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...]
Marmaray Tunnel Connects Istanbul’s European and Asian Side by Train
The Marmaray Tunnel is a 13,6 km tunnel, partially running under the Bosphorus, and connecting the existing train railways on Istanbul's European and Asian side. This public transportation project, inaugurated in October 2013, is another attempt to ease the traffic over both Bosphorus bridges by offering people an alternative on rails. So, how can this be of any use for … [Read more...]
Bebek, Istanbul’s Trendy Village along the Bosphorus
Bebek is a very trendy village along the Bosphorus. It has a buzzing atmosphere and it is well-known for the nice cafés and shops that line the waterfront. Locals also praise Bebek for its nice seaside promenade, ideal for long strolls along the strait. Location Bebek is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus. It has a nice deep and wide bay, which offers stunning … [Read more...]
Istanbul Tour in Balat Including Chora Church, City Walls and the Patriarchate
I recently made a three hour Istanbul tour in Balat, one of Istanbul's oldest neighbourhoods. This part of town is a melting pot of immigrants, including Jews, Orthodox Christians, and of course Turks. It took me to the old City Walls, the Kariye Museum (Kariye Müzesi or Chora Church) and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. If you're interested in Istanbul's history from the late … [Read more...]
Is the Asian Side of Istanbul Worth Visiting – Part 2
Previously I already explained when and why it is worth to visit the Asian side of Istanbul. If you missed that part, I strongly suggest you to read it first. In this second leg of this series on Istanbul's Asian shore, I'll focus on famous places such as Fenerbahçe, Bağdat Caddesi, Haydarpaşa, Üsküdar, and how to reach the Maiden Tower. Fenerbahçe and Kalamış … [Read more...]