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Strolling Around Sultanahmet:
A Recommendation
First Day
After breakfast go to Topkapi Palace (closed on Tuesdays).
Gates open at 9 am. Once inside you will wish to visit the Harem, the Palace's most
interesting section, for which you need to buy another ticket. We advise
that you go there first thing in the morning since
there may be a ticket queue afterwards. The morning can be spent in the Palace and in the Archeological Museum situated in the Palace
gardens. For lunch we recommend Konyali Restaurant in the
fourth courtyard of the Palace.
In the afternoon you can visit the St. Sophia Museum (closed on Mondays), the 6th century Byzantine Basilica Cistern
(opposite St. Sophia) and the
Ibrahim Pasha Palace which is now the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
(closed on Mondays). In late afternoon consider having a good rest in the
historical Turkish bath Cemberlitas Hamami, a five-minute walk from our hotel.
The restaurant that we recommend for dinner is Fisherman Sabahattin, again in
a five-minute walk. Situated in a restored Turkish house with extra tables in
the small square in front of it, Sabahattin is the best fish restaurant in the
Sultanahmet area. For reservation please call 0212 458 1824.
Second Day
After a short walk in the Byzantine Hippodromme you can go
into the 17th century Blue Mosque, the most famous Ottoman mosque in Istanbul.
A ten-minute walk will then take you to the Covered Bazaar (closed on Sundays). While strolling
along the narrow streets of the Bazaar we suggest to stop and rest in one of the coffee shops.Leaving the bazaar,
walk in the direction of the Golden Horn to reach the Spice Market
(or Egyptian Bazaar). Here, Pandeli Restaurant is a good choice for lunch.
In the afternoon you can walk into the less well-known Rustem Pasha Mosque,
next to the market, where the most beautiful Ottoman tiles from the classical era
can be seen.
After a walk in the streets of Tahtakale, the area around the mosque, we suggest
you cross Galata Bridge by foot and get to the other side of the
Golden Horn. Here you can go up the hill into the old Galata district. The
Galata Tower offers a most spectacular view of Istanbul, especially breathtaking during sun set. If you do not wish to
return
to the hotel before dinner, for a gimps of modern Istanbul, you can spent the rest of the evening in lively Beyoglu (Pera), full
of restaurants, cinemas and bars.
The restaurant that we highly recommend for the evening is
Cezayir. "A fabulous 19th century building,
beautifully
converted into a glamorous bar and restaurant, Cezayir throngs with the city's
literati and glitterati. It is
a stylish place for sharing some of the most inventive mezes
(hors d'oeuvres)
in Istanbul." (From TimeOut Istanbul).For
reservation please call 0212 245 9980.
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