Recreation

Archeological Tours:

The existence of Istanbul goes back more than two thousand five hundred years and since then the city has seen the rise and fall of the empire and survived to tell the tale. You can go back in time and visualize the trials and tribulations of the past.

There are many sites of historical and archeological significance in the city that reflect its ancient culture. Most of them are well maintained and retain much of their original art and layout. The palatial complexes, fortresses, mosques, churches can take you back in time. The Roman cisterns that run through underground passages in the city remain one of the best features of an example of management of civic amenities in the past. Places of historic and aesthetic importance are listed below.

- Fortress of Anatolia (Anadoluhisari) The fortress is not open to public but the associated museum is.

- Beylerbeyi Palace A beautifully designed and well-maintained palace from the early nineteenth century that still receives dignitaries and royals from all over the world.

- The Bulgarian St Stephen Church A rich ornamented church made completely of cast iron

- Yerebatan Sarnici A humongous cistern supported by 336 marble columns

- Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii / the Blue Mosque)

Considered one of the best works based on Islamic Architecture in the world

- Hagia Irene (Church of ST Irene) and Hagia Sophia (Church of Wisdom)

The former is the oldest church in Istanbul and the latter its predecessor. Admission through special request only.

Community Bath:

Community hygiene in Turkey received top priority. This is what gave birth to the concept of Hammam or the Turkish bath. The Hammam was a place where people could come and bathe for a small fee and receive grooming services. It was essentially a convenience provided to the commoners and bathhouses became places of interaction and socialization.

In the present, hammams are essentially spas where people can go in for a good steaming session or sauna and massage and come out relaxed as ever. Many hotels have facilities for a Turkish bath so that their customers can experience the rituals of a Turkish bath. For a more authentic feel head to:

Cagaloglu Hammam: The oldest surviving Hammam in Turkey

Location: 34 Jazim Gurkan Caddesi, Turkey

Boating and Sailing:

The Bosphorus Bay offers some of the most calm and sheltered waters in Europe. The waters are conducive for sailing. A trip along the Bay also offers some amazing views of the city and its architecture. Tourists can rent vessels and head out to the sea at any time of the day or night and even participate in the local racing events. However, tourists need to be cautious and are advised to abstain from swimming in the Bay area since it has a reputation of swift, dangerous currents. Equipment can be rented at:

1. The Atakoy Marina on the European side

2. The Amiral Fahri Koruturk Marina (Kalamis-Fenerbahce) on the Asian Side

Nature Parks / Gardens:

This might not be the primary activity on your agenda but the various public and private parks around the city offer a cool way to unwind at the end of the day or get started in the morning. Some parks also have jogging tracks and walking trails.

The Government is also making special efforts to convert useless public spaces into parks and garden. The latest effort on this front is the ‘Onion Plants Garden' opened in an area that was used by drug junkies. Besides, all royal complexes and mansions have their own exquisite gardens, most of which are open to tourists.

- Yildiz Woodland Reserve

Location: Topkapi, Besiktas

This place has a few monuments and a lot of greenery where tourists can relax.

- Byzantine Hippodrome Park

Location:

It houses the few remnants of the horseracing complex built during the Byzantine regime.

- Emigan Park

Location: Emigan Village

Ottoman pavilions and mansions within this park at times are used for concerts and restaurants are also run in this area.

- Camlica Hills

This point is located at the highest altitude in Istanbul and an ideal location for picnics and romantic rendezvous. The highlight of the region however, is the profusion of birds and is a great place for birders and bird-watchers.

Museum Tours:

With a history like Istanbul's, it would be strange if the city didn't have so many museums. Almost every historical site has a museum as does every monument. These museums house some of the most priceless artifacts, manuscripts and art that elucidate the history of civilization. The Celts, the Egyptians, the Greek, the Romans, the Indian and Oriental cultures have at some time or the other had trade and cultural ties with the city and is evident from the remains of each of these civilizations found here.

Following is a brief listing and description of the various museums:

The Archeological Museum

Location: Between Topkapi Palace and Gulhane Park

Phone: (212) 520 77 40 and 41

This is a true treasure trove of the Mediterranean. It houses the 21 Sarcophagi that include the Tomb of Alexander the Great, the Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women and the Lycian Tomb. A must see for anyone interested in Mediterranean civilizations.

Museum Timings: 09:30-16:30 (daily except Mondays)

Mosaics Museum

Location: Behind the Sultanahmet Mosque

Phone: (212) 518 12 05

This museum houses the remains of the greatest Byzantine palaces built by none other than Constantine the Great.

Museum Timings: 09:00-17:30 (daily except Tuesdays)

Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts

Location: Ibrahim Pasa Palace

Old Hippodrome area

Phone: (212) 518 18 05 and 06

The various religious sites and architectural ideologies of the Muslims have always influenced Islamic art. It is perhaps the richest of its kind in the world. This museum houses one of the most exquisite collections of Korans, carpets, tiles and prayer rugs dating from before the sixteenth century.

Museum Timings: 09:30-17:00 (daily except Mondays)

Military Museum

Location: New Town

Phone: (212) 232 16 98

Being a contentious region, the cultural aspects have been greatly influenced by its military history. The Ottoman Turks contributed significantly to the city's development as well as to the development of warfare in the world. Remains from the wars of old as well as modern weapon and ammunition is at display in the military museum. A special feature is the performance by the Mehter - the Turkish military band.

Museum Timings: 09:00-17:00 except Mondays and Tuesdays

Museum of Divan Literature

Location: Galata Tekkesi

Phone: (212) 245 41 41 and 243 50 45

The Durvesh traditions are a very important part of Turkish culture. This museum is located in what used to be the first convent for the Whirling Durveshes (see section on culture for more information). It now holds one of the most precious collections of Divan writings, especially the works of the fifteenth century mystic Seyh Galip.

Vedat Nedim Tor Museum

Location: Yapi Kredi Bank building

Galatasaray district

Phone: 212) 245 20 41 and 252 47 00

This museum houses a vast collection of embroidered textiles, gold and copper coins, calligraphy, Karagoz figures etc

Museum Timing: Open to public only during exhibitions

Museum of Ancient Orient

Location:

Phone:

This is a rather small museum but exhibits important artifacts from civilizations that pre-date the Roman and Greek and those that flourished in Istanbul before the rise of Islam. Cuneiform tablets from the Mesopotamian civilization, statues of pagan Arab Gods and Goddesses, mummies and burial jewelry from Thebes, ortastads of the Hitites as well as remains from Sumer, Arcadia, Assyria and Babylon can all be found here.