Istanbul in Pictures

Thursday, 14 July 2011

Five things to do in Istanbul on a shoestring

One

Tarlabaşı gypsy market

Every Sunday, once in Tarlabasi you can just follow the people with bags of fruit and vegetables to find the market and enjoy the traders who have set up on the roadside along the way. Selling everything from clothes and accessories to things for the home, traditional materials, seasonal fruit and vegetables, olives, teas and spices. Good prices, you can haggle and try the fresh produce before you buy. Even if you don't want anything its a great place to wander round, take photographs.

Two

Çamlıca Hill

East of Uskudar, can be reached by boat from Kabatas-Uskudar and then a bus or dolmus ride (you can ask at the bus kiosk just outside the port and to the right). Beautiful public park with the most amazing views of Istanbul. There is a restaurant and food stalls which are subsidised by the government and lovely shady outdoor seating area. Very good Gözleme (Turkish savory pancakes) are sold for 2TL and Çay for 0.75TL. Go up later in the afternoon and watch the sun set over Istanbul.

Three

Cihangir graffitti

Cihangir is full of boutiques, small galleries, antique shops and nice cafes but it is worth going just to look at the street art. Some political, some incorporated into the architecture, some humorous.

Four

Proje4L/Elgiz Çağdaş Sanat Müzesi

A private collection Museum of Contemporary Art. With work from influential Turkish and international Artists including Tracey Emin, Nan Goldin, Paul Morrison, Barbara Kruger, Cindy Sherman, Gilbert and George, Lisa Ruyter. No entrance free required.

http://www.proje4l.org/EN/index.html