Extraordinary Places to Visit in Istanbul

Despite being one of the most visited places in the world, Istanbul still holds a number of small gems that rarely feature in international guidebooks. Visited mainly by locals and tourists who are eager to get off the beaten track, they include museums, green parks, and areas known for cuisine excellence. If you have time while on a city break, explore these hidden places and experience the different side of this cosmopolitan city.

Hidden Attractions in Istanbul

A small iron gate leads from a side street in Galata to the whirling dervish lodge. Although it is a small complex, it has now been converted into a museum to highlight the life of a Sunni follower. As well as the museum, this is also the place to see a whirling dervish ceremony.

Rustem Pasa mosque is near the spice market and unlike its larger counterpart the Blue Mosque; it is rarely crowded with tourists. It is most well-known for its ancient Iznik tiles adorning the walls and offset by the red prayer carpet.

The Turkish and Islamic art museum is in the Sultan Ahmet area and an impressive collection of modern and ancient art and textiles.

The Chora church is considered one of the most impressive examples of religious Byzantine architecture. Built as a church, converted into a mosque, and now standing as a museum, it displays ancient mosaics and frescoes.

Construction started on the Yildiz Palace and Park in the early 19th century and continued until the end of the Ottoman Empire. Formerly used by the royal sultans, it is especially popular with locals at the weekend.

The Military museum holds an extensive collection of war and army artefacts from the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish war of independence. Visit in the afternoon to see the musical show depicting soldiers from the Ottoman army.

The multi culture back streets of Ortakoy are a favourite jaunt for locals who love a vibrant nightlife. Whether it is hard-core nightclubs and bars or a delicious fresh fish meal sitting by the water’s edge.

It is worth allocating a whole day to explore the Kadikoy district. Although mostly known for its narrow streets, market, and live music bars, Turkish street food sold here is highly recommended by local guides. Other attractions include the cinema, toy museum, and large helium balloon.

The Contemporary Art Museum sits on the shore of the Bosphorus in the Tophane neighbourhood and it has received rave reviews regarding its collection from modern day Turkish artists.

Camlica hill is the best place to head for an amazing sunset view among the minarets of the city. It is the highest natural structure and often used by locals at the weekend for family picnics.

Setustu Tea Garden also provides a magnificent panoramic view of the city. Sit by the water’s edge and enjoy a cup of Turkish tea served in a traditional way

Haci Bekir has been open to the public since 1777 and has a worldwide reputation for delicious lokum, known by foreigners as sweet Turkish delight. This is the place to buy your holiday souvenirs!

Looking for visiting extraordinary places in Turkey? Then check this travel company Turkey Travel Specialist

Turkish Bath Experience in Istanbul

Beautiful marble sinks, brass fixtures and a gravity-defying dome deliver the right ambiance in a Turkish bath so indulge yourself in an old Ottoman tradition originally absorbed from the Romans. 

Recommended as something to be done on the first day of your holiday, the process leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed while your posture relaxes.
Visitors first sweat it out in a sauna room and then are asked to lie on the marble stone in the centre. There, a masseur will cover your body in soapsuds followed by a good, long, hard scrub with a loofer. Optional extras after are to finish with an olive oil massage.

Ladies and Gentlemen
As a rule, no self-respecting Turkish woman would let a man scrub her. So if a woman finds herself in a situation where a man was going to do the scrubbing she would be well within her rights to ask for a woman. (Sorry men, your washer will always be a man!)

Recommended Turkish Baths in Istanbul

Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami
Restored and re-opened this year, the building and interior are exquisite: white marble with golden faucets and very clean.
Address: Cankurtaran Mah. Bab-ı Humayun Caddesi No:1 Sultanahmet
Tel: 212 517 3535
Opening hours 9:00am to 12.00am

Cagaloglu Hamami
You get points if you can pronounce this tongue twister of a name! It is a wonderful Hamam with atmosphere, personality, and celebrity status! Scenes from the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom were filmed here due to its exotic and glamorous setting. There are separate men and women’s sections.
Address: Yerebatan Caddesi 34, Cagaloglu
Tel: 212 522 2424
Opening Hours 8am-10pm

Cemberlitas Hamami
Where else can you relax under a 500-year-old marble dome built by Mimar Sinan - Chief Ottoman Architect to the Sultans? This bath is stunning and the lady masseurs are known to break into song while they scrub!
Address: Vezir Hani Caddesi 8, Cemberlitas
Tel: 212 522 7974
Opening Hours 6am-12am

How to find correct travel agent for Turkey?

Of course, you may check the travel agents in your country but why not to consider choosing a travel agent online? By this way you can reach a local agency in Turkey.

Due to time difference, language, safety concerns, it might be easier to communicate with the travel agent in your country but a local agent is a great resource for information and can provide you with an entire range of services, which will make your trip run smoothly, as well as save you time, problems, and money.

So how to find your correct agent?

First, you should make a list of the things you will need such as date, place, and price range of your trip,questions...

A good quality travel agent will ask you to outline your trip. They will ask where you’re going and why, how you would wish to travel, how long you plan to stay, and what your travel budget is. Be open and honest with your answers. A good agent will gladly put together a sample tours that describe transportation, accommodations, and estimated costs.

A good travel agent will always take your needs into consideration. However, while an agent will typically ask questions to get this type of information from you (and you should take it as a bad sign if the agent does not), you will also need to do your part by speaking your mind.

Once you have your choices, call around to ask questions. You should ask most of these questions to person :

-         If they are member of TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agents). These are professionally trained travel agents who offer financial protection for a large number of travel purchases, they are highly trained and traveled and look after you when things go wrong.

-         If you are living in the USA, ask the agency if they are also member of  ASTA (the American Society of Travel Agents). By this way, you may learn if they are used to have American travelers.

-         If they will have a direct contact in Istanbul or in the cities you are going to visit because its important to have a local contact during your travel.

-         If their tour guides and transportation are licensed.  

Do I really need a travel agent for Turkey? I like to do it on my own.

Me too!! I like to do my travel arrangements on my own when I am travelling to Paris, London, Rome, Dubai, New York or DC where I can communicate with people, find transportation and hotel easily. But Turkey is different from those.

Turkey is a big country with different geographical regions, traditions and culture. Although its considered as a part of Europe, and candidate to European Union, its still a developing country.

Without a travel agent you will be really alone in Turkey! As a foreigner, your biggest problem will be communication because only %5 -%10 of the country speak foreign language. French and German were popular languages spoken in the country till 80s and then English became popular. Until 90s, there was no foreign language education in the schools.

If you would like to have stress free holiday in Turkey, you should find a travel agent which is familiar with transportation, lodging, costs and also able to guide you.

How to get E-visa for Turkey?

For the moment, Turkish visa can be obtained on arrival (if you are eligible), from the Turkish missions or over the e-Visa Application system (if you are eligible). Please note that visa on arrival will no longer be available as of 10 April 2014.

E-visa is the easiest way to obtain your visa for Turkey if you are allowed to use it. 

See the list for the countries eligible for e-visa. You can get it online without waiting in the queue at the Turkish embassies or consulates or at the border crossing and enter into Turkey.

As of April 17, 2013, electronic visa (e-Visa) replaces “sticker visa” which was issued at the border crossings.  Applicants just need to log on to www.evisa.gov.tr , provide the requested information, (after the application is approved) make online payment and download their e-Visa.

Please note that e-visa is only valid when the purpose of travel is tourism or commerce. Other purposes, such as work and study, require regular visa given by Embassies or Consulates.

To be able to get e-visa you need a minimum 6-month-valid passport, flight (or any other possible means of transportation) reservation and a credit card (Master or Visa).

You must also know :

-      If you do not enter Turkey within the period of the validity of the e-Visa, you must apply for a new e-Visa.

-       If you obtained an e-Visa and did not enter Turkey, you will not be refunded your payment.

-      Each traveler must have his or her own e-Visa.

-      You must enter Turkey with the same passport with which you applied for an e-Visa. Otherwise, your e-Visa will be invalid.

-      You should apply for your e-Visa at least 24 hours before your departure. However, its beterr to do it one week before your departure.

What I need for Turkish Visa?

If you are one of those countries need visa then you should have :

- A Passport should be valid at least six months longer than the expiry date of the requested visa.

- Cash money ( US$ or EURO) as they do not accept credit card, travelers cheque or local currencies! Be sure you have the exact amount with you.

- Click here to learn how much you need to pay or check the short list below

Visa fees on arrival and E-visa

* Information can change please check www.mfa.gov.tr for most recent one.

How to get Visa For Turkey?

Whether you are coming from China or America, you need visa for Turkey. 

Don’t be offended as you may never know how many papers I had to present to US Embassy to be able to get my tourist visa plus paid over 100 USD, hours at the security controls, interviews, questions and questions “ Why you wanna go to America?”

For many countries, Turkey does not ask you why you want to go to Turkey. Because they want you to come and spend your money. This is the secret of being alive while many other  countries effected by financial crisis.  

See below the list of countries who need visa for Turkey ;

United States of America & Canada : Ordinary and official passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. They can get three month-multiple entry visas from Turkish diplomatic representations abroad and also via the website www.evisa.gov.tr.

Australia: Ordinary and official passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. They can obtain three month-multiple entry visas from Turkish diplomatic representations abroad and also via the website www.evisa.gov.tr.

New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapure, Japan, South Korea : Ordinary and official passport holders are exempt from visa for their travels up to 90 days. 

Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru : Official and ordinary passport holders are exempted from visa for their travels up to 90 days. 

Costa Rika: Ordinary and official passport holders are exempted from visa for their travels up to 30 days.

Venezuela: Ordinary passport holders are exempted from visa for their travels up to 90 days in each six-month period. Official passport holders are exempted from visa for their travels up to 30 days. 

South Africa: Ordinary passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. They can obtain one month multiple entry visas at the Turkish border gates and three-month period multiple entryn visas from Turkish representations abroad or via the website www.evisa.gov.tr.

Dominican Republic: Ordinary and official passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. Ordinary passport holders can obtain three month-multiple entry e-Visas via the website www.evisa.gov.tr.

Mexico: Diplomatic passport holders are exempted from visa for their travels up to 90 days. Ordinary, Service and Special passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. Ordinary, Service and Special passport holders, with a valid Schengen, UK, Canada, Japan or US visas or residing in these countries, may get their three-month multiple entry e-Visas via the website www.evisa.gov.tr. 

India: Diplomatic passport holders are exempt from visa for their travels to Turkey up to 90 days. Ordinary, Special and Service passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. Ordinary, Special and Service passport holders with a valid Schengen or OECD member's visa or residence permit may get their single entry e-Visas valid for one month via the website www.evisa.gov.tr, provided that they meet certain conditions. 

Indonesia: Indonesian nationals holding diplomatic and official/service passport are exempted from visa for their travels up to 30 days. Ordinary passport holders are required to have visa. These passport holders can obtain their one month period entry e-Visas via the website www.evisa.gov.tr.

This is what you get at the end:

Sticker Visa

The information above was copied from www.mfa.gov.tr for most accurate information you must consult the nearest Turkish consulate to you or check the website.