An Open and Shut Case
by gilabrand
Few things are more disappointing than arriving in Istanbul and finding out that the sites you were planning to visit are closed. So pay close attention to what is open and shut on the days you are there. It can be confusing.
(Note: This is not the word of God. Schedules have a way of changing, so check before you go)
1) The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2) Aya Sofia (St. Sophia) is closed on Mondays. Winter hours: 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.; summer hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
3) Supermarkets are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
4) The whirling dervishes perform at Sirkeci train station on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at 8 p.m. The performance lasts 1 hour. Get there half an hour early.
5) Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours during the summer.
6) The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but is closed to non-Muslim tourists during prayer times.
7) Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Thursdays. The English tour begins at 11 a.m.
8) The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
9) The Military Museum is closed on Sundays and Thursdays. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. An Ottoman military band plays in the afternoons, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Shoe Shine Boys
by Mariajoy
On my first visit to Istanbul I was surprised to see sooooo many youngsters (mostly boys) from around 6 years old upwards, shining shoes on the city streets. They work long hours to bring much needed income to their families. He didn't shine my shoes (or those of anyone in my party) but I did give him something for letting me take his photo.
Besiktas is the best team in Turkey!...
by mindcrime
If you are into football(soccer), or just a fan of Besiktas FC or you just happen to pass from Besiktas football stadium have in mind that you can visit the museum of Besiktas FC right there, under one gate of the stadium. There's no entrance fee and you can see some of the trophies this team had won through the years and other memorabilia.
A few meters away is the official store of the team where you can buy tshirt, hats, balls, souvenirs etc all with the colors of Besiktas, black and white
Kumkapi - Old Fishing District
by Hopkid
Situated near the shores of the Sea of Marmara and down the hill from Grand Bazaar, Kumkapi is an old working class neighborhood. A harbor used to be located here from Byzantine times and fisherman lived in this area. The fisherman and harbor (albeit a more modern one) still exist as do a number of seafood restaurants in and around the main square of this charming district. It's a nice walk from the Grand Bazaar/Beyazit area down Gedikpasa Caddesi, left on Kadirga Limani Caddesi, and left on Ustat Sokak to get to the small square with the fountain in the middle. It was here we ate an early dinner at Kor Agop and enjoyed watching children playing in the street and men getting their hair cut at the barber shop across the steet (Ordekli Bakkal Sokak).
Carpets, Kilims and good friends: Baktiroglu
by dutchboycalledjan about grand bazaar
This was a nice, small shop in the Big Bazaar. We entered it by good luck with a specific wish and Mustafa succeeded were other shops failed to deliver the requested embroidered cloth. When you're looking for a well-tempered salesman who is friendly, let you take you time, has good (not too strong) tea and wants you to be happy - his motto is: 'as long as we have our good health': this is the place. When we were there, two of his previous customers came back, just for tea and a chat. We bought a hand embroidered (silk on cotton) cloth, square (most are rectangular, to be used on beds) of very good quality. There are cheaper one, but this cloth was well worth its about 300 euro's.
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Yerebatan Cistern
The Blue Mosque
Ortakoy Mosque, with Bosphorus bridge Asia-Europe
Mansion
