Information

The splendid city of Istanbul has many unique and fascinating features. It is the only city in the world reaching across two continents, with its old city in Europe and modern Istanbul situated in Asia, separated by the Bosphorus Strait. It is also unique in having had capital status during two successive empires, Christian Byzantine and Islamic Ottoman, and the legacy from both is visible in the modern city today. Istanbul's location on the water made it a much coveted site as a commercial shipping port and military lookout, and as capital of the Roman Empire, Constantinople, as it was known, became extremely desirable as a center of world trade, until Mehmet the Conqueror claimed it for the Ottoman Empire in 1453 and it became the imperial seat of the sultans. After the War of Independence the capital was moved to Ankara, but Istanbul still remains the commercial, historical and cultural heart of Turkey today. The charm and character of Istanbul lies in its endless variety and jumble of contradictions. Its fascinating history has bequeathed the city a vivid inheritance of Byzantine ruins, splendid palaces, ancient mosques and churches, hamams (bath-houses) and exotic bazaars. Modern Istanbul exudes trendy bars and nightclubs, western boutiques, office blocks, and elegant suburbs. The call to prayer heralds the start of each day and the city comes to life with over 12,000 residents forming a chaotic social and cultural mix of unscrupulous carpet merchants, wealthy shoppers, religiously veiled women and destitute beggars. Joining the noisy throng are over-awed tourists and those capitalising on the tourist trade.

Transportation

The best and easiest way to explore the old city is on foot, but to get to other areas there is a cheap public transport network consisting of buses, taxis or dolmuses (shared minibus taxis), tramways and a new metro system that relieves the pressure on Istanbul's endless traffic jams. The rechargeable Akbil electronic transit pass, available from special kiosks, is a discounted way of using local buses, trams, metro and ferries. Useful underground Metro lines run from Aksaray to the main city bus station at Esenler and the Ataturk Airport, and another north from Taksim Square passing the Levent districts. Buses are comprehensive, but slow and crowded; dolmuses and private yellow taxis are more comfortable than the city buses and very inexpensive, but it is advisable for foreigners to have their hotel call a private taxi for them and check that the meter is working, as overcharging is common. Dolmuses can be hailed anywhere along their set routes. Passenger ferries are a pleasant way to see the city, and there is also a train network running along the Mamara shore. Driving or hiring a car is not recommended due to traffic congestion and poor driving standards.

Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Airport Code: IST
Full Airport Name: Istanbul Ataturk International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 15 miles (23km) west of Istanbul.
Time Zone: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Phone Number: Tel: +90 212 465 5555.
Ground Transport: The Istanbul Metro system provides quick and easy access to the city, including the intercity bus terminal. Use metro station Zeytinburnu and transfer to a tram to reach the Eminonu ferry or Sea Bus docks. The Havas Airport Bus connects to Taksim Square. Taxis are also available.
Car Rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, National and Sixt.
Airport Facilities: Banks, ATMs and bureaux de change are available. Facilities for the disabled are good, but those with special needs should make advance arrangements with the airline. Other facilities include tourist information and hotel reservations, bars, restaurants, duty-free shopping, a conference center, a post office, 24-hour left luggage and first aid. Turkish Airlines and British Airways have their own lounges, while the Millennium Lounge serves the First Class and Business Class passengers of other airlines that run scheduled flights.
Car Parking: Short and long term parking is available.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.ataturkairport.com/eng/index.php

Attractions
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)
Famous for its impressive size, remarkable architecture and beautiful mosaics and frescoes, the massive ochre-colored domed structure known as Hagia Sophia is one of Istanbul's most popular attractions. It was commissioned as a cathedral in the 6th century and remained the most important church in Christianity for over 900 years. In the 15th century Mehmet II conquered the city and converted it into a mosque, adding the minarets and fountains. It functioned as such for the next 481 years until the founding of the secular Turkish Republic in 1934 when it was declared a museum. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest Byzantine buildings in the world, and the vast interior, with its huge soaring dome, is extraordinary. The interior contains different features from its time as a cathedral and then as a mosque, including incredible Byzantine mosaics, icons and marble columns, a mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca), and Islamic calligraphy inscriptions on the dome from the Ottoman period.
Address: Sultanahmet Square
Phone Number: (212) 518 1802
Transport: Sultanahmet tram stop
Hours: Open daily except Mondays from 9.30am to 4.30pm
Admission: 15 YTL

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
The Sultan Ahmet Camii, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, with its tiers of magnificent domes and six graceful minarets is one of the most striking and immediately distinguishable structures on the Istanbul's skyline. Constructed as an Islamic rival to the Hagia Sophia in 1609, it is one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture and is still used by hundreds of worshippers. The interior is splendidly decorated with thousands of blue and white Iznik tiles embellished with traditional Ottoman flower patterns, and it is this special feature that gives the mosque its name. Its design of successively descending smaller domes, soaring columns and 260 stained glass windows leaves a lasting impression of graceful accord and open space. At the back of the mosque is a Carpet and Kilim Museum exhibiting antiques from all over Turkey.
Address: Hippodrome, Sultanahmet
Phone Number: (212) 518 1319
Transport: Sultanahmet tram stop
Hours: Open daily, access restricted during prayer times, especially at midday on Fridays. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm
Admission: There is no charge for visiting the mosque, but the museum has a small entrance fee

Topkapi Palace Museum
The Topkapi Sarayi, built by Mehmet the Conqueror as a Sultan's Palace, consists of a sprawling collection of buildings arranged around several interconnecting courtyards. Magnificently situated on one of the seven hills of Istanbul with uninterrupted views over the Bosphorus River and the Golden Horn, it was the seat of the Ottoman Empire for almost four centuries. Home to nearly 3,000 people, it served as royal residence, harem, state administration and military barracks. One of the most popular sections is the harem, once the quarters of about 300 women who were the sultans' wives and concubines, and their children. Visitors can view the apartments, halls and terraces of the harem, and see the lavish royal bedchamber and Imperial Hall. No expense was spared in decorating the palace and exquisitely designed rooms, intricately detailed fountains and gateways, and the splendid Treasury, housing one of the greatest collections of treasure in the world, afford insight into the opulent lifestyle of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire.
Address: Topkapi Sarayi, Sultanahmet
Phone Number: (212) 512 0480, or 522 4422
Email Address: topkapisarayi@atlas.net.tr
Website: www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr/~history/topkapi.html
Hours: Open daily except Tuesdays from 9am to 5pm
Admission: US$10, concessions available. The Harem can only be visited on a guided tour and a separate ticket is required

Turkish and Islamic Art Museum
The grand 16th century palace of the sultan's Grand Vizier, Ibrahim Pasa, today houses the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, containing what many consider to be the finest collection of Islamic artifacts in the world. The palace itself was the finest private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. From its supreme position overlooking the Hippodrome, the sultan could enjoy excellent views of the celebrations in the square below. The museum is well laid out and contains more than 40,000 examples of Selçuk, Mamluk and Ottoman Turkish art, including ceramics, Koran cases, calligraphy, textiles, metalwork and illuminated manuscripts. Its antique carpet exhibit is renowned; the carpets, kilims and prayer rugs forming one of the richest and oldest collections in the world.
Address: Ibrahim Pasa Sarayi, Atmeydani 46, Hippodrome, Sultanahmet
Phone Number: (212) 518 1805
Transport: Sultanahmet tram stop
Hours: Open daily except Mondays from 9am to 5pm
Admission: US$2

The Covered Bazaar (Kapali Carsi)
The oldest and biggest enclosed bazaar in the world, also known as the Grand Bazaar, is one of the most enticing and mesmerizing attractions in Istanbul. Consisting of a vast labyrinth of 65 twisting streets crammed with more than 4,000 shops, teahouses, hamams (Turkish baths), mosques, storehouses and fountains. It is a fascinating experience to wander around the alleyways, looking and enjoying, or bargaining and purchasing. Here you can find almost anything, from meerschaum pipes, carpets and jewelry, to Turkish Delight, textiles, spices, clothing and hand-painted ceramics. Protracted bargaining over a cup of tea is an important institution. Built during the rule of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1461, the bazaar grew by covering an increasingly large area of shops and streets with roofs, arches and domes, and it became the center of trading during the Ottoman period. Caravans of silk traders traditionally stayed here and rested their camels while selling their merchandise, and many of these 'hans' or caravanserais still exist as storehouses today.
Address: Kapali Çarsi, Beyazit to Eminönü Harbour
Transport: Tram to Beyazit, Üniversite or Sirkeci
Hours: Open daily except Sundays from 8.30am to 7pm
Admission: Free

Events

International Istanbul Music Festival
One of the most prominent events on the city's cultural calendar and one of the foremost musical events in Europe, the International Istanbul Music Festival is a summer extravaganza of opera, ballet, and classical and traditional music. Over the years the festival has hosted world-renowned classical performers and groups from around the globe as well as local artists and traditional music groups, from international philharmonic orchestras, distinguished chamber ensembles and soloists, dance and ballet performances by notorious dance companies, and Whirling Dervishes. Concerts are held in various locations, including some of the historical buildings in Istanbul.
Venue: Various
Date: 7-26 June 2007, TBC
Website: www.iksv.org/muzik/english

Turkish F1 Grand Prix
One of the newer tracks added to the Formula One Season, Istanbul Park has been described as 'The greatest track ever built', by Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula One Administration. It is one of only three races that runs anticlockwise (the Brazillian and San Marino Grand Prix being the other two) and commands the respect of all the drivers. The track is located 56 miles (90km) from the city center.
Venue: Istanbul Park
Date: August 2007, TBC
Website: www.turkeygrandprix.com

Istanbul Contemporary Art Fair
Every October artists from all across Turkey converge on the capital to showcase their latest creations in contemporary art. A variety of paintings, sculpture and crafts are displayed for exhibition purposes and also for sale. Admirers from all across Turkey show up for the week to assess, purchase and critique the latest offerings of a fascinating culture.
Venue: LutfiKirdar Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center
Date: October 2007, TBC

MOSQUES (CAMiLER)

- Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), Sultanahmet Square
- Eyup Mosque, Eyup
- Nuriosmaniye Mosque, Cagaloglu
- Ortakoy Mosque, Ortakoy
- Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, Sultanahmet
- Suleymeniye Mosque, Beyazit
- Yeni Cami (New Mosque), Eminonu

PALACES (SARAYLAR)
-Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayi), Beylerbeyi
-Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi),
-Ihlamur Palace (Ihlamur Sarayi), Besiktas.
-Maslak Pavilion, Maslak
-Sale Kosku Pavilion (Yildiz Park), Besjktas,
-Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi)
-Sultanahmet The Bosphorus -The Grand (Covered) Bazaar (Kapali Carsi)
-Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi), Sishane
-The Prince's Island (Prens Adalari)
-The Spice or Egyptian Qszaas (Misir Carsisi), Eminonu

TURKISH BATHS (HAMAMLAR)
-Cagaloglu Bath, Cagaloglu
-Cemberlitas, Bath, Cemberlitas,
-Suleymaniye Bath, Suleymaniye,
-Tarihi Galatasaray Bath, Galatasaray.

IMPORTANT PHONES
Governorship (+90-212) 514 17 50
Municipality (+90-212) 512 55 00
Hospital (+90-212) 588 48 00
Police (+90-212) 635 00 00
Gendarme (+90-212) 779 30 18
Provincial Directorate (+90-212) 243 34 72
Tourism Information Office (+90-212) 527 45 03
Harbour (+90-212) 245 53 66 - 249 71 78 - 249 18 96

STATE HOSPITALS
Bakirkoy Hospital +90 212 5436565
Cerrahpasa Hospital +90 212 5884800
Capa Hospital +90 212 5340000
Taksim Emergency +90 212 2524300
Sisli Etfal Hospital +90 212 2312209

PRIVATE HOSPITALS
Acibadem Hospital +90 216 3263336
Aksoy Hospital +90 212 2748890
German Hospital +90 212 2932150
American Hospital +90 212 2314050
Avrupa Hospital +90 212 2128811
Surp Agop Hospital +90 212 2301718
Florence Nightingale Hospital +90 212 2244950
International Hospital +90 212 6633000
Italian Hospital +90 212 2499751
Vatan Hospital +90 212 5348600

Istanbul...Turkey's best!