Things to see and do Istanbul & Marmara Region

The only Byzantine prison that remains today. Anemas is the name of a Byzantine general of Arab origin. Imprisoned in 1107, after a plot against the Byzantine Emperor Alexis Comnenus (1081-1118), he left his name on one of the towers, the other being called Isaac Angel. Everything suggests that only personalities were kept in the dungeons. It is the emperor's daughter, Anne Comnene, who is said to have helped Anemas escape. The site has been renovated.

To get to this district, it is possible to take the Yeni Çarsı Caddesi which runs alongside the Galatasaray high school. Then, by the second street on the left, you reach rue Française and Çukurcuma, a district that is mainly known for its antique dealers. In the first Hayriye Street, next to the Koyu Kahve, is the Apelyan building, which you will recognize by its yellow facade and Italian-style architecture. Dating from the 19th century and having belonged to the Apelyan family.

The easiest way to get there is to take a boat from Eminönü. The district is known for its fish restaurants and its military, a strategic point. The village, its narrow streets with wooden houses, its few shops are dominated by the hill Yuşa Tepesi. It is easy to get there in 30 minutes, for its fortress (Yoros Kalesi) and the wonderful view of the Bosporus and the Black Sea. Two fishing villages further away: Anadolu Feneri with its lighthouse (fener) and Poyrazköy with its small paying beach.

Attended assiduously since Suleiman the Magnificent as a place for hunting and relaxation, the park is part of a complex that saw the first buildings appear under the era of Ahmed I (1603-1617). Abdülmecit (1839-1861) wanted the building redeveloped and all the structures were demolished, but it was during the time of Abdülaziz (1861-1876) that the current buildings were built. Thus, he asked the architect Garabed Balian to build the pavilions of the Tent (Çadır Köşkü) and Malta (Malta Köşkü). Interior paintings often reflect the themes of hunting and serenity. But the park is best known for Sultan Abdülhamid II (1876-1909) who, suspicious of the Dolmabahçe palace, which he considered dangerous to his health and well-being, had chosen it as his first residence. Due to his hostility towards the constitutional monarchy and the nationalist movements that were then beginning to germinate, Sultan Abdülaziz was the victim of a putsch on 30 May 1876. His successor, Murad V, remained in power for only 96 days! Allegedly insane, he was dismissed in favour of Abdülhamid II. Passionate about carpentry and fond of art, contrary to the austere image he is given, he enriches the park with new buildings: theatre and opera hall, hammam, library, pharmacy, zoo...

Near the entrance, on the right, a path leads to the mausoleum (türbe) of Yahya Efendi,one of Islam's most famous saints. He was born in Trebizond on the same day as Suleyman the Magnificent. His mother being the Sultan's nurse, he accompanied him to Istanbul and became one of the most prominent theologians of his time. Going up to the left, you first arrive at the Tent Pavilion (Çadır Köşkü), now a café-restaurant. Continuing the slope, almost at the top, awaits you the most beautiful building in the park, the Şale Köşkü. Built and enlarged according to the will of Abdülhamid II, its name comes from the French "chalet", perhaps an allusion to its location. The whole thing was completed in 1898. Unlike Dolmabahçe, the architectural aesthetics give the impression of a simpler harmony, while remaining elegant and expressive. Moreover, the site was intended to accommodate foreign representatives and statesmen. To reach the Malta pavilion, also transformed into a café-restaurant, you must pass on the right wing at the end of the park. The Hamidiye Mosque is not within the park, a parallel (Müvezzi Caddesi) that starts at Çırağan Caddesi joins it (at the far right).

It is one of the oldest mosques in Istanbul, as evidenced by the epigraphy on the pediment of the front door dated 1471-1472. The prayer hall is an exception in Ottoman architecture, which tends to favour larger ranks of the faithful. It was built on the initiative of Has Hasan Paşa, which is illustrated during the wars waged by Mehmed the Conqueror against the Turkoman White Sheep dynasty, Uzun Hasan.

Along the road that runs along the sparsely populated coastal strip, you will come across the Austrian consulate, the summer palace of the German consulate, the Art Nouveau presidential residence and a villa belonging to the former Italian ambassador. This private mansion has become the property of the State. Tarabya has a beautiful small cove, unfortunately disfigured by an imposing hotel. In this upscale district of the capital, pleasure boats await their wealthy owners, facing fish restaurants, trendy bars and social clubs.

This passage was conceived in 1885 by a businessman from Aleppo in Syria. It housed the Pera circus at the rear, a theatre and opera room as well as specialized music stores. Even after numerous alterations and restorations, this theatre still remains (Ferhan Şensoy Tiyatrosu): of modern appearance, it mainly attracts a young clientele. Cinémas and Pera cinemas. By its functions, this passage is very lively, especially in the evening.

The convent and its annex buildings were built in 1703 by Sultanahmet III. The ensemble consists of a Tevhidhane for ceremonies, a section for women and another for men, and mausoleums. The structure of the convent has hardly changed since its foundation. The particularity of Cerrahi dervishes is to pray while singing while others dance in a circle. Those who sing are also called howler dervishes in opposition to dancers or turners.

Cem Cayan was born in Istanbul, works in tourism and knows Istanbul like the back of his hand. In almost perfect French, he offers "classic" tours of Istanbul (Palace Topkapı, Blue Mosque...) or "tailor-made" according to your wishes. He can organize a thematic program: participation in conferences, concerts, meetings with Turks of all social levels or with a certain trade, have you participate in a meal with the locals, walk through the interesting suburban districts. All you have to do is ask!

Covering an area of more than 18 ha, it is located on a hill overlooking the Bosporus and shelters several century-old trees. It has several terraces that offer superb panoramic views, walking trails and playgrounds for children. The pavilion is on a steep slope. Designed by an Italian architect for the last Khedive of Egypt, Abbas Hilmi Paşa (Abbas II, 1892-1914), who wanted a replica of one of his properties on the banks of the Nile.

Completed in 1571, it is one of the works of the architect Sinan. The complex consists of a mosque, a medersa, a dervish convent and an ablution fountain. The building is decorated with 16th-century Iznik tiles. The dervish convent consists of a central space topped by a dome and ritual ceremonial rooms(semahan) extending to the sides. The mosque contains four fragments of the Black Stone of Mecca.

This agency has a team of French-speaking guides certified by the State, passionate and in love with their country. The team, led by Dündar Karabenli, guide since 1985, will take you on a superb journey through Turkey. Specialists in history, society, or storytellers of crisp anecdotes, these guides will be precious assets to discover this magnificent country that is Turkey. The proposed tours are adaptable to your desires. Futé : the website of the agency (www.toutelaturquie.com) is a good advice to prepare your stay.

A cruise on the Bosphorus? The state-owned company remains the best alternative, both in terms of its very attractive price and its schedule (and safety) advantages. What's more, it's the only one to sail up to the Black Sea, as far as Anadolu Kavağı. Passengers are more Stamboulians than tourists. For timetables, it's best to get them from the website. Only one boat in winter. The big vapur, the water bus, departs from the "Boğaz iskelesi" pier in Eminönü. Its terminus is Anadolu Kavağı.

Named after a Turkish architect, and not our famous singer, this passage was built in 1883 and restored in 1993. It once housed the Café du Commerce. Shortly after the entrance, souvenir shops of all kinds. It extends over two floors. On the left, you can take a staircase to the basement. There is a bar, comic book shops (only in Turkish) and clothing shops. There is also a billiard room and a sports hall.

It is more of a han (commercial patio) than a passage. Built in the early 19th century in neoclassical architecture, it was used by the Russian consulate until 1924 and was also used as a prison. Recently restored with its salmon-coloured facade, this building unfortunately no longer has much to do with what it used to be. It still has an inner courtyard and now houses some shops and the illusion museum.

This Lego temple is designed for the pleasure of children and their companions. Composed of a Miniland (Lego amusement park), a "Space Mission" area, workshops, shops, a 4D cinema, a visit to the Lego factory, laser games, this Lego park does not leave its visitors, young and old, indifferent. Ideal for families and weekdays but to avoid on Saturdays or risk a severe migraine at the end of the day because of all the screams of the crowd of children. Your eardrums, it's not sure, but your children will thank you!

This museum is the work of the Suna-Inan Foundation Kıraç. He gave the art world and the city of Istanbul an invaluable gift. On five floors, the museum occupies a completely refurbished 1893 building, where works of art from the couple's private collection are displayed. The works are exhibited by theme. The first floor is structured around the Weights and Measures of Anatolia and the Earthenware and Ceramics of Kütahya. The first part is presented as the only collection on this scale in the field: it contains various instruments used in Anatolia over the years. Kütahya's collection includes more than 400 pieces. If you have visited the Topkapı palace beforehand, the second floor will be a perfect addition. In a spacious and airy setting, paintings on the Ottoman Empire are displayed. You can see, spread mainly over the last two centuries, portraits of the sultan but also paintings of the orientalist current, the last one being the imaginary reflection of the painters of the time, since no one was allowed to enter a harem. The foundation of many fantasies in the West, Western literature has been strongly imbued with them, thus mixing imagination with reality. The painting called The Turtle Tamer is presented as the most expensive in the collection. As for the top three floors, they are reserved for occasional exhibitions designed to showcase young talents, representing various trends.