{"id":247404,"date":"2023-01-07T03:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-07T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/?p=247404"},"modified":"2024-05-31T14:24:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T18:24:40","slug":"our-travel-guide-istanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/en\/guide\/destination\/our-travel-guide-istanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Istanbul travel guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Discover with us Istanbul, the cultural capital of Turkey.<\/h3>\n

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Rich of a legendary past, the cultural capital of Turkey is located between the West and the East. Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, is described as the jewel of a thousand and one nights. The city that was first called Byzantium, then Constantinople, has been called Istanbul since 1930.<\/p>\n

Situated on a cape overlooking the European shore of the Bosphorus Strait, Constantinople enjoyed an advantageous defensive position. Moreover, it was located at the crossroads of land and sea routes.<\/p>\n

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It was first Greek, then Roman and then Ottoman. The eventful history of Istanbul has made it an architectural marvel today. The Bosphorus Strait separates the city into two sides, one European and the other Asian. Some historical areas of the city are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.<\/p>\n

The city is full of mosques, museums, palaces, churches, markets, but also beautiful coastal landscapes.<\/p>\n

Istanbul has the largest urban area in the country, with about 15 million inhabitants. The city is also known as the city of seven hills, or “the second Rome”, and is therefore one of the most important megacities in the world.<\/p>\n

As the city is vast, we recommend that you plan your stay in Istanbul well by choosing to sleep in an area according to your main interests (cultural visits, nightlife, shopping, etc).<\/p>\n

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From Montreal, there are no direct flights to Istanbul with Air Canada. A stopover is necessary to get there and you have to complete the flight with the partners Turkish Airlines or Lufthansa, among others.<\/p>\n

Depending on the time of year, you can travel to Istanbul with your Aeroplan points<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For example, for a vacation to Istanbul in September 2023, 80,000 Aeroplan points and $200<\/strong> are required.<\/p>\n

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Or, use the power of the program and its Aeroplan stop to visit a second city by going to T\u00fcrkiye!<\/p>\n

For an additional 5,000 Aeroplan points<\/strong>, visit Milan<\/a> for four days. So you’ll have a two-for-one during your vacation for 85,000 points and $238<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Saint Sophia<\/h3>\n

Famous for its mosaics with gold background and its impressive four-sided dome, the church of Saint Sophia (Ayasofya) was built to replace the old basilica which had been burned in 532 during a revolt of the population.<\/p>\n

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The Blue Mosque<\/h3>\n

The Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) is one of the most famous monuments symbolizing Istanbul. It represents one of the finest examples of Iznik earthenware used in interior decoration at the time. The mosque was built by order of the 16th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Ahmet.<\/p>\n

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The Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/h3>\n

This palace was for a long time the main residence of the Ottoman sultans. Built at the tip of the historic Istanbul peninsula, it is the most beautiful place with a breathtaking view of the Marmara Sea and the Istanbul Strait.<\/p>\n

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Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace<\/h3>\n

This palace is the largest in the Bosphorus. Its clock is stopped at the time of death of Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk, former president of the Republic of Turkey, who lost his life there on November 10, 1938 at 9:05 am.<\/p>\n

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S\u00fcleymaniye Mosque<\/h3>\n

Built between 1550 and 1557, the S\u00fcleymaniye Mosque is considered a masterpiece that gave its name to an entire neighborhood. It is one of the most monumental buildings in Istanbul.<\/p>\n

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The Grand Bazaar (Kapal\u0131 \u00c7ar\u015f\u0131)<\/h3>\n

For your shopping, go to the Grand Bazaar where you will find about sixty alleys and more than 4 000 stores spread over 30 hectares. This Bazaar is not new: its foundation dates back to 1461, when Sultan Mehmet II ruled.<\/p>\n

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The Istanbul Archaeological Museum<\/h3>\n

This museum consists of 3 buildings. It contains some of the most remarkable works of the ancient Byzantine period, such as beautiful sculptures and sarcophagi. You will be able to contemplate the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and the 3 mourners.<\/p>\n

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The Galata Tower<\/h3>\n

Built by the Genoese in 1368, this tower offers a panoramic view of \u0130stanbul and the Golden Horn.<\/p>\n

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The basilica cistern (Yerebatan Sarn\u0131c\u0131)<\/h3>\n

This site dates back to 527 and was designed to provide drinking water to the Byzantine imperial palace. It is described as a veritable forest of 336 columns, one of which is called “the weeping column” since tears escape from the eyes of peacocks carved in the stone.<\/p>\n

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Istiklal Avenue<\/h3>\n

This avenue is the main axis of the city’s Christian quarter, where the historic tramway crosses and where private mansions, foreign schools, consulates, churches, trendy bars, bookstores and cinemas are crammed.<\/p>\n

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Baghdad Avenue<\/h3>\n

You will find the major local and international brands on Baghdad Avenue which stretches for 10 km, between Kad\u0131k\u00f6y and Bostanc\u0131. This tree-lined, open-air mall is home to elegant boutiques, traditional restaurants, banks, pubs and cafes.<\/p>\n

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The Bosphorus<\/h3>\n

During your stay in Istanbul, you may want to experience a traditional excursion on the Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe from Asia. Several passenger boats make regular trips along its shores.<\/p>\n

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The city offers different types of places to eat.<\/p>\n

If you are looking for a cheap place that serves alcohol, there are meyhanes<\/em> which are similar to taverns. Otherwise, the establishments called lokantas<\/em> are similar to meyhanes<\/em> but are more chic. You will also find more classic restaurants, the restorans<\/em>, generally more expensive.<\/p>\n

To avoid wasting time at lunchtime, a good low-cost option are the fast-food stands that offer, for example, pita kebabs or Turkish pizzas. Otherwise, several stalls sell corn on the cob and ice cream.<\/p>\n

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In the tourist areas, there are also self-service buffets where you can eat a little healthier, but at low prices.<\/p>\n

Sultanhamet Square<\/strong> has several quality addresses, some with terraces.<\/p>\n

Under the Galata Bridge<\/strong>, several restaurants offer fresh fish of the day on their menu. This area is nevertheless more touristy than Sultanhamet Square.<\/p>\n

At Taskim Square<\/strong>, hundreds of restaurants await you, from self-service buffets to gourmet restaurants.<\/p>\n

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Here are some good addresses to remember in Istanbul:<\/p>\n

360 Restaurant<\/strong> offers creative and refined cuisine in a modern setting, with musical ambiance and a rooftop terrace with a breathtaking view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus.<\/p>\n

Hafiz Mustafa Patisserie<\/strong>, an unmissable address to taste delicious baklavas, loukoums or kunefe (speciality made of cheese, butter and pistachio, sprinkled with a light syrup).<\/p>\n

Nusr-Et Steakhouse<\/strong> for excellent red meat in a world-class restaurant.<\/p>\n

Rika Cihangir<\/strong> offers tropical decor with a beautiful view of the Bosphorus. You can go there for a lunch, an afternoon coffee or an evening cockail.<\/p>\n

For simple and authentic food, Nizam Pide<\/strong> is an area in the Taksim district where you can taste typical Turkish dishes (Pide, doner, salads, etc.).<\/p>\n

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Istanbul is a very large city and not all neighborhoods are necessarily well served by public transportation. You’ll want to focus on those that are most central, such as Sultanahmet<\/strong>, the historical center; Emin\u00f6n\u00fc<\/strong> and Sirkeci<\/strong>, lively port districts near the main bazaars of the city; Beyazit<\/strong> and Laleli<\/strong>, central districts; Galata<\/strong> and Karak\u00f6y<\/strong>, trendy areas; or Cihangir<\/strong> to party.<\/p>\n

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Among the abundant supply of accommodation, you will be able to find cheap accommodation, no matter if it is a hotel, an apartment rental, a youth hostel or a guesthouse.<\/p>\n

Here are some good addresses to remember:<\/p>\n