Every week in Istanbul more than 200 markets (pazar) are set. This is an old tradition that comes from the Ottoman times. Markets in Turkey offer more than just fruit and vegetables. You can find almost anything in the markets mentioned in this article. Textiles have a great hand in the popularity of markets. Even celebrities and high-society members are spotted while shopping … [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...]
Where to Buy What Quality Souvenirs in Istanbul
Actually, the question is not only what souvenirs to buy in Istanbul, but how to make sure the gifts are original and of excellent quality! With Istanbul's vast history and different influences, you get easily overwhelmed while looking for a gift or a souvenir. Not in the least because you'll run into a low quality souvenir shop or stand on almost every street corner. In … [Read more...]
Top 9 Shopping Centers in Istanbul
Shopping centers can be considered as a very young concept in Turkey, since the history goes back only to the late 80s. However, once the malls appeared on the shopping scene, the Turks embraced them. Almost every neighborhood has at least one. Following you can find some of the biggest and fanciest shopping centers in Istanbul. They are mostly close to the Taksim area, thus … [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...]