What to do in Istanbul when you're not enjoying EURAM 2013!

 

Istanbul is visited by around 10 million tourists every year, enjoying the wide variety of museums, palaces and historical sites it has to offer.

Here are our top tips for sites to visit while you are in Istanbul:

Topkapı Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Basilica Cistern
Maiden’s Tower
Galata Tower
St. Irene Church
Chora Museum
Egyptian Bazaar
Covered Bazaar (Grand Bazaar)
Archaeological Museum
Modern Art Museum

And there are many more to discover... 

 

Daily Tours

With such a lot to be seen in Istanbul and the surrounding areas, a selection of tours will be available throughout the conference, which will include famous sites at the Historical Peninsula - also known as the Old City - and cruises on the Bosphorus.

The Aegean, Anatolian and Mediterranean regions of Turkey are also packed with archaeological sites of various ancient civilizations. There will be tours to some of these locations available both before and after the conference, with more details to come soon.

 

Dining Out

Istanbul is a culinary delight no matter what your budget. From simple workers' eateries and sidewalk cafes to posh culinary palaces with liveried waiters, Turkish cuisine is good and the value-for-money unbeatable. A typical Turkish dish generally consists of lamb, mutton, and veal with a variety of vegetables. Pilaf, all kinds of pastry, bulgur, haricot beans, rich olive oil, and vegetables are also common side dishes. Meatballs, shish kebab, and doner kebab are also classic dishes. Because of its coastal location, fish is also popular although it is usually cooked simply, such as grilled, or fried with olive oil and lemon juice.

Istanbul is the commercial and cultural centre of Turkey; and there are restaurants of many nationalities such as Korean, Russian, Italian, and Chinese. American-style fast-food outlets are becoming more popular, but for a quick snack it is more appropriate to fill up at the plethora of tiny takeaways offering kebabs and snacks. It is easy to sample good quality regional cuisine in typical small restaurants, usually at low cost, especially in the commercial and business areas.

 

Shopping in Istanbul

Famed as the City of a Thousand Colors and Fragrances, Istanbul is a paradise for shoppers. A large variety of traditional carpets, jewels, gold, and leather goods can be purchased on the street in the tourist areas, or one can visit the city's modern shopping malls where Turkish brand goods can be found. The shops are usually open from 9:00 to 19:00 from Monday to Saturday. The Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Bazaar open their gates at 8:30 and close at 19:00. The large shopping malls open from 10:00 to 22:00 seven days a week. Shops do not close for lunch.
 

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Plan Your Conference > Things to do in Istanbul

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