History of Istanbul
Istanbul was occupied by inhabitants from early ages in history, about 3000 BC. Due to its important location connecting two continents, Europe and Asia, its importance w... Read More
Weather in Istanbul:
Istanbul has a good weather around spring and autumn, from April to May and from September to October, so these are the best times you can visit Istanbul. In spring and autumn, the temperature is usually around 15-25 degrees (59-77 Fahrenheit). On the other hand, during summer and specially on July and August, the weather is hot with humidity. Temperature during summer can go up to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), and highest recorded temperature in the city was 45 degrees (113 Fahrenheit). In these months of summer, the west and south coasts have better weather. In winter, there are often Chill winter winds, with a temperature around 10 degrees (50 Fahrenheit). Nighttime in winter are usually much colder than daytime. Some snow also can appear during winter, but it's not more than 10-12 days during the whole winter season.Food and Drink A typical Breakfast in Turkey consists of bread, cheese, olives, eggs and jam, besides tea, milk and fruit juice. Also different types of soup can presented in alternative like ezogelin, suzme mercimek, yayla in breakfast. Sometimes, there is also pogaca (flaky), burek (flan) and simit (savory roll covered with sesame seed). Turkish tea (cay) is very important for drinking after every meal. In lunch, the main meal served can be either meat or vegetables with minced meat or meat balls, boiled and pounded wheat or pasta and rice, besides soup, vegetable and dessert. Yoghurt, cacik (which is yoghurt mixed with cucumber) and stewed fruit can also be served with the meal. Coban salad (green salad) which consists of different types of summer season vegetables is also preferable. The dinner meal is light and usually consists of olive oil meals besides soup, and milk desserts.
Kebaps and Pide (Turkish Pizza) are basically the two main types of food with each having many different variations making every variation a different dish by itself. Kebaps has three main variations which are Doner, Kofte and Shish. Doner is usually cheap and is made from big turning spit of lamb or chicken cut into slices of meat. It is usually served in a half loaf with raw onions and tomato. It may be served with rice and chips (but usually both cold) and bread. Kofte on the other hand is lamb meatballs which are made in different shapes and sizes with a rich variety of kofte recipes, and are usually grilled. There are many restaurants serving kofte in many places and specially in larger towns where you'll find kofte vans on the busier streets opening till the early hours of the morning. Shish is either lamb, beef or chicken meat that is cut in cubes and grilled on wooden skewers. Shish is also served in the same way as doner and is considered cheap as street food that shouldn't cost more than a couple of quid even somewhere that fancies itself. One other variation of shish is the Cop kebap where smaller pieces of lamb are used instead and typically a portion of Cop is 4 or 5 skewers of meat bits.
Some more interesting variations of Kebaps that may sound new to the visitor are Iskender which is served in many restaurants in Istanbul and is considered a strong contender for King of Kebaps. Iskender is usually slices of doner, put on a base of sliced flat bread and covered with tomato sauce. It will be served with yoghurt and should have a hot butter sauce poured over the top. Good Iskender restaurants use a quality meat and even the best restaurants have very reasonable prices. Adana kebap is also common and composed of very spiced and hot minced meat pattie that is cooked on a flat metal spit over a grill and served with bread and salad. Testi kebap is another variation which is Anatolian speciality. Small pieces of lamb or chicken are cooked in a mushroomy, oniony sauce. It is usually cooked in a sealed clay pot which will be broken open at the table so that you can eat its contents fresh. Beyti is a variety of durum or rolled kebap which is served as a snack or a full meal. It is usually an Adana type spiced meat pattie, rolled in a thin bread and then sliced. This is usually served with a high garlic content, bulgar (cracked wheat) and yoghurt.
Pide (Turkish pizza) is another Turkish food which is very popular and consists of long thin banana shaped bread, rolled from a small ball of dough and covered with the topping of your choice and slammed into a large, solid fuel burning oven for about 10 minutes. The pide is then sliced up and served hot. A normal sized pide would cost about $2. The most common toppings covering pide are Kasarli (kasharla) – which is yellow cheese topping (it can usually contain also tomatoes and green peppers added to it, but you may have to ask for that nicely), Kiymali(kimarla) which is lightly spiced mince lamb and tomato topping, Sucuklu(sujuklu} which is slices of spicy Turkish sausage, Yumurtlu that is egg with a little cheese, Karasik(karashuk} – which contains all of the above toppings scattered in unpredictable proportions over the surface of the bready treat, Kusbasili (kushbashala} – which is literally birds heads (in reality small chunks of lamb in a spicy tomato type context). In addition to all these variations, you can also ask for any combinations of the previous toppings to be used instead, for instance the most common combination may be Kusbasili and kasarli with a portion of crushed chilies.
Restaurants serving Turkish food and dishes are found in almost all the areas that are frequented by tourists. You will find different types of restaurants and different levels of service quality. You may also prefer to seek out the more authentic places where service is 5 star. Whatever type of restaurant you may prefer, just make sure that anywhere selling food has a price list, which is an obligation by law, and as long as you know how much you're going to pay, it will be difficult to be ripped off.Drinks and Desserts: There are many different drinks you can enjoy drinking in many cafes and cafeterias in Istanbul, among the common ones are the (ayran) which is basically made from a mixture of yoghurt and water, the traditional drink of Turkey (the Turkish raki) which is a special drink made from fermented grapes and anis and is presented along with the (meze) that serves as snack, also unique types of wine and variety of beers coming from barley and hop that is planted specially to be suitable for the taste of foreign visitors, in addition to the most common drinks which are Turkish tea and Turkish coffee.
Desserts presented after meals are of different types and usually have a delicious taste. Desserts vary from milk desserts, such as Muhallebi, Keshkul, Kazandibi, to dough desserts like Baklava and Kadayif that have different varaieties and rich ingredients.
Kebaps and Pide (Turkish Pizza) are basically the two main types of food with each having many different variations making every variation a different dish by itself. Kebaps has three main variations which are Doner, Kofte and Shish. Doner is usually cheap and is made from big turning spit of lamb or chicken cut into slices of meat. It is usually served in a half loaf with raw onions and tomato. It may be served with rice and chips (but usually both cold) and bread. Kofte on the other hand is lamb meatballs which are made in different shapes and sizes with a rich variety of kofte recipes, and are usually grilled. There are many restaurants serving kofte in many places and specially in larger towns where you'll find kofte vans on the busier streets opening till the early hours of the morning. Shish is either lamb, beef or chicken meat that is cut in cubes and grilled on wooden skewers. Shish is also served in the same way as doner and is considered cheap as street food that shouldn't cost more than a couple of quid even somewhere that fancies itself. One other variation of shish is the Cop kebap where smaller pieces of lamb are used instead and typically a portion of Cop is 4 or 5 skewers of meat bits.
Some more interesting variations of Kebaps that may sound new to the visitor are Iskender which is served in many restaurants in Istanbul and is considered a strong contender for King of Kebaps. Iskender is usually slices of doner, put on a base of sliced flat bread and covered with tomato sauce. It will be served with yoghurt and should have a hot butter sauce poured over the top. Good Iskender restaurants use a quality meat and even the best restaurants have very reasonable prices. Adana kebap is also common and composed of very spiced and hot minced meat pattie that is cooked on a flat metal spit over a grill and served with bread and salad. Testi kebap is another variation which is Anatolian speciality. Small pieces of lamb or chicken are cooked in a mushroomy, oniony sauce. It is usually cooked in a sealed clay pot which will be broken open at the table so that you can eat its contents fresh. Beyti is a variety of durum or rolled kebap which is served as a snack or a full meal. It is usually an Adana type spiced meat pattie, rolled in a thin bread and then sliced. This is usually served with a high garlic content, bulgar (cracked wheat) and yoghurt.
Pide (Turkish pizza) is another Turkish food which is very popular and consists of long thin banana shaped bread, rolled from a small ball of dough and covered with the topping of your choice and slammed into a large, solid fuel burning oven for about 10 minutes. The pide is then sliced up and served hot. A normal sized pide would cost about $2. The most common toppings covering pide are Kasarli (kasharla) – which is yellow cheese topping (it can usually contain also tomatoes and green peppers added to it, but you may have to ask for that nicely), Kiymali(kimarla) which is lightly spiced mince lamb and tomato topping, Sucuklu(sujuklu} which is slices of spicy Turkish sausage, Yumurtlu that is egg with a little cheese, Karasik(karashuk} – which contains all of the above toppings scattered in unpredictable proportions over the surface of the bready treat, Kusbasili (kushbashala} – which is literally birds heads (in reality small chunks of lamb in a spicy tomato type context). In addition to all these variations, you can also ask for any combinations of the previous toppings to be used instead, for instance the most common combination may be Kusbasili and kasarli with a portion of crushed chilies.
Restaurants serving Turkish food and dishes are found in almost all the areas that are frequented by tourists. You will find different types of restaurants and different levels of service quality. You may also prefer to seek out the more authentic places where service is 5 star. Whatever type of restaurant you may prefer, just make sure that anywhere selling food has a price list, which is an obligation by law, and as long as you know how much you're going to pay, it will be difficult to be ripped off.Drinks and Desserts: There are many different drinks you can enjoy drinking in many cafes and cafeterias in Istanbul, among the common ones are the (ayran) which is basically made from a mixture of yoghurt and water, the traditional drink of Turkey (the Turkish raki) which is a special drink made from fermented grapes and anis and is presented along with the (meze) that serves as snack, also unique types of wine and variety of beers coming from barley and hop that is planted specially to be suitable for the taste of foreign visitors, in addition to the most common drinks which are Turkish tea and Turkish coffee.
Desserts presented after meals are of different types and usually have a delicious taste. Desserts vary from milk desserts, such as Muhallebi, Keshkul, Kazandibi, to dough desserts like Baklava and Kadayif that have different varaieties and rich ingredients.
Transportation in Istanbul
Taxis are important means of transportation and are available at all times of day and night. They are yellow cabs and has taximeter inside for calculating the taxi fares... Read More
Before Travel To Istanbul
The official currency of Turkey is the Yeni Turk Lirasi (YTL) 'the New Turkish Lira' and is called Turkish Lira (TL) for short. Bank notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 or... Read More
Eat in Istanbul
Istanbul has a good weather around spring and autumn, from April to May and from September to October, so these are the best times you can visit Istanbul. In spring and... Read More
Shopping Istanbul
Shopping in Istanbul is a wonderful experience with its open-air markets, covered bazaars and shopping centers everywhere. Some of the best places in Istanbul where you... Read More
Night life in Istanbul
Istanbul’s night life is simply fascinating with its numerous entertainment places like cafes, cafeterias, night clubs, cinemas, theaters and many other places that wil... Read More
-Istanbul-1706003038.jpg "TURKISH COLOURS")
FEATURED HOTELS IN ISTANBUL
MORE HOTELS ISTANBUL
ROX HOTEL
Istanbul Property Location Centrally located in Istanbul, Rox Hotel is convenient to Istanbul Ayd¿n University and Aviation Museum. This 4-star hotel is within close proximity of Istanbul ...
DOSSO DOSSI HOTELS OLDCITY
Istanbul This magnificent hotel is within walking distance of historical attractions such as the Hagia Sophia Museum, the Basilica Cistern and the Blue Mosque.
For those who want to relax a ...
LEMON RESIDENCE
Istanbul Located only 300 metres from the bustling Istiklal Avenue, Taksim Square and Taksim Metro Station are a 4-minute walk .Not available at the hotel.It is a historical building.It ha ...
Endless Suites Taksim
Istanbul A small, specially designed boutique hotel with a homely concept located just 350m north of Taksim Square and less than 10 minutes walk from the vibrant shopping and nightlife on I ...
Sultania Boutique Class
Istanbul With a sumptuous harem-like setting in one of the most regal and historic area of Istanbul, this luxury boutique hotel in the old city of Istanbul offers 42 luxurious guest rooms w ...
WYNDHAM ISTANBUL OLD CITY
Istanbul All 265 well appointed guests rooms with 20 club rooms and 16 suites equipped with high speed wireless internet access, complimentary tea and coffee set up and individually control ...
WYNDHAM GRAND ISTANBUL LEVENT
Istanbul Located in Sisli, this luxury hotel is steps from Ozdilek Park Istanbul and Metrocity Shopping Mall. Kanyon Mall and Turk Telekom Arena are also within 10 km. Levent Station is onl ...
WYNDHAM GRAND ISTANBUL KALAMIS MARINA
Istanbul This contemporary and trendy hotel with a minimalist interior and architectural style provides an excellent accommodation. Comprising a total of 34 guest rooms, the air-conditioned ...
WYNDHAM GRAND ISTANBUL EUROPE
Istanbul A modern, new hotel with a range of facilities featuring a shopping centre, 14 meeting rooms and a Grand Ballroom. A Brasserie serves as the hotel's main restaurant. Suitable for b ...
Wow Istanbul
Istanbul Established in 2007, this city hotel comprises a total of 277 rooms and welcomes business travellers and holidaymakers alike. Facilities on offer to guests at this air-conditioned ...
Wish More Hotels
Istanbul Hotel is located in central Bayrampasa, one of the fastest developing district of Istanbul. Also, Kocatepe Metro Station is just next to the Hotel which provides easy and speedy ac ...
W Wonderful Rooms
Istanbul The Wonderful Rooms feature high ceilings and wooden framed windows. The Wonderful rooms have an airy living space with all modern comforts. The rooms are decorated with Turkish an ...
W ISTANBUL HOTEL
Istanbul This 5 star hotel is located in the city centre of Istanbul and was established in 2008. It is close to the Dolmabahce Palace and the nearest station is Taksim Square. The Hotel ha ...
Tuyap Palas
Istanbul Situated in the same complex as Istanbul's well known, TUYAP Fair & Congress Centre in the district of Buyukcekmece, this modernly decorated and furnished hotel is in an excellent ...
Toprak Otel
Istanbul Toprak Otel that the hotel will provide the best service for the domestic and foreign tourists coming back, all units of the hotel will be renewed and services will be provided. Th ...
TITANIC PORT BAKIRKOY
Istanbul Located in Bakırköy, this luxury hotel is 0.2 km from Capacity Shopping Center and within 15 km of Grand Bazaar and Suleymaniye Mosque. Blue Mosque and Galata Tower are also within ...
Titanic Port
Istanbul In the hotel's 5500 m² spa centre, guests who value their health and beauty are treated by professional specialists and with quality products and materials. The hotel also has an ...
TITANIC BUSINESS KARTAL
Istanbul This city hotel's modern design offers a practical functionality that is particularly suited to the needs of business people. It opened in 2008 and has 192 rooms in total (43 execu ...
TITANIC BUSINESS BAYRAMPASA
Istanbul The 331 modern and stylishly furnished 5 star Istanbul hotel rooms offer the perfect ambiance for both concentrated work and undisturbed relaxation and the contemporary Alesta rest ...
THE ST. REGIS ISTANBUL
Istanbul Located in the heart of Nisantasi neighbourhood, the hotel is 300 m from Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre, 300 m from Istanbul Congress Centre and 1.1 km from Dolmabahce Pal ...
European euro
Saudi riyal
UAE dirham
United States dollar
Español
English
العربيه
