Introducing Istanbul
Istanbul is hot. And we’re not talking about the weather. These days, there are more happening restaurants, bars, galleries and clubs around town than there are exquisite Ottoman mosques (and that’s a lot). The international fashion and design press have been talking up İstanbul ad nauseam, but the most significant thing about the accolade ‘World’s Hippest City’ is that İstanbullus themselves have come believe it. The creeping sense of decrepitude that had fallen like a pall over their once-all-powerful home town has vanished, replaced by a sense of energy and innovation not seen since the days of Süleyman the Magnificent.
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The city’s over-abundance of important historic buildings and exciting new art galleries and museums provides visitors with more than enough to see during the day, but it’s at night that the place swings into high-velocity, mega-stylish action. Locals are flocking to see and be seen at an ever-growing array of bars, clubs and restaurants, bringing with them an infectious sense of joie de vivre and a discerning ability to judge these places on their standard of service, drinks, music and food as well as their position in the what’s-hot-and-what’s-not stakes.
That’s not to say that the locals are turning their backs on much-loved city institutions such as the rakı-soaked meyhane (tavern) or tranquil çay bahçesi (tea garden), because they wouldn’t dream of doing anything so foolish. They know, after all, that such institutions are one of the reasons that their home is – and always has been – rightfully dubbed the ‘City of the World’s Desire’.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- See the best of Istanbul in a day
- Get ready for superb views during a Bosphorus cruise
- Set sail on a captivating tour of Turkey and Greece
Last updated: Feb 13, 2012
Tips & articles
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Navigating Istanbul by night
13 April 2012
The residents of Istanbul do a number of things extremely well. They shop with an almost religious fervour, they demand...
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A perfect trip to Turkey
4 April 2012
In this ancient country where Europe meets Asia, the sun shines down on a unique fusion of history and scenery,...
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The dying art of bargaining in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
26 March 2012
The elaborate etiquette of the Ottoman Empire lingers in many day-to-day rituals still observed in its greatest creation, the city...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Trains out of Istanbul
by ChristineAtSea 27 May 2012
I always prefer to take the bus in Turkey. Much better mode of transportation and you get to see so much of the country.
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RE: 10 hours in Istanbul
by ChristineAtSea 27 May 2012
You can also go and enjoy the area around Taxsim. Istklal Cadd is a fun street to walk down and when you get near the end of it you can…
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RE: Hotel in Istanbul for June 2012
by lorenzo622 27 May 2012
In recent years (2008 and 2010) I have stayed twice at the Turkoman Hotel in Sultanahmet, and I can strongly recommend it. It's a small,…
Istanbul
Things to do
- All things to do (482)
- Activities (48)
- Entertainment (89)
- Restaurants (104)
- Shopping (92)
- Sights (123)
- Tours (26)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Istanbul
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1 Blue Mosque
Istanbul's most famous landmark has minarets and visual pizazz galore
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2 Topkapi Palace
Get a glimpse into the sumptuous lives of sultans at this palace
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3 Kapalı Çarşı (Grand Bazaar)
This famous shopping mall has history and atmosphere galore
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4 Bosphorus Night Cruise
Enjoy the view back to the Old City, the twinkling lights and the fishing boats bobbing on the waves
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5 İstanbul Archaeology Museums
The Alexander sarcophagus is one of the highlights of this must-see museum complex
Fast Facts about Istanbul
- Sultan Mehmed ll Conquered Constantinople at age 21 after a 53 day siege at the head of an army of 100,000 and a fleet of 300 ships. This action in 1453 underlined the end of the Byzantine Empire.
- Average snowfall in Istanbul: 46cm, 18inch
- Literary jewel Istanbul can at least partially claim ownership of the novel Murder on the Orient Express, written by Agatha Christie in her room at the Pera Palas Hotel.
- The neighbours were old A Neolithic grave underneath the heart of modern Istanbul shows a settled lifestyle (housing, farming and fishing) in the city around 6000 years ago.
Our favourite Istanbul Blogs (beta)
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My Adventures Teaching English Abroad and How You Can Teach English Abroad
Blog: Backpacking on the Cheap - 26 May 2012
I first got interested in teaching English overseas when I got sick of my 9-5 job in Australia, and wanted something more from life. I didn’t want to waste away behind a desk doing stuff which didn’t feel meaningful at all. I did some research and found a good, cheap online TEFL school. (If you [...]
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Daily Wanderlust: Istanbul By Night
Blog: The Adventures of D - 24 May 2012
Daily Wanderlust: Istanbul By NightEditor’s Note: This is a guest post written by Nic Freeman. As the sun sets in an amber haze over the horizon of lego-like buildings and mosque minarets, Istanbul transforms [...]d travels 'round
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istanbul's tulips
Blog: The Road Forks - 24 May 2012
Striped tulips This is how it happened:
