Last updated: July 9, 2022 This spring I decided to give the Istanbul E-pass a try. I'll review what's included, what's not included (yet), how to get the pass, how to use it, and of course whether it's worth the investment. What is the Istanbul E-pass? As the name suggests, it's an electronic pass in the form of a QR code on the Istanbul E-pass app. It provides … [Read more...]
The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, World’s Oldest and Biggest Covered Market
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), built in the 15th century, is the oldest covered market in the world. Covering an area of 54.653 square meters, it also still ranks as one of the world’s biggest covered markets. In other words, keep on reading if you want to be prepared before entering this maze of 56 interconnecting vaulted passages, housing over 4.000 shops with persistent … [Read more...]
The Modern Part of Istanbul
Although this part of town houses less historical landmarks than the historical peninsula of Istanbul, neglecting the modern part of Istanbul would be a shame. It still has a fair amount of must-see sightseeing spots and is the place to be if you’re in for shopping, wining and dining or a great night out. The modern part of Istanbul is the area north of the Golden Horn and … [Read more...]
The Historical Peninsula of Istanbul
If this is your first time to Istanbul, you’ll be spending most of your time in this area of the city. Simply because it is home to most of the unmissable and famous sights. The historical peninsula of Istanbul is the area south of the Golden Horn and consists of boroughs such as Beyazıt, Eminönü, Fatih, Kumkapı, Sirkeci, Süleymaniye, Sultanahmet, and Tahtakale. Below you find … [Read more...]
The Golden Horn of Istanbul
The Golden Horn (Haliç) is an inlet of the Bosphorus with two rivers draining into it at the far end. It is considered to be the world’s largest natural harbor and separates the European shore of Istanbul into two. The best places to observe the Golden Horn’s activity and grace are the Galata Bridge if you want ringside seats, and the Topkapi Palace or Pierre Loti Café if you … [Read more...]