Istanbul Things to Do, Istanbul Views and Vistas, Beaches



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Things to Do in Istanbul

Once you have visited major sights in the Old Town and Beyoglu area and have taken a boat along the Bosphorus, there are still many other things to do.

Istanbul Archeological museum is possibly the most overlooked museum in Istanbul. There you will find pieces from ancient sites around Turkey including sarcophagus of Alexander. The cafe of this museum is gorgeous as the shades offer great relief from the Istanbul sun and you would be surrounded by ancient Greek and Roman artwork in the beautiful garden. So while strolling down at the exit of Topkapi Museum just pass through Haghia Irini (St. Irene) church and walk a minute to reach the museum's garden. The museum has great ancient pieces brought from around Turkey.

Visit to a Turkish Bath is not an unusual thing to do. There are two major baths one is in Sultanahmet and the other is in Galatasaray which have been catering to tourists since a long time.

Istanbul views/vistas

Istanbul modern is a small musuem with a permanent Turkish painting collection along with exhibitions by artists from around the world. In addition to visiting the only Modern Art Museum in Istanbul, you will have time to have a drink at the cafe offering best views of the Old town harbour and the Asian side.

Walk to Salacak from Uskudar. This is the best view of the Old Town, you would see pictures taken from this direction in many guidebooks and Istanbul movies.

Camlica Hill. Tourist buses come here for a bird's eye view.

Galata Tower.

Turkbalon. Get on the ferry from Eminonu or Karakoy to Kadikoy and right outside the station look up you might see the yellow balloon. If you do not see it, ask around. Departs every 15 minutes whether permitting for a 10 minute ride 200 meters up in the air.

Try a cafe in Bebek. If you would like to the see of the campus of the best Turkish UNiversity with incredible vistas over the Bosphorus then visit Bogazici University, an ex-American college. Enter through Rumelihisari gate and get out from the Bebek gate. Bosphorus is Bogazici in English.

Beaches

There are no spectular beaches like the ones you can find in the Southern or Western Turkey. However if you have plenty of time in your hands and are curious enough to travel about more than an hour, you may head to beach clubs in Kilyos area.

Alternatively, you may visit Caddebostan on the Asian side. From May till September you may check Caddebostan beach, you will just see a waterfront upscale neighboorhood a walkway, a beach, skaters, joggers, all you can find at your home town. At the same time you can see regular Istanbul people . There are two small, overcrowded beaches along with a private posh club pier.

Also check Taksim Hotels, Sultanahmet Hotels, Restaurants, Shopping, Istanbul Nightlife, Flights to Istanbul
or back to Istanbul Travel Guide.