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora (Kariye Müzesi) and the entire inside of which is covered by mindblowing frescoes and mosaics. An impressive section of mostly intact Istanbul#Theodosian Walls Walk|Theodosian walls, which mark the full length of western boundary of the peninsula, is right next to this particular church.

North of the peninsula of the old city, across the Golden Horn, is Istanbul/Galata|Galata, crowned by the Galata Tower. Istanbul Modern, with its exhibitions of contemporary Turkish art, is on the nearby waterfront of Karaköy. Another sight of the neighborhood, just north of the Tower, is the museum converted from the Dervish Hall of the Sufi Mevlevi order, which those interested in the teachings of Rumi will want to take a peek at. Further north is the Istiklal Avenue, Istanbul's prominent pedestrian street running from near Galata Tower to Taksim Plaza and the central square of whole city.

Heading west rather than north from the old city brings you deeper into the banks of the Istanbul/Golden Horn|Golden Horn estuary. A neighbourhood perhaps well worth a visit here is Eyüp, to visit the city’s holiest Islamic shrine and, with all the religious people wandering around the narrow cobblestone streets with their turbans and what not, just to see what the daily life in Ottoman Istanbul might be like. On the opposite shores of the Horn, in Sütlüce is the Miniaturk and the first miniature park in the city, with models from around the former Ottoman Empire.

North of Taksim Plaza is Istanbul/New City|New Istanbul, main business neighborhood of the city. If venturing out to this direction, don't forget to check out Military Museum, where Ottoman military music concerts (Mehter) are held every afternoon. Most of the skyscrapers of the city are located in the north of this neighborhood, around Levent and Maslak, with a totally different skyline from that of the old city. However southern reaches of the very same neighborhood has some fine neo-classical and Art Nouveau buildings from the turn of the 20th century, around the neighbourhoods of Osmanbey, Kurtuluş, and Nişantaşı. Just east from here, with a little drop in elevation as you approach the shore, is the banks of Istanbul/Bosphorus|Bosphorus, that is lined by pleasant neighbourhoods full of waterfront mansions (yalı) and a number of waterside palaces where you can admire what money could buy in times gone by.

Across the Bosphorus to east is Istanbul/Asian Side|Asian Side, centred around the historical neighborhoods of Kadıköy and Üsküdar, and perhaps best symbolized by Maiden’s Tower, located at about the halfway between these neighborhoods, on an islet just off the shore. Bosphorus and Marmara coasts of this half of the city is characterized by quite picturesque neighbourhoods, overlooked by Çamlıca Hill, one of the highest hills of the city which also has a view of much of the rest of the city, with a café and a pleasant park on its summit.

Southeast of the city, off the southern coast of Asian Side are the Istanbul/Princes' Islands|Princes' Islands, an archipelago of nine car-free islands, characterized by stunning wooden mansions and pine groves.

Tulips

Long ignored for their bad connotation with the Tulip perioid of 1700s, a period of ostentation and costly parties conducted by state elite amidst large gardens full of tulips (and also when the first bulbs were introduced to the Netherlands from Istanbul, by the way), which was later accused of economic destruction and the eventual dissolution of Ottoman Empire, tulips have regained much of their former popularity in the last decade and now serve as some sort of symbol of both Istanbul and the whole Türkiye. They bloom from late March to early May (best option is early to mid April) and while they can be seen on many avenues of the city wherever there is enough space for planting at the sides and the central strip of the road, if you are after admiring and/or photographing large patches of tulips with relatively exotic varieties, head to Sultanahmet Park and Gülhane Park in Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Sultanahmet; Emirgan Park near the northern Istanbul/Bosphorus|Bosphorus neighbourhood of Emirgan; or Çamlıca Hill in Istanbul/Asian Side|Asian Side.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Istanbul

Visit a Hamam in Istanbul

A visit to a hamam (Turkish bath) is an crucial part of any trip to Istanbul and is something you'll be sure to repeat before leaving. There are at least one historical hamam in each neighborhood of Istanbul. Take care in selecting a hamam, as they can vary greatly in cleanliness. Most places will offer a scrubbing and/or a private massage. Just being in the Hamam (as a sauna), is enough for seeing and experiencing the place, but the scrubbing is a great experience. The massage is not necessarily better than those found in GCC countries.

Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old_City#Hamams|Sultanahmet has many historical hamams. Some are very extravagant and cater mainly to tourists.

Nargile (hooka/water pipe)

Once upon a time and the nargile, or Turkish water pipe, was the centre of Istanbul’s social and political life. Today some of the local residents still consider it one of life’s great pleasures and is something interesting to try. Most of the places where you can smoke a nargile are in Yeniçeriler Caddesi, near the Kapalı Çarşı (Grand Bazaar). Çorlulu Ali Paşa and Koca Sinan Paşa Türbesi are both in secluded internal courts, just around the junction from some tomb yards, while Rumeli Kahvesi is actually inside the cemetery of an old medrese, though it’s not as spooky as you might think. In the south of Sultanahmet, near the sea, is Yeni Marmara (Çayıroğlu Sokak), where you can also sit in the terrace and enjoy the view. In Beyoğlu, at the Ortakahve (Büyükparmakkapı) and there’s even the choice of a wide range of flavors.

Another area with few big good looking places is the Rıhtım Caddesi, between Galata bridge and Istanbul Modern Museum.

Muslim Walking Tours in Istanbul

Museums and such: Haghia Sophia and then on to the Topkapı museum (these two should take at least three to five hours), preferably along the road in the back of the Haghia Sophia, where there are some nicely restored houses. Then on to the Blue Mosque and the square with the obelisks on it (At Meydani). Along its side is the very good Museum of Islam Art. Descend slightly and find the small Haghia Sophia with its nice garden (it was under restoration, but you probably can get in). Then uphill to the Sokollu Mehmet mosque complex, top notch tiles inside.

Take a tram or walk to Eminönü (where the boats leave for trips to Asia or up the Bosphorus). Visit the New Mosque at the back and then the Egyptian Bazaar next to it, and going further in that direction, locate the Rüstem Pasha mosque with its excellent tiles. It's on a raised platform near an old clothes market, you may have to ask directions. Then take a cab or find a bus to Eyüp mosque complex, a mile or three up the Golden Horn. Visit this Eyüp complex at your leisure (the mosque is not particular and the court is, and the milling of believers, with many boys-to-be-circumcised among it; a Friday might be a good day to do this). Then, if you have the stamina, it might be nice to walk back too; maybe all the way (8 kilometers or so), but taking a route along part of the city wall to first the famous Kariye Church with its mosaics and then on to Selimiye Mosque with its great view on the Golden Horn (and a fine mosque by itself) and then the Fatih Mosque (passing through some very religious and lively neighborhoods) and then on to the well-restored Sehzade mosque, and next to Süleymaniye (don't forget to enjoy the view from the Golden Horn side). If you have some energy left, you might go on to the University complex, and by then you are very close to the Beyazit mosque. A book market (it’s small) is behind this good, unexceptional (nice courtyard though) mosque.

Once again go to Eminönü, but this time take the boat (those large ferries) to Üsküdar. You will arrive before a fine mosque in front, another one 400 m off to the right, slightly inland behind a traffic roundabout, and a third, very small, at the sea front. See the market stretching inland, walk about and don't forget to walk along the shore, maybe eating a fish meal in one of the bobbing boats along it. This is a good visit for late afternoon, early evening, fleeing the city. You will be joined by thousands of people going home from "town" but the way back will be on a near-empty ferry. The frequency of ferries will go down in the evening, so make sure there is a connection back.

Go to the railroad station and find a Sirkeci-Halkali suburban train, and get out at (from memory, Yedikule station). You will be quite close to Yedikule, a nice fortress, and will have fine views of the city walls. The trains leave every 15 minutes or so and the ride is peculiar (the material is bad, but if you are in luck every second stop another salesman will enter and try selling his wares, it’s fun). The ride is takes anywhere from twenty minutes to half an hour. This is not a "must", but it can be great fun.

You will have missed the covered bazaar in all this. That is because you will get there anyhow. If you go to Beyazit and the book market you are almost at two of its many entrances. Try and find the Nuruosmaniye Mosque and its complex at the other side, it’s worth it. And after having explored the covered part, take a relaxing walk downhill, into the general direction of Eminönü, where it is "uncovered bazaar" all the way. Cross the Galata bridge to see some things on the Northern side (for instance take the "tünel" teleferik ride up much of the hill (entrance close to the opposite side of Galata bridge, ask around)) and then continue to Taksim. Shops are of the international variety.

Theodosian Walls Walk

Car bed kap deu2 - A restored section of city walls at Belgradkapı Gate, close to Marmara coast

From 408 CE the original walls of Constantine were replaced in the reign of Theodosius. These walls then became the critical point of defence of the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and their Ottoman successors. They are still almost completely intact, marking the western border of Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|the peninsula of Old City, with some sections suffering from somewhat unsightly restoration done in early 1990s. The section around the Topkapı Gate (not to be confused with Topkapı Palace which is located in an altogether different place) can be easily accessed from Pazartekke tram station, which lies about 300 m east of the walls. Some remoter sections may not be very safe and may require some caution.

A 7-km walk along and on these remaining portions of the city wall offers a window into antiquity and puts emphasis on Turkey’s terrible historic monument legacy. Download and print a scholarly historical and technical description of the walls before you visit Istanbul; this will certainly add to the pleasure. From Eminönü, take the Istanbul/Golden Horn|Golden Horn ferry to Ayvansaray. This ferry terminal is separate from the Istanbul/Bosphorus|Bosphorus terminals adjacent and east of the Galata Bridge. Walk west through the Galata bridge underpass and then through the bus station to a pedestrian lane way which leads to the small terminal building. The fare is 1.190 TL. Leave the ferry at Ayvansaray and cross the park to the wall on the other side of the primary street. You have a choice of walking up the outer wall or the inner wall but access to the top of the battlements is usually on the inside naturally enough, so go up the small street across the road which then cuts back behind the wall and the towers. Here you can climb up onto this section of unrestored wall on crumbling brick and stone and continue on some hundreds of yards climbing as necessary. This path comes to an obvious end and one can short cut back to the street. Sometimes there are dwellings and commercial enterprises hard up against the wall, sometimes a bus depot, a rubbish dump or often just the road. These walls replaced the earlier walls of Constantine in 408 CE after which they went through constant upgrade and repairs to earthquake damage. The different work done over the centuries was all of varying style and quality. Quite surprisingly there are a number of small streets still using the narrow gates. At Hoca Çakır Cd one comes across a restored section of the wall where the heights are accessed by stairs (junction of Hoca Çakır Caddesi and Kariye Bostani Sokak), some along the top of the wall of the steeper variety. This restoration from the 1980s is in conflict with the original. The wall is then breached for the primary street Fevzi Paşa Cd. Cross this and continue along the street at the back of the wall. Look for foot pads and breaks in the wall which allows access and a good look around. The wall is breached again for Adnan Menderes Blv (unofficially and widely known as Vatan Caddesi). Past here one see here quite clearly the double line of defence with outer moat. The next breach is for Turgut Özal Cd (unofficially and widely known as Millet Caddesi) which hosts the tram line heading back to Sultanahmet for those who have run out of steam. Walking now on the outside of the walls, various breaks in the outer wall allow access via broken stonework or later via modern sets of steps in disrepair. Between the walls is the disquieting evidence of the number of people sleeping rough in Istanbul. Persevere in staying between the walls because soon you will arrive at another impure restoration project at Mevlanakapı Cd gate. Entry to the gate towers has been closed at the gate, so entry is only from the walls. From here it is better to proceed on the outside of the walls because market gardens occupy the moat and the city side abuts buildings. These couple of kilometers will give a further perspective of the ravages of time and earthquake on the walls. Finally you will arrive at the Golden Gate and Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City#Yedikule Fortress|Yedikule Fortress which fronts the Marmara Sea and was Byzantium’s triumphal point of entry. This is in excellent condition not least because the Islamic Ottomans upgraded it and then used it right up to the 19th century. There is an entry fee and it has a toilet. The high walls and towers are all accessible, and one tower still has internal wooden floors. So you have now surveyed the protective land walls which kept Byzantium and the Eastern Roman Empire safe for all those years after the fall of Rome, breached only by the 4th Crusaders and the Islamic Ottomans. What of their future? Given that recent restoration work is fairly suspect scholars may think it is better to leave them be. Now return to the city either in the Eminönü Bus (#80) from the village square outside the main gate, just wait there, or walk down Yedikule Istasyonu Cd about 300 m to the railway line to Sirkeci, both heading for centres close to Sultanahmet.

The Classic Bosphorus Cruise

Istanbul at Night-2 - Night View of the 15 July Martyrs Bridge

From the terminal immediately east of the Galata Bridge starts the large ferry cruising to Anadolu Kavagi at the northern entrance of Istanbul/Bosphorus|Bosphorus to the Black Sea via various stops. The fare is 220 TL. The departure time is early and is very popular, so arrive early and queue. The open decks are hugely popular, so unless you have an outside seat expect people to be standing all around you constricting the view. The ferry waits some hours in Anadolu Kavagi so as you alight you are confronted by a numerous restaurants and their spruikers. Firstly take the walk to the Yoros Kalesi, a strategic castle overlooking and controlling the entry to the Black Sea. This important fortification with a commanding view has been fought over for many years and was last in use in the 19th century. It has fallen into serious disrepair, but Christian engravings are still visible in the stonework. There are restaurants actually in the castle surrounds and naturally have spectacular views. There is plenty of time left to wander back to the village for lunch. It is late afternoon before arrival back at Eminonu, but a day well spent. A cheaper and faster Bosphorus cruise alternative is a 10-TL trip on a shorter cruise.

Association Football (soccer)

Istanbul has five clubs playing in the Süper Lig and the top tier of Turkish association football: Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Başakşehir and Kasımpaşa. The first three have always been in the top tier and have international reputations. Matches between these sides are played in front of fiercely partisan sell-out crowds; getting tickets requires booking way in advance. As the atmosphere is extremely hostile to the away teams, spectators should avoid wearing away team colours after the match, and avoid any signs of crowd trouble.

Beşiktaş JK play at Vodafone Park, a 41,903-capacity stadium. It's on the European bank of the Bosphorus next to Dolmabahçe Palace, 1 kilometers east of Taksim metro station.

Fenerbahçe SK play at the 47,834-capacity Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. It's on the Asian bank of the Bosphorus, 1 kilometers east of Kadıköy metro station and ferry quay.

Galatasaray SK play at the 52,332-capacity Türk Telekom Stadium on the north edge of European Istanbul, take metro to Seyrantepe.

Başakşehir FK play at the 17,319-capacity Fatih Terim stadium. It's a long way out on the northwest edge of the city, 1 kilometers north of Metrokent station on line M3.

Kasımpaşa SK play at the 14,234-capacity Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium, in Beyoğlu neighborhood just north of the Golden Horn. It's named for the current Turkish President, who grew up nearby and played football in his youth.

The Turkish national stadium is Atatürk Olympic Stadium (Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadı), a 76,000-capacity arena at the western edge of the city, use either Olimpiyat or Olimpiyat Parkı metro station. It doesn't have a resident team, but several clubs have had spells here when their own stadium was unavailable. There are plans to expand it to 92,000 capacity by removing the running track, but this would end its Olympic prospects.

Study as a Muslim in Istanbul

Many foreigners visiting or living in Istanbul decide to study Turkish formally in a language school.

Both Boğaziçi University and Bilgi University have well established Study Abroad programs in English for Foreign Muslims.

TEFL

Many foreigners living in Istanbul support themselves by teaching English. Finding a good teaching job is usually easier with a well-recognized certificate like the ones listed below:

• ITI Istanbul in 4. Levent runs Cambridge University's CELTA and DELTA courses year-round.

Ottoman Turkish

If you already speak Turkish, Ottoman Turkish may also be interesting to learn. Ottoman Turkish was the courtly form of Turkish spoken during the perioid of the Islamic Ottoman Empire, and is significantly different to the form of Turkish spoken today. Approximately 80% of Ottoman Turkish words were loanwords from other languages, mostly Arabic, Persian and French. After the fall of the Islamic Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye, language reforms were implemented, including the establishment of the Türk Dil Kurumu (Turkish Language Association), which is the official regulatory body of the Turkish language. This association, with a philosophy of linguistic purism, decided to cleanse the Turkish language of loanwords and replace them with more Turkic alternatives. As such, only about 14% of modern Turkish words are of foreign origin.

Ottoman Turkish is the key to learning about Turkey's Ottoman past. With Ottoman Turkish, not only can you read historical archives, but you can also read Ottoman literature and letters dated back to the Islamic Ottoman period. In Istanbul, you can learn Ottoman Turkish from the following places:

• İsmek +90 212 531 01 41 İskenderpaşa Mahallesi, Ahmediye Caddesi, Hacı Salih Efendi Sokak, 6 Fatih.
• Tarih Vakfı +90 212 522 02 02 Zindankapı Değirmen Sokak, 15 Eminönü.

How to work legally in Istanbul

There is always a high demand for qualified - and, to a lesser extent, unqualified - ESOL/EFL teachers in Istanbul. Many teachers work with private instructional companies. Others contract out on a freelance basis.

Istanbul is Turkey's financial capital. All big investment banks, commercial banks, large foreign retail and consumer companies have offices in Istanbul. The business neighborhood has been coming up with high-rise buildings and Business Center in the last decade.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Istanbul

Grand bazaar - The Grand Bazaar during Republic Day

Connecting east and west and the will to control the major trading routes was the reason why Istanbul was founded in the first place, so shopping should definitely not be overlooked in your Istanbul experience.

The currency used in Istanbul is the Turkish lira (TL) though the euro and US dollar are also accepted at places frequented by tourists (although certain tourist attractions such as the Hagia Sophia only accept liras). Currency exchanges (döviz bürosu) and banks are plentiful in Istanbul and offer extremely competitive exchange rates with no commission charged. If you are planning to visit Istanbul, bring hard foreign currency and exchange them after you arrive, preferably at a bank or a currency exchange. Exchange only what you need as you will find difficulty exchanging your leftover lira back to foreign currency after you leave the nation. Or, withdraw money from ATMs whenever you need cash.

Shops may be closed on Sundays. Most major shopping malls have security checkpoints you usually see in airports and museums prior to entry.

Istanbul's historical bazaars with an oriental ambiance, once sitting firmly on the western terminii of the Silk Road and spice routes, all dating back to Ottoman era, are all located in the Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City| peninsula of Old City.

On the other hand, modern shopping malls (alışveriş merkezi, usually shortened to AVM), popping all around the city in the last three decades, are mostly to be found in Istanbul/New City|New Istanbul and Istanbul/Western Suburbs|western suburbs, though they are by no means exclusively located in these neighborhoods.

If you are after top quality upmarket garments and then you may better head for Istanbul/New City|Nişantaşı in European Side and Istanbul/Asian Side|Bağdat Avenue in Asian Side.

Here are some of what are popular to buy while in the city:

• Turkish Delight, or Lokum (as the local residents call it). A good buy since you're in Türkiye. It is advisable to buy it fresh rather than in pre-packed boxes and to get a variety of flavours rather than the stereotypical rose-water or lemon flavors available abroad. Pistachio in particular is very good. The best place to buy lokum in Istanbul is from a store. Istiklal Caddesi in particular features a number of stores that sell Turkish sweets by the kilogram including lokum and helvah. There are quite a few shops selling Turkish Delight in the Grand Bazaar, although unless you are very good at haggling better prices can be found elsewhere.
• Turkish Tea (çay, CHAI). The national drink of Türkiye, brewed from leaves grown on the steep, verdant mountain slopes of Turkey's eastern Black Sea coast. Traditionally, Turkish Tea is brewed samovar-style, with a small pot of very strong Tea sitting on a larger vessel of boiling water. Pour a small amount of strong Tea into a little tulip-shaped glass and cut it to the desired strength with hot water. Turks usually add cube sugar (never milk, although you can often get milk if you ask.) Having fresh, hot Tea always available everywhere is one of life's splendid little luxuries in Türkiye. Elma Çayı: apple tea, like hot apple juice (EHL-mah chah-yee) is the flavour of preference, although it's more for tourists; Turks prefer Siyah Çay (black tea).
• Turkish Coffee Roasted and then finely ground Coffee beans are boiled in a pot (cezve), usually with sugar, and served in a cup where the grounds are allowed to settle. A classic of Turkish culture.
• Nargile (hookah) It is a single or multi-stemmed instrument for smoking flavored tobacco called shisha in which the smoke is passed through a water basin (often glass based) before inhalation. Different sizes of nargile make it easier to carry one home with you.
• Rugs and kilims can be a good buy while in the city. Most rug-specialized stores in the city, though, are aimed at tourist trade, so pick up basics of bargaining to avoid being ripped off at these stores. They are mostly located around Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Sultanahmet.
• Chalcedony. A semi-precious gemstone named after the nearby town of Chalcedon, and is sold in many of Istanbul's multitude of jewellery shops.

• Off the Beaten Path. Places that offer the best at what they do but are not on any of the traditional tourist paths.
• ArkeoPera, Yenicarsi Caddesi, 16/A Petek Han, Galatasaray, +90 212 2930378. Best antiquarian bookshop in Türkiye, owner knows every Turkish excavation site first hand.
• Gonul Paksoy, 6/A Atiye Sokak, Tesvikiye, +90 212 2360209. Peerless one-of-a-kind dresses made for royalty from refined, antique Ottoman-era cloth.
• Iznik Foundation, 7 Oksuz Cocuk Sokak, Kurucesme, +90 212 2873243. Offers neo-Iznik pottery after recreating original formulas from original Iznik kilns, which functioned between 1450 and 1650.
• Sedef Mum, 50 Irmak Caddesi, Dolapdere, +90 212 2535793. Artisans of the time honoured art of candle making, intricately sculpted and aromatic wares make very portable gifts.

Halal Restaurants in Istanbul

For individual restaurant listings, check Istanbul#Districts|neighborhood

Travel Guides.

Snacks

Istanbul Fish Sandwiches - Balık ekmek eatery on the waterfront of Eminönü

• Meze Meze is basically Turkish version of tapas, served in small portions both hot&cold. Best place to eat meze would be "meyhane".
• İskender Best version of Döner. It is basically / Halal Döner served on a plate with a buttery tomato Sauce on top and some plain Yoghurt as a side.
• Döner. Always an excellent option for having fast and good quality food. The entrance to Istiklal Street contains dozens of small doner restaurants and they serve almost around the clock; though for a better experience (and a better food quality) you may want to wander about in residential neighbourhoods, since anything near a commercial or tourist area can be highly overpriced and greatly reduced in quality.
• Lahmacun It is " Meat with dough", is a round, thin piece of dough topped with minced Meat (most commonly beef and lamb) and minced vegetables and herbs including onions, tomatoes and parsley and then baked. Lahmacun is often served sprinkled with lemon juice and wrapped around vegetables, including pickles, tomatoes, peppers, onions, lettuce, and roasted eggplant; a typical variants may be found employing Halal Kebabs Meat or sauces.
• Dürüm a traditional Turkish wrap (which is made from lavash or yufka flatbread) that is filled with typical Halal Kebabs or / Halal Döner ingredients.
• Balık-Ekmek. Balik-Ekmek (literally "fish and bread") is a fish sandwiches served in small boats and little buffets in Eminonu. It is also increasingly popular in buffets in Istanbul/Asian Side|Kadıköy coast. A regular sandwiches consists of one small fried fish, slices of tomatoes and onion. However and the taste is beyond expectations for such a basic menu. The price is around 8 TL. Again, it's a local favorite.
• Hamsi. In Autumn and Winter the Black Sea Anchovy migrate through the Bosphorus and the local fishermen coming out in force to take advantage. All fish restaurants have them on the menu in season. It seems the classic serving is a handful of deep fried fish with raw onion and bread. Eat the fish whole, it's a winner. Look for the small restaurants behind the fish merchants on the Karakoy side of the Galata Bridge, western side. Expect to pay TL6.
• Patso. Patso is a type of sandwiches consisting of Hot Dogs and French fries. It's usually served in small buffets along the Uskudar coast and a sandwiches costs 2.190 TL. The affordable price can raise eyebrows but these buffets are open 24/7 and they serve around 1000 sandwiches per day. Even though the profit margin is low and they make a fortune, so they don't lower the quality too much (except hamburgers, don't touch those in Uskudar, but definitely try the spicy hamburgers in Taksim).
• One thing not to be missed is the local ice cream sold at the street stands, called dondurma. While flavors are relatively standard for the region and the ice cream usually incorporates orchid root extract, which gives it an incredibly chewy and stringy texture, also lending itself to be used for marketing and attracting attention while the sellers do tricks to try to sell the ice cream. Try it!
• Kumpir is a snack which can easily be a full meal. It is originated from Albania but is quite unique to Istanbul in its present form. It consists of a baked potato with various fillings such as grated Cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles, sliced red cabbage, sweetcorn, Sausages slices, carrots, mushrooms, and Russian salad among others, any of which can optionally be added to or omitted from the mix. While kumpir can be had at many cafes throughout the city, it is best had from one of the cafes in Istanbul/Bosphorus|Ortaköy, which have a long tradition of preparing kumpir and offer really filling and tasty ones. About 7-8 TL each.
• Roasted chestnuts("kestane Kebap, as local residents call it) are sold from carts around the city, and is a very nice snack to have when the weather is cold, as it keeps your hands warm. 16 TL for 100 g. Eat in winter time.
• Boiled and roasted corn on the cob is sold from carts around the city, and is a fantastic snack to walk around. Price varies from cart to cart and area of the city (1-1.20 TL).
• Don't miss the "simit," a warm bread sold from carts around the city, and is a fantastic snack to walk around. The texture and taste is a bit like a sesame bagel. Price varies from cart to cart and area of the city (0.75-7 TL).
• Also, be sure to try Ayran, a local drink based on Yoghurt, although sour and much thinner. It isn't always on the menu or displayed, but it's there, so ask for it.
• Freshly squeezed juice and juice blends are sold from stands and small shops all around the city, and are a refreshing treat (especially in the warmer months). The combinations range from a simple orange juice to the more rare options like pomengranate or kiwi. Price varies from shop to shop, area of the city and complexity of your order (2-20 TL).

• Bebek is small town right on the Bosphorus with fancy restaurants. Great Muslim Friendly place to have a walk on the seaside after a nice dinner.
• Bagdat Caddesi is a very long avenue full of nice restaurants, boutiques and high-end stores located at the Anatolian Side of Istanbul.
• Karaköy is the rising star of the city, mostly notable with its underground parties with amazing view of Marmara Sea. A must see.
• Istanbul/Galata|Beyoğlu is notoriously known for its night life; it's full of cafes and bars with live music. People from all classes and ethnicity can be found here.
• Istanbul/New City|Nişantaşı is the place for young entrepreneurs and artists and the prices are higher than Taksim.
• Istanbul/Asian Side|Kadıköy also has a nightlife scene, serving mostly local residents of this part of the city. It is usually has more easy-going style of Halal dining, usually with local pubs and houses and traditional meyhanes. If you are not staying on that side of the city, it may not worth the trouble to make an inter-continental trip just to have a drink, but drop by if you are around and thirsty.
• Nightclubs - While there are night clubs Istanbul#Districts|all over the city, two of the hottest clubs of Istanbul are in Istanbul/Bosphorus|Ortaköy.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Istanbul

Istanbul - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Istanbul, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Istanbul. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Istanbul and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Istanbul. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Istanbul. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inIstanbul: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Istanbul.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Istanbul: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Istanbul, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Istanbul.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Istanbul, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Istanbul, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Istanbul and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Istanbul, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Istanbul, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Istanbul without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Istanbul is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Istanbul.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Istanbul is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Istanbul, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Istanbul Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Istanbul

eHalal Group Istanbul is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Istanbul. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Istanbul.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Istanbul ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Istanbul. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Istanbul, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Istanbul are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Istanbul

In general, it is feasible to find some kind of lodging in any Istanbul#Districts|neighborhood of Istanbul. Here is a quick list of the neighborhoods where they are concentrated most:

• Istanbul/New City|Harbiye is a popular place to stay, as in the main centre of the new city on the European side, and contains a variety of international standard apartments, hotels, and moderate hotels for budget travelers. Nişantaşı and Taksim are 5 minutes from Harbiye so you can stay in Harbiye and benefit from all activities in Nişantaşı and Taksim.
• Istanbul/Galata|Taksim is the main centre of the new city on the European side. Locals and tourists go to Taksim for shopping and entertainment, as well as moderate hotels for budget travelers. There are also two hostels in this area.
• Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Sultanahmet the main centre for the old city on the European side. It has a selection of quality, reasonably priced hotels, many with terraces overlooking the Golden Horn, or with views of the Marmara Sea and the Blue Mosque. Most hostel-type lodging frequented by independent travellers are located in this neighborhood, although it is feasible to find a few upmarket hotels.
• Quite pricey hotels can be found in Istanbul/Western Suburbs|western suburbs, especially around the airport, as well as on/overlooking the banks of Istanbul/Bosphorus|Bosphorus.
• With the closure of relatively central Ataköy Car camping|caravan park and the place where you can tow your caravan nearest to the city is now located in Selimpaşa, a far outer Istanbul/Western Suburbs|western suburb of the city, though it is still a good 40 km away from central parts of the city.

Telecommunications in Istanbul

Telephone codes

Istanbul is the only city or province in Türkiye that has more than one telephone code: 212 for European side, 216 for Asian side and Princes' Islands. When calling from one continent to the other and the usual dialing format used for intercity calls should be used, as if it’s an intercity call: 0+area code (212 or 216)+7-digit telephone number. It may appear as an intercity call, but it will be treated as a local call in respect to payment. When making an intercontinental call, if you forget to dial the code, your call will not be automatically routed to the other continent number, it is likely that you will be connected to the “wrong” number which is in the same continent with you, because much of the number sets are used on both continents (albeit with different codes of course). When dialing a number that is on the continent you are already standing on, only 7-digit number is enough. Don’t forget to dial the code first no matter which continent you are in if you are calling a landline number from a cell phone (even if it’s a number that is in the same continent with you), though.

SIM cards

Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased (for around 30 TL with 20 TL usable balance) at Vodafone, Türk Telekom or Turkcell kiosks at the airport or in shops around town. They might ask to make a copy of your passport.

You can use foreign phones for roughly two weeks, before the IMEI gets blocked by all carriers (except if you're roaming with a foreign SIM card) and you need to register the phone, which you can only do every 2 years.

Internet Cafe's in Istanbul

Hotel Every hotel has its own Wi-Fi. Some hotels do have trouble with their network setup or the connection due to the historical location however at the least you will have free wi-fi at your hotel. All you have to do is to learn the wifi password to access the internet.

Cafes:

Every café, bistro, restaurant share their internet with their guests. Even the small restaurants now have internet access. Stability and speed depend on where you are and what kind of café, bistro or restaurant you are in. Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this Coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.), Nero etc. typically have stable wi-fi unless very crowded. If you are in a Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this Coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) all you have to do is connect your device (SSID should be TTNET or DorukNet, and if you are in Nero DorukNet) and fill out some basic information for verification that you have to fill. After that, you are ready to go. And if you are in the other restaurant or cafés you can just ask to your waiter to get SSID and Password and after that you are ready to go. Many cafés and restaurants along Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoglu have the system.

Public center and squares:

Municipality of Istanbul provides free public wi-fi in most common downtowns and squares. All you have to do is (when you are near of one of these centers) register your ID via your cell phone and you will get an access password.

Stay Safe

As with most European cities, but especially in crowded areas of Istanbul, watch your pockets and travel documents as pickpockets have devised all sorts of strategies to obtain them from you. Do not rely too much on the 'safe' feeling you get from the omnipresence of policemen. Taksim Plaza, Sultanahmet Plaza, Istiklal Avenue, Kadikoy Plaza etc. security cameras monitored by police non-stop.

Istanbul is home to three of the biggest clubs in Türkiye and maybe European football: Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray. It is advisable not to wear colours associating yourself with any of the clubs—black&white, navy&yellow, and red&yellow respectively, particularly on the days of matches between the sides due to the fearsome rivalry they share.

In Istanbul, most drivers won't abide any rules. Even if you have priority on a road junction, crosswalk, or even during green light, always be aware of your surroundings. Even if you are in a one way road, check both sides before crossing the road. It is common for Turkish drivers to use shortcuts.

Scams in Istanbul

Blue Mosque scam "guides"

When walking through the gates of the Blue Mosque, beware of smiling, friendly chaps who offer immediately to be your de-facto guide through the mosque and its surrounds; they'd be pretty informative on just about anything relating to the mosque; etiquette, history and Islamic trainings. However, needless to say and they would eventually demand a price for their "services", a quotation that can be as high as 190 TL.

Restaurant scams

A notable scam for convincing tourists to visit overpriced restaurants with mediocre food involves the following: While walking along, you are overtaken by a Turkish man who claims to recognize you from the hotel at which you are staying (e.g. he will tell you that he works there as a waiter or a receptionist). He will ask where you are going. If you are going out for food, he will recommend a restaurant, claiming that it is where he takes his family or friends when they eat out. He may give you some other advice (e.g. the best time to visit the Topkapi palace) to make the conversation feel genuine and friendly. The restaurant he recommends will almost certainly be mediocre or low quality, and the staff there will try to sell you expensive dishes without you realizing. For instance and they may promote dishes which are marked as 'MP' (market price) on the menu, such as 'salt fish' (fish baked in salt), which may cost over 560 TL. They may also serve you additional dishes which you haven't ordered and then add them to the bill for an additional 25-190 TL, together with extra charges for service and tax. One restaurant that seems to be using this scam to get clients is Haci Baba in Sultanahmet.

Water scams

Also be wary of men in Taksim who splash water on the backs of your neck. When you turn around and they will try to start a fight with you as another man comes in and robs you. These men tend to carry knives and can be very dangerous.

Tourism Police

Istanbul PD has a "Tourism Police" department where travelers may report passport loss and theft or any other criminal activity by which they are victimized. They have an office in Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Sultanahmet and can reportedly speak English, German, French, and Arabic.

• Tourism Police - Turizm Polisi | Yerebatan Caddesi 6, Sultanahmet in the yellow wooden building between Hagia Sophia and the entrance of Basilica Cistern, few meters away from each - ☎ +90 212 527 45 03 +90 212 512 76 76

Medical Issues in Istanbul

Tap water may not be safe depending on where you drink it. Although the tap water itself is clean, many local water tanks are not maintained properly, and one should try to avoid tap water if feasible. Locals widely prefer bottled water and the same applies for the restaurants. Expect to pay for water in restaurants (around 10 TL).

Food and soft drinks are mostly of international standards. Some Turkish Halal Foods are known to use a variety of spices which may affect international tourists who may not be accustomed to such ingredients, although most of it is edible for any tongue.

Use common sense when buying certain foods, particularly from street vendors. Delicacies such as "Firin Sutlac" (a kind of Rice pudding) can go bad rapidly on a hot day, as can the oysters occasionally for sale on the streets.

Cope in Istanbul

Istanbul's less-than-scrupulous hotel and restaurant owners are as market savvy as they come—they actually read the popular travel guides to Istanbul and when they get listed or favorably reviewed and they raise prices through the roof and skimp on costs. For mid-range and affordable hotels/restaurants, you may actually have a better time if you avoid places listed in your guide. Trust your nose.

Istanbul☎Charging - Charging Station for mobile phones in Istanbul

Consulates in Istanbul

Many of the consulates in Istanbul are housed in elegant and imposing buildings dating back to the previous centuries, when they served as embassies to the Islamic Ottoman Empire, before its collapse and the move of the capital to Ankara by the then-newly established republic. An interesting fact about them is that they are all located in the Beyoğlu area with one exception and the Iranian consulate, as the imperial authorities did not allow representatives from non-Muslim lands to be based within the official borders of the city at that time, which more or less equaled to the peninsula of the Old City. Argentina | Tepecik Yolu 58, Etiler ☎ +90 212 257-70-50 Brazil - Askeroğacı Caddesi, 6 - Süzer Plaza 4th floor - Elmadağ, Şişli - ☎ +90 212 252-00-13 China - Ahi Çelebi Cd. Çobançeşme Sk. 4, Tarabya ☎ +90 212 299-21-88 +90 212 299-26-33 France - İstiklal Caddesi 4, Beyoğlu-Taksim ☎ +90 212 334-87-30

India - Cumhuriyet Caddesi 18, Dörtler Apt. 7th floor, Elmadağ ☎ +90 212 296-21-31 Indonesia | Esentepe Mahallesi, Keskin Kalem Sokak No.13 Şişli - ☎ +90 212 674-8686 Iran |Ankara Caddesi 1, Cağaloğlu ☎ +90 212 513-82-30

Pakistan | Cengiz Topal Cad. Gülşen Sok. No: 5, Beyaz Ev 3. Etiler ☎ +90 212 358-45-06

Russia | İstiklal Caddesi 443, Beyoğlu ☎ +90 212 292-51-01

Syria | Maçka Caddesi 59/3, Teşvikiye ☎ +90 212 232-67-21

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Istanbul

West

The area of European Türkiye to the West of Istanbul is called Eastern Thrace|Thrace. It has many historic towns with Byzantine and Ottoman legacy.

• Edirne, two hours to the northwest, is a beautiful historic city, and was the Islamic Ottoman capital before power moved to Istanbul. You need at least a day here. A slow scenic route winds north via Kıyıköy, ancient Medea, a fisherman's village on the Black Sea with some traditional architecture, partially rebuilt ancient city walls and a nearby rock-cut monastery. The next town on that route is Vize, an old town with a well preserved Byzantine cathedral.
• Head into Western Europe either via Sofia in Bulgaria or Bucharest in Romania.

South

• The Marmara Islands are across the sea, much further away and less urban than the Princes Islands just offshore of the city.
• Bursa to the southeast is a former Ottoman capital with many historical sights plus Uludağ|Uludağ National Park just south. İznik, rich in Byzantine, Seljuk, and early Ottoman legacy, is worth a detour on the way.
• A scenic route towards Izmir is to head west then south into the Gallipoli peninsula, with its World War 1 sites, cross the Dardanelles to Çanakkale and then past ancient Troy (Turkey) | Troy and Bergama|Pergamon (Bergama). A short ferry-ride brings you to the charming island of Bozcaada.

East

In Istanbul you've only stepped on the threshold of Asian Türkiye. Continue east across Anatolia for so much more: rejuvenated Ankara, unworldly Cappadocia, surreal Kahta|Mount Nemrut, faraway Kars. And further still across the lands of the former Ottoman Empire: follow in the footsteps of ancient traders, medieval travellers, pilgrims, and hippies. Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
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