Bulent & Jessamyn
Things to do and Tour
Shopping and Cafes: Galataport Istanbul
The Old Post Office is directly across from the JW Marriott and Novotels and has shops by a number of Turkish clothing and jewelry designers, as well as cafes and coffee shops.
Women's Clothing: Gizia
This is a high-end multi-brand store for women's clothing, with a lot of Turkish designers. Jessie always goes here!
Nice for Walking Around: Nişantaşı
This is a higher-end but not touristy neighborhood. Good for shopping, including jewelry!
Historic Hamam near Hotels: Kılıc Ali Pasa Hamam
Designed by Mimar Sinan, this historical hamam is right by hotels. Reserve online. Please make your reservation according to the operation hours Women-only hours 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Last reservation 2:15 pm Men-only hours 4:30 pm – 11:30 pm Last reservation 10:00 pm Children of any age are welcome, but over age 5 or so, need to be with a same-sex guardian.
Historic Hamam in Sultanhamet: Hurrem Sultan Hammam
Designed by Mimar Sinan. Another nice historical and renovated hamam. Reserve online. This hamam has separate male and female facilities, so both men and women can go anytime. Children must be over 6, and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. As always, children also must sex-segregate.
Historic Hamam: Cağaloğlu Hamam
Another nice historical hamam. Reserve online. This hamam has both men and women's facilities. Children must be 6 or older.
Historic Hamam: Çemberlitaş Hamamı
Designed by Mimar Sinan. They say you don't have to reserve but I don't believe them, I would call. This hammam has two separate facilities for men and women, respectively. They do not list whether or not kids are welcomed here, so ring if you want to take a little one!
Food Tours: Culinary Backstreets
Cut and paste the links to book special 4-hour tours (Zola won't allow us to embed links). If you want a full-day tour, just head to their website. Full day tours will be open to anyone, half-day ones will be just our group. Tour descriptions are on their website: https://culinarybackstreets.com/culinary-walks/ Two Markets, Two Continents on Aug 12th at 9:30am https://bookeo.com/culinarybackstreets?devent=3251PR79WT17A39FF25C3_2022-08-12_v2XpMV2DuMh7 Culinary Secrets of the Old City on Aug 12th at 9:30am https://bookeo.com/culinarybackstreets?devent=223H4FHWN1523AA17A81_2022-08-12_iC6mGbTTUdt Culinary Backstreets of the Bazaar Quarter on Aug 13th at 9:30am https://bookeo.com/culinarybackstreets?devent=2237Y3YXN1523AA0D526_2022-08-13_PKMwFwkKXXv Born on the Bosphorus: Exploring Three Distinct Waterside Neighborhoods on Aug 14th at 10:00am https://bookeo.com/culinarybackstreets?devent=32514J7NMJ17AB4BBF20D_2022-08-14_9rBc25L830H Use promotion code CONRAD for a a 10% discount!
Shopping: Grand Bazaar
You will get lost. That's ok. We will post some recommendations for shops we like next week! Don't go on Sunday, when many shops are closed.
Shopping: Arasta Bazaar
This is a small bazaar by the Blue Mosque that has some veer nice shops, in particular an excellent ceramics store and a very good textile store. It's not cheap because geared toward tourists, but it's generally nice, and it's not overwhelming like the Grand Bazaar.
Fancy restaurant: Mikla
This is a high-end restaurant that comes highly recommended. Danish/Turkish chef.
Restaurant at the Spice Market: Pandeli Restaurant
11-6:30 daily, call for a reservation because it's quite small and in a busy area.
Public Ferries
It's fun to take a ferry in Istanbul, though we have other boat rides arranged! In particular, we recommend going from Karakoy where the hotels are, to the Asian side, Kadikoy. These two places sound almost exactly the same in Turkish, beware. This route takes you across the Bosporus with a nice view of the Golden Horn. Tickets can be bought at machines, which *theoretically* take credit cards, but I wouldn't count on that--I would plan to use cash. The price is about TL8.75, or about USD $.50. Yes. Fifty cents.