Cihangir

Cihangir is one of the neighborhoods of the Beyoglu district in Istanbul, Turkey. The neighborhood has many narrow streets, a park, and street cafes. It is located between Taksim Square and Kabatas. The name means 'conqueror' in Turkish and, in turn, comes from the Persian compound word Jahan meaning "Conqueror of the World" During the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, the area was a forested hunting ground. It was one of the favorite places of Suleiman's son Cihangir, and after Cihangir's death, Suleiman had MimarSinan build a wooden mosque there overlooking the Bosphorus. The neighborhood's name comes from this mosque.

Cihangir is known as a neighborhood where artists and intellectuals live.  When you travel to Turkey, in Istanbul there are lots of places should be seen. Also Cihangir has a different atmosphere, you should go and have a drink in cafes and lose yourself in the streets. 

Golden Horn

The Golden Horn Turkish: Halic is an inlet of the Bosphorus dividing the city of Istanbul and forming the natural harbor that has sheltered Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and other ships for thousands of years. Its Greek and English names mean the same, but the significance of the designation "golden" is obscure, while it’s Turkish name Halic simply means "estuary".  For ‘Golden’ name there are two legends, first one is the Byzantines threw so many valuables into it during the Ottoman Conquest that the waters glistened with gold. The second one is name is given because of the gold light that seemingly comes out of the river when the sun goes down. 

It has witnessed many tumultuous historical incidents, and its dramatic vistas have been the subject of countless works of art..

The Golden Horn is a flooded prehistoric estuary. It is 7.5 kilometers long and is 750 meters across at its widest. It’s maximum depth, where it flows into the Bosphorus, is about 35 meters. It is today spanned by four bridges. Moving downstream, the first is the Halic Bridge, literally Estuary Bridge. The former Galata Bridge was damaged by a fire in 1992; it was moved to the second position in pieces, re-assembled, and restored as the Eski Galata Bridge, literally Old Galata Bridge. The third one is the Ataturk bridge. The current Galata Bridge was completed in 1994. A fifth bridge is currently under construction to connect the subway lines of the Istanbul Metro to the north and south of the Golden Horn.

Until the 1980s the Horn was polluted with industrial waste, but it has since been cleaned. Today its history and beauty make it a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul.

The best places to observe the Golden Horn’s activity and grace are the Galata Bridge if you want ringside seats, and the Topkapi Palace or Pierre Loti Café if you prefer a bird’s-eye view. 

Everywhere in Istanbul smells history and Golden Horn is one of them. When you travel to Turkey, walk around the horn and imagine the history. Stay a hotel which has the view of the horn.

Maiden's Tower

The Maiden's Tower (Turkish: Kız Kulesi), also known as Leander's Tower (Tower of Leandros) since the medieval Byzantine period, is a tower lying on a small islet located at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus strait 200 m (220 yd) from the coast of Uskudar in Istanbul, Turkey.

There are many legends about the construction of the tower and its location. According to the most popular Turkish legend, a sultan had a much beloved daughter. One day, an oracle prophesied that she would be killed by a venomous snake on her 18th birthday. The sultan, in an effort to thwart his daughter's early demise by placing her away from land so as to keep her away from any snakes, had the tower built in the middle of the Bosphorus to protect his daughter until her 18th birthday. The princess was placed in the tower, where she was frequently visited only by her father. On the 18th birthday of the princess, the sultan brought her a basket of exotic sumptuous fruits as a birthday gift, delighted that he was able to prevent the prophecy. Upon reaching into the basket, however, an asp that had been hiding among the fruit bit the young princess and she died in her father's arms, just as the oracle had predicted. Hence the name Maiden's Tower.

The interior of the tower has been transformed into a popular café and restaurant, with an excellent view of the former Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman capital. Private boats make trips to the tower several times a day. In İstanbul, There are travel agencies having private tours to Maiden Tower. 

Cicek Pasaji

Cicek Pasaji (literally Flower Passage in Turkish), originally called the Cité de Péra, is a famous historic passage on İstiklal Avenue in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, Turkey.
Opened in 1876, Cicek Pasaji is a covered arcade with rows of historic cafes, winehouses and restaurants.

The site of CicekPasaji was originally occupied by the Naum Theatre, which was severely damaged by the Fire of Pera in 1870. After the fire of 1870, the theatre was purchased by the local Greek banker HristakiZografosEfendi, and architect KleanthisZannos designed the current building, which was called Cité de Péra or Hristaki Pasajı in its early years. In 1908 the Ottoman Grand Vizier SaitPaşa purchased the building, and it became known as the SaitPasa Passage. 

Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, many impoverished noble Russian women, including a Baroness, sold flowers here By the 1940s the building was mostly occupied by flower shops, hence the present Turkish name Cicek Pasaji.
After the restoration of the building in 1988, it was reopened as a galleria of pubs and restaurants.

The most recent restoration was made in December 2005. 
When you travel to Turkey, you must visit Cicek Pasaji and breathe the history. Enjoy your meal and drinks and have a warm conversation with your friends.

Camlica Hill

Camlica is split into two hills: Kucuk Camlica (‘Little Pine Hill’) and Buyuk Camlica (‘Big Pine Hill’). Buyuk Camlica is the highest point in Istanbul at 267m above sea level. Big Camlica Hill is located in Uskudar. This hill is one of the hills in Istanbul mentioned as seven hills.

The hill is a touristical place. Camlica hill is surrounded by trees. It presents a fantastic perpective. Hill is preferred by lovers, strollers, those needing some peace. The views from BuyukCamlica are truly amazing, with a panoramic vista of all of Istanbul’s main waterways, the Bosphorus Bridge, the historic Eminonu Peninsula, the Princes’ Islands and even Mount Uludag near Bursa.

The Sofa, Cihannuma, Topkapi and Su pavilions, all of which demonstrate the elegance and detail of Ottoman architecture, are all located within the Kucuk Camlıca Woods. Since ottoman empires used this place as a resting and picnic area.

Camlica Hill which has been always subject to the Turkish cinema, literature and songs is a beautiful place to spend time with your family.

If you travel to Istanbul, you should stop by here and enjoy the theperfectionness of the nature. In Istanbul, there are daily tours and you can contact with a travel agency. 

Agva

Agva

Agva is far 92 km from Istanbul. Agva, a village between rivers-Goksu and Yesilcay, is a crossing area for most of the cultures like Hittites, Romans, Phrygians and Ottaman Empire. Therefore, you can see some ruins of Church, gravestones of Romans, ruins of castle and mountain mill.

Agva presents a unique choice to have beautiful and valuable experience in Turkey. Agva is a meeting point for blue and green.  One side of this small town is blue the other side is every tone of green. Get on a boat by  the river let the nature refresh you and enjoy your vacation in Turkey.

  

‘Brida’s Rock’ is a Open Air Museum in Agva. When you look at it from sea, it’s like a bride with snowwhite veil but when you look at from the land, it is a duck.You can hire a boat to go to ‘brida’sRock’which looks like Norway fiords.

Activities are hunting, beach volleyball, trekking and also the activities are organized by the hotels.

There are lots of hotels and restaurants. But before travelling to Turkey, making reservations is advised since the hotels especially in summer season are full. Also there are daily tours from Istanbul to agva and you can book via a local travel agency in Istanbul.
Before visiting Agva, dont forget to take your photo machine and make your memories immortalize.

Agva

Agva

Agva

Uskudar

Uskudar

Uskudar is a large and densely populated municipality of Istanbul, Turkey, on the Anatolian shore of the Bosphorus. It is bordered on the north by Beykoz, on the east by Umraniye, on the southeast by Atasehir, on the south by Kadikoy, and on the west by the Bosphorus, with the areas of Besiktas, Beyoglu, and Eminonu on the opposite shore. It is home to about half a million people.

Uskudar is also the usual name for the historic center of the municipality. Uskudar was a city in Bithynia founded in the 7th century BC, in a valley leading down to the Bosphorus shore, by the inhabitants of the Greek colony of Khalkedon and was first known as Chrysopolis (city of gold), perhaps because it was a wealthy port, or because of the way it shone when viewed from Byzantium at sunset.

According to an ancient Greek geographer, the city received the name Chrysopolis because the Persian empire had a gold depository there or because it was associated with Agamemnon and Chryseis' son Chryses.

It’s a one of the best place to visit that you should not miss to visit during your turkey travel and Istanbul tours. You can see the Uskudar area from by boat if you take a bosphorus cruise in Istanbul and you can visit by land if you take a full day two continent tour at Istanbul.

Uskudar

Uskudar

Uskudar

Uskudar

Uskudar

Uskudar

Uskudar

Uskudar

Uskudar

Uskudar

Kadikoy

Kadıkoy

Kadıkoy is a large, populous, and cosmopolitan district of Istanbul, Turkey on the Asian side of the Sea of Marmara, facing the historic city centre on the European side of the Bosporus. Kadikoy it is also the name of the most prominent neighborhood of the district, a residential and commercial area that, with its numerous bars, cinemas and bookshops, is the cultural centre of the Anatolian side. Kadikoy became a district in 1928 when it seceded from Uskudar district. 

Kadikoy is a place mostly for local people that there is so many local restaurants, shops and shopping centers. If you have more time in Istanbul that you should not miss to visit during your turkey travel and Istanbul tours.

Kadıkoy

Kadıkoy

Kadıkoy

Kadıkoy

Kadıkoy

Kadıkoy

Kadıkoy

Kadıkoy

Ortakoy

Ortakoy (literally Middle Village in Turkish) is a neighborhood, formerly a small village, within the Besiktas district of Istanbul, Turkey, located in the middle of the European bank of the Bosphorus.

Ortakoy was a cosmopolitan area during the Ottoman era and the first decades of the Turkish Republic, with communities of Turks, Greeks, Armenians and Jews. Today the neighborhood still hosts many different religious (Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox, and other Christian) structures. It is also a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, with its art galleries, night clubs, cafes, bars, and restaurants.

The Neo-Baroque style Ortakoy Mosque is a beautifully ornate structure, right on the jetty of Ortakoy, bordering the waters of the Bosphorus and thus highly visible from the passing boats.
Several reputable schools, such as Kabatas Erkek Lisesi and Galatasaray University, are located in Ortakoy. The European pylon of the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the two bridges that connect the European and Asian banks of Istanbul, is also situated in this neighborhood.

Ortakoy is one of the best places to spend your free time in Istanbul that there is a park which is close by “Ulus Park” with beautiful views. Also, you can buy some gifts for present and enjoying beautiful view at Ortakoy. So, there is no any daily tours at Istanbul to visit Ortakoy that you can take private Istanbul city tour via local travel agent in Istanbul. 

Ortakoy

Ortakoy

Ortakoy

Ortakoy

Ortakoy

Ortakoy

Ortakoy

Ortakoy

Eminonu

Eminonu

Eminonu is a former district of Istanbul in Turkey, now a neighborhood of Fatih district. This is the heart of the walled city of Constantine, the focus of a history of incredible richness. Eminonu covers the point on which the Byzantine capital was built. The Galata Bridge crosses the Golden Horn into Eminonu and the mouth of the bosphorus opens into the Marmara sea and up on the hill stands Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Thus Eminonu is the main tourist destination in Istanbul. It was a part of the Fatih district until 1928, which covered the whole peninsular area of old Istanbul within the medieval city walls - that area which was formerly the Byzantine capital Constantinople. Since the resident population of Eminonu is low today, it rejoined the Fatih district in 2009. Eminonu area is very famous with New Mosque, Rustempasha mosque and Spice market. Also, Emionu area is one of the main place for public buses, metro, tram and ferry to cross Asian site of Istanbul. 

Also, you can take a two continent tour to see Eminonu area to include on your Istanbul trip at Turkey.

Galata Tower

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower called Christen Turris by the Genoese - is a medieval stone tower in the Galata district of Istanbul, Turkey, just to the north of the Golden Horn. One of the city's most striking landmarks, it is a high, cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline and affords a panoramic vista of Old Istanbul and its environs. Galata tower has a beautiful location that very easy to reach by public transportation. There is tram from Old City, Sultanahment station to Karakoy. Galata Tower is walking distance when you reached to Karakoy tram station. Also, there is available Turkish night show at Galata tower that you can contact one of turkey travel agent to include your turkey trip.

Shopping Center Carousel

Shopping Center Carousel

Carousel Shopping Center, opened in 1995, is a modern shopping mall located in the Bakirkoy district of Istanbul, Turkey. The shopping center with its 76,500 m² area has 117 shops, gift shops, shoes shop, textile, fast food restaurants, cafeterias, entertainment center and movie theaters. There are 7 elevators and 12 escalators providing easy access to 1.5 million visitors monthly. Car parking is free for the shoppers. Its attractions include discussion panels, music recitals, an art gallery where exhibitions by both amateur and professional artists are held, book-signing sessions by famous authors, and special weeks featuring different countries. Also, Bakirkoy is once center area in Istanbul (Carousel Shopping Center in Bakirkoy) and best way to go there by taxi or you can take a public bus from Taksim Suquare or from Eminonu station. Also, there is another option that you can include in your Istanbul tours itinerary or you can take a private Istanbul city tour.

Istanbul Shopping Centers Cevahir

Istanbul Shopping Centers Cevahir

Istanbul Cevahir Shopping and Entertainment Centre, opened on 15 October 2005, is a modern shopping and entertainment centre located in the Sisli district of Istanbul, Turkey. Called also Sisli Kultur ve Ticaret Merkezi (Sisli Cultural and Trade Centre). Istanbul Cevahir is the largest shopping center in Europe also in Istanbul, and the sixth largest Shopping Center in the world. The shopping center was opened by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and 450,000 people visited the complex on the opening day. Recently, 190,000 visitors coming to the shopping center daily. It is open seven days a week from 10:00 to 22:00 hours and also it may extend at special days. Some of the international brands in the shopping center are as follows: Adidas, Bata, Benetton, BSB, Converse, Debenhams, Divarese, Dockers, Dorothy Perkins, Esprit, Evans, Fornarina, Gloria Jean's, Guess World, Jack&Jones, Kappa, La Senza, Levi's, Lotto, Massimo Dutti, Miss Selfridge, Mothercare, Nine West, Peacocks, Reebok, River Island, Topshop, Top Man, Vero Moda, and Zara as well as food chains, Burger King, KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Starbucks. There are also many locally based stores and Turkish restaurants, offering local dishes such as milk-based desserts and kebabs. Also, Cevahir shopping center is in Sisli (near Taksim ) and good way to go there by subway or taxi from Old City of Istanbul. Also, there is another option that you can include in your Istanbul tours itinerary or you can take a private Istanbul city tour.

Marmara Forum

Marmara Forum

Opened in March 2011, Marmara Forum Shopping Mall is an extensive shopping and entertainment complex in the heart of Istanbul's Bakirkoy district. Spread over 375,000m2, this elegant mall brings together 300 different local and international brands along with a 16-hall cinema, bowling alley and an amusement park with children's playgrounds. Just about anything can be found at Marmara Forum Shopping Mall, from accessories to home ware, bags, shoes, electronics, music, books, toys, health & beauty products and more. The Marmara forum very close from Ataturk Airport that about 10 min. by driver. It’s very good idea for break time or you can include in your Istanbul itinerary for shopping or you can take a private Istanbul city tour to go to shopping centers in Istanbul.

Miniaturk

Miniaturk

The park Miniaturk is a miniature park situated at the north-eastern shore of Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. It was opened on the 02.05.2003. Miniaturk covers a total area of 60,000 m2. It is one of the world's largest miniature parks with it's 15,000 m2 model area. Miniaturk has 40,000 m2 of open space, 3,500 m2 of covered area, 2,000 m2 of pools and waterways, and a parking lot with a capacity of 500 vehicles. The park contains 105 models done in 1/25th scale. 45 of the structures are from Istanbul, 45 are from Anatolia, and 15 are from the Ottoman territories that today lie outside of Turkey. Also featured are historic structures like the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus. Additional space was reserved for potential future models. Also, miniature park very close to Pier Loti hill Eyup mosque. There is no any daily tour to miniature park that you should take a private Istanbul tour to include in your turkey tours.

Naval Museum

Naval Museum

The Istanbul Naval Museum is a national naval museum of the Republic of Turkey, located in Istanbul. It was established in 1897 by the Ottoman Minister of Navy Bozcaadali Hasan Husnu Pasha. The museum contains an important collection of military artifacts pertaining to the Ottoman Navy.The museum is located on Hayrettin Iskelesi Sok.80690 Besiktas, Istanbul, near the Besiktas ferry. In the field of maritime, it is Turkey's largest museum, with a great variety of collections. Around 20.000 pieces are present in it's collection. Being connected to the sea-forces commander in Turkey, it is also the countrie's first military museum. There is no any daily tour to Naval Museum that you should take a private Istanbul tour to include in your turkey trip.

Naval Museum

Naval Museum

Naval Museum

Naval Museum

Naval Museum

Naval Museum

Naval Museum

Naval Museum