Dating back to 1461, the Grand Bazaar in Beyazit, Istanbul is the world's oldest shopping mall. Enter via one of the impressive stone archways and you are whisked back in time to a bustling street lined with sparkling gold and jewels. The choice is flabbergasting, whatever you desire you will find. Dive into one of the narrower alleys to search for scarves, cotton or wool? silk or cashmere? Ceramics, hand painted tiles and bowls from Iznik, leather goods; bags to die for and jackets that can sometimes raise a smile with their Eastern appeal. Amber, coral or turquoise; necklaces or bracelets? Clothing; modern, or why not buy a fez and a belly dancing costume? Then there are the carpets! Hand knotted silk carpets at prices that once would have bought a starter home, woollen kilims of all sizes and designs. Watches, towels, embroidered items, beads, soap, sweets, toys, games, the shopping list is endless.
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.

At the end of Divan Yolu from Sultanahmet Square. Beyazit/Grand Bazaar stop on the tramway.
Google map: bit.ly/s34H8V

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My favourite subterranean attraction is not actually a cave, or a mine, but the Basilica Cistern, or Yerebatan Sarnici, which is the largest of the myriad of cisterns beneath the streets of Istanbul. This 6th century Byzantine underground chamber can hold 80,000 cubic metres of water, although nowadays visitors walk on a raised platform above the shallow water, and watch carp swimming languidly below. The ceiling is supported by hundreds of soaring marble columns nine metres high, two of which have huge Roman blocks with the carved head of Medusa at their base. Eerie and magical, the cistern feels like an underground cathedral.
A great place to visit to escape the midday heat, and there's also a small cafe.

www.yerebatan.com
13 Basilica C, 34410 Istanbul Province, Turkey
+90 212 522 1259
Google map: bit.ly/p42Arh

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Akbil is a prepaid travel token for use on buses, trams and ferries within Istanbul. An excellent idea if you plan to travel around the city. You can buy the Akbil at many places round the city and recharge it as necessary. It saves you having to keep on buying tickets or individual tokens to travel, and travel costs are slightly lower.
The best thing about Akbil is you can use one for the whole family/group. All you need do is bleep each person through the turnstile, or onto the bus.

All over the city at Akbil sales points (usually news kiosks as well as at bus and ferry terminals)

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A hunting lodge built by Sultan AbdulMecid in the middle of the 19th century on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus close to the second bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge) and to the village of Anadolu Hisarı. It is Dolmabahce Palace in miniature. The guided tour is only in Turkish but there is often someone around who will translate for you. Open daily except Monday and Thursday, entrance is only 4TL. After your visit, turn left and walk the five mintues to see the ruined castle at Anadolu Hisari. There you can find several cafes on Kucuksu stream where you can have a meal and enjoy watching the fishermen and pleasure boaters pottering around.

www.allaboutturkey.com/ist_pal.htm#kucuksu

Take a ferry to Uskudar and then hop on a number 15 (to BEYKOZ) bus from in front of the mosque opposite the ferry terminal for the 30 minute (or so!) journey up the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, passing the summer palace of Baylerbeyi on the way.

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If you don't have time for the full day Bosphorus cruise then IDO (Istanbul Deniz Otobus) also offer a two hour trips along one of the world's greatest waterways without the lengthy (nearly three hour) stop at the north end of the Bosphorus. It is also kinder on the pocket costing 10 TL instead of 25TL for the full day tour. See the beauty of the city for less money and less time!

www.sehirhatlari.com.tr/2010_2011_Kis_Tarifesi-content-m-26-35.html

The ferry departs from Eminonu at 1430 returning at 1630 (it also collects from Uskudar for those staying on the Asian shore)

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Kadıköy is a bustling district on the Asian side of the city. There is a market and lots of small speciality shops, such as cheese, honey, herbal, gold, antiques and second hand books. This is the place to see the Istanbul of Istanbullus. After browsing for an hour or so sit down at one of the many small restaurants for some meze or fish. Try the "midye dolma", battered mussels. Çıya is a favourite restaurant of locals and visitors if you want to try unusual Turkish food. Keep an eye open for the fortune telling rabbits.

Take the ferry from Eminonu or Karakoy. Walk straight ahead, cross the road and dive into the side streets on your right.
Google map: bit.ly/n0pKUJ

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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(0)212 263 5593
www.suadaclub.com.tr/

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Quite simply the best patisserie in the heart of old Istanbul. Eat your honey sweet Baklava while listening to the Blue Mosque's call to prayer. Or ask Çigdem's staff to wrap up your pastries so you can take them home for your friends.

Alemdar Mh., Divan Yolu Caddesi 62, Istanbul, Turkey
+902125268859
Google map: bit.ly/qTbE1r

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This is a great transfer service between Ataturk Airport and Istanbul city. You pay per journey. It is only 20 euros (or 45 TL) each journey- not per person. It is a private transfer in a comfortable people carrier and you pay the driver. This company can also arrange tours for you. I took the afternoon Bosphorus Tour for 30 euros and it was great. The mini bus collects you and returns you to your hotel. Again, no money up front- just pay the driver in cash or with credit card on the day.

www.istanbulairportexpress.com

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We hired a wonderful boat called Zoe Yacht in Istanbul for a romantic cruise up the Bosphorus celebrating our wedding anniversary and are very thankful for finding it. While crowded mass tourist boats rushed by far from the shore, we enjoyed a really relaxing cruise right by the sites with the whole boat to ourselves with a great drinks service. We could have spent the whole day on Zoe! It was easy to organize and included pick up right at our place. The views of the Bosphorus are spectacular and you can also dine on board if you choose their dinner cruise. If you're looking for something special in Istanbul then this yacht is it. We hope to do it again with some friends soon.

Zoe Yacht, Kurucesme Pier, Istanbul
+90 (0)2122257670
www.bosphorusyacht.com/

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If you re looking for delicious and amazing cuisine, you ll be delighted to stop by here. Think about a whole chicken stuffed with rice, covered by salt and roasted in wood-fired oven for two hours, or baked hummus with excellent diced lamb. They have a wide range of menu, including great mezes, special kebabs(which are really hard to find anywhere else), so it is really hard to choose but I do loved all the things I ordered. I recommend you to try it if you ever visit Istanbul.

+902125313333
www.akdenizhataysofrasi.com.tr
skenderpaşa Mh., Ahmediye Caddesi 44, 34082 Istanbul, Türkiye
Google map: bit.ly/klV0K2

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This is a great restaurant on the Asia side of Istanbul. The servers are nice and the food is moderately priced. Hands down the best food I had in Turkey. When you've had too many donners go here for dinner. There is a nice market down the street too.

Guneslibahce Sokak 43, KADIKOY, Istanbul, Turkey
+90 2163303190
Google map: bit.ly/mt0VBA

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Me and my hubby went to this restaurant as recommended by our hotel staff. The food was excellent! We ordered fish soup, squid, and the oven-baked salt-covered fish. All of them tasted so delicious! The waiter also knew his food, and advised us on the menu. Transfer from hotel to the restaurant was also arranged for us. We got complementary rice pudding for our dessert and Turkish coffee too. We strongly recommend this place as a must visit seafood restaurant in Istanbul. Two thumbs up.

Alemdar Mah. Prof. K. Ismail Gurkan Cad. No:14 Sultanahmet
www.sultanahmetfishhouse.com
+90 212 527441

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Turkey has many beautiful historical sights and bazaars. The Egyptian Spice Bazaar is a colourful array of outlets which offer a variety of Turkish delights, Turkish tea, spices, scarves and much more.
It is really worth visiting this bazaar if you are looking for Turkish specialities and they even offer 'free taste before you buy' so you can eat an array of Turkish delights before you choose one you like.
The Egyptian bazaar is not as big as the grand bazaar which is also located nearby and has everything you can imagine. However the Egyptian spice bazaar really gives you a flavour of Turkey at its best.

Rüstem Paşa Mh.
34116 Istanbul/Istanbul Province, Turkey

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Titanic City is an excellent four-star rated hotel located in the centre of Istanbul in the popular city location of Taksim square.
The hotel is in an excellent location next to the array of shopping areas and in close vicinity to the historical sights of Istanbul.
The staff are friendly and hospitable and put us in touch with relevant sightseeing tours which allowed us to visit all the sights of Istanbul in only five days! It was well worth the money and we really enjoyed our stay.

Titanic City Hotel, Lamartin Cad No 47 | Taksim, Istanbul 34437, Turkey
+90 212 238 9090
Google map: bit.ly/eUbw4P

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A short walk from the trendy neighbourhood of Cihangir and housed in a converted warehouse is the Istanbul Modern Art Museum. Maybe because of its manageable size or the fact it provides a welcome contrast to the city’s tourist-packed historical sites, the gallery is an engaging and enjoyable space filled with exhibits featuring both established and emerging Turkish artists. When you need a break from looking at art, try the view from the gallery café where you can sip apple tea and stare out onto the Bosphorous watching the boats and ferries glide by. Entry is free on Thursdays.

Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. Liman İşletmeleri
Sahası Antrepo No: 4, 34433 Karaköy
www.istanbulmodern.org/en/f_index.html
+90(0) 212 334 73 00

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Istanbul’s equivalent to the Tate Modern is a stylish conversion of a warehouse right on the Bosphorus with stunning views across to the Old City and the Galata Bridge. The Gallery houses a vibrant permanent exhibition tracing the development of modern Turkish Art and also temporary exhibitions. Go early on a Thursday, when admission is free and check there are no cruise liners parked alongside, otherwise the view from the superb café-restaurant is completely ruined, unless you are in love with cruise liners!

www.istanbulmodern.org
Meclis-i Mebusan Ave. Liman İşletmeleri
Sahası Antrepo No:4 Karaköy
+90(0) 212 334 73 00
Google map: bit.ly/idBB5G

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Amedros was quite a haven for us while in Istanbul, since most places seem to be either cheap kebab joints or pricey designer restaurants. Though just off the touristy Divan Yolu, it is a delightful bistro. Very friendly, multilingual and efficient staff, nice modern design and delicious Ottoman influenced food.
These dishes include lamb in a sauce made from pomegranate syrup, chicken served on a bed of rice with almonds, apricots and saffron, courgettes stuffed with minced lamb - yum. There are also various intriguingly cooked steaks, the usual pasta etc, but the Ottoman food is the best. Reasonable prices, considering that wine in Istanbul costs. Two starters, two mains, a beer and two glasses or wine came to about 44 quid. You can spend far more in this touristy area for far less. Next time I'm going to try the Cappadocian stew cooked in a clay pot and brought to the table aflame - it seems a favourite.

Hoca Rüstem Sokak 7 just off the Divan Yolu tourist street in Sultanahmet, and near the Sultanahmet tram stop.
Divanyolu Cad. Hoca Rüstem Sok. No: 7
Sultanahmet
+90 212 522 83 56
www.amedroscafe.com
Google map: bit.ly/eRWEJd

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We discovered this small wonderful guesthouse/hostel on our return trip to Istanbul. It's around the corner from the Galata Tower, in the heart of the Beyoglu district, full of wonderful bars, cafes and a very local vibe. The location is spot on, away from all the tourist touts (Sultanamet) but even better is the wonderful vibe of the 'Rapunzel guesthouse' Its small but perfectly formed! in between a guesthouse and a hostel, basic but very clean, spacious rooms, run by a marvellous bunch of guys and gals. It is just a wonderful place to stay in and also very reasonable for Istanbul. Keep up the good work guys : )

www.rapunzelistanbul.com/
Bereketzade Camii Sok. No:3 Galata / Beyoğlu

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We spent six nights in this hotel in 2008. It is in a great location in Sultanahmet near the Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque (which you have a great view of from the rooftop breakfast room) and Aya Sofia, as well as being a few steps from the tram that takes you across town. Our room was spacious and clean and we could hear the call to prayer, though luckily not enough for it disrupt our sleep! In any case, being able to hear the call to prayer adds to the experience of being in such a fascinating city. We loved our visit to Istanbul and would like to go again. If we do we plan to stay at Hotel Nena again.

www.istanbulhotelnena.com/
Binbirdirek Mah. Klodfarer Cad. No: 8/10 34122 Sultanahmet
+ 90 212 5165264

Google map: tinyurl.com/2w3stxo

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