Expert: Ruth Lockwood - 3/7/2004

Question
I am planning to visit Istanbul for the first time. I will be there for a period of 4 days in end of March.what places do you recommand to visit? and will it be cold at that time of the year in Istanbul? please also introduce shopping centers.
Thanks  

Answer
Hi Ninushka, Istanbul is a fantastic city and well worth a visit . If it is possible try and book your accomodation in th Sultanahmet area of Istanbul and then most of the wonderful sights are just a couple of minutes away from your hotel .
The main sights are Topkapi Palace ( the famous palace of the Sultans with a Harem that is well worth the visit ) , right next door is the Aya Sohia(considered one of the greatest Byzantine churches in the world ), across the road on the right is the Yerebatan Saray - underground cisterns built by Emperor Justin, and really wonderful.Just across the gardens is the large and imposing Blue Mosque -also well worth the visit .

Behind the Blue Mosque is the Hippodrome area and if you continue up the  main tramway road you will come to the huge Grand Bazaar on your right . There are thousands of shops and the shopping is great ( make sure you bargin hard !)In the streets around the Grand Bazaar there is also some excellent shopping,but less touristy items such as handbags , shoes T shirts etc .Further on from the Grand Bazaar ( you may have to take a taxi ) is my favourite church - The Chora church, which is considered to have gold mozaics that rival the Aya Sophia .

From the Blue Mosque if you walk down the main tramway road ( rather than up for the Grand Bazaar) you will come to another beautiful mosque at the bottom and behind that is the Egyptian Spice Bazaar . There is some good shops there, as well as in the surrounding streets.

Also at the bottom of the tramway road you will see the Bosphorous and many Ferry Boats. If you ask there you can find a Bosphorous cruise or take a Ferry boat to the black sea . This is a wonderful way to spend a few hours as you cruise past old Ottoman palaces , Kosks and grand buildings - really beautiful .You may also want to do a day trip to the Princess Island which are stunning but I would only recommend this if you have time and have seen the other sights first .

Across the Bosphorous you will see the Galata Tower( beautiful views of Istanbul from the top ) and  continue by Taxi to Istiklal Caddesi. This a huge wide street that has many of the western shops, cinemas cafes etc . About two thirds of the way down you will find the Cicek pasaji. Behind there are huge numbers of great tavernas with wonderful Turkish food and gypsy music . It pays to go there a little later as the place doent come alive until around 8.00pm or sometimes later .At the bottom of the tramway road is the vernicular railway that takes you back down the hill to Tunel ( you can also take this up from Galata tower to Istiklal Caddesi , rather than a taxi if you prefer .)

On this side is also the Dolmabache Palace- very European and I prefer to see it from a Bosphorous cruise rather than actually going inside , but it is usually on the list for most tourists . You will need to get a taxi from Istiklal Caddesi .

If you stay in the Sultanahmet area you will definitely not need to take any guided tours and can do it all very easily by yourself . However if you need a guide there are plenty that wait at the entrances to the various sites and you can hire them if you want . Good tourist books are sold everywhere and at each site entrance and I think these are more than adequate .

Please do not let any guides take you shopping and do not enter any shops accompanied by anyone . They all take huge commissions and this is added to the price of your purchase !

As for weather , yes it can be extremely changable at this time of year .Two days ago Istanbul had huge storms and snow and today it is beautifully sunny but with a strong cold breeze . Bring warm clothes and then some long sleeve T shirts incase it gets warm .
Good Luck and I hope you have a wonderful time .