Last day in Istanbul, unfortunately. For two hours early morning after Fajr prayer, I walked through Istanbul, traced back previous route for another photo shots, and visited landmarks have not been previously visited. After breakfast, we spent the day by visiting Miniaturk and then last minute shopping.
My plan in this early morning was to trace back some routes to obtain another photo shots. But opportunity seems not repeatable. That morning the sky was very cloudy, very contrast to one during my first day.
From Ebusuud Cad (Hotel Erboy), I walked to Blue Mosque, Arasta Bazaar then to Kucuk Ayasofia Camii. This camii (mosque) was formerlythe Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. This Byzantine building with a central dome plan was erected in the 6th century and was a model for the Hagia Sophia, the main church of the Byzantine Empire.
From this camii, I headed to Beyazit Camii and Istanbul University via Hippodrome and Divan Yolu Street.
Kucuk Aya Sofia Camii
The Beyazidye Camii was commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II, and was the second large imperial mosque complex to be erected in Istanbul after the Conquest. Stones for construction were brought from the famous Church of the Life-giving Spring destroyed by the Turks.
The camii is located next to Istanbul University gate, and west of Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazaar).
Bezayit Camii near Istanbul University
Istanbul University was founded as an institution of higher education named the Darülfünûn (‘House of Multiple Sciences’) on 23 July 1846; but the Medrese (‘School of theological and environmental sciences’), which was founded immediately after Mehmed II conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, is regarded as the precursor to the Darülfünûn which evolved into Istanbul University
Istanbul University
From the front gate of the University, I walked along University westside perimeter streets that takes me to Sulaymaniye Camii. It was about 600m walk. Sulaymaniye Camii is the second largest mosque in the city, and one of the best-known sights of Istanbul. The Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Süleyman (Süleyman the Magnificent); and designed by the architectural genius of Sinan Pasha (1489-1588). The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1558.
When I visited that morning, the mosque has been undergone major renovation to bring it back to its glory.
Sulaymaniye Camii - under renovation
From here, I decided to go back to hotel for breakfast and preparation to go to Miniaturk.
Miniatürk is a miniature park situated at the north-eastern shore of Golden Horn in Istanbul. Covers a total area of 60,000 m2 (650,000 sq ft), it is the world’s largest miniature park with its 15,000 m2 model area. The park contains 105 models done in 1/25th scale from Istanbul, Anatolia and Ottoman territories.
Miniaturk is best visited by taxi. It costs between 15-20 TL from Sultanahmet.
In addition to miniatures, Miniaturk has a large space area of playground and go-kart area.
MiniaturkMiniaturk
Finished with Miniaturk, I escorted my wife to Sirkeci Station for taking a suburban train to Olivium Outlet Center. Meanwhile I spent the rest of the day to – again – Spice Bazaar and Sirkeci Train Museum. This free museum (located at the left side of the station near international counters) features nostalgic displays of Sirkeci of being terminus of Orient Express. The Orient Express is the name of a long-distance passenger train. The two city names most prominently associated with the Orient Express are Paris and Istanbul, the original endpoints of the timetabled service. In 1977, the Orient Express stopped serving Istanbul, and on 14 December 2009, the Orient Express ceased to operate and the route disappeared from European railway timetables, reportedly a “victim of high-speed trains and cut-rate airlines.
Train Museum at Sirkeci StationSirkeci Station
To end the day, we tasted Turkish delights and mouthwatering grills and food of Istanbul.
Tasted Turkish Delights at its source!Love Istanbul for its mouthwatering food! Will miss them surely...as does with Istanbul's hospitality. See you!
Day 6. 7 April 2010. Amidst morning rain we spent the time by visiting Archaelogy Museums then benchmarking at Kanyon Mall and ending the day with Dinner Cruise over Bosphorus Strait.
Istanbul Archaelogical Museums. This superb museum complex is a gem for travellers to Istanbul. It may not pull out the crowd but itis really worth visited. The complex is easily accessed by walking down the slope from Topkapi or by trudging up the hill fromthe main gate of Gulhane Park.
The complex is divided into three buildings: the Archaelogy Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Tiled Kiosk.
At the yard of museum complex: Archaelogy Museum, Museum of Ancient Orient and Mozaic/Tile Museum "Alexander the great" is one of the great collection of Istanbul Arkeoloji MuzesiAnother great collection is an Egyptian ancient item like thisTiles Museum
Finished with museums, we trudging up the slope to Hagia Sofia via Topkapi and passing Hagia Irene and Imperial Gate. Now we are at the souteast side of Hagia Sofia, next to fountain of Sultan Ahmet III. Rain was still dripping as we warm our body with hot drink and hot kestane (chest nut).
We headed back to Gulhane (station) via cobbled street just behind walls of Topkapi complex. Here you can see model of Ottoman housing. The 6th president of Turkey was born here, indicated by a placard posted on one of the houses.
Hagia Irene is the first church built in Constantinople. Located next to Hagia SophiaFountain of Sultan Ahmet III. Located beside Hagia Sophia and behind Topkapi PalaceCobbled street just behind walls of Topkapi Palace. The 6th president of Turkey was born here
We travelled to Kanyon Mall using our favorite mode of transpot: metro. We hopped on tram line Zeytinburnu-Kabatas heading to Kabatas from Gulhane station. We got offt at Kabatas station then transfered to Funicular Kabatas-Taksim. We exited here to transfer to Metro. We hopped on metro line Taksim – 4.Levent (by following direction or footprint sign on the floor) and got off at Levent for Kanyon shopping mall.
Kanyon Mall, the most modern and the largest, if not one of the largest malls in Istanbul
Belly dance, one of the entertaining part of dinner cruiseBosphorus Bridge from the water
Day 5. 6 April 2010. We went to Bursa and Uludag on a full day excursion away from Istanbul.
Bursa is the fourth largest city in Turkey, situated around 1o0km northwest of Istanbul. One of the most industrialized centers in Turkey, Bursa is the center of the Turkish automotive, textile and food industry. The city is synonymous with Mount Uludağ which towers behind its core and which is also a famous ski resort. The mausoleums of early Ottoman sultans are located in Bursa and the numerous edifices built throughout the Ottoman period constitute the city’s main landmarks. The surrounding fertile plain, its thermal baths, several interesting museums, notably a rich museum of archaeology, and a rather orderly urban growth are further principal elements that complete Bursa’s overall picture.
Uludag (literally means “Great Mountain”) is a wintersports center and a national park, the highest mountain in Marmara region (2,543m).
Route to Bursa
To go to Bursa from Istanbul one can take ferry to Yalova and then drive to Bursa. From Bursa Uludag can be reached through a cable car (teleferik) or a car. Alternatively, from Istanbul one can drive all the way to Bursa, via a short ferry trip for otherwise long driving along Gulf of Izmid.
We’re picked up at our hotel around 8:30am by a feeder van for rearrangement in the Senkron tour agent office at Arasta Bazaar, at the back of Blue Mosque. The cost for this Bursa and Uludag tour is 90 Euro per person.
[to be continued]
Crossing the bay to Eskihisar
Stop by at Luks Safranbolu Lokumcusu for Turkey's delightsSea of Marmara between Yalova and Bursa
Bursa and its Osman Gazi statue. Othman is the leader of Ottoman Turks, the founder of the dynasty that established and ruled Ottoman Empire.Bursa's Kapali Carsi (Covered Bazaar)With Bursaspor Football Club flag. Now it's qualified for European Champion LeagueBursa Ulu Camii built in 1399Inside Bursa Ulu CamiiIskender Kebab!At UludagUludag - hotel area
I owed you complete Istanbul travelogues but I just couldn’t complete them. So I let the pictures speak. Complete pictures are in my Facebook.
Day 4 in Istanbul was spent to Asian Part, Camlica Hill and watched Sufi Dance. The trip started at Kadikoy Iskelesi (ferry dock). We took public ferry from Eminonu heading to Kadikoy. Charge? Only 1.5 Turkey Lira!
A trip to Asian side of Istanbul starts here, at Kadikoy ferry dock (Iskelesi) at Eminonu
From the deck of ferry, as the ferry departed from iskelesi, we saw magnificent view of Yeni Camii (New Mosque) that built in 1597.
As the ferry that charged us only 1.5 TL departing from iskelesi a striking view of Yeni Camii amazed us
The ferry then accelerated, cruising Bosphorus strait, and we were given this stunning view of the strait and Galata Bridge that crosses it.
Turkey flag with Bosphorus strait and Galata Bridge as the backgrounds
As we approached Kadikoy, Haydarpasa is a landmark can’t be missed. Haydarpasha was built in Germany design. In the early 20th century, when Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany was trying to charm the sultan into economic and military cooperation, he presented the station as a small token of his respect.
Haydarpasa train station
And when we swept our view back to Istanbul, Topkapi Palace stood gracefully with the strait as a foreground.
Topkapi Palace as seen from Asian side of Istanbul
Kadıköy (ancient and Byzantine Chalcedon) is a large, populous, and cosmopolitan district of İstanbul, Turkey on the Asian side of the Sea of Marmara, facing the historic city centre on the European side of the Bosporus. Kadıköy it is also the name of the most prominent neighbourhood of the district, a residential and commercial area that, with its numerous bars, cinemas and bookshops, is the cultural centre of the Anatolian side. Kadıköy became a district in 1928 when it seceded from Üsküdar district (source: wikipedia).
We continued our trip from Kadikoy to Uskudar using Dolmus (a minibus). With 30 TL for 8 of us, Dolmus took us right in the Uskudar center.
Dolmus (minibus) terminal (Dolmus means "full)
We alighted at the main road of Uskudar. Üsküdar (ancient GreekChrysopolis medieval Scutari) was a city in Bithynia founded in the 7th century BC, in a valley leading down to the Bosphorus shore, by the inhabitants of the Greek colony of Khalkedon and was first known as Chrysopolis (city of gold) (Source: Wikipedia).
We visited Yeni Valide Camii (New Queen’s Mother Mosque) in Uskudar. The Yeni Valide Mosque is an Ottoman mosque built between the 1708 and 1710 on the iskele (dock) road by Emetullah Râbi’a Gülnûş Sultan, mother of Sultan Ahmed III. The main part of the building is square in shape and covered with a flattened main dome and four half domes. The mosque has two minarets with two balconies each (Source: Wikipedia)
Courtyard inside Yeni Valide Camii in Uskudar
From Uskudar, we headed to Camlica Hill. The hill is one of the highest hills of Istanbul (268 metres high) and almost all major broadcasting antennas are located on this hill, since the hill dominates a great part of the city. On the top of the hill, a public park with cafes remind the visitors of an Ottoman atmosphere. Thıs public park is sponsored by the government so expect lower prices on food and drink than usual.
Bosphorus bridge as seen from Camlica HillIstanbullus enjoy Camlica HillCamlica Hill
Down from Camlica Hill taking a taxi which its driver complained about his being marginalized for his lack of English proficiency, we arrived at Uskudar Iskelesi passing Iskele Camii. The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is one of Üsküdar’s best-known landmarks and takes its nicknames from the ferry landing near which it stands. It is the first of two mosques built by Mihrimah Sultana, daughter of SultanSuleiman the Magnificent and wife of Grand VizierRüstem Pasha. It was designed by Mimar Sinan and built between 1546 and 1548
Mihrimah Sultan Camii (Iskele Camii)
On the way back to Istanbul (Sultanahmet) by ferry, we passed Maiden Tower. Maiden’s Tower, also called Leander’s Tower, is built on a small islet surrounded by waters of Bosphorus off the Üsküdar coast . The Tower is accessible by boats both from Salacak (very frequent intervals four seasons) or from Kabataş in European Side, on the Bosphorus waterfront at the end of the funicular line from Taksim Square (about once every two hours, summers only). Story has it that a powerful emperor built the tower in the middle of the sea to protect his beloved daughter from death after hearing a prophecy told by a fortuneteller, but a snake had found its way to the tower (inside a basket of fruits) and, as you have already guessed, had bitten and killed the princess, although in reality it is far more likely that the place was built as a lighthouse to warn the ships entering the Bosphorus about the rocky islet the tower was built on. There is also a viewing area on the coast directly opposite the Tower where you can buy tea and sit down to enjoy the beauty of Bosphorus while listening to traditional Turkish music—much cheaper than the Tower itself. It is recommended to visit right at sunset, when the sun is reflecting off the water and the Tower’s lights are turning on. Also at the viewing area, there are 2-person gondola rides (as written by Wikitravel)
Maiden Tower
In the evening we enjoyed watching Sufi dance or whirling dervish ceremony. Fee was 40TL/25TL for adult/child under 15 respectively. We watched the dance at Hocapasha Center at Sirkeci area, just 5 minutes walk from our hotel. Hocapasha is used to be a hammam (Turkish bath) but now converted into a stage for sufi dance.
At Hocapasha center. Ready for watching whirling dervish ceremony
Sufi whirling (or Sufi spinning), is a physically active meditation which originated among Sufis, and which is still practiced by the Sufi Dervishes of the Mevlevi order. It is a customary dance performed within the Sema, or worship ceremony, through which dervishes (also called semazens) aim to reach the source of all perfection, or kemal. This is sought through abandoning one’s nafs, egos or personal desires, by listening to the music, focusing on God, and spinning one’s body in repetitive circles, which has been seen as a symbolic imitation of planets in the Solar System orbiting the sun (Source: Wikipedia).
Aya SofiaAya Sofia. Now a museum, Aya Sofia keeps evidences that it once a church and mosqueThe dome is 30 m in diameter and supported by 40 massive ribs constructed of special hollow bricksGreat mosaics upstairsObelisk of Theodosius - HippodromeDolmabahce Mosque and PalaceDolmabahce Clock TowerDolmabahce. Entrance Gate. On the left side is the ticket counterDolmabahce Palace enjoys a strategic position in Bosphorus StraitVisit into palace is through a guided tour. No individual visit. Turkish and English tours are available at scheduled timesIstiklal Caddesi, Taksim, shown here with crowds and nostalgic tramThis nostalgic tram plys between Taksim Square to Galata through the famous Istiklal CaddesiGalata TowerView towards Old City from rooftop cafe, Anemon Galata Hotel Galata Tower
Topkapi Gate - entrance to First CourtKitchen side of Topkapi PalaceOne area inside HaremThe Court of The Concubines and The Sultan's Consorts (inside Harem)Lunch with view at TopkapiEntrance to Grand Bazaar from Nuruosmaniye MosqueKapali Carsi, or Grand BazaarYeni Camii, or New Mosque, close to Spice BazaarSpice, from which Spice Bazaar gets its nameNot only spices but souvenirs are also available in Spice BazaarDoner kebab for our second dinner
Okay, let’s go back to Istanbul travelogues. This is the first among few travelogues planned.
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Finally the day has come. We were on Airbus of Jazeera Airways that took us to Sabiha Gökçen Airport , Istanbul. Although it is no-frills airline (i.e. you need to buy meals onboard, 0.5L water is 0.5KD), this budget airline was excellent: new plane, punctual, big baggage allowance (20kg), and economic. But these come with cost: depart 9 PM from Doha, transit in Kuwait City and arrive early morning, 2.45 AM in Istanbul. Transit in Kuwait City was unpleasant one; arrived at Arrival Terminal we were quiet puzzled as to where to go because there were no signs whatsoever that could direct us to transit terminal until somebody recognized us and directed us upstairs. Oh thanks Kuwait.
Arrived at Sabiha Gokcen Airport, I saw a long queue of people seeking for visa-on-arrival. Fortunately we had a pre-obtained visa from Turkish Embassy in Qatar so that an immigration check was very quick. The immigration officer was polite and helpful despite his limitation in English.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (http://www.sgairport.com/havaalani/eng/start.asp) is named after the first female combat pilot in the world and the first Turkish aviatrix . The airport is located 35 km southeast of central Istanbul, on the Asian side of bi-continental city.
The trip from airport to Sultanahmet was merely 45 minutes, owing to early morning traffic. We had an airport transfer from Erboy Hotel (http://www.erboyhotel.com) for we stay 7 nights. Taxi will normally cost you about 80 TL (1-4 people) or 120 TL (5-80 people).
Hotel Erboy
Early Morning Advantages
We could not have early check-in whereas all other rooms were also fully booked. So, stranded at the lobby we decided to take a walk to Sultanahmet for Subuh prayer. That early morning, amidst freezing temperature, we walked up tramvay from Gulhane to Sultanahmet. The decision seemed paid off. Streets were free of traffic, very quiet, and serenity was just excellent. Old city buildings, clean streets, warm lights, blue sky that provided constrasted background to yellow-lighted Blue Mosque made an attractive picture. We can’t stop clicking our camera shutter release to capture this wonderful view.
View towards Aya Sofia; that early morning on the first day in Istanbul
What is blue in Blue Mosque?
Blue Mosque that morning was hushed; no tourist crowd, while prayers might already finish their ritual. Only 8 of us inside the mosque, performed subuh prayer with prior cold-to-bone ablution. Finished praying we stay for a while enjoying the magnificent view of Blue Mosque interior. You must be wonder why this camii is called Blue Mosque.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.It was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. With this mosque, Sultan Ahmet I, set out to build a monument that would rival and even surpass the nearby Aya Sofya in grandeur and beauty. (Wikipedia and Lonely Planet)
Inside Blue Mosque. These now low-hanging electric lamps were used to be oil lamps.
Rather than walking straight from Sultanahmet Park through the crowds, I’ll suggest that you approach the mosque via the middle of the Hippodrome. This way you will be able to fully appreciate the mosque’s design.Once you’re iInside the courtyard you’ll be able to appreciate the perfect proportions of the building.
Huddled around Blue Mosque is a tomb of the founder (Sultan Ahmet I) on the north side facing Sultanahmet Park, an imaret (soup kitchen) to serve the poor, a hamam, a medrese (theological college) and shops (the Arasta Bazaar) to upkeep the mosque from the rent fee collected.
Try to see this mosque twice: during the day and night. See how you feel the differences.
Blue Mosque from Sultanahmet Park
Blue Mosque
Istanbul in 1.5 hours
If you have only limited time in Istanbul or need to have a quick orientation over main city attractions, look no further, buy a 20 Euro ticket from a red tour-booth in Sultanahmet Square and hop-on the open-top double-decker sightseeing tour bus. Bear in mind that the bus can be fully occupied. That happened to us. Bought tickets for 10 AM departure, the bus has already fully occupied, primarily on its open –top seats.
The bus is scheduled to depart hourly from bus stop at Sultanahmet Park with last departure at 5 PM.
We finally got the seats for the last departure. The bus crawled on tramvay to Gulhane Park then to Sirkeci Station. From here, bus was crossing Galata Bridge to Kadikoy, Tophane, and Dolmabahce. Taksim is the next destination. Flowing down the road to Beyoglu, the bus again crossing Golden Horn to Western areas of Istanbul, passing cable car station to Pierre Lotti. The bus then made a U-turn to stoll along the perimeter road of City Walls up to intersection to yenikapi, then back to Sultanahmet.
It was so enthralling to be able to see the pulses of life of Istanbul from above: narrow streets, street vendors, traffic, people, almost-all historical sights and touristic objects, amidst cold wind. Do remember that during winter, temperature can be freezing and you won’t be able to enjoy the trip freely as the top window will be shut.
To help you appreciate the trip, the bus operator provides you a headphone for listening to pre-recorded guides with as many as 11 language options. Plus music background that Ialways remember their lyrics and beats: ….”Istanbul….istanbul….ramazan…ramazan….”…. (hahaha….I’m not sure the actual song is!)
Escape the crowd at Sultanahmet, sank into this cistern
The street that you are stepping on in Sultanahmet Area may be located above this cistern. Covering an area of 65m wide and 143m long underground, this extraordinary subterranean structure is the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul. The cistern, located 500 feet (150 m) west of the Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
The cistern’s roof is supported by 336 columns arranged in 12 rows. Designed to store 80,000 cubic meters of water, this cistern is built to supply water for Topkapi Palace. The cistern is surrounded by a firebrick wall with a thickness of 4 metres (13 ft) and coated with a waterproofing mortar. The cistern’s water was provided from the Belgrade Woods—which lie 19 kilometres (12 mi) north of the city—via aqueducts built by the Emperor Justinian.
Access to the cistern is through a building on Yerebatan Caddesi near a small park behind Million Stone. Ticket is TL10, children are free. After passing an entrance gate, you will need to walk down the stairs to walking platform. With perfect music and lighting background you’ll be able to appreciate the mystics of this cistern. Dripping water, fishes patrolling in dark water, massive column, brickwalls.
Basilica Cistern
Try to allocate 30 minutes here. Please bear in mind that entrance and exit are separate. You will be exiting onto Alemdar St (ascending tramvay from Gulhane to Sultanahmet Station). There is a photo booth where you can dress like Turkish Sultan and be photographed at the entrance for 5 Euro and a café and souvenir shop at the exit.
Sleep-deprived due to inconvenient departure time, we made it up by taking a short snap following check-in at 1 PM. I should have understood the price of using a low cost airline. No worry though given the cost saving from it.
To end the day we spent dinner at hotel’s resturanct, free complimentary dinner, again benefiting from long stay. Come at about 9 PM we need to wait quite long until meals were ready. So long enough that we skipped our dessert. (Our free dinner includes one starter, one main course, and one dessert. Drinks are at your own cost)
That’s all for the first day. Good enough and we were still on schedule.
I’ve been so tied up with busy works (“old” train shutdown and one mega train shutdown) that I can’t write any single post lately. Bear with me. But here is Istanbul at its best. Captured through the lens of 4 medias: Canon EOS 7D, Nokia N85, Panasonic Lumix TZ7 and Sony Handycam HDR-XR500E.
Public transportation in Istanbul is diverse, efficient, punctual, pretty cheap and diverse. Buses, dolmuş, ferries, metros, trams, trains and taxis are yours to travel within and beyond the city. If on foot can be categorized as a means of transportation, this may be your primary means: especially in Sultanahmet area where large concentrations of attractions are within walking distance.
I brief here three modes of transportation that I’ve tried while in Istanbul. I don’t recommend you to take a bus: it is not the quickest means of transportation (suffering from traffic jams, route is not as clear as train or ferry), and is not the most comfortable way of transportation (can be very crowded)and most buses don’t have (properly working) air-conditioning systems). However, if you want to experience riding bus in Istanbul, please browse IETT (http://www.iett.gov.tr/en/index.php).
Each time you use a tram, metro, bus, or boat on the public transport system, you will need to use a token. The price for one jeton to use in all railway systems, boat and bus is 1.5TL. Kids below 6 yrs are free. You can buy jeton from automatic machine/dispenser (Jetonmatik), from Jeton staffed booth (not at all stations), or from vendors (which display Jeton sign). One jeton is valid for one entry no matter how long you use railway system and not dependent on how far you go (flat rate).
Jeton (token) used for tram line, funicular lineJetonmatik. Insert 1 Tl or 50 kurus coin, or 5 or 10 TL notes (max) then press "Onay" for obtaining JetonYou can also buy Jeton at street vendor that display Jeton sign
Tram, train, funicular & metro
Istanbul has 2 metro lines, 5 tram lines and 2 funiculars. For general idea, please see this map of metro, tram, train in Istanbul. As a tourist you will most likely only need and use the M2, T1 and F1.
Istanbul Railway Network System
You will have to pass the turnstiles (by inserting Jeton) in order to reach the waiting platform to get on a metro, tram or funicular. Some platforms are loosely guarded and can be easily accessed by pedestrian without passing the turnstiles.
Metro Line: Taksim – 4.Levent
I used this metro from Taksim to go north to Kanyon shopping mall. As a tourist, you’ll probably use the metro for shopping purposes. Shopping centers along this line are among others Cevahir Mall Profilo shopping centers (Şişl Station) and Kanyon and Metrocity (Levent)
Tram Line: Zeytinburnu-Kabataş
This is the most frequently used line among all. It connects the historical peninsula with the modern Istanbul by crossing Golden Horn (Galata Bridge). The line is 14km long, has 24 stations and serves many popular tourist sites (e.g. in Sultanahmet) and ferries (e.g. Eminönü).
Some important stops are:
– Laleli Üniversitesi – Süleymaniye Mosque
– Beyazıt – Istanbul University, Beyazit Camii and Suleymaniye Mosque, Grand Bazaar
– Cemberlitaş – Grand Bazaar, Cemberlitas Hamam, Nuruosmaniye Camiee
– Sultanahmet – Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Aya Sofia, Basilica Cistern and Sultanahmet areas
– Gulhane – Gulhane Park, Topkapi Palace, Istanbul Archaelogical Museums
– Sirkeci – suburban trains, Hocapasha Center (Sufi Dance)
– Eminönü – Yeni Camii, Spice Bazaar, Rustem Pasha, Iskelesi to Uskudar, Kadikoy, Bosphorus Cruise and other destinations, Galata Bridge
– Kabataş – Taksim Square (with connection via Funicular), Iskelesi to Uskudar and Prince’s Island, Dolmabahce Palace (400m walk) .
Tram Line Zeytinburnu-Kabatas is seen on Alemdar St, Sultanahmet area
Funicular: Taksim-Kabataş
This funicular, takes you up the steep hill from Kabataş to Taksim in only 150 seconds. If you alight from tram line at Kabatas, do not exit from the station. Look for Funicular sign and go to underground access to Funicular station. You can use the same token.
Kabatas - Taksim Funicular
Suburban Train Line: Sirkeci – Halkali
I myself did not get on this train but my wife did to go to Olivium shopping mall (alight at Kazlicesme station). The train is quite old, has longer interval than tram and passing suburban areas that are crowded, and filthy, she said. You need to buy different Jeton than for tram line. If you hop on from Sirkeci station, make an effort to visit Sirkeci Train Museum on the left side of station.
My real life example
I wanted to go from Sultanahmet to Kanyon shopping mall or Taksim. I hopped on tram line Zeytinburnu-Kabatas heading to Kabatas from Gulhane station (where my hotel is nearby) or Sultanahmet (after visiting Aya Sofia). I got offt at Kabatas station then transfered to Funicular Kabatas-Taksim. I exited here to go to Taksim Square or Istiklal Caddesi or transferred to Metro. I hopped on metro line Taksim – 4.Levent (by following direction or footprint sign on the floor). I get off at Levent for Kanyon shopping mall.
Taxi
During my 7-day stay in Istanbul, I used taxi only for four trips. Two were for Sirkeci – Miniaturk v.v and another two were Uskudar – Camlica Hill v.v. Three of them were with taxi meter and one with fixed rate. Taxis are plentiful in Istanbul. Unfortunately, few taxi drivers are con-artists. My one-way travel from Sultanahmet to Miniaturk costs me approximately 16 TL but 21 TL on the way back. From Uskudar to Camlica Hill is 15 TL (fixed rate bargain) and 14 TL on the way back. Tipping is generally unnecessary.
See Taxi tourist trap section on Istanbul – Preparation blog.
Official taxi is the “yellow-colored” one and has a sign on the roof with the word taksi on it.
Haggling for taxi in Taksim (example of official taxi)
Boat
Many Istanbul ferries travel between the European and Asian sides of the city. The strait crossing takes about 20 minutes and costs 1.50 TL (you need to buy different Jeton than what you use for train). The ferry itself is clean, and has a small cafeteria where you can buy cay or coffee or snacks.
To go for the destination of your choice you should take the ferry which departs from specific destination ferry dock (Iskelesi). So if you want to head for, say, Uskudar from Eminonu, you should take the ferry which departs from ‘Üsküdar Iskelesi’.
Kadikoy Iskelesi at EminonuInside a ferry to Kadikoy
Dolmus
I took Dolmus for travelling from Kadikoy to Uskudar. It costed 8 of us 30 TL for use of Dolmus only for us (called it chartered). I myself did not know the appropriate rate but thought that this could have been cheaper.Dolmuş (Turkish: “full”) is a shared taxi (Bahasa Indonesia: “angkot”), travelling on a fixed route. They can carry up to 8 passengers. Painted in yellow as taxis with a Dolmus sign on its top, Dolmus is easy to recognize. Like Angkot, Dolmus will only start moving after all eight places are filled.
A list of tour and its price is listed below. Tour price is normally tagged in Euro. You can pay by credit card but I found them charging with quite higher currency rate. It’s better to pay them with cash in Euro. Children below 2 are free, and below 7 years old is 30% discount. Istanbul tours fee include transportation (to/from in-city hotel), guide, entrance fees, meals as mentioned and VAT.
Plantours Tour FeesSenkron Tours Tour Fees (summarized from its brochure)
Entrance Fee
Listed below is entrance fee to top major sights in Istanbul. No entrance fee to bazaars, mosques, and tombs. However, at some tomb places donation is voluntarily requested.
Topkapi Palace 20 TL, children free
Topkapi Palace Harem 15 TL
Hagia Sophia 20 TL, children free
Basilica Cistern 10 TL, children free
Archaelogical Museum 10 TL, children free
Miniaturk 10 TL
Dolmabahce Palace, 20 TL, children free
Galata Tower, 10 TL
Camlica Hill, free
Naval Museum, 4 TL
Istanbul Modern, 7 TL
Chora Church, 10 TL
Military Museum, 4 TL
Sufi Dance, 35-40 TL, children under 15 25 TL (including refreshment)
Entrance Ticket - Examples
An explore dream discover life episode of an Indonesian family in Qatar
CGK-DOH 