IstanbulThe beating heart of Turkey,Istanbul is a charming blend ofmodernity and tradition, set to takeyour breath away. Ancient colourfuldomes housing the best of modernluxury and a dated allure spell thiscity of lush greenery and toweringminarets.

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Famous For : History & CulturePlaces ToVisitCityMetropolitan

A city of vibrant flea markets and high endshopping centres, strict religion anddynamic progression, age old palaces andpalatial modern buildings, Istanbul locksenough in itself to fail words. Visit theTopkap Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque orBasilica Cistern, engage in retail therapy andpick up rugs and Turkish Tea, or simply takea walking tour of the city and be captivatedby the beauty that resides in every turn andcorner.

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When To

VISIThttp://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-istanbul-lp-1140405

JanVery cold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max: 8.5°C Min: 3.0°C Rain:

57.599998474121094mm

FebVery cold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max:9.100000381469727°C

Min:2.700000047683716°C

Rain: 69.5mm

MarVery cold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max:11.699999809265137°C

Min:4.599999904632568°C

Rain:61.79999923706055mm

AprCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max:16.700000762939453°C

Min:8.100000381469727°C

Rain: 41.5mm

MayCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 21.5°C Min: 13.0°C Rain:

39.599998474121094mm

JunPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max:26.600000381469727°C

Min:17.799999237060547°C

Rain:24.600000381469727mm

JulPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max:29.200000762939453°C

Min:20.700000762939453°C

Rain: 31.0mm

AugPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max:29.299999237060547°C

Min:21.100000381469727°C

Rain: 37.0mm

SepPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 25.0°C Min: 17.0°C Rain:

43.70000076293945mm

OctCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max:20.100000381469727°C

Min:13.399999618530273°C

Rain:100.0999984741211mm

NovCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max:14.699999809265137°C

Min:8.300000190734863°C

Rain:85.69999694824219mm

DecVery cold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max:10.300000190734863°C

Min:4.900000095367432°C

Rain: 102.0mm

What To

SEE5 Sights

http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-istanbul-lp-1140405

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1 Hagia Sophia

Ayasofya Square, Sultanahmet,Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia, located in Istanbul,Turkey,was chosen a world heritage site byUNESCO in 1985. It is in the European partof the city in Sultanahmet area (old town),nearby Topkapi palace in Istanbul. Over 500years following the conquest of Muslims, itbecame a jewel for the Muslim world and asthe grand mosque of the Sultans. In 1935,Hagia Sophia was converted into a museumof Turkish Republic by the orders of Ataturkand became one of the most significantmonuments not only in Turkey but on earthwith its architecture and its historicalrichness.

Hagia Sophia today defines the intricacy ofTurkish design and architecture, with itstombs, exclusive artwork on its doors,

ceilings, and walls and a library full ofvaluable information and insights on thelocal culture.

2 Historic Areas of Istanbul

Istanbul

Come to Istanbul to experience the years ofculture, architecture, artifacts, andhistory. The Historic Areas of Istanbulare quite extensive with a lot of greatmonuments (Camiis, Top Kapi, BasilicaCistern, Hagia Sofia) to see, restaurants toeat from and a lot of shops to buyfrom. These are  a group of sites inthe city of Istanbul, Turkey which was addedto the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.For all those who want to learn aboutthe Ottoman Empire, this is a mustvisit place for them. Explore as much as youcan and do not miss shopping at spice

bazar.

3 Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque SultanahmetCamii,Sultanahmet, Fatih, Istanbul

The Blue Mosque or Sultan AhmedMosque is a historic mosque in Istanbul.There are two stories behind why it isknown as the Blue Mosque. One becausethe interior of the mosque is coveredin Blue znik tiles and second,  becauseyears back, the sailors who use to sail by themosque on the Marmara Sea use to see theblue colour of the sea reflected in themosque. The tomb was constructedbetween 1609 and 1616 and has five maindomes, six minarets, and eight secondarydomes. There is no  admission fee butone has to follow the rules and dress codewhile entering the mosque.

4 Beylerbeyi Palace

Abdullah Aga Caddesi, Beylerbeyi,Istanbul, Turkey

TheBeylerbeyi Palace, located in the Beylerbeyineighbourhood of Istanbul, Turkey at theAsian side of the Bosphorus was an ImperialOttoman summer residence built in the1860s. It was commissioned by SultanAbdülaziz (1830–1876) It is nowsituated immediately north of the 1973Bosphorus Bridge.This summer residence ofthe Sultans was also used to house foreignheads of state visiting the Ottoman capital.Several palaces had been built anddemolished at this site over the years.

The present structure was built between1861-1865 and the exterior and interiordecoration is a blend of Eastern, Turkish andWestern motifs. The three-storied building isdivided into two sections, the harem (forwomen) and the selamlk (for men), and has26 rooms and 6 halls. The original furniture,

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carpets, curtains and other fixtures havebeen preserved in good condition. Thedecorations of the facade on the seaside,the well-kept gardens, the spiral staircase,and the hall with a pool in the centralsection are some of the eye-catchingfeatures of the palace.

5 Istanbul ArchaeologyMuseums

Cankurtaran Mh., Alemdar Cad,34122 Fatih/Istanbul Province,Turkey

Istanbul Archaeology Museums is a group of3 archaeological museums including theArchaeological Museum (main building),Museum of the Ancient Orient and Museumof Islamic Art. Tracing back its origin, it wasestablished in 1891 by decree and it wasknown as Imperial Museum during its initialdays. However, the present neo-gothicstructure was built in the year 1908 byAlexander Vallaury who also designed someof the other famous buildings of Istanbul. Ithas the distinction of being the 1st museumto have a collection of Turkish art and so it

deserve a special mention here. Osman Hamdi Bey was the the 1st curatorand founder of the museum and itsownership passed into different hands overseveral years. The collection here boasts ofartefacts such as Alexander Sarcophagus, Sarcophagi ofTabnit, Sarcophagus of the Crying Women,Mother-Goddess Cybel, The Troy exhibit, Busts of Zeus and Alexander the Great, 800,000 Ottomandecorations, medals, seals, coins amongother items. With so much to learn andexplore, the museum is definitely worth avisit.

Where To

Eat5 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-istanbul-lp-1140405

1 Çi Köfteci Ali Usta

Mimar Vedat Sokak, Muhsinolu Hanentrance, Sirkeci, Istanbul, Turkey

A small street food stall, ÇiKöfteci Ali Usta's legend precedesitself. Set by a street in Sirkeci, you simplyhave to follow the long queue of patientlywaiting customers in almost militaristicorder and aroma of Çi KöfteciAli Usta's much celebrated ci köfte,

meatballs. Be aware there is a properprotocol to be followed out here whileordering your choice of ci kofte- be in lineand patiently await your turn and you justmight be rewarded with a free meatball and,more importantly, entry into the VIP salon, asmall seating area just behind the eatery.Break the line and you will find yourselfpelted with lemons or sprayed choppedlettuce.

At Çi Köfteci Ali Usta, ciköftes, a bulgar and onion mash, arestuffed with dried red pepper, giving it itsdistinctive color and tang. Order for adurum, wherein several koftes are loadedinto soft portions of lavash bread along witharyan, a yogurt based refreshingclassic Turkish drink and youare in for an otherworldly experience atÇi Köfteci Ali Usta.

2 Kuru Fasülyeci Erzincanl AliBaba

Prof Siddik Sami Onar Caddesi, 11Suleymaniye, Istanbul, Turkey

+90-212-5136219

In a city replete with eating joints that arelandmarks in themselves and carry in themthe spirit of ancient Istanbul, Kuru

Fasülyeci Erzincanl Ali Baba is onesuch restaurant literally serving a slice of oldIstanbul. Set right opposite the Suleymaniyemosque, Kuru Fasülyeci Erzincanl AliBaba has 3rd-4th generations as its patrons.Having been established in 1924, out hereKuru Fasulye is the restaurant's signaturedish- white beans simmered in tomatosauce and served usually with rice, pilaf, andpickles.

Thronged throughout the day with localsthe moment its opens early morning, KuruFasülyeci Erzincanl Ali Baba is alsoperhaps one of the few places in Istanbulwhere you can watch the city in all its huesand colors.

3 Kizilkayalar

Sira Selviler Cad. No:2/L, TaksimMeydanI Istiklal Girisi, Istanbul,Turkey

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+216-4111177

Known far and wide for its sloppy, gooeyburgers which are rich with aromatic andtasty juices, the Kizilkayalar Hamburger hasfeatured in innumerable guide books andtourist's favourites, all for it's heavenlytastes. Healthy by know means, theburger/patty is without a doubt one ofIstanbul's most popular grubs, easy on thepockets and great on the taste buds.

Half of Taksim Square's crowd seems to becrowded around kizilkayalar, so it might notbe the best idea to try to seat yourself in thepocket sized indoor seating. A better ideawould be to grab your burger and walk intothe Square. Variants in chicken and beef areavailable, and you can also try the DonerKebab if you want, but it is the Wet Burgerthat truly commands a visit.

4 Sabirtasis Icli Kofte

Istiklal Cad. No: 112, Kat : 5 ,(opposite of YapIkredi Bank),Galatasaray, Istanbul, Turkey

+90-212-2448226

Icli Kofte are basically crunchy wheat shells,filled with yummy filling of ground meat,parsley, onion and spices. A local favouritein Istanbul and available at every nook andcorner, nobody seems to perfect this recipelike Fatma Hanm and her daughter in law,who roll these little balls of yumminess likeinstinct at Sabirtasi’s Icli Kofte.

The outside is usually fried and crunch, andas your teeth sink it, this crunchiness givesway to steaming hot, melt in the mouth anddizzy your senses filling. Trust an old hand,it's a feeling no short of making the trip toheaven and back. There are two varieties onoffer, the boiled and the steamed, but wesuggest you forego your diet for one dayand opt for the greasy Icli Kofte.

5 Tarihi Sultanahmet KöftecisiSelim Usta

Divan Yolu, Caddesi 12, Istanbul,Turkey

+91-212-5200566

A perennial local favorite, TarihiSultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta, isone of the most sought after eateries thatare there in Istanbul. It's their blue meatballmenu that is, for some reason, highly soughtafter and responsible for the long queues oflocal lining up outside the eatery. Spicelessgrilled meatballs, made of beef, and bean

salad make its favourite portions. There isalso Lamb Shish and a rice dish mixed withnoodles on the menu's offering. Cosy, with an ambience that sets off easybanter, Tarihi Sultanahmet KöftecisiSelim Usta, ever since its inception in 1920,makes for a definite visit in Istanbul, if onlyto know why this eatery has been aroundlonger than the republic of Turkey.

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Quick

LOCATEhttp://www.ixigo.com/hotels-in-istanbul-lp-1140405

SeeA: Hagia SophiaB: Historic Areas of IstanbulC: Blue MosqueD: Beylerbeyi PalaceE: Istanbul Archaeology Museums

FoodF: Çi Köfteci Ali UstaG: Kuru Fasülyeci Erzincanl Ali BabaH: KizilkayalarI: Sabirtasis Icli KofteJ: Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta