Visiting Turkey

European Capital of Culture 2010 is Istanbul

2009-07-10T01:44:00.001-07:00

Istanbul
Originally uploaded by zsoolt

Istanbul has been chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2010.

As the European Capital of Culture, Istanbul will feature special art, music, performance, literature, cinema, museums and other events to celebrate its place as the center of the continent's culture.

Visit www.istanbul2010.org for more information about Istanbul as the European Capital of Culture 2010.

Best Restaurants in Istanbul

2009-05-31T09:26:00.001-07:00

Halat Restaurant @ Koc Museum, Istanbul
Originally uploaded by Ebu Cehil

Istanbul has no shortage of great food and hip restaurants. Based on many dining experiences in the city, our favorite restaurants in Istanbul are the following:

Galata House Restaurant

Mikla Restaurant

Ulus 29 Restaurant

Refik Restaurant

Lebi Derya Restaurant

Istanbul Modern Cafe

Mikla Restaurant, Istanbul

2009-05-31T09:24:00.001-07:00

21_09
Originally uploaded by Mimar Sinan

Mikla Restaurant
Address: Marmara Pera Hotel, Mesrutiyet Caddesi 167/185 Tepebasi, Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 251 4646

Mikla restaurant, the Marmara Pera Hotel's top floor gem, is the perfect place for a romantic dinner in Istanbul.

With great views over the Bosphorus and inventive Turkish cuisine served up nightly, Mikla is a must-visit on any trip to Istanbul.

Ulus 29 Restaurant, Istanbul

2009-05-31T09:20:00.001-07:00

istanbul via bridge
Originally uploaded by Can Aydin

Ulus 29 Restaurant
Address: Kirechane Sokak 1, Adnan Saygun Caddesi, Ulus Park, Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 358 2929

Ulus 29 restaurant is a trendy restaurant on the European side of Istanbul.

Situated in a park with amazing views over the Bosphorus, Ulus 29 has a menu that ranges from traditional Turkish to inventive Mediterranean to delicious sushi.

Istanbul Modern Art Museum

2009-05-17T04:41:00.001-07:00

Istanbul Modern
Originally uploaded by svenwerk

Istanbul Modern Phone: 0 212 334 73 00
Istanbul Modern Address: Meclis-i Mebusan Ave. Liman Isletmeleri
Sahası Antrepo No:4 Karakoy Istanbul

Istanbul Modern Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Istanbul Modern is closed Mondays, January 1st, and the first day of religious holidays.

Istanbul Modern Admission Price:

Adults: 7 lira (free on Thursdays)

The Istanbul Modern is Istanbul's fantastic waterfront modern art museum. Situated in a former dockyard warehouse on the Bosphorous, the Istanbul Modern is a large, airy space full of modern and contemporary art by Turkish and international artists.

The Istanbul Modern's restaurant is one of the non-artistic highlights of the museum. With a terrace on the Bosphorus, the restaurant serves up light meals, desserts, and drinks for you to enjoy while you overlook the water.

Lebi Derya Bar and Restaurant, Istanbul

2009-05-17T04:31:00.001-07:00

Istanbul135
Originally uploaded by stijn

Lebi Derya Phone: +90 (0) 212 293 4989
Lebi Derya Address: Kumbaracı Yokusu, Kumbaracı is Hani, No: 57/6 Tunel, Beyoglu Istanbul

Lebi Derya Hours:
Mon - Thu: 5:00pm - 2:00am
Friday: 5:00pm - 3:00am
Saturday: 10:00am - 3:00am
Sunday: 10:00am - 2:00am

Cool and sleek, Lebi Derya bar and restaurant is a hidden gem with one of the best views in Istanbul.

Located on a side street in Beyoglu, it's easy to pass by Lebi Derya without even knowing it's there. But if you do know it's there, it's worth stopping by.

On the top floor of a building that overlooks the Bosphorus, Lebi Derya is a great spot for brunch, lunch, dinner, or drinks. Serving up international cuisine and excellent cocktails, Lebi Derya is a popular restaurant and bar for locals and visitors alike.

In the summer, the wide windows open to make for an al-fresco feeling to the dining room and bar, so get to Lebi Derya early or book ahead to get the table with the best view.

Galata House Restaurant, Istanbul

2009-05-17T04:23:00.001-07:00

Meat-ravioli with tartar sauce
Originally uploaded by kradeki

Galata House Phone: 0112 245 1861
Galata House Address: Galata Kulesi Sokak 15, Galata, Istanbul

Located 100m down a quiet residential street from the famous Galata Tower, Galata House restaurant is a hidden gem in Istanbul's restaurant scene.

A former British civil prison, Galata House restaurant was purchased and renovated by architects Mete and Nadire Goktug, who turned the house into a restaurant that serves up authentic Russian and Georgian food.

Galata House restaurant has two main dining rooms, one at the front of the house that has cozy window-side tables, and one at the back of the house that has room for large parties. In the summer you can dine al fresco on the terrace, which is a real treat.

The food at Galata House restaurant is excellent. To start, try the mixed appetizer plate, which features yogurt with squash, walnut spread, walnut-stuffed eggplant, and beet salad.

For your main, choose from veal goulash, Tatar meat ravioli with cream (Nadire's mother's recipe!), lamb with plum sauce, or another of the many delicious Russian and Georgian dishes.

While you dine, Mete, an Istanbul native and polyglot (equally fluent in English, French, and Danish, as I witnessed last time I was there), will tell you all about the history of the building. He'll even give you a tour after dinner if you ask.

While Mete talks, Nadire will sit down at the piano and play and sing Russian folk songs. An authentic touch that adds a special ending to an already authentic meal!

Refik Restaurant, Istanbul

2009-05-17T04:10:00.001-07:00

Dinner@ Refik in Beyoglu
Originally uploaded by JustinBaum

Refik Phone: (0212) 243 28 34
Refik Address: Istiklal Caddesi Sofyali Sokak 6-8, Beyoglu
Refik Hours: Daily from 12:00pm-2:00am

Situated right on a beautiful little pedestrian walkway in Beyoglu, Refik is one of the best restaurants in Istanbul for authentic Turkish food and good local atmosphere.

65 years old, Refik restaurant buzzes with people eating helping after helping of mezze (Turkish small plates), koefta, kagitta pastirma (pastrami), lamb kebabs, arnavut cigeri (liver), and of course Turkish raki.

Refik is decorated with photos and newspaper clippings detailing the restaurant's long history and success. Both visitors and locals frequent Refik for its authentic atmosphere and delicious Turkish food.

In the summer when the weather is nice, it's perfect to stroll along the narrow streets and enjoy a drink at a nearby bar or cafe before you head to Refik for lunch or dinner.

NB: Reservations at Refik are recommended, as it gets busy throughout the year. If you want outside seating at Refik in the summer, make sure to book a table well in advance.

Flights to Istanbul from Other Cities and Countries

2009-03-18T02:37:00.001-07:00

Istanbul Airport
Originally uploaded by David Bailey MBE

International flights to Istanbul fly into Ataturk International Airport, which is located 15 km southwest of the Istanbul city center.

Below is a list of international airlines with flights to Istanbul:

Adria Airways
Adria Airways has flights to Istanbul from Ljubljana

Aeroflot
Aeroflot has flights to Istanbul from Moscow, Sochi, Rostov

Aerosvit Airlines
Aerosvit Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Kiev

Air Algerie
Air Algerie has flights to Istanbul from Algiers

Air France
Air France has flights to Istanbul from Paris

Air Malta
Air Malta has flights to Istanbul from Malta

Air Moldova
Air Moldova has flights to Istanbul from Chisinau

airBaltic
airBaltic has flights to Istanbul from Riga

Albanian
Albanian Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Tirana

Alitalia
Alitalia has flights to Istanbul from Milan, Rome

Armavia
Armavia has flights to Istanbul from Yerevan

AtlasJet
AtlasJet has flights to Istanbul from Erbil, Kavala, Mykonos, Nis, Pristinia

Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Vienna

British Airways
British Airways has flights to Istanbul from London

Bulgaria Air
Bulgaria Air has flights to Istanbul from Sofia

Buraq Air
Buraq Air has flights to Istanbul from Tripoli

Cyprus Turkish Airlines
Cyprus Turkish Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Ercan, Frankfurt

Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines has flights to Istanbul from New York

EgyptAir
EgyptAir has flights to Istanbul from Cairo

Emirates
Emirates has flights to Istanbul from Dubai

Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has flights to Istanbul from Abu Dhabi

Finnair
Finnair has flights to Istanbul from Helsinki

Gulf Air
Gulf Air has flights to Istanbul from Bahrain

Iberia
Iberia has flights to Istanbul from Barcelona, Madrid

Jat Airways
Jat Airways has flights to Istanbul from Belgrade

KLM
KLM has flights to Istanbul from Amsterdam

Korean Air
Korean Air has flights to Istanbul from Seoul

LOT Polish Airlines
LOT Polish Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Warsaw

Lufthansa
Lufthansa has flights to Istanbul from Frankfurt, Munich

Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Kuala Lumpur

Malev Hungarian Airlines
Malev Hungarian Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Budapest

MAT Macedonian Airlines
MAT Macedonian Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Skopje

Middle East Airlines
Middle East Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Beirut

Olympic Airlines
Olympic Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Athens, Thessaloniki

Onur Air Amsterdam
Onur Air has flights to Istanbul from Amsterdam, Paris, Zurich

Red Wings Airlines
Red Wings Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Moscow

Rossiya
Rossiya has flights to Istanbul from St Petersburg

Royal Air Maroc
Royal Air Maroc has flights to Istanbul from Casablanca

Royal Jordanian Airlines
Royal Jordanian Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Amman

Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has flights to Istanbul from Doha

SAS
SAS has flights to Istanbul from Stockholm

Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Dubai, Singapore

Swiss
Swiss has flights to Istanbul from Geneva, Zurich

TAROM
TAROM has flights to Istanbul from Bucharest

Thomas Cook Airlines
Thomas Cook Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Brussels

Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Amsterdam, Athens, Bahrain, Bangkok, Barcelona, Basel, Beijing, Beirut, Belgrade, Berlin, Birmingham, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Cairo, Cape Town, Casablanca, Chicago, Cologne, Copenhagen, Dakar, Damascus, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Hanover, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Lisbon, Ljubljana, London, Lyons, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Moscow, Mumbai, Munich, Muscat, Nairobi, New York, Nice, Nuremberg, Osaka, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Riga, Rome, Sao Paulo, Sarajevo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sofia, Stockholm, St Petersburg, Strasbourg, Stuttgart, Tel Aviv, Tirana, Tokyo, Toronto, Tripoli, Tunis, Venice, Vienna, Warsaw, Zagreb, Zurich

VIM Airlines
VIM Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Moscow

Below is a list of domestic Turkish airlines that fly to Istanbul:

AtlasJet
AtlasJet has flights to Istanbul from Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Istanbul, Izmir

Onur Air
Onur Air has flights to Istanbul from Adana, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Diyarbakir, Erzurum, Gaziantep, Izmir, Kayseri, Konya, Malatya, Mardin

Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has flights to Istanbul from Adana, Adiyaman, Agri, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Batman, Bodrum, Bursa, Canakkale, Dalaman, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Istanbul-Atatürk, Istanbul-Sabiha Gokcen, Izmir, Kahramanmaras, Kars, Kayseri, Konya, Malatya, Mardin, Mus, Nevsehir, Samsun, Sinop, Sivas, Sanliurfa, Trabzon, Usak, Van

Turkey Passport and Visa Requirements

2009-03-17T04:59:00.001-07:00

Turkey20187
Originally uploaded by thisyearsboy

Turkey Visa and Passport Requirements for U.S. Citizens:

Passport with six months' validity from arrival date required. Visa required. For tourist/business stay of up to 90 days in Turkey a sticker visa can be purchased for around 20 USD at port of entry in Turkey.

Turkey Visa and Passport Requirements for Canadian Citizens: Passport with six months' validity from arrival date required. Visa required. For tourist/business stay of up to 90 days in Turkey a sticker visa can be purchased for around 20 USD at port of entry in Turkey.

Turkey Visa and Passport Requirements for EU Citizens:

Passport with six months' validity from arrival date required for most EU countries.* Visa required (except for Bulgarian citizens). For tourist/business stay of up to 30 or 90 days** in Turkey a sticker visa can be purchased for around 20 USD at port of entry in Turkey.

Turkey Visa and Passport Requirements for New Zealand Citizens:

Passport with six months' validity from arrival date required. Visa not required for stay of up to 90 days.

Turkey Visa and Passport Requirements for South African Citizens:

Passport with six months' validity from arrival date required. Visa required. For tourist/business stay of up to 30 days in Turkey a multiple-entry sticker visa can be purchased for around 20 USD at port of entry in Turkey. South African citizens may be asked to show proof of funds upon arrival (50USD/day).

Turkey Visa and Passport Requirements for UK Citizens:

Passport with six months' validity from arrival date required. Visa required. For tourist/business stay of up to 90 days in Turkey a sticker visa can be purchased for around 20 USD at port of entry in Turkey. British National Overseas passport holders outside of Hong Kong must obtain a visa from an overseas Turkish mission prior to arrival in Turkey.

*Passport not required for citizens of Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, and Spain. Nationals from these EU countries are permitted to enter Turkey with a national ID card with validity of one year from arrival date.

**30 days for nationals some EU countries, including Greek Cypriot AR, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovak Republic. 90 days for nationals of some EU countries, including Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and the UK.

NB: Requirements are subject to change, so be sure to check the website of your country's embassy or consulate before you travel.

W Hotel Istanbul

2009-03-17T04:36:00.001-07:00

W Hotel Istanbul
Originally uploaded by pdbreen

The W Hotel
Address: Suleyman Seba Cad No: 22, Akaretler, Besiktas, Istanbul 34357, Turkey
Phone: (90)(212) 381 2121

The W Hotel is one of the best hotels in Istanbul.

Situated in the middle of the historic 19th century Akaretler Row Houses in chic Besiktas, the W Hotel's location is perfect for boutique shopping, cafe dwelling, and reveling in Istanbul's good life.

Rooms at the W Hotel in Istanbul feature WI-FI, luxurious W beds, flat screen TVs, a Munchie Box full of snacks, and all the luxury amenities you would expect from a W.

The W Hotel also offers the chic W Lounge, gorgeous spa treatment rooms, Jean-Georges’s Spice Market restaurant, a top-notch fitness center, and a beautiful roof deck with views over Istanbul.

Besiktas, Istanbul

2008-10-29T10:54:00.001-07:00

Besiktas
Originally uploaded by one2c900d

NYT: Newly Chic in Istanbul

The New York Times' latest article on Istanbul focuses on the up and coming Besiktas neighborhood. Highlights include the W Hotel Istanbul, the Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel, 1897 Konyali restaurant in Istanbul, Marc Jacobs and Jimmy Choo boutiques, and Kaymakci Pando restaurant in Istanbul.

Newly Chic in Istanbul
By GISELA WILLIAMS

THE old Istanbul neighborhood of Besiktas, which runs along the European side of the Bosphorus, has long betrayed a blue-collar state of mind. Its bustling markets, schools and ferry stations have been home to fishermen, off-duty cabdrivers, teenage students and Besiktas soccer fans.

But suddenly the area, pockets of it at least, are going seriously cosmopolitan, with names like Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo and Jean-Georges Vongerichten now near cramped vegetable stands and rickety tobacco shops.

At the heart of this metamorphosis is the historic Akaretler Row Houses, a two-block cluster of landmark town houses built by a 19th-century sultan to house his workers. As recently as a decade ago, it was a sinking eyesore. But in 2005, Serdar Bilgili, a developer and former Besiktas soccer club president, bought the complex and transformed it into one of Istanbul’s trendiest areas, with upscale apartments, international boutiques and elegant cafes.

At its center is a shiny new W Hotel (Suleyman Seba Caddesi 22; 90-212-381-2121; www.whotels.com/istanbul), the chain’s first in Europe. The lobby, with its mirrored surfaces, billowing curtains and colored lighting, could serve as the fictional set of “Real World Istanbul.” On the third floor is an outpost of Mr. Vongerichten’s Spice Market.

Continued on nytimes.com

Luxury Hammams in Istanbul

2008-09-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

NYT on Luxury Hammams in Istanbul

HIGH-END hotels are proliferating in Istanbul, and with them come ever more upscale spa services in the guise of traditional hammams, a welcome addition for anyone who has ever felt trepidation about entering a Turkish bath.

After all, hammams are places of steamy intrigue, full of shadowy movement and unreliable light, where an assembly line of large, damp attendants wearing only bikini underwear vigorously uses well-worn kese cloths to scrub dead skin off strangers. It is an intriguing scene to be sure, but one with a certain “eeew” factor.

Even so, a Turkish bath is an unforgettable experience and that’s why tourists in the Old City line up to pay anywhere from the equivalents of $35 to $65 to pour themselves into a musty beauty called Cagaloglu (Yerebatan Caddesi 34, Cagaloglu; 90-212-522-2424; www.cagalogluhamami.com.tr), or to squeeze into the smaller but charming Cemberlitas (Vezirhan Caddesi 8, Cemberlitas; 90-212-522-7974; www.cemberlitashamami.com.tr), just steps from the Grand Bazaar.

While relatively inexpensive, their popularity brings other costs. In these tourist hammams, service can feel rushed, the massage perfunctory and the facility so crowded that it can be difficult to carve out enough space to lie down on the central navel stone. But it’s worth asking: At several times the cost, are luxury hammams worth the price?

Continued on nytimes.com

Best Shopping in Istanbul

2008-09-03T06:39:00.001-07:00

Color Bazaar
Originally uploaded by svenwerk

Istanbul is notable for its grand markets, colorful bazaars and its increasingly trendy boutiques. Here are a few of my top picks for the best shopping in Istanbul:

Best Market in Istanbul:
Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

Best Food Shop in Istanbul:
Laleli Olive Oil Shop

Best Clothing Boutique in Istanbul:
Ece Sukan Vintage Shop

Ece Sukan Vintage Shop in Istanbul

2008-09-03T06:29:00.001-07:00

bazaar istanbul
Originally uploaded by shapeshift

Ece Sukan Vintage Shop
Ahmet Fetgari Sokak No 152, Nisantasi, Istanbul, Turkey

Former model Ece Sukan recently opened a vintage clothing store in Istanbul's stylish Nasantasi neighborhood. Selling goods by the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Miu Miu, the super stylish Ece Sukan Vintage Shop in Istanbul attracts foreign and local fashionistas alike.

Laleli Olive Oil Shop in Istanbul

2008-09-03T06:21:00.001-07:00

Zeytin ve Ekmek
Originally uploaded by istanbul_love

Laleli Olive Oil Shop
Cevdet Oasa Cad. 97/A, Bebek, Istanbul, Turkey

Laleli olive oli shop in Istanbul's Bebek neighborhood sells everything olive oil-based. From traditional and infused olive oils to olive soaps, tapenades and whole olives, Laleli has it all. Free samples abound, so get your taste buds ready!

Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

2008-09-03T06:14:00.001-07:00

Holy pocket watches! At the Grand Bazaar
Originally uploaded by Curious Expeditions

With over 4,000 shops, the Grand Bazaar is one of the best places for shopping in Istanbul. With goods like rugs, pottery, bowls, cotton goods, and brassware, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is the perfect place to pick up a gift, a souvenir or just to browse. Make sure to bring your bargaining skills with you.

NB: The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is closed Sunday.

Welcome!

2008-07-15T16:57:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Turkey!