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...]
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...]
Is Büyükada the Only Princes’ Island of Istanbul I Should Visit?
As I mentioned in a previous post, you can visit only four of the nine Princes' Islands in Istanbul: Büyükada, Heybeliada, Kınalıada and Burgazada. Unfortunately, not all islands are equally interesting or beautiful. So, which Istanbul island should you visit, and when? The purpose of this post is to introduce all four of the Princes' islands and list what they have to … [Read more...]
Why and How Should You Visit the Princes’ Islands in Istanbul?
Istanbul has two major tourist attractions that will take almost a full day out of your holiday: a visit to one or more of the Princes' Islands and a boat tour on the Bosphorus. People rightfully ask me if it's worth sacrificing one or two days of their often already short stay in Istanbul? That is a tough question to answer, and completely based on personal preferences. So let … [Read more...]
The Jewish Community and Notable Synagogues in Istanbul
The vast majority of the Jewish community in Turkey (currently estimated at around 26.000 people) lives in Istanbul. This is only a fraction of the 500.000 Jews that once lived in Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire -- a time when Jews and Christians made up 40% of Istanbul's population. Read on for a short history about the Jewish community and an overview of notable synagogues … [Read more...]