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Istanbul
Turkey

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Istanbul's geographic location becomes extremely symbolic in understanding the fusion of cultures and religions found in the city.  It is the only city in the world that connects two continents. Its geographic symbolism reflects the merging of Christianity and Islam, religion and secularism, traditional Anatolian culture and modern civilization. In addition to these cultural aspects, the city offers a wide variety of amazing experiences. Take a Bosphorus cruise, stroll the quiet streets around the Sultanahmet Mosque in the evening, and hold your breath as you plunge into the mayhem of the Grand Bazaar. To catch a break from Middle Eastern culture, go to Nisantasi or ferry to the Asian side to Bagdat Cadesi where the highest luxury European shopping boutiques are fronted by Ferraris and Mercedes. Don’t forget to visit a hamam or Turkish bath, which is an exfoliating cultural experience.

ClassicTravel.com is pleased to offer you this easy and concise destination guide to Istanbul.  Click on each tab to find some of the best of what the city has to offer.  Whenever possible we not only suggest the best restaruants for dining but also supply the link so you  can check out the menu yourself. We do the same so you can really check out the hot nighlife scene in this facinating city on two continents.


Activities Excursions Dining Shopping Resources Nightlife  

Istanbul Modern Art Museum (Istanbul Modern Sanat Muzusi)Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi, Karakoy
Tel. +90 (212) 334.7300
www.istanbulmodern.org
In a city of 16th & 17th century mosques it is interesting how this modern museum captures another side of the city on two continents. Modern and contemporary, it is a converted warehouse. There is a sculpture garden a noteworthy restaurant where reservations are highly advised. 

SantrallIstanbul
Kazim Karabekir Caddesi 2/6 (Eyup)
Tel. +90 (212) 311.7809
www.santralistanbul.org
This museum, opened in 2007, is Istanbul's version of London's Tate Modern.  It's a former power station which is surrounded by green recreational spaces and also has two restaurants with bars. 

Topkapi Palace
Sultanahmet
Tel. +90 (212) 512 0480
www.topkapisarayi.gov.tr
France has Versailles.  Turkey has Topkapi.  Sultans lived life to the fullest and here, as you walk through opulent vaulted chambers, you can almost here the hushed laughter of the wives, eunuchs and dwarf entertainers. Make sure to see the royal treasury which are filled with bejeweled spoils from the Ottoman conquests.

Istiklal Caddesi/Taksim Beyoglu
New Orleans’ French Quarter and New York’s East Village may be apt comparisons for this bustling 24-hour district of bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and clubs. Istiklal's side streets offer cozy nargile (waterpipe) cafés and kebab houses that will become treasured finds.

Hagia Sofia
Aya Sofya Meydan (Sultanahmet)

Built as an Eastern Orthodox church in the 4th century, converted to a mosque in 1453, then turned into a museum by the modern Turkish state, the Hagia Sofia truly embodies the conversion of civilizations in one sprawling space. The light in the Hagia Sofia refracts mystically in the nave, and beautiful Islamic calligraphy sits directly on top of ancient Byzantine mosaics.

Sultanahmet Cami (Blue Mosque)
Sultanahmet Meydan

While it is not the oldest mosque in the world, its six minarets still display a great example of Ottoman architecture during the early part of the 17th century, the golden age of Ottoman Empire architecture. Stop for tea and a game of tavla (backgammon) at one of the garden cafes nearby.

Basilica Cistern
Yerebatan Caddesi (Sultanahmet)
Tel. +90 (212) 522.1259 or +90 (212) 522.1570

In Sultanahmet Square, take a break from hot or cold weather and head underground to the largest of Istanbul’s cisterns. Built in the 6th century, it features more that 300 Corinthian columns and an upside down statue of Medusa.

Suleymaniye Cami (Suleyman Mosque)
Suleymaniye Caddesi (North of Istanbul University)
This is one mosque which truly cannot be missed on a tour of Istanbul. Its 16th century grandeur is evidenced by its many small domes and tranquil courtyard where neighborhood children come to play.

Archeological Museum (Arkeoloji Muzesi)
Osman Hamdi Bey Yokusu, Gulhane-Eminonu

Tel.+ 90 (212) 52 7742
The Museum of the Ancient Orient displays artificats from the Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian and Hittite civilizations.

Beylerbeyi Palace
Abdullahaga Caddesi, Beylerbeyi-Uskudar
Tel.+90 (216) 321 9320-21
The magnificent Summer Palace of Ottoman Sultans which combines eastern and Turkish motifs with Western adornment elements throughout its decoration, including 26 rooms, six halls, harem and men's greeting rooms.

Dolmabahce Palace
Docmabache Meydani, Besiktas
Tel.+ 90 (212) 236.9000
www.dolmabahcepalace.com
A superb palace set on the Bosphorus and displaying the richness and power that the Sultans had, notably where Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, died on November 10th, 1938.  This is a must for all Istanbul visitors.  Be sure to view one of the most equisitite cyrstal chandeliers ever made.

Military Museum
Valikonagi Caddesi Harbiye-Sisli
Tel+ 90 (212) 233 2720

The highlight of this museum is definitely the Mehter Band, that is the Ottoman military band, which originated in 1289 and became an institution that is symbolizing the power and independence of the Ottoman Empire. But quite apart from their benefit on the battlefield, they came to create new musical styles in Europe even influencing Mozart and Beethoven.Rahmi Koç Museum (Rahmi Koç Müzesi)
(Rahmi M. Koç Museum, Hasköy Caddesi No. 7, Hasköy / Ph: (0212) 369 6600)
The Rahmi Koç Industry Museum, in the suburb of Hasköy on the coast of the Golden Horn, was an Ottoman-period building, formerly called Lengerhane, for iron and steel works. Today this privately owned museum houses exhibits on industrial development.

Sadberk Hanım Museum (Sadberk Hanım Müzesi)
(Piyasa Caddesi No. 27-29, Büyükdere - Sarıyer
Tel.+90 (212) 242 3813-14

A private museum which originally displayed only Turkish decorative arts, was recently expanded to include a new collection of archeological exhibits. This is the oldest section, and includes sixth Millenium BC mother goddesses. In the ethnography section, there are maternity and circumcision beds, clothing and jewelry.

Sakıp Sabancı Museum (Sakıp Sabancı Müzesi)
Sakıp Sabancı Caddesi No. 22, Emirgan
Tel.+90 (212) 277 2200
Hacı Ömer Sabancı began creating the collection of decorative works of art consisting of figurines, metalwork, porcelain, objects of art and furniture in the  Sabancı Collection in 1940;  this has continuously expanded since 1970 thanks to Sakıp Sabancı's dedication and love of art. The collection includes 18th and 19th century Chinese Famille Noire and Famille Verte porcelain, polychrome vases and decorated plates. An impressive collection of 19th century French porcelain, including large numbers of Sèvres vases, and German porcelain produced in Berlin and Vienna are among the most valuable items in the collection.

St. Chora Museum (Kariye Müzesi)
Edirnekapı, Fatih
Tel.+90  (212) 631 9241
Church of St. Saviour (known today as the Kariye Museum) is an important work that represents the Late Byzantine Period. Constantinople was positioned as the art center of the empire.

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi)
İbrahim Paşa Sarayı, At Meydanı, Sultanahmet-Eminönü
Tel.+ 90  (212) 518 1805
Built in 1524 by İbrahim Pasa, the Grand Vizier to Suleyman the Magnificent, this was originally a palace; the grandest of private residences in the Ottoman Empire – and one the few which have survived. Some of it, however, was destroyed and rebuilt in stone to the original designs in 1843.

Underground Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)
Yerebatan Caddesi No. 13, Sultanahmet
Tel.+ 90 (212) 522 1259
Nearby Haghia Sophia is the 6th century Byzantine underground Basilica cistern, with 335 massive Corinthian columns supporting the immense chamber’s fine brick vaulting.  It fell into disuse and was then restored in 1987 with the mud and water removed; narrow, raised pathways now provide easy access for visitors. It is the largest covered cistern in the city, measuring 140 by 70 meters.