Istanbul Favorite Tips by Martin_S.

Ortakoy area Ortaköy Review

Favorite thing: The Ortakoy area is just past the last tram stop after it crosses the Galata Bridge. You can walk the distance and view the Dolmabahce Palace on the way. It is a small area abutting the Bosphorus where the small winding streets have been turned into a park and dining area with many restaurants, all just below the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (more about the bridge at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatih_Sultan_Mehmet_Bridge) which spans the Bosphorus betwen the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. Just below the bridge is also the Ortakoy Cami (Mosque) on the waterside.

Fondest memory: Just sitting at one of the waterside restaurants enjoying a drink with our Gulench and her family who were there to meet up with us and show us their town.

Nisanca area

Favorite thing: The area where our hotel was located is just across the street from the University and is mainly a wholesale store area, especially clothing. You will find enormous bales of clothing bundled up and ready for shipment to places like Russia. If you are looking for a single item, many will not sell to you, but there ARE shops that will, just keep looking.

Fondest memory: Walking down the street can be an "experience" here in this area, you will find many clothing displays for your entertainment, like the dummies in the first photo, easy to check the type of clothing with the plastic over them..or if you enter the stores you can wander among the tastefully displayed piles of clothes as in the second photo. But there is always a moment of comedy to be found anywhere, we saw these two young fellows hanging out of this window with no idea of WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE THEY DOING, but they did wave to us when I told them I wanted to take their picture ^O^

Karakoy area (the "other" side of Galata Bridge)

Favorite thing: Most people visit the Eminonu side of the Galata Bridge, but we visited the "other" side also and walked along the wharfs where the big tourist boats (Love Boats) arrive and their hundreds disembark to walk that area. The area also includes the Galata Tower, but will show that in another spot. There were a few tourist shops, some fishing/diving gear shops and a few restaurants, but not overly much for a "serious" tourist. We did get a few views, like the steps shown in the first photo (taken on the way to Galata Tower). Along the waterfront you get some fine views along the Eminonu waterfront and the Topkapi Palace.

Yeni Cami, the "New Mosque" various mosques Review

Favorite thing: Just a photo of this mosque from the exterior, it is located on the square across from the Galata Bridge in Eminonu. While it is called the "New" Mosque that does not mean it was made yesterday, this dates from some 400 years ago....We did not have time to take a look inside. At this point after several days seeing many, MANY, we were sort of Mosqued OUT.
If you wish to learn more, the link will provide ...
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-yeni-camii-new-mosque.htm