How should we spend our last day in Istanbul
Jun 11th, 2012, 10:03 PM
#1
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How should we spend our last day in Istanbul
Our time in Istanbul is sadly coming to an end. We will have seen all the "top" sites and experiences by our last day - wondering what people's opinions are for spending our last day.
I was thinking of going over to the Asian side to Kadikoy and Üsküdar..
I was thinking of going over to the Asian side to Kadikoy and Üsküdar..
Jun 11th, 2012, 10:30 PM
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Did you visit these palaces?
- Dolmabahce Palace (on European part)
- Beylerbeyi Palace (on Asian part of Bosphorus). It was summer residence of the sultan
We loved both of them, they are built in 19th sec., have many saloons and rooms very decorated.
- Dolmabahce Palace (on European part)
- Beylerbeyi Palace (on Asian part of Bosphorus). It was summer residence of the sultan
We loved both of them, they are built in 19th sec., have many saloons and rooms very decorated.
Jun 11th, 2012, 11:01 PM
#4
uskudar is a mess because of construction.
The small village, Cengelkoy, after beylerbeyi, is very pleasant with good cafe and restaurants and the walk to the Kuleli military highschool is very rewarding in terms of the view.
You can also take a taxi up to camlica hill for panoramic istanbul views from cengelkoy or Beylerbeyi.
All of above can be combined with beylerbeyi palace visit.
The small village, Cengelkoy, after beylerbeyi, is very pleasant with good cafe and restaurants and the walk to the Kuleli military highschool is very rewarding in terms of the view.
You can also take a taxi up to camlica hill for panoramic istanbul views from cengelkoy or Beylerbeyi.
All of above can be combined with beylerbeyi palace visit.
Jun 12th, 2012, 07:48 AM
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On our last day, we went to the spice market to stock up on dates and nuts, then cross the street to take the 5 hour Bosphorus cruise, it was relaxing and a nice way to wind down the journey. The seafood lunch at the last stop was fresh. For dinner we went to the Imbat restaurant ( has a high rating on trip advisor) , while the food was good, the view was a hugh part of that dinner. I prefer the lamb to the seafood dish which was slightly overcooked. They have a good local wine list, quite reasonable for Turkey standard, very inexpensive for American's. Hope this helps.
Jun 12th, 2012, 08:08 AM
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Take the Golden Horn Ferry and disembark at Ayvansaray, which is at the north end of the Theodosian Walls that used to surround Constantinople.
Walk along the northernmost stretch of the wall, from the Golden Horn south to Edirnekapi Gate, a distance of about 1½ miles.
Some stops aloing the way could include the Greek Orthodox All Holy Spring Church (Panagia Blachernae). Wind your way through a neighborhood called Balat, which used to be a bustling Jewish community, but it now home to Roma, or Gypsy, families. Make your way uphill to the Dungeons of Anemas, named for its first resident prisoner in 1107, a Byzantine soldier who attempted to murder the emperor.
Pass through a small gate in the wall, the Egrikapi Gate, which leads to a lovely and well-kept Muslim cemetery. Walk outside the wall to get some pictures.
Continue upward to the Tekfur Palace, Istanbul's only surviving Byzantine palace. It is under restoration, but is impressive even from the outside.
Enjoy the park adjoining the Tekfur Palace. Then you'll come to a place on the wall where you can climb the steps up to the top – about 40 feet high. The views are impressive.
From there, your steps from restaurant Asitane. The recipes used at Asitane are all from the kitchens of the royal Ottoman palaces, meticulously researched and recreated.
http://www.asitanerestaurant.com/English/
Right nest to the restaurant is St. Savior in Chora Church, or Kariye Museum.
This small 11th century church has well-preserved Byzantium mosaics illustrating the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. The many mosaics are mostly intact. It is an amazing and beautiful place – worth a visit for anyone even remotely interested in sacred mosaics.
From there, you are close to the Edirnekapi tram stop to get back home.
Walk along the northernmost stretch of the wall, from the Golden Horn south to Edirnekapi Gate, a distance of about 1½ miles.
Some stops aloing the way could include the Greek Orthodox All Holy Spring Church (Panagia Blachernae). Wind your way through a neighborhood called Balat, which used to be a bustling Jewish community, but it now home to Roma, or Gypsy, families. Make your way uphill to the Dungeons of Anemas, named for its first resident prisoner in 1107, a Byzantine soldier who attempted to murder the emperor.
Pass through a small gate in the wall, the Egrikapi Gate, which leads to a lovely and well-kept Muslim cemetery. Walk outside the wall to get some pictures.
Continue upward to the Tekfur Palace, Istanbul's only surviving Byzantine palace. It is under restoration, but is impressive even from the outside.
Enjoy the park adjoining the Tekfur Palace. Then you'll come to a place on the wall where you can climb the steps up to the top – about 40 feet high. The views are impressive.
From there, your steps from restaurant Asitane. The recipes used at Asitane are all from the kitchens of the royal Ottoman palaces, meticulously researched and recreated.
http://www.asitanerestaurant.com/English/
Right nest to the restaurant is St. Savior in Chora Church, or Kariye Museum.
This small 11th century church has well-preserved Byzantium mosaics illustrating the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. The many mosaics are mostly intact. It is an amazing and beautiful place – worth a visit for anyone even remotely interested in sacred mosaics.
From there, you are close to the Edirnekapi tram stop to get back home.
