What to do in Istanbul

Sultanahmet Topkapi Palace

Open between 9.30 am and 5 pm, closed on Tuesdays, entrance 3 US$ for the palace and 1,50 US$ for the Harem.

This is of course a sight which is not to miss. Try to go there first thing in the morning. Once inside you also need separate tickets for the harem. Buy this ticket as soon as you get inside, because entrance is limited there (only 60 people every half hour are allowed).

Have a look at the garden and don't miss the fourth courtyard from where you have a marvellous view over the Bosporus

Aya Sophia

Open between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm, closed on Mondays, entrance 3 US$, 1 US$ with student card.

The cupola is nice, also go to the balcony to have a view from above and for some work of art there. Be aware that this is closed between 11.30 am and 1 pm.

Behind the Aya Sophia is a small street with wooden houses beautifully restored now.

Blue Mosque

Open between 8 am and 5 pm, no closing days, but it's sometimes closed for prayer. there's no entrance fee.Try to go to the Sound and light show which is almost every night.

Hippodrome

There's a museum of Turkish art which is OK, the Abraham Pass Sari.

Bazaar



Open between 9 am and 7 pm, closed on Sundays and holidays.

Quite nice to stroll around there. A bit further is the Egyptian bazaar where they mostly sell spices. There a small courtyard just outside the bazaar, nice to have a drink.

West of Golden Horn

     Mosques

I visited most of the mosques in Istanbul. They all have some special feature like the biggest (Suleyman the Great mosque), the first one (Fateh Mehmet Camii), baroque style (Laleli Camii) etc...There is however 1 mosque, now a museum, which must not be missed, that's the Karye Camii, a bit out of the center. You will see some marvellous mosaics and frescoes. They close on wednesday now (used to be tuesday).

City walls

From Carye Camii you could follow the city wall by foot till you get to the Golden Horn. You will pass the Konstantin Saray on your left side, the only Byzantine palace left. But all you can see are some walls, nothing special.

From the Golden Horn, you can take a dolmus to Eyup, or you could take a boat to Eyup.

Eyup and Pierre Loti Café

Eyup is off the main tourist track in Istanbul. I did like it. You were allowed to see the tomb when I was there, but it's nice to see all the pilgrims visiting the place

To go to Pierre Loti Café, take a small but steep road on the north side of the mosque. Keep left all the time, turn right at the first house. The walk is 20 to 30 minutes, but is rewarded with a nice view on the Golden Horn.

From Eyup you can go back by boat to the center of Istanbul. You could also make a stop at Balat where they have a Bulgarian iron church, nothing special though.

East of Golden Horn

Definitely recommended is a boattrip on the Bosporus.- You can either take a long trip which leaves at the Galata bridge twice a day at 10.35 am and 1.35 pm. The trip takes 6 hours, 2 hours to go, 2 hours stop and 2 hours back. During the stop, you can either walk up to the ruins of the castle, or you can just relax and have a sandwich with fish. The trip costs 3 US$ on weekdays and 6 US$ on weekends.- If you have less time, you can take a shorter trip from Eminonu to Besiktas. You will have a nice view over the city and the Dolmabahce Palace.

If you pass the Galata bridge, you can take a small but steep road to the Galata tower. About halfway, turn right down again. After 50 metres you will come to the official red light district of Istanbul. It's a dead end street, the entrance is guarded by 2 policemen. Women and children are not allowed.

The Galata Tower can be visited. There's a tramway up if you don't like the steep walk up. Entrance fee is 2 US$.

Getting out of Istanbul

Be careful if you want to get out by bus. The busstation has moved for some years now way out of town (used to be just outside of town). There are buses going there every 30 minutes from Taksim Place. However, make sure you leave early enough, because during peak hour, it took us 90 minutes to get to the station! You can buy your ticket with a travel agent in Sultanahmet, but he will charge you 10 to 20% commission.

You can also take the boat to Izmir. Tickets can be bought at the ferry office and cost 40 US$ including good dinner and breakfast and a cabin. It's best to book well in advance. The trip takes 20 to 21 hours.

There's also a regular hydrofoil taking cars from Istanbul to Yalova (near Bursa). The trip takes 45 minutes and costs a bit less then 3 US$.