Istanbul is all about roof top views and one of the best is from the 5 Kat. Located in a non descript building on a quiet side street, after a ride in a shaky old lift you step out onto a beautiful outdoor terrace with a breathtaking view over the Bosphorus. Get there early evening to grab a bar stool and a cocktail and watch the sun go down and the lights go up. Great view of the light show on the Bosphorus bridge.

www.5kat.com
Cihangir Mh., Soğancı Sk No:7
+90 212 293 3774
Google map: bit.ly/15efp1b

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Tektekci is the best shot bar I've ever seen.
Located in Beyoglu - Taksim area, next to Galatasaray, the bar serves over 100 homemade cocktail shots and offers really good music.

www.tektekci.com.tr/
Tomtom Mahallesi Akarsu Sokak No.2/1, 34433, Beyoglu
+90(0)533 774 74 60

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Sauda is a floating swimming pool in the middle of the Bosphorus lined with huge beds and including a host of bars and restaurants that provide essential sustenance to guests. It's unmissable for its unique location and innate sense of calm.

Galatasaray Adası, Kuruçeşme, Istanbul
+90 212 263 7300
www.suadaclub.com.tr/

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I would expect my favourite night club to be in London or New York.
However, when I first came to Reina in Istanbul I was absolutely fascinated. The amazing view of the lights of Bosphorus, the music, the beautiful people - 1001 Nights in modern Istanbul way.

www.reina.com.tr/2008/
44 Muallim Naci Caddesi, Ortaköy, İstanbul, Turkey‎ - 0212 259 59 19‎

Google map: tinyurl.com/yakq4vb

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We recently rented this homely lovely apartment for a five day stay in Istanbul and had a fantastic time. It was pretty cheap considering the size and location. There are two double rooms and another room with two single beds, kitchen, living room/dining room, one little bathroom, a little balcony and all the mod cons you'll need on holiday.

The views from the apartment look straight across the Golden Horn with the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque visible in the distance.

The area (Beyoglu) was fantastic! Not very touristy (which I thought was great) but still with loads and loads of things to do, see and eat. A young hip crowd, loads of bars, shops, restaurants and very easy transport around the city (or walk to the Grand Bazaar in 30mins). The owner gave us a little personal tour around the area when we arrived showing us good local restaurants, bars, cafe and the best places to eat local delights.

Only one thing that might be a problem - it gets a bit noisy on Friday and Saturday nights due to the numerous restaurants nearby - the locals like to party around here, so probably not great for kids but it didn't bother us much. Other than that - is excellent in almost every way.

You can book the apartment via ownersdirect.co.uk:
www.ownersdirect.co.uk/turkey/TK821.htm

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Beyoglu District, is the most cosmopolitan area of Istanbul. Full of shops, bars and restaurants. Definitely the best area to stay and then get taxis out to the various sights like the Haghia Sofia and Topkapi Palace.

See this link for a taste of the district www.turkeytravelplanner.com/WhereToGo/Istanbul/Sights/Beyoglu/

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