A la Turca

Housed in a 19th-century mansion and crammed with exquisite pottery, embroideries, and kilims.... More

Abdulla

Responding to complaints from villagers throughout Turkey about large-scale textile production, Metin Tosun opened Abdulla... More

Anjelique

A sultry waterside club set against the glowing Baroque Ortaköy Mosque. ... More

Archaeological Museum

The world-class museum's garden alone begs a look. Inside, there are outstanding ancient sarcophagi, Byzantine... More

Babylon, Istanbul

The live-music venue is one of Istanbul's foremost music spots since 1999. ... More

Basilica Cistern

What Lies Beneath: Eighty-two feet below Istanbul is a 450-foot-long, 213-foot-wide former royal reservoir. This... More

Beymen

Not only does Istanbul’s chicest set live in the Nisantisi neighborhood in Istanbul, they shop... More

Beyoglu

Colonized for centuries by non-muslim minorities and foreign traders, the district of Beyoğlu (pronounced be-yoh-LU... More

Cagaloglu Hamami

An essential part of any visit to Istanbul is a scrub-down at a hamam (Turkish bath).... More

Can Diamond & Jewel

The labyrinthian Grand Bazaar in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet neighborhood can be disorienting for shoppers, especially tourists... More

Chalabi

Chalcedony

Quartz comes in many colors and some of the world’s bluest is mined in the... More

Church of the Holy Savior of Chora

The 11th-century Byzantine church is decorated with some of the most important mosaics after the... More

Dervis

Just west of the Grand Bazaar’s central chamber (ic bedestan), this literal hole-in-the-wall shop specializes... More

Gönül Paksoy

At her combination museum-shop, owner Gönül Paksoy turns everyday objects into pieces of art and... More

Grand Bazaar

This winding maze has provided the ultimate retail experience since as far back as the... More

Great Palace Mosaic Museum

Istanbul's major state-run museums charge hefty admissions, but the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, just behind... More

Haci Bekir

Try the Turkish Delight in flavors like mint and pistachio at this exotic candy shop.... More

Homer Kitabevi Books

For prestige, no schools top Galatasary Lise in central Taksim. Across from its vaunted black... More

Istanbul Fast Ferries

You can cruise between the continents for $1— plus 30¢ for a glass of tea... More