TURKEY | MYSTICAL ISTANBUL
THE DETAILS
WHERE TO STAY
The Armada Hotel
The hotel is within walking distance of Sultanahmet and has a delicious complimentary breakfast with nuts, dried fruit, cereals,
fresh honey and fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Cankurtaran Mah., Ahırkapı Sok. No:24, Turkey. +90 212 455 4455
GETTING AROUND
Istanbul Tourist Pass
This pass can be customized to add a public transportation pass (recommended to get to gems off the beaten path). The pass includes entrance into the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace museums, a Bosphorus Strait cruise, hop-on and off the Big-bus' big red buses, and many more exciting experiences. Also, never stay offline with Istanbul Tourist Pass – Unlimited Internet Connection service. A three-day pass starts at $200.
EXCELLENT MUSEUMS
Istanbul Archeological Museum
This important museum next door to the Topkapi Palace is often overlooked, yet it houses many treasures including a massive collection of impressive sarcophagi. Don’t miss it.
Chora Church Museum
This small church in the northern part of the city is renowned for its Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
Pera Museum
A small private museum in the Beyoglu area featuring Ottoman art.
Modern Art Museum
This museum features the modern evolution of Turkish art.
SHOPPING
Grand Bazaar
This ancient shopping mall is filled with a variety of handicrafts and pushy vendors.
Spice Market
Known also as the Egyptian Bazaar, the Spice Market has been selling its aromatic wares since the mid-17th century.
NOT TO MISS
Cagaloglu Hamami
Located in the Sultanahmet area, this bathhouse was built in the 19th century and offers a true Turkish bath experience. Segregated by gender.
WHERE TO EAT
Asitane Restaurant
This restaurant in the northern area of the city specializes in fine Ottoman court cuisine. Since 1991 it has brought forgotten tastes to the present with its summer and winter menus offered by using original sources such as dinner and dessert expenditure records
of Topkapı, Dolmabahçe and Edirne Palace. Moderately priced.
Article and photos by Sarah Brubaker. Sarah is a freelance writer, photographer and designer living in upstate New York.