Best of free moments for free spirits in Istanbul

Description:

This two-level nightclub, formerly known as NuPera, now also called Nu Club, happens to be the Nu Terrace in summers. It is located within the NuPera complex in the Beyoglu neighborhood, enclosing three restaurants inside during the winter and the regular Nu Restaurant on the terrace in the summer. In terms of its clientele, there are no vast seasonal differences in winter and summer. On the other hand, the concept of the place tends to change a bit. During winters, the three rooms, in which the three restaurants are, rock to different types of music, making an enchanting club environment that allows you to bar-hop without putting on your jacket at all. The restaurants inside are Moreish, Nu Restaurant and Lilbitz, offering a range of fusion, world and tapas food. During the summer, the inner places close down and only the terrace area is open for both dinner and entertainment. The place does tend to be crowded, making getting in a tough work at times; but this does not deter the regulars, who jostle for elbow-space on the dance floor. An eclectic range of music is played by the DJs here, and that includes hip hop, house and pop. The clientele is elitist and the dress code is strictly smart and chic.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the most famous avenues of Istanbul and one of the most lively

Description:

This 2-mile pedestrian boulevard is a must-stroll for any visitor to Istanbul. Formerly known as the Grande Rue de Péra, the street's name was changed to İstiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) after Turkish independence was declared in 1923. The grand boulevard's turn-of-the-century European-style façades are well cared for, and the shops and restaurants that line the promenade are not extremely touristy or expensive. If you start at Taksim Square, İstiklal Caddesi will lead you all the way to the neighborhood home to the famous Galata Tower. Before you reach Galata, you'll pass through Karaköy, where you can see (and ride, for all of two stops) the world's second-oldest subway, the Tünel. One of İstiklal's side streets is the old Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage). Along another offshoot you'll find a slew of independent shops selling handcrafted musical instruments. İstiklal Caddesi is also your point of entry to the famous Balık Pazarı (Fish Market). Obviously, the huge boulevard is full of history and mystery, so leave no cobblestone unturned!

Description:

A walk from Besiktas until Sariyer is just too long. But, if you were to do it, you would be passing by Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy, Kurucesme, Arnavutkoy, Bebek, Rumeli Fortress, Baltalimani / Boyacikoy, Emirgan, Sabanci House / Museum, Istinye, Yenikoy, Tarabya and Sariyer successively. This entire walk would last for at least 4 hours, maybe 5. However, a smaller version from Kurucesme until Rumeli Fortress is just enough to see the beautiful old houses, the fishermen, the sidewalk groceries and the Anatolian coast across. The same walk is doable on the Anatolian coast as well. There the line starts from Uskudar (across from Besiktas) and continues along Beylerbeyi, Kuleli Military School, Vanikoy (the elite residential place of mansions), Kandilli, Goksu, Anadolu Fortress, Kanlica, Pasabahce, Beykoz. Again this entire trail would be too long and tiresome. The better parts of this are from the Kuleli Military School until Kanlica. Yet, another trail along the coast on the Anatolian side is the parallel of the famous shopping street the Bagdat Street. The parallel of this street runs by the Marmara Sea and the best trail starts from Bostanci and continues along Suadiye, Caddebostan and Fenerbahce.

Description:

Q: What's the only event that occurs five times a day all over Istanbul, provides a moment of tranquility, and is free and open to the public? A: The Muslim call to prayer, or ezan, as it's called in Turkish. At dawn, dusk, and three other times during the day, you'll hear the muezzins (often over a loudspeaker) longingly encourage the faithful to begin their prayers. One of the best times and places to listen to the ezan is at dawn on the Asian side of town, when there is almost no traffic or other noise, and where there is a greater concentration of mosques. The muezzins will be slightly off in the exact timing, so you'll sometimes hear a chorus of the chanting in different tones with different emphases for four or five minutes!

Our Local Expert Says:

One could spend a day here, and only see a quarter of what it has to offer. From leather goods to books, and clothes to dishware, the covered bazaar doesn't disappoint. Be sure to try the restaurant up top - this writer hears good things!

Description:

The Kapalıçarsı is Turkey's largest covered market, housing approximately 4000 shops of luxurious Turkish carpets, delicate pottery, shiny brass-ware, handmade nargiles, precious stones, leather goods, lamps and a lot more than one could count or remember. A place as big as this has multiple entrances, though most people enter through the Nuruosmaniye Gate. As is "custom," never settle on the price a dealer quotes. He expects you to haggle with him and you should. Do it amiably and be reasonable (don't ask for more than 50% off), and you're sure to walk away with the article of your choice at a price you can live with. All payments are in cash, and those that take credit cards accept only the major ones. The bazaar also houses restaurants, which are frequented by tourists and locals alike.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best variety of spices

Description:

The Spice Market is one of the oldest covered markets / bazaars of Istanbul. It is an exotic food market selling all sorts of food items from exotic spices, nuts and dried fruits to cheese varieties, Iranian caviar, fruits and vegetables. There are also "well-being" shops and herbalists, which sell body moisturizers, natural anti-cellulite treatment lotions, ant-egg creams for unwanted body hair, scrubbing pads out of fiber for natural peeling and a variety of herbal teas for any other functional or biological problems. Out of the covered market, there is also an animal market, where cutest puppies and new born rabbits mingle together with fish and birds. These markets also sell pet-care items and pet-toys. Spice Market is the second largest covered market after the Grand Bazaar, yet it usually takes shorter to go through its "L" shaped inner structure. Spare nevertheless half a day to sample a variety of food items and shop for souvenirs. Lunch is recommended at Pandeli Restaurant, which is located on the second floor of the market.

Description:

While brewing processes may vary, the coffee still continues to be a universal beverage. The Ottoman-Turkish coffee, the kahve, is prepared by heating the cold syrup. Few places in the Turkish capital can serve the ever richly-aromatic brew better than Bebek Kahve. Retrospection of affairs over coffee is sure to yield great results as the place also overlooks the serene Bosphorus Strait. In case your friends aren't up for gossip, you may bring your laptop over to start that book you always were meaning to pen yet procrastinated.

Description:

The Saint Antoine Church is located on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu, Istanbul. The construction began on August 23rd, 1906 and it was completed and opened to service in 1912. Its architect is Giulio Mongeri, who was born in Istanbul. The church which was governed by Italian priests is the greatest Catholic Church in Istanbul with the biggest number of congregation. It was openned to service on February 15th, 1912.