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The Best of ISTANBUL?

The Best of ISTANBUL WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR: 1) memorable/dramatic scenery, landscape photography, or specifically where to find the best (viewpoints, vistas, city views, natural views, panoramas, sunsets, etc..) 2) also looking for hikes/hilltops/lookouts, and other amazing, breathtaking views? 3) lovely/charming streets, cute villages, hidden nooks/places? 4) specialty/unique regional cuisine/gastronomy (at places where local's eat @ local's prices (5-10USmax). Here food must be made with love, and regional favorites are specialties. Also the fewer tourists - the better. What I've got so far... Blue mosque, Haga sophia, Topakapi palace, Shahzade Mosque, Sulemaine mosque, Ortakoy Mosque, Ibrahim Pasha mosque, Fatih mosuqe, Mehmet mosque, Iznik mosque, Cihangir mosque, Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, Mihrimah Mosque, Yeni Valide Camii, Nuruosmaniye Mosque, Beyazit Mosque, Nusretiye Mosque, view of Maidan tower at Sunset (from boat?), Mikla restaurant view (Marmara pera hotel rooftop), Grilled fish sandwiches from boats near the Galata Bridge, with lemon, salt, raw onions, and pickles, sunset view of Old town (from Karaköy wharf/Galata bridge), Balat/Fenner architecture? (what's here?), Yedikule neighbourhood (what's here?), Anadolu Kavagi, views of Old town from hotel rooftops on Asian side, Soguk Cesme Sokak street (and other wooden houses), Kilimli beach (Ağva), Yerebatan Saray Sarnici, Çamlıca Hill, what is attractive in Kemalpaşa? If you can help me edit my list (group items based on district, etc...), that would really help. Of course, feel free to add, or remove items as you like. I'll have 5 weeks to explore Istanbul. Thanks

Public Comments

1. the list that you have got are good because i have been there myself
2. I don`t know about the best, but the most normal things that you will find in Istanbul are the slums
3. I personally love the Asian side better, because it is less touristy. Be sure to go the islands. I don't know the name of the one i went to, but i do know the ferry left from the Bostanci Iskele. If you take the 17 bus from Kadikoy and get off in Altintepe, there is a lovely restaruant with delicious chorba (soup). The place has a yellow sign over it, and is on the side of the street closest to the water (which is still pretty far back) down towards where the cars go under the road. Another really good place is in Kadikoy. Its called Bursa Iskender. Get the light iskender. Its the best. Also, 7 Kebap has good cheap food. have fun! Istanbul is AMAZING!!!
4. Here are my answer and some other good answers to a similar question http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq4jnK2UaGz1roF42SS7OoOsDX1G;_ylv=3?qid=20090905212440AAjgdZL Karakoy- Eminonu area A boat to Kadikoy as locals do Wonder about at Kadikoy, see its market place Go to Haydarpasha train station too Pierre Loti at Balat Drink tea, apple tea or coffee looking at Golden Horn view Go down with small cable cars there Wonder about at Balat- a once very beautiful- now old and tired part of Istanbul DEfinitely go on top of Galata Tower see the view The best view of Istanbul To see the modern part of Istanbul Go to Bagdat Caddesi On the Asian side Cafes, shops etc... Beautiful area to shop. If you have 5 weeks, you can really discover a lot. You can even take the ferry to Bakirkoy. And discover some part tourists never do.
5. add islands to your list.. they are more beautiful than city of istanbul as i see from photos and movies. so i cant help you much, which island is more scenery i don't know. ! don't forget this, have fun http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5950/9yi52cgi.gif http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LuX5WMzNv8