Macka area of Istanbul - what's there?

Old Aug 15th, 2012, 02:07 PM
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Macka area of Istanbul - what's there?

My husband and I are staying at the Hilton ParkSA Istanbul which is located in the Macka area of Istanbul. I can see on my maps that it's just up the hill from Dolmabahce but what else is in the neighborhood? This is our second time to Istanbul and we've got most of out must sees figured out. The only thing left is to explore "our" neighborhood. I'm thrilled we aren't tourist central because I like to find myself in restaurants and on streets without another tourist in sight. Does anyone know this area? Any good restaurnt or cafe suggestions? Galleries, shops, places of interest?
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Old Aug 16th, 2012, 12:09 AM
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I now live in Germany but I'm graduated from technical university in Macka which is a historic building. That was 25 years ago, there were no hotels around and you could walk in the park or sit in the garden where Swissotel is now and watch Bosphorus all day. You can walk down to Dolmabahce palace. If you like shopping a walk to Nisantasi area would worth. You will find many cafes and restaurants on the way. Have a nice trip!
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Old Aug 16th, 2012, 02:57 AM
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Turning to your right from the hotel and then right again,

1. Go directly up to reach some architecturally interesting buildings within minutes and then Park Hyatt on the left with Gucci and Armani shops, followed by a small mall with some shops and good cafes, bars and decent restaurants.
The road before the park hyatt has a good kebap restaurant called Kose Basi.
There is a decent patissery past the Milli Re building and mall and two delis. A cafe next to the mosque (popular for upscale funeral ceremonies)across, and a good traditional pudding shop Saray forther on the left.
This area is called Tesvikiye.

Further, diagonally across from the police station, there is a tiny restaurant called Hacibey, excellent for a tasty iskender kebap quick lunch(they serve only that, lentil soup and possibly salad).

Across hacibey, on the second floor of a residential building is my wife's favorite jeweller, Arkaik, interesting unique designs from pre-Greek anatolian civilizations.

Some more yards will bring you to a pasabahce shop which has an excellent collection of glassware many of which are exported all over the world. Consider their tea and raki glasses and services.

the street running to the left of Tesvikiye street which you have been walking is called Abdi ipekci Street. It has more cafes, upscale boutiques and good restaurants.

2. Across from your street, there are some cafes.

3. Take one more right, down the street, some 300 yards will bring you to the W hotel, 50 yards before the coastal road at besiktas. There are some popular cafes before the W and around the corner. tghere are also some restaurants in the region including Vogue, which I do not like.

If you take a left at the W and then the first right. That street brings you to Besiktas shopping area. This is a very middle class area, very different from the Tesvikiye/ Nisantasi district above the hill. Comparison of the people, what they wear, how they walk and what they eat, etc. can be great fun. Please read my review of "Besiktas" at Trip advisor.

If you continue to the coast road, cross it and reach the shore, there are two regular ferry landings and a smaller ferry landing. There is a decent restaurant at the small ferry landing with lower floor for meat and upper floor for fish. There are also cafes on the sea front.

You can take boats here for a Bosphorus cruise, to get across to Uskudar, to Kadikoy and even commuter ferries up the Bosphorus in the evenings and down to the old city early in the morning. (very much recommended)
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Old Aug 17th, 2012, 07:16 AM
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Wow, and a jewelry store as well! Thank you so much otherchelebi for the details, details, details. It sounds the area is as interesting as I hoped. You must be a mind reader because one thing I planned to look for was a set of tea glasses with galoshes. We're going to Uzbekistan for two weeks after visiting Istanbul but I bet we can have purchases shipped home. Also, the restaurant recommendations are very much appreciated. I've read that our hotel has a very good restaurant but I rarely eat anything other than breakfast at my hotel - I think that's boring. It sounds as if we will have some good choices within walking distance after a day of sight seeing. That ferry terminal will come in handy because that is always my first choice of transport wherever it's available. Again thank you for all the information.

BTW, do you know about how long a walk is it to the Ferry Terminal?
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Old Aug 17th, 2012, 11:28 AM
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jahle, the pasabahce glassare shop has the best packaging of any shop i have seen, but you probably will have to send the box yourself. just tell the packer that you will mail them to the US.

The walk to the ferry terminals should not take longer than 12-15 minutes, all downhill. Actually, take a left from your hotel then another left and a right down to the main coastal street. you will see the traffic lights to cross on your left.

I ate at the ParkSA restaurant many years ago but do not remember anything special about it.
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Old Aug 17th, 2012, 12:10 PM
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Perfect any many thanks!
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