USEFUL INFORMATION Currency (Turkish lira: TRY) Friday. Banks, government offices Using Turkish Lira or valid credit card (e.g. isa, and majority of corporate offices are open Matercard, American Express) is suggested during between 09:00 to 18:00. your visit. You can obtain currency before travelling to Turkey or on arrival. Euro can be Electricity changed at banks during business days as well as Turkey has 220 volts/50 Hz. electricity and at hotels, at the airport and in exchange offices. European standard round two-pin sockets. Time Zone GMT+2. CET +1. and EST (US -East) +7 Business Hours The workweek in Turkey is from Monday to
International dial code is 0090. Public Telephones The cards for the use of public telephones might be obtained from the buffets around the streets.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION There are special tickets designed for visitors to İstanbul: you can attain them in buffets and ticket offices near the bus stops.
Busses and ferries You can find The prices, lines and timetables of busses on this link The prices, lines and timetables of ferries on this link Taxi The prices for taxis: 3,2 TRY + 2 TRY /km For example: the route from Taksim to Beşiktaş (2,6 kilometers) costs around 3,2 TRY + (2,6*2) TRY = 8,50 TRY From / to the Airport You can find the options for the route 'Ataturk Airport - Taksim' in this link Apart from those, you can take "Havataş" buses from the airport or from Taksim, which costs 11 TRY, see the timetables and details in this link
From the Intercontinental Hotel to Taksim Square
Vegan/ Vegaterian Spots!
Although you can find vegan vegetarian food in the open buffet restaurants very easily, these are restaurants, cafes that only cook veggie food: http://www.happycow.net/asia/turkey/istanbul/ Our suggestions: Around Taksim, Yesil EV, Parsifal Restaurant, Zencefil Cafe, Community Kitchen Around Kadıkoy, Komşu Cafe Collective, Rulo Cafe
Political Squats / Cultural Centers
- The famous Gezi Park is just behind the hotel that the conference is taking place, Intercontinental Hotel. - Don Kişot Social Center is the first political squat, which was opened after the Gezi Uprising, they have information on Their Facebook Page, it is in Kadıkoy (On the Asian Part of İstanbul; where you can take ferries from Beşiktaş, Kabataş, Karakoy and Eminonu) as the Caferağa Mahalle Evi is. This is the second squat created after the Gezi uprising by the local community in the neighbourhood. To Donkişot Social Center:
To Caferaga Mahalle Evi:
ABOUT ISTANBUL HISTORICAL MONUMENTS Some of the most popular to-be-seen monuments for a short visit to İstanbul is below; however, you can look up this website for more: http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=292
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Museum
“Hagia Sophia is the one of the most visited museums and most prominent monuments in the world in terms of art and the history of
architecture. It has also been called “the eighth wonder of the world” by East Roman Philon as far back as the 6th century. The current Hagia Sophia is the third construction, done in a different architectural style, even though it occupies the same location as the previous two (...) It was used as a church for 916 years but, following the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmed, the Hagia Sophia was converted into mosque. Afterwards, it was used as a mosque for 482 years. Under the order of Atatürk and the decision of the Council of Ministers, Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1935.” For more info: http://ayasofyamuzesi.gov.tr/en/about-us
Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
“Although it is popularly known as the Blue Mosque, its real name is Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Befitting his original profession, its architect Mehmet Aga decorated the interior fastidiously like a jeweler. Built between 1609-1616, the mosque used to be part of a large complex, including a covered bazaar, Turkish baths, public kitchens, a hospital, schools, a caravanserai, and the mausoleum of Sultan Ahmet. Some of these social and cultural buildings have not survived to our day.” For more info: http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=308
Suleymaniye Complex
“The complex is located in Süleymaniye, the neighborhood of Eminönü named after it. It was built by Sultan Süleyman, the Magnificent in 1557 and designed by Architect Sinan. Of unprecedented size and architectural design, the Süleymaniye Complex includes a mosque, medrese, hospital, lunatic asylum, infirmary, tombs, a hamam, a market, and a primary schoool” For more info:
http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?
Historical Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)
“The bazaar consisted originally of two 15th century buildings with thick walls that were covered
Galata Tower
“Although it is not completely certain as to when the Galata Tower was built, it is claimed that the it was built during the reign of the Byzantian Emperor, Iustinianos in 507 CE. (...) After passing though the restaurant on the top floor, there is a balcony that encircles the tower. The restaurant’s view showcases a scene of Istanbul and the Bosphorus.”
with a series of domes. In later centuries the streets around these buildings developed and were covered and new additions were made, turning it into a trading center. In the past each lane was reserved for a different profession and the handicrafts produced here were rigorously controlled.(...) Along with the carpets and jewelry, these shops offer a wide collection of high-quality Turkish silverware, copper and bronze souvenirs and decorative objects, ceramics, and onyx and leather goods.” For more info: http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=313
Topkapı Palace
“Topkapı Palace was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Palace served as the home of the Ottoman sultans and their court until the middle of the 19th century.” For more info: http://topkapisarayi.gov.tr/
MUSEUMS in İSTANBUL
Some of the most popular to-be-seen museums for a short visit to İstanbul is below; however, you can look up this website for more museums and information: http://muze.gov.tr/museums İstanbul Archeological Museum
İstanbul Mosaic Museum “İstanbul Mosaic Museum was built on the northern section of the peristyle courtyard of the Great Palace of the Byzantine Empire, where mosaics used to decorate the pavement had been discovered partially in good condition.”
“The İstanbul Archaeological Museums, which is housing various artifacts from civilizations that had left their traces to different periods of the history, is one of the 10 most important world-class museums designed and used as a museum building. Additionally, it is the first institution in Turkey arranged as a museum. Besides its spectacular collections, the architectural aspects of its buildings and its garden are of historical and natural importance.” For more info: http://www.istanbularkeoloji.gov.tr/main_page
For more: http://www.muze.gov.tr/mosaic