A Day in Karaköy … What to Eat? What to Do? Where to Visit?

Karaköy, one of the historical districts of Istanbul, is now one of the most preferred neighborhoods for many people to spend time because of its food and entertainment options. Because Karaköy is one of the places that continue to develop and renew itself with its streets intertwined with art. Therefore, when it comes to having a pleasant time, many Istanbulites are returning to this route!

Especially during the last few years; Karaköy is located in the center of our lives with its changing dynamics, historical texture, and new generation coffee shops. We can often encounter in the streets of Karaköy with the sincerity and mobility that we cannot find in many districts of Istanbul. Well, what to eat, what to do and where to visit while spending a day in this delightful neighborhood where we cannot get enough appreciation?

One of the first things to be done in Karaköy is undoubtedly visiting one of the fishermen on the shore and eating fish or bread with fish. While enjoying your fish, on the one hand, watching the old Istanbul view, on the other hand, is invaluable! You can taste delicious Baklavas by visiting Güllüoğlu which is one of the essential values of Karaköy and serving in the same place for about two centuries.

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After a short taste tour, you can start exploring the streets of Karaköy. You can see many places in the streets of Karaköy, from Simit sellers to small restaurants that are keeping alive the neighborhood culture. These are the things that are preserving the charming atmosphere of Karaköy. In these streets, the historical and majestic buildings located next to new and modern buildings are reflecting the unity of the old and the new.

Another thing you can do in Karaköy is to visit the gift shops and boutiques which are located on the side streets. In these shops; you can find whatever you want from shabby clothes to vintage items, from design products to necklaces.

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You can have a little coffee break while exploring the streets of Karaköy. For example, Brew Coffee Works (located just below The Wings Hotel, Karaköy), which has many branches in Istanbul and is preferred for its delicious coffees, can help you to relax.

After discovering the streets and crowning your trip with a delicious coffee, what you have to do is to take pictures in front of the walls decorated with graffiti as a Karaköy classic! Finally, after doing this, the only thing we can say about Karaköy is “We’d like to see you again!” 🙂

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Istanbul’s Istiklal Street Guide: What to Eat? What to Do?

17 Feb, 2021

Istiklal Avenue, a small reflection of Istanbul with its diversity, texture, and people, is visited by millions of local and foreign tourists every year. Istiklal Street has great importance regarding social and economic aspects. If you are going to Istiklal Street for the first time, you need to look at our guide. Here is Istiklal Street with all its beauty. istiklal-caddesi-rehberi About Istiklal Street The history of Istiklal Street dates back many years. The region is a Genoese colony with Latin inhabitants in the Byzantine period. During the Ottoman Empire period, the district developed day by day. Many nationalities such as French and Italian have lived here. The main reason for this existence is the commercial efficiency of the region. The street, thanks to the French, has also progressed on to trade and architecture. The French influence made the street known as ”Grande Rue de Pera.” The street continued to expand between the 17th and 18th centuries. It was entirely populated in the 19th century. The infrastructure work on the street began in the period of Abdulaziz. Istiklal Avenue was also called Cumhuriyet and Cadde-i Kebir from time to time. Later on, the foreign population decreased with bad political decisions. Places to see in Istiklal Street There are many places to see in Istiklal Street. Some of these places are at the top of the street, some of the short walk from the main street. Among these places; there are Taksim Square, Galatasaray High School Square, St Anthony’s Church, Asmalı Mescid, Tünel Square, German High School, Swedish Consulate, Santa Maria Draperis Church, Salt Beyoğlu, Borusan Culture and Art Center, Egypt Apartment, Aznavur Passage, Hacopulo Passage, Panayia Greek Orthodox Church, Atlas Passage, Cicek Passage, Sahne Street, Aleppo Passage, Terkos Passage. galatasaray lisesi Street Foods To Eat in Istiklal Street Istiklal Street is a vibrant street regarding street tastes. You can find stuffed mussels at any time of the day on the road, you can beat Maraş ice cream with humorous presentations, you can eat wet burgers as a snack, you can choose chestnut kebabs in winter, in addition to these, milk corn, ring sweet, kokorec, chickpea pilaf and stuffed meatballs are the street flavors that can be eaten on Istiklal Avenue. kestane kebap What to do in Istiklal Street? Istiklal Street is a very cosmopolitan area. Therefore, there is no limit to be entertained during the day. On Istiklal Street; You can buy cheap clothing by visiting passages. Unique products can be purchased by entering the boutiques. You can listen to street musicians and watch street performers. A variety of tastes can be enjoyed at the well-known restaurants. Places with beautiful views can be experienced. Cultural activities such as Salt Beyoğlu and Borusan Culture and Art Center can be visited. The most beautiful places to view Istanbul silhouette can be visited. Architecturally exciting buildings can be explored. Historical sites can be visited. Traveling on the historical tram line is possible. Where is İstiklal Caddesi and how to get there? İstiklal Caddesi is located in Beyoğlu district. The şişhane metro stop is at the end, and Taksim metro stop is at the beginning of İstiklal Street. Therefore, it is easy to reach the street from the beginning or end by using M2 Yenikapı-Hacıosman Metro Line. If you are not on this line, you can even transfer to this line. In addition to this, there are yellow buses, public buses, and funicular services to the area.

15 Famous Quotes From Well-Known Names About Istanbul

17 Feb, 2021

Istanbul, as well as being a world-famous city; As many names say, it is located in a spectacular location. That is a place where many civilisations lived or wanted to settle here. Everyone who came to Istanbul to visit was fascinated in every period. That’s why many books have been written about the city, many songs have been composed, and many movies have been made. Here are 15 quotes about Istanbul by the world-famous names. “All other cities are mortal, but I think Istanbul will breathe as long as people are.” // Petrus Gyllius “If I could have nine lives like a cat, i could spend one of it for Istanbul.” // Juan Goytisolo “Oh, Istanbul! You’re the one who fascinates me the most.” // Pierre Loti “Istanbul is the real capital of the world. Regarding geographical location, there is no rival in the world.” // Joseph Heller “Istanbul is a universal and immense beauty in front of which the poet and the archaeologist, the diplomat and the merchant, the princess and the seafarer, the North and the South all shout out with the same sense of fascination. The whole world thinks that this city is the most beautiful place in the world.” // Edmondo De Amicis “The one who has Istanbul rules the world. If the world were a single state, its capital would be Istanbul.” // Napoleon “If they say you will look at the world for the last time, I would like this look from Istanbul’s Çamlıca.” // Lamartine “The one who rules Istanbul becomes the ruler of the whole world. Therefore, we should advance through Istanbul as much as possible.” // Russian Tsar Petro I “No brush and pen can describe the beauty of Istanbul thoroughly.” // Alphonse de Lamartine “There is no more spectacular sight on earth than Istanbul.” // Mrs Lady Dorina kız kulesi osmanlı dönemi “Istanbul is a unique city that gives people a sense of life, joy of life, happiness and beauty.” // Mrs Max Müller “Istanbul reflects the harmonious aesthetics of Asia and Europe with harmony and becomes speechless who witness this.” // D. De Fontmagne “The imagination of humankind can only dream of a city as beautiful as Istanbul.” // Sir Henry Layard “Istanbul is the real capital of the world. In terms of its location, there is no rival on earth.” // Joseph Hellert “There is no city established on the earth as suitable as Istanbul.” // Spanish Traveler Pedro

Museums Where The Works From The Ottoman Period Are Exhibited

17 Feb, 2021

Istanbul has always been regarded as a very important city since 638 BC, which is considered to be the official founding date. That city which was the capital city as Byzantion in Ancient Greece; as Constantinople in the Roman Empire, was also the capital of two great empires such as Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. Due to this rich history, Istanbul has an open-air museum in its own right, and there are many museums in the city where you can see various works from ancient times. In this article, we will give place to museums where the historical artefacts are exhibited from the Ottoman period. Here are the museums you should see in Istanbul and valuable works in them! Topkapı Palace topkapı sarayı Topkapı Palace was built in 1461 following the conquest of Istanbul and was completed in about 17 years. At the request of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, the palace was used as a barrack-palace where governmental affairs were carried out for a long time; Since Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent the throne, the sultan and his family lived here. Topkapi Palace, today; It is one of the most visited museums in Istanbul. Many items from the Ottoman Empire are exhibited in various collections in the palace. In the Palace Museum; a collection of watches and weapons, Chinese porcelain collections, a collection of clothes, sacred relics, Topkapı Dagger in the Department of Treasure and precious pieces such as the Kasikci Diamond can be viewed as valuable works that can be seen. Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, located right next to the Blue Mosque, is one of the precious museums in Istanbul that exhibited artefacts from the Ottoman Empire. There are some historical artefacts in the museum that reflect the origins of Turks in Central Asia. Besides, antique carpets belonging to the Seljuk State in the museum can be given as examples of valuable works that can be seen dating back to the caliphate period. Dolmabahçe Palace dolmabahçe sarayı Dolmabahçe Palace was built upon the request of the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid and was used as the main palace in the last 70 years of the empire. In addition, the Republic of Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk lived here for a while, and he died here. Nowadays, many sections within the palace can be visited as a museum. Besides, the collection of calligraphy and writing sets, crystal chandeliers and candlesticks, a collection of lighting tools, a collection of watches and many other valuable works are exhibited in the palace and are observed with interest by the visitors. Turkish Carpets Museum The carpet collection in TİEM has more than 1700 works, and the collection is considered to be the most important carpet collection in the world. The famous examples of the Seljuk Period and all the Ottoman carpet groups are among the valuable works that can be seen in this collection. Harbiye Military Museum In the Military Museum located in Harbiye, large field tents used by the Ottoman armies during the expeditions are shown. Besides, Ottoman weapons and military equipment are among the valuable works that can be seen in the museum. During the visit to the museum, the Ottoman army band Mehter Team can be seen every day between 15.00 and 16.00. Istanbul Maritime Museum The Maritime Museum in Besiktas exhibits significant works on the history of Ottoman shipping. Also, the sailing boats used by the sultans in passing through the Bosphorus must also be seen among the valuable works. Yildiz City Museum The City Museum serves in the Fine Arts building of Yıldız Palace, the fourth largest palace of the Ottoman Empire. The collection of the museum usually contains ethnographic and historical works of 18th and 19th century. These works are reflecting the social life of the Ottoman period Istanbul, consist of objects such as paintings, calligraphy plates, fabrics, porcelain, coffee sets, jewellery, tiles and so on. Other important artefacts can be listed as edicts with tughra from II Mehmed, II Osman and I Mahmud, Tophane chunks and sect clothing.