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I S T A N B U L
 Istanbul
embraces two continents, one arm reaching out to
Asia, the other to Europe. Through the city's
heart, the Bosphorus strait, courses the waters of
the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Golden
Horn. The former capital of three successive
empires - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman - today
Istanbul honors and preserves the legacy of its
past while looking forward to its modern future.
Indeed,
it is Istanbul's variety that fascinates its
visitors. The museums, churches, palaces, great
mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem
inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the
Bosphorus at sunset, contemplating the red
twilight reflected in the windows on the opposite
shore, you understand, suddenly and profoundly,
why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build
on this remarkable site. At times such as these,
you feel that Istanbul is truly one of the most
glorious cities in the world.
Palaces
Mosques
Museums
Monuments
Yachting-Golf
Art, Culture and Entertainment
Shopping
The Environs of Istanbul
P a l a c e s
 On
a spot of land at the confluence of the Bosphorus,
the Golden Horn and the Marmara Sea, stands
Topkapý Palace, a maze of buildings at the center
of the Ottoman Empire between the l5th and l9th
centuries. In these opulent surroundings the
sultans and their court lived and governed. A
magnificent wooded garden fills the outer, or
first, court. To the right of the second court,
shaded by cypress and plane trees, stand the
palace kitchens, now galleries exhibiting the
imperial collections of crystal, silver and
Chinese porcelain. To the left, the Harem, the
secluded quarters of the wives, concubines and
children of the sultan, charms visitors with
echoes of a centuries old intrigue. Today, the
third court holds the Hall of Audience, the
Library of Ahmet III, an exhibition of imperial
costumes worn by the sultans and their families,
the famous jewels of the treasury and a priceless
collection of miniatures from medieval manuscripts.
In the center of this innermost sanctuary, the
Pavilion of the
 Holy
Mantle enshrines the relics of the Prophet
Mohammed brought to Istanbul when the Ottomans
assumed the caliphate of Islam. (Open every day
except Tuesday.) For more information on Topkapý
Palace see homepage of Ministry of Culture.
Built
in the mid-l9th century by Sultan Abdülmecit I,
the facade
 of
Dolmabahçe Palace stretches for 600 meters along
the European shore of the Bosphorus. The vast
reception salon, with 56 columns, and a huge
crystal chandelier weighing four and a half tons
and lit by 750 lights never fails to astonish
visitors: At one time, birds from all over the
world were kept in the Bird Pavilion for the
delight of the palace's privileged residents.
Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, died in
Dolmabahçe on November 10,1938. (Open every day
except Monday and Thursday
 In
the 19th century, Sultan Abdülaziz built the
Beylerbeyi Palace, a fantasy in white marble amid
magnolia filled gardens, on the Bosphorus's Aegean
Shore. Used as the Sultan's summer residence, it
was offered to the most distinguished foreign
dignitaries during their visits. Empress Eugenie
of France was among its residents. (open everyday
except Monday and Thursday.)
In
addition to the State Pavilions at Yýldýz Palace,
the compound includes a series of pavilions and a
mosque. It was completed
by Abdülhamit II at the end of the 19th century.
The Þale, the largest and most exquisite of the
buildings, reveals the luxury in which the sultans
lived and entertained. Set in a huge park of
flowers, shrubs and trees gathered from every part
of the world, the palace grounds offer one of the
most beautiful panoramic views of the Bosphorus.
Because of restoration work, only the Þale and
park are open to the public. (Open every day
except Monday and Thursday.)
 The
Göksu Palace, also known as Küçüksu, takes its
name from the streams which empty into the
Bosphorus near the tiny palace. Built by
Abdülmecit I in the middle of the l9th century, it
was used as a summer residence. (Open every day
except Monday and Thursday)
Originally
built in the l8th century and later restored by
various sultans, the Aynalý Kavak Summer Pavilion
assumed its name, Mirrored Poplar, when its famed
mirrors, a gift from some of the Venetian, were
installed in 1718. This palace on the Golden Horn
is one of the most beautiful examples of
traditional Turkish architecture. (Open every day
except Monday and Thursday.)
The
19th century Ihlamur Pavilion is named after the
linden trees th at
grow in its gardens. Now in the heart of
metropolitan Istanbul, when it was originally
constructed, the pavilion lay in the rolling
countryside that surrounded the city. The Merasim
Pavilion was used for official ceremonies while
the Maiyet Pavilion sheltered the sultan's
entourage and on occasions, his harem during their
excursions out of the palace confines. (Open every
day except Monday and Thursday.)
 The
Maslak Pavilion on a shady green hill was
conceived by Sultan Abdülaziz as hunting lodges
and are superb examples of the late l9th century
Ottoman decorative style. These are particularly
noteworthy. (Open every day except Monday and
Thursday.)
The
Florya Atatürk Sea Pavilion served as a summer
residence for Turkish presidents. Situated in a T-shaped
design jutting out onto the Marmara Sea, this
building constructed in 1935, serves as a showcase
for some of the loveliest examples of early 20th
century furnishings. Atatürk was the first
president to stay here. (Open weekdays except
Monday and Thursday.)
M o s q u e s
Facing
St. Sophia stands the supremely elegant, six-minaret,
imperial Sultanahmet Mosque. Built between 1609
and 1616 by the architect Mehmet, the building is
mo re
familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because its
interior gleams with a magnificent paneling of
blue and white Iznik tiles. During the summer
months an evening light and sound show both
entertain and inform.
The
cascading domes and four slender minarets of
Süleymaniye Mosque dominate the skyline on the
Golden Horn's west bank. Considered the most
beautiful of all imperial mosques in Istanbul, it
was built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the
renowned architect of the Ottoman golden age. On
the crest of a hill, the building is conspicuous
by its great size, which the four minarets that
rise from each corner of the courtyard emphasize.
Inside, the mihrab (prayer niche) and the mimber (pulpit)
are of finely carved white marble; fine stained
glass windows color the incoming streams of light.
It was in the gardens of this complex that
Süleyman and his wife Hürrem Sultan, Roxelane, had
their mausolea built, and near here also that
Sinan built his own tomb. The mosque complex also
includes four medrese, or theological schools, a
school of medicine, a caravanserai, a Turkish bath,
and a kitchen and hospice for the poor.
Another
skillful accomplishment of the architect Sinan,
the Rüstem Paþa Mosque was built in 1561 on the
orders of Rüstem Paþa, Grand Vizier and son-in-law
of Süleyman the Magnificent. Exquisite Iznik tiles
panel the small and superbly proportioned interior.
The
imperial Fatih Mosque, constructed between 1463
and 1470, bears the name of the Ottoman conqueror
of Istanbul, Fatih Sultan Mehmet, and is the site
of his mausoleum. Standing atop another of
Istanbul's hills, its vast size and great complex
of religious buildings; medreses, hospices, baths,
a hospital, a caravanserai and a library, make it
well worth a visit. The great Mosque of Eyüp lies
outside the city walls, near the Golden Horn, at
the supposed place where Eyüp, the standard bearer
of the Prophet Mohammed, died in the Islamic
assault on Constantinople in 670 A.D. The first
mosque built after the Ottoman conquest of the
city, this greatly venerated shrine attracts many
pilgrims.
Built
between 1597 and 1663, the Yeni (New) Mosque
hovers over the harbor at Eminönü, greeting the
incoming ferryboats and welcoming tourists to the
old city. Today, its graceful domes and arches
shelter hundreds of pigeons who make this area
their home. Marvelous Iznik tiles decorate the
sultan's balcony.
The
l6th century Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque built in
an awkwardly shaped plot on a steeply sloping hill
near Sultanahmet is one of the most beautiful
examples of classical Turkish architecture and a
masterpiece of the architect Sinan. Inside,
breathtaking blues, greens, purples and reds color
the elegant designs of the Iznik tiles.
Walls
of glass fill the four immense arches that support
the central dome at the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
inside the Edirne gate of the old city walls. One
hundred and sixty-one windows illuminate this
mosque, built by Sinan for Mihrimah Sultana, the
daughter of Süleyman the Magnificent in 1555.
M u s e u m s
 The
Basilica of St. Sophia, now called the Ayasofya
Museum, is unquestionably one of the finest
buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the
Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th
century, its immense dome rises 55 meters above
the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters. You
should linger here to absorb the building's
majestic serenity and to admire the fine Byzantine
mosaics. (Open every day except Monday.)
The
Archaeological Museums are found just inside the
first cour t
of Topkapý Palace. Included among the displays are
the celebrated Alexander Sarcophagus among its
treasures of antiquity. The Museum of the Ancient
Orient displays artifacts from the Sumerian,
Babylonian, Assyrian, Hatti and Hittite
civilisations. (Open every day except Monday.)
Originally
built as a köþk or pavilion by Mehmet the
Conqueror in the l5th century, the Çinili Köþk,
which houses the Museum of Turkish Ceramics,
contains beautiful Iznik wares from the l6th
century and fine examples of Seljuk and Ottoman
pottery and tiles. (Open every day except Monday.)
 Like
the Ayasofya Museum, the St. Irene Museum was
originally a church. It ranks, in fact, as the
first church built in Istanbul. Constantine
commissioned it in the fourth century and
Justinian later had the ch urch
restored. Reputedly the building stands on the
site of a pre-Christian temple. (Open every day
except Monday.)
The
dark stone building that houses the Museum of
Turkish and Islamic Art was built in 1524 by
Ibrahim Paþa; Grand Vizier to Süleyman the
Magnificent, as his residence. It was the grandest
private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire
. Today, it houses a superb collection of ceramics,
metalwork miniatures,
 calligraphy,
textiles, and woodwork as well as some of the
oldest carpets in the world. (Open every day
except Monday.)
Across
the street from the Ibrahim Paþa Palace is the
Museum of Turkish Carpets which contains exquisite
antique carpets and kilims gathered from all over
Turkey. (Open every day except Sunday and Monday.)
Near
St. Sophia is the sixth century Byzantine cistem
known as the Yerebatan Sarnýcý. Three hundred and
thirty-six massive Corinthian columns support the
immense chamber's fine brick vaulting. (Open every
day except Tuesday.)
The
Mosaic Museum preserves in situ exceptionally fine
mosaic pavements of the fifth and sixth centuries
which remain from the Great Palace of the
Byzantine emperors. (Open every day except Monday.)
 The
Kariye Museum, the 11th century church of "St.
Savior" in Chora, is, after St. Sophia, the most
important Byzantine monument in Istanbul.
Unremarkable in its architecture, inside, the
walls are decorated with superb l4th century
frescoes and mosaics. Illustrating scenes from the
life of Christ an d
the Virgin Mary, these brilliantly colored
paintings embody the vigor of Byzantine art.
Restored wooden houses in the area surrounding the
church offer tea and coffee in a relaxed ,
atmosphere far removed from the city's hectic pace.
(Open every day except Tuesday.)
The
Aviation Museum in Yeþilköy traces the development
of air flight in Turkey. (Open every day except
Monday.)
 The
great field tents used by the Ottoman armies on
campaigns are displayed in the Military Museum.
Other exhibits include Ottoman weapons and the
accoutrements of war. The Mehter Takýmý (Ottoman
military band) perform Ottoman martial music
between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. (Open every day except
Monday and Tuesday.)
The
house in which Atatürk lived in Þiþli now serves
as the Atatürk Museum and displays his personal
effects. (Open every day except Saturday and
Sunday.)
In
the Beþiktaþ district the Naval Museum displays
the great imperia l
caiques in which the sultans were rowed across the
Bosphorus, as well as many other interesting
exhibits of Ottoman naval history (Open every day
except Monday and Thursday.)
Also
in Beþiktaþ, the Museum of Fine Arts displays
Turkish paintings and sculptures from the end of
the l9th century to the present day. (Open every
day except Monday and Tuesday.)
Located
within the gardens of Yýldýz Palace, the City
Museum preserves and documents the history of
Istanbul since the Ottoman conquest. (Open every
day except Thursday.)
Also
within the gardens are the Yýldýz Palace, Theatre
and the Historic Stage Costumes Museum, with its
richly decorated scenery and stage, and its
exquisite costumes.
Rahmi
Koç Industry Museum, in the suburb of Hasköy on
the coast of the Golden Horn, an Ottoman-period
iron- and steel-works building formerly called
Lengerhane, it houses industrial development
exhibits. (Open every day except Monday).
Up
the Bosphorus in the picturesque suburb of
Büyükdere, the collections of the Sadberk Haným
Museum fill two charming l9th century wooden
villas. A private museum which originally
displayed Turkish decorative arts, it has recently
been expanded with a new collection of
archaeological finds. (Open every day except
Wednesday.)
M o n u m e n t s
 The
ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and
the center of Byzantine civic life, stood in the
open space in front of the Blue Mosque, an area
now called Sultanahmet. Of the monuments which
once decorated it, only three remain: the Obelisk
of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and
the Column of Constantine. Remains from the curved-end
section of the Hippodrome's wall can be seen on
the southwest side of these three monuments. Today ,
the square forms the center of Istanbul's
historical, cultural and tourism activities. You
should take particular note of the surrounding
wooden houses, particularly the l8th century ones
on Sogukçesme Street. Delightfully restored, they
have new life as small hotels and one houses a
fascinating library of books on Istanbul.
The
Ahmet III Fountain, built in 1729, stands at the
entrance to Topkapý Palace. Deep overhanging eaves
shade the water spouts where the parched could
stop for a cup of refreshing water. This highly
ornate, free-standing fountain is a superb example
of the late Ottoman style.
Mahmut
II built the Beyazýt Tower (85 meters high) in
1828 as a fire tower. Today it stands within the
grounds of Istanbul University.
 The
Bozdoðan-Valens Aqueduct, built in 368 A.D.,
supplied the Byzantine and later the Ottoman
palaces with water. Today part of the remaining
900 meters of double-tiered arches straddle the
major highway that runs through the old part of
town.
The
Istanbul land walls, once an impenetrable
fortification, stretch seven kilometers from the
Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn. Restored
recently, and many times previously, these walls
date from the fifth century and the reign of
Emperor Theodosius II. UNESCO has declared the
land walls and the area which they enclose to be
one of the cultural heritages of the world.
The
Galata Tower, a Genoese construction of 1348,
rises 62 meters hig h
over the Golden Horn. From the top, you see a
marvelous panorama of the Golden Horn and the
Bosphorus. In the evening, tourists enjoy its
popular restaurant, nightclub and bar.
 Rumeli
Hisari, or the European Fortress, was built by
Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to his capture
of Istanbul. Completed in only four months, it is
one of the most beautiful works of military
architecture in the world. (Open every day except
Mondays.)
Known
as Leander's Tower, Kiz Kulesi is one of the
romantic symbols of Istanbul. First constructed in
the l2th century on a tiny island at the entrance
to Istanbul's harbor, the present building dates
from the l8th century.
I s t a n b u l B o g a z i ( B o s p h o r
u s )
A
stay in Istanbul is not complete without the
traditional and unforgettable boat excursion up
the Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates
Europe and Asia. Its shores offer a delightful
mixture of past and present, grand splendor and
simple beauty. Modern hotels stand next to yalý (shorefront
wooden villas), marble palaces abut rustic stone
fortresses, and elegant compounds neighbor small
fishing villages. The best way to see the
Bosphorus is to board one of the passenger boats
that regularly zigzag along the shores. You embark
in
Eminönü
and stop alternately on the Asian and European
sides of the strait. The round-trip excursion, at
a very reasonable cost, takes about six hours. If
you wish a private voyage, you can contact one of
the agencies which specialize in organizing day or
night mini-cruises.
During
the journey, you pass in front of the magnificent
Dolmabahçe Palace; farther along rise the green
parks and imperial pavilions of Yýldýz Palace. On
the edge of this park, on the coast, stands
Çýraðan Palace ,now restored as a grand hotel.
Refurbished in 1874 by Sultan Abdülaziz, it
stretches for 300 meters along the Bosphorus shore,
its ornate marble facades reflecting the swiftly
moving water. In Ortaköy, the next stop, artists
gather every Sunday to exhibit their works in a
streetside gallery. The variety of people create a
lively scene; sample a delicious bite from one of
the street vendors. In Ortaköy, there is a church,
mosque and a synagogue that have existed side by
side for hundreds of years - a tribute to Turkish
secularism and tolerance. Overshadowing Istanbul's
traditional architecture is the Bosphorus Bridge,
one of the world's largest suspension bridges
linking Europe and Asia.
The
beautiful Beylerbeyi Palace lies just past the
bridge on the Asian side. Behind the palace rises
Çamlýca Hill, the highest point of Istanbul. You
can drive here to admire the magnificent panorama
of Istanbul as well as the beautiful landscaped
gardens. On the opposite shore, the wooden Ottoman
villas of Arnavutköy contrast with the luxurious
modern apartments of neighboring Bebek. A few
kilometers farther out, facing each other across
the straits like sentries guarding the city, stand
the fortresses of Rumeli Hisarý and Anadolu Hisarý.
The Göksu Palace, sometimes known as Küçüksu
Palace graces the Asian shore, next to Anadolu
Hisari. The second link between the two continents;
the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge straddles the
waterway just past the two fortresses.
From
Duatepe Hill, on the European side, you can admire
the magnificent panorama of the bridge and the
Bosphorus. Below Duatepe, beautiful Emirgan Park
bursts with color when the tulips bloom in spring.
Opposite, on the Asian shore is Kanlýca, a fishing
village now a favored suburb for wealthy
Istanbulites. Crowds gather in the restaurants and
cafes along its shores to sample its famous yogurt.
Shortly after Kanlýca and Çubuklu is the Beykoz
Korusu (Abraham Paþa Woods), a popular retreat. In
the cafes and restaurants you can enjoy the
delightful views and clear fresh air. On the
European side, at Tarabya Bay, yachts seem to
dance at their moorings. The coast road bustles
with taverns and fish restaurants from Tarabya to
the charming suburbs of Sarýyer and Büyükdere.
Sarýyer has one of the largest fish markets in
Istanbul and is also famous for its delicious
varieties of milk puddings and börek (pastries). A
little further on past Sarýyer, the narrow strait
widens and disappears into the Black Sea.
H a l i c - T h e G o l d e n H o r n
This
horn-shaped estuary, divides European Istanbul.
One of the best natural harbors in the world, the
Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial
shipping interests were centered here. Today,
lovely parks and promenades line the shores where
the setting sun dyes the water a golden color. In
Fener and Balat, neighbourhoods midway up the
Golden Horn, whole streets of old wooden houses,
churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and
Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy resides
here at Fener. Eyüp, a little further up, reflects
the Ottoman style of vermicular architecture.
Cemeteries
sprinkled with dark cypress trees cover the
hillsides. Many pilgrims come to the tomb of Eyüp
in the hope that their prayers will be granted.
The Pierre Loti Cafe, atop the hill overlooking
the shrine is a wonderful place to enjoy the
tranquility of the view.
Y a c h t i n g - G o l f
Yachting
is a popular activity in Istanbul. This is the
only place in the world where you can enjoy the
beauty of a mystical landscape while sailing back
through history to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman
times, and view magnificent castles, palaces and
mosques. From the North Sea through the European
interior, yachters can sail down the European
channel system and the Rhine and Danube Rivers
into the Black Sea harbors and to the Istanbul-Boðazý
and Istanbul marinas - a safe and short way to get
there. Sail on the Istanbul Boðazý under the
enormous bridges spanning two continents and
around the Princes' Islands to their beautiful
bays. You may anchor and enjoy the serenity of
this area. After enjoying all of the sights return
to one of the two large marinas in the area.
Ataköy Marina is on the European side and Kalamýþ
Marina is on the Asian side. Both offer 24-hour
service. International Offshore Yacht races are
held in Istanbul every summer.
The
Istanbul region offers lovely opportunities for
golfing enthusiasts: The Klassis Golf and Country
Club, 65 km from Istanbul in Silivri, is the
area's second-largest golf club, with an 18-hole
course and a 9-hole course. The Kemer Golf and
Country Club,18 km from Istanbul in the Belgrad
Forest near the town of Kemerburgaz, offers a
formidable test of golf skill on its 9-hole course.
The Istanbul Golf Club in the Ayazaða district of
Istanbul has a 9-hole course.
A r t , C u l t u r e a n d E n t e r t a
i n m e n t
Istanbul
is an international art and cultural center. The
International Arts and Cultural Festival is held
each year in June and July with famous artists
coming from all over the world. These performances
are held mostly in the Atatürk Cultural Center.
Those enjoying classical music can hear it at
Cemal Reþit Rey Hall. Operas, operettas, ballets,
film, concerts, exhibitions and conferences all
share the cultural palette of the city. Istanbul
also has a rich program of light entertainment.
Nightclubs provide splendid entertainment
throughout dinner, ranging from a selection of
Turkish songs to the famous bellydance. Istanbul
is an international gambling city with many
casinos.
Alongside
these are modern discos, cabarets, and jazz clubs
in the Taksim-Harbiye district.
In
Sultanahmet, there are a number of restaurants in
restored Byzantine and Ottoman buildings which
offer a unique setting for an evening out.
Kumkapi,
with its many taverns, bars and fish restaurants,
is another attractive district. People have been
meeting for years in Beyoðlu district's Çiçek
Pasajý for snacks and seafood specialties. Also in
this district, the narrow Nevizede street, near
Çiçek Pasajý, is the best place in Istanbul for
eating Turkish specialties and drinking raký.
On
the Bosphorus, Ortaköy is the best place for
nightlife in Istanbul, with its nightclubs, jazz
clubs, fine seafood restaurants and bars.
In
Eminönü ,don't miss an opportunity to see the
fishermen dressed in traditional Ottoman clothes
on their Ottoman-style boats where you may board
and taste their famous delicious fried fish.
S h o p p i n g
One
could visit Istanbul for the shopping alone. The
Kapalý Çarþý, or Covered Bazaar, in the old city
is the logical place to start. This labyrinth of
streets and passages houses more than 4,000 shops.
The names recall the days when each trade had its
own quarter: Goldsmiths' street, Carpet sellers'
street, Skullcap makers. Still the commercial
center of the old city, the bazaar is the original
shopping mall with something to suit every taste
and pocket.
Turkish
crafts, the world-renowned carpets, brilliant
handpainted ceramics, copper, brassware, and
meerschaum pipes make charming souvenirs and gifts.
The gold jewelry in brilliantly lit cases blinds
passersby. Leather and suede goods of excellent
quality make a relatively inexpensive purchase.
The Old Bedesten, in the heart of the bazaar,
offers a curious assortment of antiques. It is
worth poking through the clutter of decades in the
hope of finding a treasure.
The
Misir Carsisi or Spice Bazaar, next to Yeni Mosque
in Eminönü, transports you to fantasies of the
mystical East. The enticing aromas of cinnamon,
caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other
conceivable herb and spice fill the air.
Sultanahmet has become another shopping mecca in
the old city. The Istanbul Sanatlari Çarsýsý (Bazaar
of Istanbul Arts) in the l8th century Mehmet
Efendi Medresesi, and the nearby l6th century
Caferaða Medrese, built by Sinan, offer a chance
to see craftsmen at work and to purchase their
wares. In the Arasta (old bazaar) of the
Sultanahmet Mosque, a thriving shopping arcade
makes shopping and sightseeing very convenient.
The
sophisticated shops of the Taksim-Nisantasi-Sisli
districts contrast with the chaos of the bazaars.
On Istiklal Avenue, Cumhuriyet Avenue and Rumeli
Avenue, you can browse peacefully in the most
fashionable shops that sell elegant fashions made
from Turkey's high quality textiles. Exquisite
jewelry as well as finely designed handbags and
shoes can also be found. The Ataköy Galleria Mall
in Ataköy and Akmerkez Mall in Etiler have
branches of Istanbul's most elegant shops.
Bahariye Avenue, Bagdat Avenue, and Capitol Mall
on the Asian side, offer the same goods.
In
Istanbul's busy flea markets you can find an
astonishing assortment of goods, both old and new.
Everyday offers a new opportunity to poke about
the Sahaflar Çarsýsý and Çýnaraltý in the Beyazýt
district. On Sundays, in a flea market between the
Sahaflar and the Covered Bazaar, vendors uncover
their wares on carts and blankets. The Horhor
Çarsýsý is a collection of shops that sell
furniture of varying age and quality. The flea
market in the Topkapý district, on Çukurcuma Sokak
in Cihangir, on Büyük Hamam Sokak in Üsküdar, in
the Kadýköy Çarsý Duraðý area, and between Eminönü
and Tahtakale, are open daily. After a Sunday
drive up the Bosphorus, stop between Büyükdere and
Sarýyer to wander through another lively market.
T h e E n v i r o n s o f I s t a n b u l
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