Be patient with the queue if you want to climb up to Galata Tower or just enjoy walking in the area. A few ideas : * Have a drink (cofffee or alcohol) for wonderful experience with a view of the tower at the roof of Hotel Anemon (green hotel in the Galata Square, next to the tower) ** Local designer shops on the small street called Küçük Hendek Cad *** Walk on the Serdar-ı Ekrem Street to reach back Istiklal street and enjoy this typical street filled with shops, designer boutiques, nice hotels and restaurants and and art galleries and still a calm atmosphere ! ***** Enjoy a brunk at Konak Café (www.galatakonakcafe.com) - wonderful view, no alcohol ! *****Walk down to Karaköy to discover great Camondo Steps (impressive design with a unique mix of the Neo-Baroque and early Art Nouveau styles) on Bankacilar Cad.

Pera is the old name of this district. Istiklal Caddesi means Independence Avenue.Crowded, busy at all times, this is the most visited pedestrian street in Turkey. Almost 1,5 km long, you will see department stores, cafés, restaurants, boutiques, music stores, art galleries, cinemas, theaters, libraries, live music clubs and many people ! Architecture : mix from first Turkish National style to late Ottoman era, neo-Classical, Neo-Gothic or Art Nouveau.. You will see a historic tram on İstiklal Avenue going from Taksim Square to Tunel. Landmarks: Taksim Square : at the beginning of the avenue Galatasaray Square located at the center of the avenueyou will see the oldest and one of the most prestigious secondary school in Turkey: Galatasaray Lisesi - Galatasaray High School. Tunel : southern end of the avenue with the the world's second-oldest subway station called Tunel. Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage) before arriving to Galatasaray when you walk from Taksim to Tunel, French style arcade with small restaurants Balık Pazarı (The Fish Market) : next to Çiçek Pasajı, on the way to Nevizade Street Shops for women : Koton, Mango (midway Taksim-Galatasaray), Zara (right after Galatasaray), HM (towards Aga Camii Mosque, closer to Taksim) Teen-age / Young / Men/Women : Ltb jeans, Mavi Jeans Gems in hidden passages : walk in to Atlas Pasajı to see trendy clothing Suriye Pasajı for Secondhand clothes:By Retro is very interesting to viist even you don't buy anything

You can catch this nostalgic tramway at Taksim square and go all the way down to Tunel. Transports daily a few thousands of people. Runs from 7:00 to 22:30 Stops : Taksim Square - Galatasaray-Odakule-Tunel You can take the tram in one direction and walk back along the avenue to discover the cafés, boutiques, buildings and restaurants. From Tunel Square you can take the Tunel underground train to reach Karakoy neigborhood and the Galata Bridge.

Luxury shopping Open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 7 days a week Difference from other malls : **Gourmet concept with the great Eataly ! + ***Apple iconic cube store ! You can find : Lanvin, Pomellato, Stella McCartney, Valentino, Saint Laurent, Tiffany& Co, Fendi, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry, Michael Kors, Moncler, Mont Blanc, Vakko, Sevan, Sponza, Urart, Max&Co. You also find some more affordable shops like Beymen Club, GAP, Derimod, Pinko, Faconnable, Tommy Hilfiger, Gant, Network, İpekyol, Koton, Mango, Yargıcı, Lacoste and even H&M. Eating : In addition to Eataly that is great and fun experience for eating, Jamie's Italian is my favorite.

Don't hesitate to get lost in the Grand Bazaar, even I get lost after so many years :) Ask price to at least 3 shops for similar items before making your mind. Deals : They won't give half price everywhere if they didn't multiply the price when you asked at the first place. If you want to bargain, don't show so much your enthusiasm about the item ! My favorite shops: Turkish Fabrics : SIVASLI YAZMACI - Yağlıkçılar Sok (you have a few other shops for fabrics around this shop) Antique and Ethnic Fabrics : MUHLIS GUNBATTI - Perdahçılar Sok. No : 48. You can find wonderful pieces at this shop. Very professional and trustful owners who run the business since years. It is highly recommended in most Turkey Guide Books. Leather: YILDIRIM Leather : Perdahçılar Sok No: 38 KOÇ Leather : Kurkçuler Carsisi Koç is a family business with very nice people, very welcoming shop. Note Koç is supplier for Cavalli, Armani, Ferre, Dolce & Gabbana and more! Home textile- Bath textile: ABDULLA- Alibaba Türbe Sokak No:25

The bazaar is still the center of spice trade in Istanbul. You can also see craft shops since a few years.You can taste Turkish delight and other sweets, all kind of nuts and dried fruits. I love MALATYA PAZARI that has great choice for dried fruit and sweets. If you enter from the main entrance, you can exit from the exit on your right after having walked straight ahead, you will arrive on Tahmis Sok. You will smell the freshly-ground coffee and actually,at the corner of the street with Hasırcılar Cad., you will see the historic Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi shop which still sells coffee to a never-ending daily queue of customers. Keep walking on Hasırcılar and you will arrive to Rustem Pasa Mosque.

6 km of shopping ! Bağdat Caddesi is a wide boulevard on the Asian side of Istanbul and a favourite outdoor shopping area for the city’s visitors and locals living on this side. Access from Taksim : take the Dolmus - collective taxis - next to AKM Ataturk Culture Center From Kadıkoy : Dolmuş available near the bus stops in Kadikoy and stop at Bostancı, then walk on the boulevard towards Kızıltoprak to enjoy the shopping experience on Bagdat. Actually, most of the shopping area is concentrated within the section between Bostancı and Kızıltoprak. What brands? You can see stores of some of the best global brands, such as Longchamp, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry as well as Turkish names including Vakko and Brandroom. Global brands such as Zara, Mango and Nine West are also available. Vakko store is very chic, housed in a restored, century-old wooden mansion. This luxury brand offers five-floor of menswear and womenswear, luxury leather bags and accessories and fine chocolates. Don't worry, you also have all other global brands available, just keep walking and enjoy your shopping experience. You can stop at Divan Pub which is a chic and classical place for locals for a coffee and dessert. Restaurants: you have many options on the boulevard. I like Midpoint (No:354) , Kirinti (No:345), Café Cadde (No:349 ), Kitchenette (No:341) You may wanna try the narrow street called "Iskele Sokak for fish taverns and beer pubs with big terraces at Caddebostan location

High End Shopping with more than 300 stores and 40 places to eat. Modern architecture and a mall combining different shopping experiences in a single venue. Top draw : Brands Square, an open-air square lined with boutiques housing some of the world’s top designer brands like Fendi, Dolce and Gabana or Dior. Burberry has also kid’s store. Public transport : Taksim-Hacıosman Metro line, stop at 4. Levent and take a minibus from the bus stop Or a taxi from 4. Levent (will cost less than 10 TL) Where to eat: I love Masa, in the open square, nice restaurant, prices are high but the quality and the servşce is good. Café Nero is good for a break or you can choice Godiva for a more chic atmosphere. For a local taste, taste your Turkish coffee at floor -2, at Istinye Kahvecisi Özsüt and Pelit are great for desserts. Eat at Köfteci Ramiz for a quick lunch on a tight budget (dishes less than 20 TL)