Category: Life

Best Walking Routes of Istanbul

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Ortaköy is one of the most popular districts in Istanbul. It also has one of the best views of Bosphorus Bridge. You can walk around Ortaköy Mosque and enjoy eating Ortaköy’s famous dish; kumpir (staffed baked potato) at the coast. We recommend walking the coastline towards Bebek.

Emirgan Park

Stroll along Emirgan Park. With its walking tracks, restaurants, picnic areas, playgrounds, festivals and an amazing Bosphorus view through centuries old trees, Emirgan Park has everything you need for a sunny Istanbul afternoon. The park is especially lively during annual Tulip Festival, held in April each year.

View from Camlica Hill

Çamlıca Hill is one of the highest hills in Istanbul and has a breathtaking view. If you want to spend a day in a calm and green atmosphere Çamlıca Hill is the great choice.

Maiden’s Tower

Üsküdar coast walkway offers a great view of the famous Maiden’s Tower.

Gulhane Park

If you have plans to visit Topkapı Palace, make sure to have a walk in Gülhane Park and Sarayburnu coast afterwards.

Spice Bazaar

Take a walk through the famous old bazaars of Istanbul in Eminönü district.

Istiklal Street

Walk down Istiklal Street to explore historical buildings like Narmanlı Han, Flower Passage…

Karaköy Galataport Project

Karaköy is one of the most historical districts in Istanbul. It is a popular destination for both locals and tourists with its third wave coffee shops, art galleries, restaurants and cool designer shops.

Istanbul Princes’ Islands

Princes’ Islands is the perfect destination when you want to escape hustle of the city. Since they are car-free, they make the best place in İstanbul to explore on foot.

Shopping Malls in Istanbul

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EUROPEAN SIDE:
Mall NameLocationPublic Transportation
1- Cevahir Shopping MallŞişli
View on map		M2 Metro Line
Şişli Station
2- Özdilek Park Shopping MallLevent
View on map		M2 Metro Line
Levent Station
3- Metrocity Shopping MallLevent
View on map		M2 Metro Line
Levent Station
4- Kanyon Shopping MallLevent
View on map		M2 Metro Line
Levent Station
5- Sapphire Shopping Mall4. Levent
View on map		M2 Metro Line
4. Levent Station
6- Istinye Park Shopping Mallİstinye
View on map		M2 Metro Line
İTÜ Station + Taxi
7- Vadi Istanbul Shopping MallAyazağa
View on map		M2 Metro Line
Seyrantepe Station
8- Historia Shopping MallFatih
View on map		M1 Metro Line
Aksaray Station
9- Forum Istanbul Shopping MallBayrampaşa
View on map		M1 Metro Line
Kocatepe Station
10- Marmara Forum Shopping MallZeytinburnu
View on map		M1 Metro or T1 Tram Line
Zeytinburnu Station
11- Olivium Outlet CenterZeytinburnu
View on map		Marmaray Line
Kazlıçeşme Station
12- Carousel Shopping MallBakırköy
View on map		Marmaray Line
Bakırköy Station
13- Aqua Florya Shopping MallFlorya
View on map		Marmaray Line
Florya Akvaryum Station
14- Venezia Mega OutletKüçükköy
View on map		M7 Metro Line
Karadeniz Mah. Station
15- Isfanbul Shopping MallAlibeyköy
View on map		M7 Metro Line
Akşemsettin Station
16- Mall of Istanbulİkitelli
View on map		Taxi
17- Galataport IstanbulTophane
View on map		T1 Tram Line
Tophane Station
ASIAN SIDE:
18- Capitol Shopping MallAltunizade
View on map		M5 Metro Line
Bağlarbaşı Station
19- Akasya Shopping MallAcıbadem
View on map		M4 Metro Line
Ünalan Station
20- Emaar Square Shopping MallÜnalan
View on map		M4 Metro Line
Göztepe Station
21- Buyaka Shopping Mall + Meydan Istanbull MallÜmraniye
View on map		M5 Metro Line
Ihlamurkuyu Station
22- Optimum Outlet MallKozyatağı
View on map		M4 Metro Line
Kozyatağı Station
23- Viaport Asia Outlet Shopping MallPendik
View on map		Taxi

Istanbul Grand Bazaar & Old Local Markets

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The Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.

Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)

Mahmutpaşa Bazaar

Mahmutpasa Bazaar is a shopping street in Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in the area between The Grand Bazaar and Eminönü. This market area, with copious small shops on both sides of the main street, is a symbol of cheap shopping in Istanbul. The bazaar hosts 256 shops.

Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)

The Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)

The Spice Bazaar is one of the largest bazaars in the city. It is the most famous covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. Spice Bazaar has a total of 85 shops selling spices, Turkish delight and other sweets, jewelry, souvenirs, and dried fruits and nuts.

Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)

Eminönü

This is the heart of the walled city, the focus of a history of incredible richness. Eminönü covers roughly the area on which the ancient Byzantium was built. The Galata Bridge crosses the Golden Horn into Eminönü and the mouth of the Bosphorus opens into the Marmara Sea.

Eminonu
Eminonu
Eminonu

How to Match HES Code with Istanbul Card (İstanbulkart) 2022

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UPDATE MARCH 2022: Linking of HES Code with Istanbul Card is no longer required when using public transportation.

Following the mandatory use of HES code, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality took the necessary steps for the new period of linking HES codes with Istanbulkart. After January 15th, Istanbulkarts without a linked HES code cannot be used on public transportation. Card users can enter their personal information together with their HES Code at the website provided at this post. Linking the HES code to the card can be done easily by entering the required fields on the website.

First, click here to visit Istanbul Card (İstanbulkart) official website: https://kisisellestirme.istanbulkart.istanbul

Please click the photo for higher resolution

1- Select EN for English language,

2- Tick the box ‘I am a foreigner, I want to continue by my passport number’,

Fill all the required information;

Passport number,
Name,
Surname,
Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
-Mail adress is not necessary-

3- Enter Istanbul Card number (16 digits written on your Istanbul Card),

-Telephone Number is not necessary-

4- Enter HES Code (Please click here for more information about HES Code),

5- Tick all boxes below, then click ‘DONE‘ and your Istanbul Card will be matched with your HES Code and now it is ready to use.

How to Get Hes Code for Foreigners (2022)

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  • What Is HES Code?
    During controlled social life conditions, HES (Hayat Eve Sığar – Life Fits Into Home) code helps you safely share your Covid-19 risk status with institutions and individuals for activities like transportation or visit. Shared HES codes can be checked through the app or services provided to institutions.

GETTING HES CODE BEFORE TRAVEL TO TURKEY: www.register.health.gov.tr

Form for Entry to Turkey: The form must be filled in within the last 72 hours before travel. Please visit the webpage and fill the forms: www.register.health.gov.tr

GETTING HES CODE DURING STAY AT TURKEY:

How to Get Hes Code for Foreigners (2021)
How to Get Hes Code for Foreigners (2021)
  • via SMS to 2023
    Type HES, your nationality (shortened), passport serial number, year of birth, and last name. Leave a space between each item. Send an SMS to 2023.

Besides, For foreign nationals with no domestic GSM number, HES Code can be received with passport information by sending an SMS to +90 555 944 3821 including HES, nationality, passport serial number, year of birth and surname, respectively and with interspaces.

  • How to Use?
    You can share your generated HES codes with institutions or individuals directly or via mobile app. Institutions or individuals can check if you have any risk in terms of Covid-19 just by checking the HES codes you already shared. Similarly, you can check the HES codes shared with you to see the risk status of other individuals.

  • What Is HES Code For?
    For instance, you will share your HES code before the travel (by plane, train or bus). Therefore, it will be possible to check the Covid-19 risk of all passengers through the shared HES codes and risky individuals will be restrained from travelling. You will be able to protect yourself in this way.
    Also, if you have traveled with people who do not have any risks during the trip but who have risky situations later within 14 days, you will be contacted for provision of healthcare and guidance.

  • Is It Safe?
    HES codes are singular codes generated specially for you. You have the full authority and control on generated HES codes. Instead of a static number like National ID Number, you can generate unpredictable and special codes for every share or you can delete them. You can set time limits for your HES codes, therefore even if you forget about them, you can still control your shares. Besides, thanks to HES code, you will not have to share your personal data such as National ID Number.

Please vIsIt MInIstry of Health Webpage for more InformatIon.

How to Get Hes Code for Foreigners (2021) Video