Istanbul Sports & Outdoors

Home of Galatasaray SK. A 24,000 all-seater ground, named after the founder of the club.

The ground has an awesome reputation for its atmosphere, with fans getting into the ground 4-6 hours before kickoff.

My first attempt to get in the ground in November 1993 was unsuccessful, due to the police stopping me. But I travelled back the following year, in September 1994, and was more successful.

Galatasaray are in the process of building a new, bigger and more modern stadium with a capacity of over 50,000, but maybe the new place won't feel or sound like the "Hell" of the old one.

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If you are interested with soccer,and if you are in Istanbul during Turkcell Turkey Football League season,do not miss the chance to watch a soccer game in Inonu stadium.It is one of the best stadiums in the world,very close to the Bosphrus and it is across Dolmabahce palace.
Another point,you will have to choose whether to watch the match or fans..!They are the best.
Check the atmsophere in the stadium by searching in Youtube.Write Besiktas-Liverpool for example.
Enjoy...

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Kasimpasa is one of the really small football clubs in Istanbul and if you go to see them then you will most likely be the only foreigner in the stadium.
Their stadium is located quite centrally though and it´s an easy walk from Taksim square.
Kasimpasa is a small working class club that has never played a big role in turkish football, but at the time of writing (march 2010) they are playing in the turkish first division.
Ithought it was quite interesting to watch a game there.
Normally when you go to see one of the big teams in Istanbul the crowd is geneally young and rebellious, but at Kasimpasa it seemed to be mostly old men and a few of their grand sons.

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Besiktas is one of the 3 big football clubs in Istanbul and watching one of their games is a great experience as turkish football fans are among the most passionate in the world and it´s a real spectacle to see a game and especially the crowd.
The advantage of this team compared to the other two big teams in Istanbul is that their stadium is located very close to Taksim square, so it is easy to reach as a tourist.
The stadium is called "Ismet Inonu" and it´s only about 10 minutes walking distance from Taksim square.

Equipment: If you wanna blend in a bit with the local crowd then there is a shop at the stadium selling Besiktas merchandise.

Officially known as the Besiktas Inonu Stadium, this football stadium is just across the busy road from the Dolmabahçe Palace and is where club Besiktas play. It was built in 1947 and has a capacity of 32,145 (all-seater). It was the first modern football stadium in Istanbul and was home to the three perennial rivals of Besiktas J.K.; Galatasaray S.K. and Fenerbahce S.K., since it was the only modern stadium in Istanbul until the 1960s. Between 1921 and 1939, the three clubs had previously played at the Taksim Stadium on Taksim Square, which was located inside the courtyard of the Ottoman era Taksim Artillery Barracks that was built by Sultan Abdulmecid I in the 1840s.

Fenerbahçe S.K., is one of 3 Istanbul soccer (football) clubs that play in the Turkish Süper Lig, the premiere division for soccer in the country. They are, however, the only one of the three teams that reside on the Asian side of the city. Their home is in the Fenerbahçe district, located directly next to Kadiköy, and they play their matches in the 52,000 capacity Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium. Originally founded in 1907, the club is one of the most successful in Turkish soccer history, and boasts the highest average attendance in the Süper Lig. Once you see the recently renovated stadium, you will see why. It is very beautiful, hopefully one day I will be able to attend a match there!

Here is your walking route. You can return to your ship from Sultan Ahmet by tram going to Kabatash.
As you set food on my soil at the dock at Karakoy (read: Karakoey) Standing your back to ship and your face to offices on your left is the famous Galata Bridge. You can walk there within 5 minutes.
2- If you stand on the bridge your back to the famous antic Galata Tower your face will be towards the great mosque at the shore, the Yeni Cami (new Mosque).
Walk the bridge. On your right is the Golden Horn and at the top of the hill on your right is the great Suleymaniye Mosque. On your left at far distance is Asia.
3- The place, where Yeni Cami is called Eminonu (Eminoenue) At your right is the Spice Market the Egyptian Market or in Turkish Misir Carsisi. This covered Basaar is a must to visit.
4- If you follow the tram line you will be soon at Sirkeci train station. It is the end station of the famous Orient Express.
5- Walk upwards to a smooth hill you will pass on your right infront of the famous "Supreme Pforte" The pentagone of Ottoman Empire.
6- walk beside the walls of great Gulhane park.
7- This route was once the parading route of mighty Byzanz and Ottoman armies.
8- At the end you will come to Sultan Ahmet Square. The hearth of ancient Byzanz, Costantinopolis and Istanbul.
9- On yor left you will be standing infront of the ancient and majestic Hagia Sophia. You will feel yourself as Emperor Justinianus.
10 On your left you will have the mile stone indicates that you are standing in the middle of the Earth. Many tourists do not know that. Byzanz, Costantinapolis and Ottoman Turkish Istanbul was once middle of the earth and ruling 3 continents and 7 seas.
12- Just opposite of Aya Sophia on your left you will see an enterence. This enterence is the entrence of sunken place or Cistern.
13- Just infront of Aya Sophia at the end of the park behind the fountain you will see the majestic mosque of Sultan Ahmet the Blue mosque. In the park you can visit the obelisque of ancient Egypt and rest of the coloum of serpentine (visit my Istanbul page)
14- If you stand infront of the entrence of Aya Sophia on your left is the great portal of Topkapi Place museum.
15- If you walk another 15 minutes you will following the tram line you will came ot the columm of Cenberlitash at the entrence of Grand Pazaar.
16- Now you are free on your own. have a good time in Istanbul

I saw a Besiktas match in September. I bought a ticket from the box office a couple hours before kickoff and there were also quite a few being sold on the street. I also went to a sold-out Fenerbahce match and bought a ticket on the street just before the match for only a little over face value. Don't pay those prices online. I don't remember what the face value was but it was WAY less than 145 EUR.