Weekend getaway In Istanbul for clubbing and shopping in style

Description:

Guests can revitalize in the wellness centre with a sauna, Turkish bath, thalassotherapy, massage and beauty treatments, and the gym offers state-of-the-art equipment and aerobics lessons. There is also an indoor swimming pool accompanied by a hot tub, and the coffee shop and bar offer a wide selection of drinks. Other amenities at Sofa Hotel & Residences include conference and banquet facilities, five function rooms, a concierge, a 24-hour front desk, currency exchange and complimentary Internet connections.

Description:

Located on the southern bank of the Bosphorus, The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul offers a wonderful view of the strait. The hotel offers luxurious accommodation for travelers in the city that is located in two continents. The various club level rooms and suites are uniquely designed and equipped with modern facilities for the comfort of the guest. The Ritz-Carlton is minutes away from the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque), the Bosphorus bridge and the Topkapi Palace. The hotel has 4 dining options to offer, where you can relish interesting cuisine. A spa that offers rejuvenating treatments in its 9 rooms is one of the highlights of the Ritz-Carlton.

Our Local Expert Says:

Most luxurious hotel along the Bosphorus Strait

Description:

Les Ottomans, located on the banks of the mighty Bosphorus, is a 10-suite hotel oozing ultraluxury from every pore. From the bathroom fixtures to the pillowcase fabric and the wildly attentive staff, no expense has been spared. The decor blends the best of Turkish tradition with the most modern of cutting-edge innovations. The on-site restaurant earns rave reviews from the international jet set, the in-house Q Jazz Club hosts celebrities on a near-nightly basis, and the spa is renowned the world around.

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This hotel is set in a mirrored tower, contrasting with the historic Akaretler Row Houses and gilded domes around it. The front desk, which operates an express check-in and check-out service, and the concierge desk both operate 24 hours with multilingual staff who can arrange transport and tours. There is wireless Internet access in public areas and a video library. Complimentary and valet parking are available. Pets are permitted at the hotel. W Istanbul's Spice Market by Jean-Georges restaurant, with its contemporary design in dark wood, brass and stone, serves Thai and Vietnamese-inspired dishes. The hotel provides breakfast at a surcharge. Guests can sample a range of cocktails in the Living Room. Business facilities at the hotel include eight meeting rooms and a computer rental service. W Istanbul has fitness equipment on site and two massage treatment rooms. Guestrooms. Decorated in a decadent Turkish style, the 134 air-conditioned and high-ceilinged guestrooms have scarlet and coffee-toned fabrics. Beds are fitted with 350-count cotton sheets and goose-down pillows. All rooms have balconies and are equipped with MP3 docking stations, satellite television, DVD players, CD players and wireless Internet access. Other amenities include oversize leather desks, direct-dial phones, safes, and minibars. Luxury extras include bathrobes and slippers. Complimentary bottled water is provided.

Description:

Love your body and looking to treat it ?? Then head to Taylife Spa located at The Sofa Hotel & Residence. This top-notch spa offers, a fitness centre, a spa as well as a wellness centre. Under the ownership of Taylan Kumeli a renowned expert,a variety of treatments like yoga, cardio, massages, detoxification treatments are on the menu. At Taylife each masseur is specially trained to make your visit here special using the best oils and creams. Also at the spa one can indulge in aesthetics and beautification services like ayurveda, hydrotherapy,ballneotherapy & body scrubs.

Description:

If you thought caviar was only meant to be eaten, you'd probably be surprised to know that it is a rich nutrient used to moisturize the skin too. Moreover, it is used in one of the many signature treatments that the Laveda Spa atThe Ritz-Carlton Istanbul. The famous Turkish Hamams and the royal Turkish four and six hand massages are sure to de-stress you. Holistic healing is what the spa offers in its 9 treatment rooms, a pool, jacuzzi and sauna. You might have the luxury of being treated in the Open Air Spa along the Bosphorus shores if you happen to visit the place in the summer months. The fitness regime is part of the customized treatment packages created by experts to suit your health requirements.

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Galata Mevlevihanesi is a whirling dervish hall in the Tünel Music Quarter at the end of Gallip Dede street. A whirling dervish is the fervent dancing and whirling to traditional Islamic chants and is a worship service unlike any other. The Galata Mevlevihanesi is used by several dervish groups. The octagonal hall is the best place to witness the sema, but tickets cannot be bought on the spot. To avoid disappointment make sure you get your bookings done in advance, or if not in town, get someone from your hotel to get them for you. The performances happen every Sunday and some Saturdays.

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:

From Tünel at one end to the Galata Tower at the other, the entire street is full of music and musical instruments. Dozens of stores all stock guitars, pianos, traditional instruments like the Cümbüş and Oud, and Turkish cymbals. The street is full of dervishes on weekdays, and the biggest demonstrations of their whirling happen at the Galata Mevlevihanesi, located at the end of the road. This side street is a great place to immerse yourself in the musical culture of Istanbul.

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"Ask" means love in Turkish, so the Assk Kahve is the "Love Cafe" in translation. It has a very simple menu with various sandwiches, toasts and paninis, salads and pasta. Yet, its unique location on the sea makes Assk Kahve one of the places to be in the summer. As such, it tends to get quite crowded with both young adolescents and adults. It is highly recommended that you find yourself a seat on the deck, but for that you will need to arrive a bit earlier than 11:00 AM. Breakfast is very enjoyable and you are supposed to order everything to the middle. Do order the "giant pogaca" (pastry / croissant) and honey & cream. At other times, enjoy their home-made lemonade and the "tongue of love" sandwich.

Description:

The new Capa (Turkish businessman well known for his experience in opening and running restaurants and bars) restaurant that has recently opened inside of the Sofa Hotel. Interesting ambiance, rich colors, rich food and very exhaustive cocktail menu… Frequented often by the Turkish social-elites for dinner and after dinner fun

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Located on the top two floors of the new Marmara Pera hotel, Mikla is the newest hit of the Istanbul Yiyecek Icecek A.S. ("eat drink") ventures, which includes the very popular Lokanta (at Nu Pera in winter and at rooftop as Nu Teras in summer). The Swedish born chef, Mehmet Gürs, is somewhat of an Istanbul celebrity by now; he settled in Istanbul in the 1990s and has made all of the kitchens he's touched turn to gold. Reservations are hard to come by and the wait for a table is long; the management makes it easy with the upstairs bar views of the lights of the Old City. Raw grouper makes an outstanding appetizer, followed by the whole roast beef tenderloin for two. Try to leave space for the memorable pistachio and tahini ice cream.

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Named after the famous Turkish photographer, Ara Guler, who is known to have taken the photographs of Salvador Dali as well, Ara Café is a cosy, little place with quality people and food. The interior design of the place is decorated with the photographs of Guler himself. Located inside a very narrow street in Galatasaray, the café offers what any other photographer or artist would have asked for: a tranquil place to observe people without them observing you. Their hot chocolate and wet chocolate cake are a must-try.

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The high-point of Litera is its position and view, which encompasses not only the Bosphorus and the Princes' islands, but also the old city. Litera is one of the three restaurants owned by the ERC Group -in fact the address of ERC Office is commonly mistaken on the Internet as the address of Litera. Litera starts the day at 11:00 AM with lunch and continues to serve throughout the day as a cafe. Kitchen re-opens for dinner at 19:00, and after 23:00 the dancing and music starts. It is a friendly place that accommodates also the customers, who wish not to eat, but to have a drink or two against the view of the city and the Bosphorus. Nevertheless, NileGuide advises strongly that you perhaps taste either the fried chicken pastry (tava börek) or the plainer vegetable börek, followed by spring chicken with thyme -cooked the villager style-, ending with panna cotta or almond nut chocolate cake. Be sure to reserve a table if you plan on having a dinner.

Our Local Expert Says:

Hip bar street

Description:

Given its popularity among the Turkish night-outers and bar hoppers, Asmali Mescit -called simply 'Asmali' by the locals, deserves a special reference under the "Things to do" section. In which case, we need also to answer, "what to do" at Asmali. Asmali Mescit is an inner street between the more common Istiklal Caddesi and the Mesrutiyet Caddesi. It used to be a simple artisan street with a few taverns, butcher shops and markets lining side by side. Now, it is a lively bar street with a new bar popping up even in the most incomprehensible, small corners. As such, Asmali has also come to refer to general mode of going out and to a compilation of various streets -not just the Asmali itself. Otto Sofyali on the Sofyali Street with the original Otto lying further down towards the Tunel area on Sehbender Street, Groove, Novo, Corner, Parantez, House Cafe Tunel and too many other bars -none of which deserve any special reference or attention, since all are almost the same- crowd these parallel and crossing streets of the Tunel and Asmali Mescit area. At the Pera end of this district are the Turkish taverns including the gourmet Asmali Cavit and Gurme Boncuk. A night out at the Asmali usually means a slow meal at a tavern, followed by too many drinks to be taken out on the street, whilst bumping into an old friend or two.

Our Local Expert Says:

Between 2001 and 2007, Babylon has been nominated and won various international awards, including "One of the best 100 International Jazz Club in the World" by the famous Down Beat magazine, and "The Best Concert/Performance Venue" by Time Out Istanbul - Miller Gourmet Awards.

Description:

Babylon, designed as a multipurpose performance space, is the premier award-winning live music venue in Turkey, that is offering both some of Turkey's most popular artists and some very special international bands and musicians at fairly reasonable rates. Top international names from jazz, latin, reggae, world music, and electronica spectrum are staged on weekends; while local bands take the stage on weekdays. There are also special DJ sessions, which are held once a month. This place has a capacity of 450 standing or 300 with tables & standing. Since 2007, Babylon has opened the Babylon Lounge, which also hosts live music performances. The difference of Babylon Lounge is that it is also possible to have dinner or lunch here, or just come for drinks and enjoy finger food and snacks.

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.

Description:

The owner of the place, Mithat Can, is also the son of one of the most famous singers of Turkey, Sezen Aksu. The place opened recently in place of the Door's Group winter pearl, Wanna. The opening date 11.11.2009 has been set as the club's name: 11.11. It is rumored to become this winter's hit.

Our Local Expert Says:

Shoppers' haven

Description:

Abdi İpekçi Caddesi is much referred as the "5th Avenue" of Istanbul among locals. Another competing avenue in terms of shopping and larking is the Bagdat Caddesi on the Asian continent. However, if you ask most residents of Istanbul about where to tie up your high-end shopping, the answer is more likely to be on Abdi İpekçi Street. Starting with Channel down the bottom of the street, as one makes his/her way up the "always crowded" Midpoint Cafe and Brandroom, passing aside from the entrance of the legendary Reasurans Passage (where locally managed small boutiques selling old season La Perla and high end La Scarpa are found together with some of the best restaurants of Nişantaşı, such as Zanzibar and Assk) and reaching slowly slowly to Louis Vuitton and Prada...

As if that was not all of it, the side streets running across are filled with more variety and choice; as well as affordability in terms of price. A place all shoppers should visit before they go back home.

Our Local Expert Says:

An interesting fact is that it has the world's largest chandelier - the size of a small car in fact!

Description:

Imagine a home with 285 rooms, 6 baths (hamam), 68 toilets and a ceiling made of 14 tonnes of gold! The Dolmabahçe Palace built on a reclaimed land is one such marvelous structure, built by the Ottoman Sultan, Abdulmecid between 1853-1922. A guided tour to this splendid palace will be an experience, checking out the modern approach to architecture with an essentially French influence. The rich tastes and splendor of the era is evident in every corner and artifact in the decor. You just can't miss the Bohemian crystal chandelier, the Crystal Staircase or the original bearskin rugs.

Our Local Expert Says:

Most trendy neighborhood bar

Description:

Lucca is chic cafe-bistro in the heart of Bebek accommodating your mood at every hour of the day, whether you feel like partying or co-cooning. Early morning to until after lunch time, Lucca offers a menu that features predominantly a variety of options for breakfast, paninis, salads, wraps, home-made pastry and cakes. After 5 p.m. Lucca offers its clients the right atmosphere to chill and relax after a long and hard workday. The menu changes accordingly as well, offering little tasty plates -the tapas-, cheesy and big hamburgers, the drunken beef sauted with wine and a bigger selection of salad and pasta. Everyday whether it is a Monday or Friday, Lucca gets heated with people dining, or just drinking. There are frequently arts and music happenings: special DJs are called in every now and the little gallery inside the cafe renews itself every two months.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best hill-top restaurant with a magnificent view commanding the air of Bosphorus

Description:

If you were planning to spend a lot of money on food in Istanbul, you'd be advised to make the most of the whole experience by going to Sunset Grill & Bar in the warmer seasons on a very clear night. Arrive early and ask to be seated at a table in the lush garden terrace, which commands fantastic views of the gleaming Bosphorus Strait and the spectacular sunset. The menu boasts modern Californian cuisine and imaginative meat and fish dishes. There is also a sushi bar.

Our Local Expert Says:

Istanbul's nightlife queen

Description:

One of the hottest clubs in Turkey, Reina is actually a vast playground filled with bars, restaurants and dance floors that can welcome up to 2500 people. Supposedly, the name 'Reina' was inspired by a 'very cute' 3-year-old girl (wCities). In the past few years, Reina has been becoming more and more "less local." This has to do with its vast popularity and scenery, which have made it very famous worldwide and thus very crowded. It is located at the foot of the European side with a magnificent view of the Bosphorus Bridge. It is open every season, yet moves out to its vast open space in the summers. The place gets renovated right down to its toilets almost every season and opens both its winter and summer seasons with huge parties. The restaurants inside this complex run the gamut from Italian to Sushi to more traditional local fare. Many well-known restaurants including Kosebasi Kebab, Samdan Restaurat and Dragon Chinese Restaurant move into Reina for the summer season. Nevertheless, you may not be able to find the same restaurant here season after season: Who pays the piper calls the tune...

Our Local Expert Says:

Certainly the place to go to see and be seen. Frequented by celebrities and the who's who of Turkey, Reina doesn't disappoint, save for the 30 euro drinks.

Description:

One of the hottest clubs in Turkey, Reina is actually a vast playground filled with bars, restaurants and dance floors that can welcome up to 2500 people. Supposedly, the name 'Reina' was inspired by a 'very cute' 3-year-old girl (wCities). In the past few years, Reina has been becoming more and more "less local." Yet, high-fliers, millionaires, celebrities and media moguls continue to mix and mingle under one roof. This has to do with its vast popularity and scenery, which have made it very famous worldwide and thus very crowded. It is located at the foot of the European side with a magnificent view of the Bosphorus Bridge. It is open every season, yet moves out to its vast open space in the summers. The place gets renovated right down to its toilets almost every season and opens both its winter and summer seasons with huge parties. The restaurants inside this complex run the gamut from Italian to Sushi to more traditional local fare. Many well-known restaurants including Kosebasi Kebab, Samdan Restaurant and Dragon Chinese Restaurant move into Reina for the summer season. Nevertheless, you may not be able to find the same restaurant here season after season: Who pays the piper calls the tune...

Our Local Expert Says:

Local's pick

Description:

Majestic view of Bosphorus hidden at Anjelique. Anjelique is the leading candidate for the best and most popular site of Istanbul in the summer; an address for fun, chill-out and full enjoyment with fascinating view and decoration. Top specialties of Anjelique are the lively feeling of the place, the majestic view of Bosphorus and the menu consisting of different flavours. Decoration is designed and renovated by Mahmut Anlar (Geomim Architecture). The simplicity of the decoration and specially angled mirrors bring wide-spectrum of Bosphorus inside Anjelique.

Description:

This two story dance club is a hit among the young and trendy in Ortakoy due to its loud house and techno dance mixes and its party atmosphere. Although not as popular as some of its competitors, Club Crystal offers a terrace that can give you a well needed break from the noise inside. Prepare to wait in line and pay a cover charge.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the best for a "typical" breakfast

Description:

One of the best places to enjoy Turkish style breakfast with olives, cucumber, tomato, the Turkish tortilla, bagels, various different egg assortments and the handmade pastry. It is open air and tends to get very crowded on weekends. Still the wait is worth it and it is not as long as it may look.

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:

One of the most enjoyable ways to travel in Istanbul! Traditional ferry boats travel convenient routes up, down, and across the Bosphorous, connecting Karakoy, Eminonu, and Besiktas on the European shore with Uskudar, Haydarpasa, and Kadikoy on the Asian side. A lovely parade of great, ancient mansions which line up both sides of the coast, a romantic escapade under crimson moonlight, no better way to seize the sea-water-canal of this city which divides it apart.

Description:

Hidiv Pavilion was built by an Italian architect, Delfo Seminati, in 1907. After Egypt gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire, the former khedive of Egypt was removed from his office. Consequently, Khedive Abbas settled into the Hidiv Pavilion after the incident with his family. The pavilion has a distinct art-nouveau structure. Inside the middle of the main entrance, there is a fountain made of marble and its ceiling is covered by stained glass. Apart from its architecture, the Hidiv Kasr-i is well known for its view. The Pavilion's most important feature, the watch-tower, offers a vast view of the entire one half of the Bosphorus. After Khedive left Istanbul in 1930s, Hidiv Pavilion was purchased by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. It was rarely used between 1937- 1982, except as a movie set from time to time. Unfortunately, movie producers have not used it with utmost care; hence some of the unique features of the building have been stained. The restoration process was started by Touring and Automobile Association of Turkey (TURING) in 1982. After two years of restoration work by TURING, Hidiv Kasr was opened in 1984 as a hotel, restaurant and cafeteria.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best location, very good food

Description:

Iskele Restaurant is very much liked by the local (well-to-do) folks for its unique location on the water front along the Rumeli Hisari coast; and the quality of its services and freshness of the seasonal fish. The best seats in the house are probably those that are outside on the wooden deck, commanding a view across the straits to the castle on the hilltop - Anadolu Hisari. In the winter, tables by the window are second best. The interior décor is unornamented, simplistic and traditional, but still very elegant. The extremely attentive staff are unobtrusive and very friendly, yet still polite and efficient. The service overall is extremely unpretentious. The variety of food is actually not very different from other mainstream fist restaurants. However, Iskele manages to differentiate itself through the quality of its food offer: fresh seasonal fish and delicious seafood meze. Marinated sea bass, Mackarel special from the cold plates; Iskele special from the hot dishes are highly recommended. Locals' choice for business meals and quality time with friends & loved ones. Definitely a place to take your foreign friend and bewilder him during his visit to Istanbul.