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Extending your stay in Istanbul

Extending your stay in Turkey

There are many tourist attractions and historical sites in Istanbul, such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the Underground Cisterns. You will find information about these from many websites and books. Instead, we wish to share with you some other, less obvious activities and places to visit.

 

  • Ortaköy (litteraly meaning 'Middle Village') is a small village area with markets stalls and street food. It is by the Bosphorus and great views and boat tour that takes you toward the Black Sea.

 

  • Karaköy is Istanbul's newest 'hotspot' for bars, cafes, and art galleries

 

  • Eating a simple, local, delicacy of 'balik ekmek' (char-grilled fish sandwich) under Galata bridge (i.e. the bridge over the Golden Horn)

 

  • Walking along the Bosphorus between Ortaköy and Bebek....many nice fish restaurants along the way.

 

  • Walk the Istiklal street ending up in Asmalı Mescit for good food and nightlife...perhaps find one of Istanbul's many roof top bars.

 

  • Chilling out with shisha, Turkish tea and backgammon (tavla) in Tophane

 

  • Window shop in the boutiques of Galata.

 

Moving on from Istanbul is easy. There are plenty of internal flights or coaches at very reasonable prices. If you are intending to make a holiday in Turkey and would like more than the big city of Istanbul, we listed some suggestions below. 

 

Our very good friend, Eda Sokmen, who is the founder of Istanbulite (http://www.istanbulite.com/) can arrange various trips for you including trips to Cappadocia, Ephesus, Bodrum and Blue Cruise on the Aegean Sea. Please get in touch with her at eda@istanbulite.com or on +905373466020 if you would like further information and advice. 

 

Seaside/Beach

  • Bodrum (Well established seaside town, good for hoping to Greek islands)

  • Olmypos and Cirali (small beach village of wooden huts and treehouses. Near Antalya, south coast)

  • KaÅŸ (Small coastal town between Dalaman and Antalya, south coast)

  • Kabak and Butterfly Valley (Slightly remote, very small beach get away. Dalaman is the closest airport)

  • Kemer (A nicer 'package holiday' beach resort on the south coast near to Antalya)

  • Selimiye (Traditional and picturesque fishing village on the south-west coast)

 

History

  • Cappadocia (Ancient cave town among unusual rock formations  in central Anatolia). Weather might be a bit too hot towards the end of June so check average temperatures to make sure you are comfortable!

  • Ephesus (An ancient city that continues to be excavated, near Izmir). 

 

Active

  • Hiking the Lycian way on the south coast (Between Dalaman and Antalya). Again, check average temperatures before committing to this as June might be a bit too hot for hiking. 

  • Trekking in the Kaçkar mountains (Black Sea region, Trabzon)

  • Windsurfing in Ã‡eÅŸme (On the west coast, an hour from Izmir and close to Ephesus)

 

Boat trips

If you have sea legs, perhaps take a boat tour. Island and bay hop until your heart's content. The south, south-west, and west coasts are best for this. Again, Eda Sokmen, from Istanbulite can happily arrange this for you. (www.istanbulite.com)

 

Domestic flights

The following companies provide domestic flights within Turkey from either airport in Istanbul.

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