Istanbul travel guide

What blogs and Internet magazines should one read in and about Istanbul?

online information sites in english
- http://www.istanbulcityguide.com

- http://www.whatsonwhen.com

blogs
- photoblog of an english photographer: http://theblog.istanbulblogger.com/
- Istanbul insights from a german / turkish couple living in istanbul:
http://www.aylingo.de/

In which movies, books, and songs does the city of Istanbul play a major role?

Movies:
Tassos Boulmetis: A Touch of Spice (or Politiki kouzina) (2003)

Sidney Lumet: Orient Express (1974)

Songs:
They Might Be Giants (cover version): Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
Levent Yüksel: Istanbul

Books:
Orhan Pamuk: Istanbul: memories and the city
Mario Levi: Istanbul bir masaldi

What are the 3 most famous and the 3 most exciting events in the city?

The 3 most famous events:

- Istanbul Music Festival and Istanbul Jazz Festival (July): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_International_Jazz_Festival
- National Day Festivities (October 29) around the bosphorus

- Istanbul International Film Festival (Sep/Oct): http://www.istfest.org/tr

The 3 most exciting events:

- One Love Festival (July): http://www.facebook.com/onelovefest or Rock'n Coke Festival (July), http://www.rockncoke.com/
- Istanbul Marathon: http://www.istanbulmarathon.org, or Bosphorus Cross Continental (Asia-to-Europe swimming, rowing and sailing competition)
- Bosphorus Boat trip (for me the most thrilling event in Istanbul)

What free offers should I not overlook?

Free festivals & celebrations like the one on the 29th of october for the national day, open-air music or folk-dance festivals (check out for dates at your hotel), MEHTERAN show at the military museum Harbiye (Askeri Müze, Harbiye tel (0212) 233 27 20 - 233 71 15), Festivities for the conquest of Istanbul (29th of May), hammam is not for free but very cheap, don't miss a hammam visit in Istanbul.

What places give me that special Istanbul feeling the fastest?

Caybahceleri (Teahouses) along the bosphorus, Misir Carsisi (Egyptian Bazaar), walking around in Old Town (Sultanahmet), Sirkeci, Karaköy, Galata, every place where you can see the Bosphorus and the bosphorus bridges (including a boat trip)

Where and how can I get to know approachable native citizens?

pubs, concerts, festivals are good for meeting people
if you need help everybody is very helpful

How much is...

...a snack?

simit / pogaca around 1,5 TL

...a subway/bus/streetcar ticket or taxi ride?

subway, bus, streetcar approx. 1,65 TL
shuttle service from the airport to the city (various points) 17 TL

taxi from the airport to the city center (e.g. Taksim) 35 TL

...a coffee / a beer / a pack of cigarettes?

coffee 5 TL, beer 8 TL, who needs cigarettes? prices differ according to which district you are in and what kind of place you go (around 5 TL diffence)

...a museum ticket?

around 10-20 TL, it differs between privately owned and owned by the government

...a fun night in pubs and clubs?

some clubs are very expensive, some are ok, entrance fee from 20 to 50 TL plus drinks & food extra, pubs have no entrance fee except there is a special event

I still have some money left over, what should I buy in Istanbul as a souvenir?

Nazarlik (all kinds of blue “evil eyes”), cini ( Turkish style ceramics hand painted), cezve (for cooking turkish coffee), Turkish tea and coffee cups, Turkish deserts like baklava, shekerpare, kestane sekeri (marron glace = candied chestnut), all kinds of nuts (pistachio, walnut, hazelnut), dried fruits, herbs (red pepper, oregano, sage), Turkish tea, coffee, wine, raki (traditional Turkish drink from aniseed)

What makes this city distinctive, unique, or nerve-wracking - and what are the reasons for it?

The city never sleeps, every place is crowded, and the city is huge, as a tourist you only see 10% of the city, because the distances are very big, travelling further distances with public transportation is nearly impossible. Traffic is a major issue, prepare yourself for being on the street for a certain amount of time.
But the city is amazing, for me it's the most exciting city I have ever been to.

Where and how can I get a good Internet connection?

Free-Wifi is nearly everywhere, hotels, restaurants, public spaces.

What should I avoid in Istanbul under all circumstances?

Taxi drivers are sometimes cheating – so be careful when you enter the taxi, ask for the taximeter, and watch the price, they suddenly turn off the taxi meter and ask you to pay a higher amount.

Some districts are known for bars & clubs you should avoid, because they just want to take your money. Go only to bars & pubs that are known by locals, ask at your hotel first. Don't go with people who come up to you on the street and ask you to go with them to a bar, night club etc.

Is there anything else that people should know about Istanbul?

Every district has its own character that's why I would recommend you to take a little more time for your Istanbul stay and visit also some districts that are not touristic places. Like Besiktas, Nisantasi, Ortaköy, Bebek, Yeniköy, Sariyer, Balat, Fener, Eyüp, Üsküdar, Kuzguncuk, Kadiköy, Fenerbahce, Beylerbeyi, Cengelköy, Kanlica and many more...