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...]
Is the Asian Side of Istanbul Worth Visiting – Part 1
Yes, it is. But only if you're in Istanbul for 4 days or more, or visiting this gorgeous Turkish metropolitan for the second time. Let's not beat around the bush, with the huge concentration of (historical) sightseeing spots on the European side of Istanbul, the Asian shore is playing second fiddle to its European counterpart.If you already have this 'been there, done that' … [Read more...]