Welcome to one of the most modern stadiums in Europe, which opened in 2011. It has a capacity of 52,280 seats and has four floors. It has VIP lounges, over 4,500 VIP seats and a restaurant that can serve 350 guests with a private grandstand. Take the stadium tour to live as a soccer player. The locker room even includes a pool. You can also find the Galatasaray SK boutique in the surrounding area. The Turkish national football team has been hosted at this stadium.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO ALI SAMI YEN SPOR KOMPLEKSI
*** BUS: 27SE, 41SM
*** METRO: M2
ISTANBUL: THE CROSS ROAD OF CULTURES
One of the most attractive cities in the whole world. The unique tastes, the aromas in every corner of Istanbul, the countless markets, the endless and historically important sights and the enchanting Bosphorus compose a puzzle of images that will fill you with experiences that you will hardly find anywhere else. Istanbul “steps” with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia. It is built on seven hills at the mouth of the Bosporus and the birthplace of a great civilization. The rich Byzantine, Ottoman and Roman heritage is reflected in every alley of the city!
Currency: Turkish Lira
Calling Code: +90
Nearest airports from city center: Istanbul Airport (44km), Sabiha Gokcen (44km), Alexandroupoli Airport (298km).
TOP – 10 SIGHTSEEING
*** HAGIA SOPHIA (Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul)
It is one of the most historic temples in the world! It was a place of worship for Christians from 537 to 1453. Now, it functions as a mosque.
*** SULTANAHMET CAMII (Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:10, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul)
Its construction began at the beginning of the 17th century, it was opened in 1723 and it is one of the most beautiful places of worship of Islam in the world. It is located opposite Hagia Sophia and its blue ceramics and its six minarets are impressive. The architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aghas had been commissioned by the Sultan to build the largest mosque in the world.
*** GRAND BAZAAR (Beyazıt, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul)
You should definitely visit the largest “covered” market in the world with over 5 thousand shops inside! Wander the streets of the market and bazaars, whose construction began a few years after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453.
*** TOPKAPI PALACE (Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul)
It was opened in 1465 and the stone palace is one of the places you must visit. Admire the 27 towers, the unique view of the Bosphorus, the Marmaras and the Gulf of Horn and see up close the rare collections of porcelain, gold and many other objects, which were the personal property of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
*** GALATA TOWER (Bereketzade Mahallesi Büyük Hendek Caddesi, Numara: 2, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul)
It was opened in 1349 and is 67 meters high. Climb up to see the view from a tower that even served as a fire lookout.
*** DOLMABAHCE PALACE (Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul)
Historians say that it took about 14 tons of gold to build. From 1856 to 1922 it was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. It has a total of 12 gates, but the ‘Treasury Gate’ is the main entrance and offers the image of the grandeur of the palace.
*** BASILICA CISTERN (Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul)
The restored aqueduct of the 6th century was a miracle of the time! It was built during the reign of Justinian I and has a total capacity of 2.8 million cubic liters of water. See the Medusa-headed columns inside the portico.
*** SULEYMANIYE CAMII (Süleymaniye, Prof. Sıddık Sami Onar Cd. No:1, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul)
It belongs to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites and was built in the mid-16th century.
*** ISTANBUL ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUMS (Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul)
It’s a museum that includes three… museums! Here you can see the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient East and the Museum of Islamic Art. See the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and the vast collection of 1 million exhibits.
*** EGYPTIAN BAZAAR (Rüstem Paşa, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul)
If you like aromas and spices, then you’ve come to the right place. It was built around the middle of the 17th century and got its name because of the goods that came through Egypt.
ΤΗINGS TO DO
*** It goes without saying that your walk in Istanbul should start from Taksim.
*** Visit the Kariye Camii which is a museum of religious art and is considered one of the best preserved Byzantine architectural works.
*** Walk to the Galata Bridge and see the fishermen with their rods trying to make their best catch.
*** Various museums of the city are of great interest, such as the Pera Museum, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, Museum of Rahmi M. Koç and its Museum of Modern Art.
*** Visit various mosques of Istanbul, such as Eyüp Sultan Mosque, Fatih Mosque, Yeni Mosque, Ortakoy Mosque, Nuruosmaniye Mosque.
*** A boat ride on the Bosphorus and a visit to Adalar are a must.
*** Rumeli Hisar, built in the middle of the 15th century, was a point of reference for the Fall of Constantinople in 1453.
*** Spend some of your time at Beylerbeyi Palace or Ciragan Palace.
*** In the place of the ancient Hippodrome is the Ibrahim Pasha Palace and it is worth seeing up close.
*** Next to Topkapi Palace we would recommend you to visit Aya Irini which is a Byzantine former orthodox church and is now a museum.
FOOD AND DRINK
The culinary paradise of Istanbul will be unforgettable. Here you can taste savory and sweet delicacies that will fascinate you. Try the local cuisine with many spices, kebabs with many variations, dolmades, chicken, balik ekmek which is the most famous street food (grilled fish sandwich), lahmajun, manti (stuffed pasta with minced lamb and yogurt sauce) and many more that will whet your appetite just by smelling them! In Istiklal try the wet burgers. Sweets should definitely be on your menu. Try the kiunefe, the baklavas, the syrups, the loukumi, the ice creams and several other sweets that the waiters will recommend to you. Of course, you can find restaurants with cuisine from all over the world, but you should not miss the opportunity to try the local specialties.
WHERE TO STAY
You can find several hotels or accommodation options for all budgets, both in the city center and a little outside the center. We would recommend staying near Taksim Square.
FUN AND SHOPPING
*** If you like sea creatures, then visit Istanbul Aquarium and SEA LIFE.
*** Visit Miniaturk so you can see Turkey in miniature!
*** In the city you will find many hammam shops! Don’t miss the chance to do a hammam in Istanbul. As an example, we recommend the Ağa Hamamı.
*** Be sure to walk down Istiklal Street and you will find everything you want for eating or shopping.
*** On the Asian side of Istanbul, go shopping on Baghdad Street.
*** It has many commercial department stores such as İstinye Park Alisveris Merkezi, Mall of Istanbul, Istanbul Shopping Center.
*** A nice and alternative option for your shopping is Arasta Bazaar.
HOW TO GET AROUND
The most beautiful way to get around the city is on foot or by metro.
CITIES NEAR ISTANBUL
Major cities close to Istanbul are Gebze (57km), Bursa (155km), Izmit (104km) and Corlu (123km).
