Istanbul is the perfect city to visit on a weekend trip. Unparalleled experiences with exciting contrasts await you, where old and new and east and west meet. Culture buffs can make all their dreams come true at the recently opened Atatürk Culture Center and Beyoglu Cultural Road, which is packed with a myriad of museums and cultural attractions. Gourmets are also in the right place here. Istanbul offers unparalleled restaurants, whether you want to try a gastronomic experience, local cuisine or street food. Night owls can look forward to the many cozy rooftop bars, terraces and nightclubs of Istanbul.
The newly opened center is a must for all culture lovers. Atatürk Culture Center offers a program of rotating exhibitions and programs with art, theatre, opera and various workshops with both local and international artists. There are also special activities for children.
Beyoğlu is one of the most popular areas of Istanbul, and this is where an exciting cultural street originated - Beyoğlu Cultural Road. On the stretch you will find Atatürk Cultural Center, Galata Tower Museum, Galata Mevlevi Lodge, Tarık Zafer Tunaya Cultural Center, Narmanlıhan Historic Building, Muammer Karaca Theater, Garibaldi Hall, Egypt Apartment, Atlas Cinema Museum, Grand Pera and Historic Cinema Emek Stage. Take your time here to learn about Turkish culture and history.
The Galata Tower is one of Istanbul's most famous landmarks, towering over the Beyoğlu and Karaköy districts. The recently renovated tower now houses a museum and it has become popular with visitors to photograph the Bosphorus from the top terrace of the tower with views over the entire city. At various festivals or other festivities, such as New Year's Eve, the tower is also used as a backdrop for video art and performance shows.
This area of Istanbul is the most visited in the whole city, yes, in the whole country. Here are many historical and famous buildings such as Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Little Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Sunken Palace (also called Basilica Cistern), Haiga Irene, Archaeological Museum and Turkish and Islamic Art Museum . All are within a ten minute walk.
Want to dance the night away, or rather have an elegant drink on a rooftop terrace overlooking the Bosphorus? Whatever your evening has to offer, you will find many great options in Istanbul. Beyoğlu is definitely the neighborhood of Istanbul where you walk into the city and the busy narrow streets are filled with small cafes, restaurants and bars. If you go to a nightclub, it is in Kuruçeşme, Ortaköy or Bebek where it happens. Here are several famous nightclubs, which attract DJs from all over the world, and here you can party until the sun comes up.
You never have to go hungry in Istanbul. Food is available 24 hours a day. You can find delicious street food around the clock in the most vibrant districts of Eminönü, Galata, Karaköy and Taksim. Try some of the local specialties, for example kokorec – grilled lamb casings in freshly baked bread, midye dolma – stuffed mussels, tavuklu pilav – chicken with rice or roasted chestnuts.
If you're wondering where the city kids of Istanbul hang out, Kadiköy is the place to go. Kadiköy is located on the Asian side of the city and here you will find numerous art galleries, cozy cafes and delicious restaurants. If you are interested in art, don't miss Sanatçılar Sokağı, which literally means “artist street” where many artists, painters and sculptors have studios. Kadıköy also offers many exciting buildings, museums and monuments. An example is Süreyya Operası, a historic building that used to be used as an opera house, or Haydarpaşa Garı, which was built in the early 1900s as a train station, but today is used as a hub for boat traffic. We recommend families with children to visit Istanbul Oyuncak Müzesi, the city's toy museum.
Istanbul has a long and rich history as a trading city and even today people hungry for shopping make a pilgrimage to the Grand Bazaar – Kapali Carsi in Turkish, Grand Bazaar in English – and the Spice Bazaar, the spice bazaar. Here, residents and tourists alike do their daily shopping in a delightful mix of souvenirs, clothing, furniture, meat, fruit, vegetables and everything in between. But Istanbul has many good neighborhoods and streets for shopping. Istiklal Street between Taksim Square and Ttünel Square is a good example. If you are looking for designer brands, head to the Nişantaşı district and walk up and down Abdi Ipekçi Street and Mim Kemal Öke Street.
Balat is one of the oldest and most spectacular neighborhoods in Istanbul. Known for its cobbled streets and colorful wooden facades, the area has become one of the city's most photographed neighborhoods. Balat was built by immigrants and many Jewish and Greek Orthodox families still live in the area, as evidenced by the impressive Greek Fener Gymnasium. Nowadays there are also many cozy cafes, restaurants and shops in the area.
You haven't actually been to Istanbul before cruising the Bosphorus, which separates Europe from Asia. From the waterfront you have fantastic views over the city with its mix of new and old – beautiful palaces, small fishing villages and bustling harbours. Some of the sights best seen from the waterfront include the impressive Dolmabahçe Palace, the verdant parks and imperial pavilions at Yıldız Palace, and Çırağan Palace, which was decorated by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1874 but has now been converted to a hotel. You can experience it all most easily by boarding one of the many passenger boats that sail back and forth along the strait. If you want to make the trip alone, there are also private providers that offer tailor-made boat trips.
