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One Day Itinerary for Istanbul

May 18th, 2012 sequieros

Historical Peninsula

Istanbul’s monumental size and wealth of historical and contemporary sites make deciding what to do in the city difficult. However, first or only one day visit should be around the Old City neighbourhood of Sultanahmet. By following this way, you will take a journey between empires and can feel the history. You should take into account that some of the sites are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays like Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace; and some closed on Sunday like the Grand Bazaar. Now let’s plan your itinerary :

In the Morning

Start your day early at the most visited sites after having a good breakfast. If you are able to start it around 8 am, stroll around the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. There are not many things to see in Hippodrome actually. You will see Egyptian Obelisk, Constantine Column, Serpentine Column and German Fountain over there. Then, turn around and wander the Blue Mosque and its couryard.

At around 9:30-10 am head down to Hagia Sophia which has some of the best preserved Byzantine and is one of the most significant construction. Spend 1 hour here. When you have done, get to the huge Topkapı Palace which was the imperial headquarter and spend 2-3 hours here.

If one of either is closed, you could replace it with Basilica Cistern spending about 1 hour.

Now you deserved to have a good lunch. For that, you could choose a restaurant around Divanyolu.

In the Afternoon

After having a good lunch, keep walking up to the hill following the tramline. You will the sign written Grand Bazaar. It is shopping time among 4000 shops. If you don’t want to go shopping, you could have a hammam experience in Çemberlitaş which will be right on your way.

Heading down to Galata Bridge and either taking a Bosphorus tour or local ferries should be in your alternatives.

In the Evening

Make your way to Taksim-Beyoğlu Side and walk along the famous İstiklal Caddesi where you can find many shops, cafes, restaurants and choose one of them to enjoy your snacks. After that, walk around Flower Passage and Fish Market.

Finally, stop by a pub/bar and enjoy your beer with music.

For your return to the Old City, take the tram which runs until 12 am to Sultanahmet or take a taxi to your hotel.

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Yedikule Fortress and Dungeons

April 4th, 2012 sequieros

Yedikule Dungeons

Yedikule means “Seven towers” in Turkish. It was originally built as four towers and following the Ottoman conquest of the city, three towers were added by Mehmet the Conqueror to convert it into a fortress The name of Seven Towers are as follows:

  • Genç Osman Tower : This tower is named after Sultan Osman II, who was killed on the second floor of this tower.
  • The Ammunition Tower : As may be inferred from its name, it was used as an ammunitions warehouse during the time it belonged to the state.
  • The tower of Ahmet III : Ahmet III contributed to restore the tower to a great extent and ensured that the floors were supported with beams.
  • The Treasury Tower : This was once a place where the treasury owned by the state would be kept.
  • The Dungeon Tower : Also known as the tower of tablets, it is one of the towers used as a dungeon.
  • The Cannon Tower : This was also used as a prison.
  • The Flag Tower : Since this was the place where the flag flew, the janissary troops would guard this area. It still retains its robust structure even today.    

Today’s Yedikule is actually part of the remains of Golden Gate or Porte Aurea which was the ceremonial entrance to the city as one came along Roman road from the Europe.

In Ottoman era, Yedikule was used as a treasury and most notoriously as a prison for locals and foreign ambassadors. Sultan Osman II was also killed here with many others.

Yedikule dungeons are used a concert venues today.

Orientation

* It’s open everyday, except Wednesdays, from 09:30 to 16:30.

* Admission fee is 5 TL.

* It can easily be reached by suburban train from Sirkeci toward Halkalı ( runs every few minutes ). After stepping off the train, turn left out of the station and walk about 400 meters.

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Valens Aqueduct

April 2nd, 2012 sequieros

Valens Aqueduct

Valens Aqueduct, also known as Bozdoğan Arch, is one of the oldest water structures of Istanbul. Its construction dates back to Byzantine era. However, the precise date is not known. It was started by Constantine and completed in the 4th by Valens. Justinian II had the second tier added; even Mehmet the Conqueror and Architect Sinan had a hand in its restoration and enlargement.

The aqueduct connects the third and fourth hills of Istanbul bridging Atatürk Boulevard between Aksaray and the Golden Horn. Water was transported under various rulers to the Byzantine palaces, city cisterns, and then to Topkapı Palace, and the aqueduct served in supplying water to the city for a total of 1,500 years.

Orientation

* It’s not really worth visiting unless you are in the area or visiting Şehzade Mosque.

* It can be visited either by tram to Laleli or by bus catching number 28, 61B, 87.

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Santralistanbul Museum

March 21st, 2012 sequieros

Santralistanbul Museum

Santralistanbul is the first power station in Istanbul which was built in Ottoman period and, conserved and renovated by Istanbul Bilgi University and turned into a center for culture and arts.

It’s located by the gorgeous Golden Horn and stands out among Turkey’s unique national industrial heritage. The museum contributes to Istanbul to take a more effective place in the arts and culture networks worldwide.

As well as housing Energy Museum inside its engine rooms, Santralistanbul contains a public library, outdoor recreation areas, restaurants, educational units and spaces for modern cultural and artistic activities.

Santralistanbul is located in the campus of Istanbul Bilgi University. There are also three cafes, including Starbucks in the complex.

How to Go

* Free shuttle services provided from Taksim Atatürk Cultural Center to Santralistanbul.

* The museum can be reached by public bus numbered 47 from Eminönü and 36 T from Taksim. The nearest bus stops are Silahtar and Bilgi University.

* You could also take Üsküdar-Karaköy-Eminönü-Eyüp ferry line. (IDO Haliç Hattı)

Orientation

* Exhibitions and Energy Museum are open between 10 am and 6 pm on weekdays except Mondays and 10 am-8 pm at the weekends.

* Admission fee is 15 TL for adults.

* Private guided tours can also be arranged which lasts 45 minutes. The fee of guided tours is 25 TL for adults and it includes museum entrances. In order to arrange guided tour, you have to book in advance here rehberliturlar@santralistanbul.org

* For more information about the museum click here. English language option is available.

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Miniatürk

March 18th, 2012 sequieros

Miniatürk is the world’s largest miniature park contains 120 miniature models in 1/25 scale of well known Turkish historical sites in an open air field. Visiting Miniaürk will make you see the sights of Turkey which you may never see because of your limited time.

There is a coin-operated cable boat which travels across a pond and a miniature train. Almost half of the structures are from Istanbul, but it also features monuments that were built by the Ottoman Empire that now lie outside Turkish borders.

There are two smaller museum in Miniatürk : The Victory Museum tells the story of the War of Independence ( 1919-1922 ), while the tacky Crystal Museum displays laser carvings of monuments in crystal.

Miniatürk is a good option to spend a sunny weekend with children. You will be able to see the monuments in one hand and pass through the Bosphorus Bridge on the other hand.

How to Go

  • The park is located near the west end of Golden Horn. It’s 20 minutes taxi ride from Taksim Square or Eminönü.
  • You could also take a bus 54 HT ( Hasköy/Taksim ) from Taksim, 47, 47 Ç or 47 E from Eminönü.

Orientation

  • The museum is open everyday between 09:00-17:00.
  • Admission fee is 10 TL for foreign visitors.
  • Both cash Turkish Lira and credit card are accepted; but foreign currency is not.


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