Istanbul is a rather interesting place to visit. It has an awesome historical meaning while being one of the oldest capitals ever. While having interesting historical monuments and museums now the city has turned into one of the best spots for the nightlife and entertainment offering a list of activities and cool places no less impressive than in any other European country.
Popular Hotels
The list of the hotels that are worth visit is huge, but it does make sense to stop on some of the perfect ones for each level of budget.
Hilton Istanbul 5 *
The hotel is located 24 km from Ataturk Airport to downtown and tourist center of Istanbul – Taksim, a 10-minute walk from downtown. From the hotel there opens an amazing view having a balcony overlooking the Bosphorus and the Blue Mosque, two of the most amazing features of the city. A total of 10 minutes of walk from the Blue Mosque, the Main Bazaar and other attractions of the old city. The main building has its own garden with a beautiful floral design.
Hotel Ambassador Special, 5 *
The hotel is located in the old town, within walking distance of the racecourse, not far from the museum of Hagia Sophia. The hotel has 20 comfortable rooms. The hotel is built in typical Ottoman style on an old hotel that once occupied this site. It has all kind of Turkish dishes and typical Turkish restaurant.
Hotel Dorukkaya, 4 *
The hotel is located 225 km from Istanbul Airport, 40 km from city of Bolu in Kartalkaya resort. Hotel Dorukkaya Ski & Mountain Resort, known for high quality snow, has an unparalleled location and impeccable service – a place where during the winter season you will be fullfilled with impressions and have a pleasure vacation.
Antea 3 *
The hotel is located in Sultanahmet, in part Chemberlitash- in the historic district of Istanbul. It is ideal for those wishing to combine leisure and business. Very close by are the city’s main attractions. The hotel offers 45 standard rooms, 90 beds. Has a good service and excellent location. The airport is 17 kilometers by car.
Popular Clubs
Crystal
Muallim Naci Caddesi 109 (Ortakoy).
Eating at spots at this address replace each other regularly. Previously, there was Beyond, then there was Scene. Both Scene, and Beyond at the time played almost all kinds of dance music. Always one – is always quite expensive, and with claims. Knowledgeable people say that the change of signs – just a marketing ploy: the bourgeois audience likes to go to new places. The garden operates Crystal Lounge – high-tech interior, kitchen fusion, acid jazz, all as expected.
Wed-Sat 0.00-5.30. Log Wed-Fri free, Sat – $ 15
Godet
Zambak Sokak 15 (Beyoglu).
The veteran among the club in Istanbul: there are seven years behind – raves on the islands of the Marmara Sea and nurtured generation of DJs. Belongs to a married couple – Turks, who studied in Azerbaijan and perfectly speaking Russian and Portuguese. The club is small, on the second floor – VIP-zone, but there allowed only buddies of the owners.Plays house and trance.
Mon-Sat 20.00-4.00. Log Mon-Fri free, Sat – $ 10
Harry ‘s Jazz Bar
Taskisla Caddesi, Hyatt Regency Istanbul (Taksim).
For lovers of cool and smooth jazz. Despite the interior with some claim to avant-garde, in fact, it’s pretty cool jazz club, arranged in five-star hotel. Every night stands, a local jazz bands, not bad, but rather monotonous (however, this too is likely dictated by the situation). It’s nice here in the summer, when concerts take place in the garden,and all the tables have candles on them. And best of all – during the jazz festival: Harry `s Jazz Bar – one of the main places to jam.
Tue-Thu 19.00-2.00, Fri-Sat 21.00-4.00. Log Tue-Thu free, Fri-Sat – $ 8
Jukebox
Nizamiye Caddesi 14 (Talimhane).
New and currently the largest in Istanbul disco. Two halls – in 1100 and 400 people. In the second music is said to be quieter, but it’s not very noticeable. As for the befits of the institution,it is located in a industrial zone – no easy solution.
Tue-Sat 23.00-4.00. Log in – $ 15.
Kemanci
Siraselviler Caddesi 69 (Taksim).
The main local rock club. Three floors. Theoretically – the lower, the heavier music should be. In fact, all about equally. On the second floor a little more than an alternative, the top sometimes playing ska and reggae. On the first floor through a window in the wall offers unexpected views of the Bosphorus.
Mon-Sun 19.00-4.00. Log – $ 07.02.
Mojo
Beskparmakkapi Sokak 26 (Beyoglu).
As is already clear from the title – the basement of seats to 300, which is played mainly blues (here arranged jams during the Festival Efes Pilsen and tours visiting monsters such as Eagles). Local blues musicians (among them, incidentally,some are quite good) also appear in Mojo. But, basically, the place is quite omnivorous: in addition to blues and rockabilly you can hear punk, alternative, and even Britpop.
Mon-Sun 21.00-4.00. Log Mon-Tues, Wed free, Wed-Thurs – $ 3, Fri-Sat $ 9.
Nardis Jazz Club
Galata Kulesi Sokak 14 (Galata).
Best jazz club in Istanbul, competes only with the omnivorous Babylon. Advertisement institution determine its music format as “modern jazz mainstream” – in reality it means almost anything. Plays a mass of pretty local musicians, but if, for example, the Istanbul British Council organize a festival of contemporary British music, you can be sure that the jazz portion of the program will play in Nardis.
Concerts start 21.30. Log in – from $ 4.
Roxy
Arslanyatagi Sokak 3 (Taksim).
Just a great place. Modern music of different genres plays here. Among the most famous names: John Zorn, John McLaughlin, Wynton Marsalis. Live music, however, on occasion, for the most part of the program consists of local DJs who twist mostly ethnics.
October – mid-July: Tue-Sat 22.00-4.00. Log in – from $ 7.
Urban Bug
Valikonagi Caddesi 39 (Nisantasi).
Urban Bug belongs to the same owners as the Jukebox, and represents the institution in the fashionable nowadays genre lounge. The club is located just north of Taksim Square, in a mansion designed Vedat Tecom – late-osmanic classic architecture (the best known of his building – the main post office in Eminonu). Climbing up the narrow staircase decorated with tiles, you enter the room, something resembling a remodeled communal apartment. Public fashion, and almost exclusively Turkish.
Tue-Sat 11.00-2.00. Admission is free.
