Getaway to Istanbul

 
Romantic holiday for two, shopping spree, cultural travel, nights Bosphorus ... Istanbul accords to all kinds of short stays. Winter or summer, but preferably in the spring, the Turkish metropolis at the crossroads of East and West, never ceases to charm the traveler. Short Guide to Must Constantinople, to three or four days.



vintage Istanbul


modern Byzantium


Marine escapes


Nights of Constantinople


factsheet

Vintage Istanbul ::

Istanbul can be roughly divided into three major areas: on one side of the Bosphorus, the Asian part of the city, less touristy. On the other, Sultanahmet, Old Istanbul, separated by the estuary of the Golden Horn district of Beyoğlu, which forms the modern Istanbul.

It is logically Sultanahmet any city tour to begin. Thousand years of history at the crossroads of two cultures will greet you in old Istanbul.

One of the symbols of Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia was for ten centuries, from 537 until the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the largest religious monument of Christianity. It was converted into a mosque by Sultan Mehmet II in 1935 and museum The building is an architectural marvel: the dome 32 meters in diameter, rises to 56 meters above the ground, supported by four huge pillars.

Facing Hagia Sophia, Istanbul another emblem, the Blue Mosque (photo), built in the seventeenth century and surrounded by six minarets. It owes its name to the 21,000 blue tiles that decorate its interior. On the other side of the street Divanyolu, a curiosity: the Basilica Cistern. Built by Constantine, the Byzantine cistern, 140 meters long, 70 meters wide, 8 meters high and with a capacity of 80,000 m3, worth a visit.

Another must Sultanahmet: Topkapı Palace. Located on the Seraglio Point, which dominates both the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of ​​Marmara, it was the residence of the sultans for four centuries from the fall of Constantinople. Do not miss the harem, and especially the treasure. Nearby, archaeological museums are worth a visit.

Last tourist mecca, the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world, which exists since the fifteenth century. There are some 4,000 stalls spread over sixty lanes grouped by types of products: glassware, carpets, jewelery and spectacle ... Haggle mandatory insured.


Modern :: Byzantium

You have to cross the Golden Horn by the Galata Bridge (beautiful view) to discover another Istanbul: more modern, less touristy, quite Europeanized. It is in the district of Beyoğlu, where the districts of Galata and Pera, that takes the pulse of contemporary Istanbul.

Dominated by the Genoese Galata Tower, from where one has a breathtaking view of the city and the Bosphorus, it is the trendy and cosmopolitan districts of Istanbul.

Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul, is easily reached by subway. From there, the area's main artery of Pera, the Istiklâl Caddesi which become pedestrianized, has regained its former glory. Lined passages (like Paris!), Embassies, shops, bars, and restaurants, it is full of people, day and night.

Do not hesitate to step into the streets of Pera, where there are still magnificent remains of its former glory, as the legendary Pera Palace Hotel. Greta Garbo, Josephine Baker, Mata Hari and Hemingway had their habits.

Below Pera, on the way down to the Golden Horn, the Galata district, dominated by a Genoese tower of the thirteenth, no shortage of charm with its patrician and Levantine houses clinging to the hillside leading down to the sea.

The presence of the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul and a Jewish museum reflect the cultural mix that Istanbul has always been the seat.


Marine :: Fumbles

On all sides, Istanbul is bordered by the big blue. Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea, the cruising opportunities abound.

From Eminonu Ferry Terminal, a boat goes every hour of the Golden Horn to Eyüp district. Along the way, nice view of the hills of Fener and Balat. At Eyüp, panorama of the city from the cafe Pierre Loti, who was a frequent visitor. Of note, at the bottom of the Golden Horn, the contemporary art museum Santral Istanbul.

Another nice trip: a cruise on the Bosphorus. Two options: the shortest is to use boats linking Asian and European shores of departing Eminönü and Karaköy ferry terminals and go dock at pier.

Stop essential Pier Kabataş to visit the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, residence of the last sultan in the nineteenth century. Another option: take the ferry to Anadolu Kavağı, north of the Bosphorus, 1h30 cruise with several stops along the way (tickets from £ 20 or € 10).

Last maritime escape: the Princes' Islands in the Marmara Sea, to focus on sunny days. Several daily departures from Kabataş and Eminönü. At twenty kilometers south of Istanbul, these islands are, since the nineteenth century, privileged places of resort Istanbulites. Ideal for walking and swimming in the deep blue of the Sea of ​​Marmara.


Nights of Constantinople ::

If you are a night owl, no hesitation: find a hotel in the modern part, in Beyoğlu. This is where it happens! Profusion of bars and boxes of all kinds around Istiklâl Caddesi, and all plumages. Istanbul vibrates and it shows!

Unavoidable, the 360 is a panoramic bar with breathtaking views, located on the top floor of the building where Misir nestle numerous art galleries. Less branchouilles the Nardis Jazz Club préfèreont or Araf Cafe with their live concerts.

Quieter and bobo, the Cihangir district, between Taksim Square and the Bosphorus, have flourished in recent years and cool alternative bars frequented by a clientele and arty nerd.

Finally, in a completely different genre, Istanbul's golden youth is given an appointment in restaurants and clubs open Ortaköy, as output, a huge restaurant can (cheap) on the edge of the water, dancing (almost ) Bosphorus head in the stars.