http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32820 Let the traders entertain you with their banter. Barter to try and get the price down. Feeling weary? Try one of the cafes in the heart of the bazaar, for a snack or a perfect Turkish coffee. It is impossible to visit and not be stunned by the history, the colours and the life force of the Grand Bazaar ... and to leave without buying something perfect for you.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32820 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31431 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31431 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27833 As a tourist you will be a target for the traders who will raise their prices ridiculously high, but even so, welcome you with Turkish hospitality with a glass of Apple Tea which you can sip while mulling over your next purchase.
This Bazaar is a modern souk but is filled with shadows of Ottoman glory, and is an experience not to be missed.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27833 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27826 Secondly, a totally authentic and cheap place for late breakfast or lunch in the bazaar is Onur Pilic (meaning "Honour Chicken"). This hole-in-the-wall serves delicious "menemen", scrambled eggs with tomato, cheese and green peppers served with French bread. Even better - ask for slices of chicken from the doner above to be placed on top, add chili flakes and enjoy.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27826 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27232 A company run by long-time expat residents of Istanbul, they are known for not accepting commissions from merchants in the bazaars, which is something the majority of tour guides will do.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27232 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22981 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22981 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22049
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22049 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20589 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20589 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18426 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18426 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13762
The imported vodka, whiskey, wine etc is equally exorbitant in price due to high taxes.

Just a word of warning in case people think Istanbul is like one of the resorts!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13762 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13083 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13083 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5137
That said, a little advice picked up from the experts in the business might be useful.

When looking for carpets, be sure to look around and compare before committing (a little home study before arriving is great too). Try to look for shops with serious tradition (family-owned is a good sign) and an attested reputation; such firms are keen to keep up their business and good name and enjoy repeat business- another good indicator.

Further, you'll be wise to demand Turkish rugs only, with certification. The last few years have seen a proliferation of cheap, mass-produced carpets from Afghanistan and Pakistan passed off as the real thing.

Third, avoid the touts and well-attired persuaders strategically located nearby the prime tourist sites; they are working on commission and not particularly scrupulous.

Now that you know what to look out for, where to go?

The Grand Bazaar is of course the prime place for shoppers (though not the only), teeming with over 4,000 shops of all kinds. Although there are many excellent carpet dealers, one unique and rather hip one is Ethnicon, a small but now quite well known outlet offering unique “fusion” rugs and wall hangings, or "kilims."

The vision of the company was to cater to an emerging market (the modern urban interior of varying degrees of minimalism) while at the same time addressing an acute need: the increasing scarcity of antique carpets coming from Anatolian family collections, which have gone from a flood to a trickle over the past 20 years.

To get around this lack, Ethnicon decided to use what was to be found from damaged antique partial carpets, nomad tent coverings, soft casings, scraps and so on, patching them all together through a 15-step process. The result is alluring rugs and wall decorations that combine old ingredients with modern deco tastes. With widespread media attention, the Ethnicon style has become a brand in its own right.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5137 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5116
On the other hand, in the Tahtakale market district, workers shout and make jokes with each other. You can find a variety of fantastic objects here.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5116 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5111
There are many cafes and little shops in which to poke around but they are a little more expensive than the norm.

Despite this you can sit with a drink, watch the boats glide past, and admire the bridge which is lovely by day or night. Heaven!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5111 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5073
If you want to buy coffee to take home with you I would recommend Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi (Tahmis Caddesi 66, very near the Spice Bazaar). Smells lovely and tastes even better.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5073 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5071
The stalls and shops sell a mixture of different books from tourist guides, textbooks to bestsellers and magazines. There are also some fantastic places to buy prints, pictures and calligraphy.

The clientele seems to be a mix of students from the nearby university, locals and tourists.
A great place to wander and browse.

Please note that all prices are fixed so no haggling.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5071 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5069
If you enjoy shopping and bargaining you'll love it. If you find bargaining and being approached by people a little uncomfortable then the Grand Bazaar is probably not for you.

Yes, it's very touristy. There are endless shops selling apple tea classes, Turkish coffee cups, belly dancing outfits etc. However you can also buy beautiful jewellery, fine fabrics, good value leather goods and, of course, carpets and kilims.

The shop keepers can be persistent but are always hospitable. Often an invitation into a shop will be accompanied by an offer of apple tea or Turkish coffee. If you don't want to buy anything just politely refuse. If you do, then get set to bargain. Offer about half the asking price, or below, and work from there. Have in your mind what you want to pay and stick to it.
Remember, always be polite. And if you do get exhausted with haggling there are plenty of little cafes to sit down in, have a drink and admire the bargains you've bought.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5069 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5068
A good place to shop for gifts to take home. Or some apple tea to accompany the tea glasses you buy at the Grand Bazaar.

The streets around the Spice Market, particularly leading up to the Grand Bazaar, are a crowded, vibrant noisy, confusion of people, shops, stalls and carts.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5068 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5058 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5058 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5036 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5036