From textiles to tomatoes, Turkey's largest city offers a wealth of bargains for keen shoppers. Istanbul is a shopper's paradise, with markets found in every corner of the city on every day of the week. There is truly something for everyone - even non-shoppers will enjoy sitting down with a cup of tea and watching locals and tourists sift through the piles of antiques, leather goods, brassware and produce. We give you the lowdown of the 10 very best markets.
As the largest, and certainly the busiest city in Turkey, Istanbul is a hive of frenzied activity for the tourism, business and financial sectors all fighting for public transport and highway access. Naturally, these are all supported by an intense network of transport options, ranging from the Metro, tram, car hire, taxis and buses, all used by millions of people per day. Here is the lowdown on navigating and moving around Turkey's greatest city.
From the historic Grand Bazaar, to some of the largest shopping malls in Europe, to some of the most famous shopping streets full of boutiques and antiques - Istanbul is a maze for shoppers and a delight for those who are looking to shop until you drop. Follow us on a journey, an expensive journey, through some of the best malls, avenues, and markets for shopping in Istanbul.
With recent figures showing that Istanbul’s property boom is in no way slowing down, it looks as though Istanbul’s reputation as one of the best destinations worldwide for property investment is set to continue. Turkish property expert Cameron Deggin explains the city’s enduring appeal to investors, and gives a few top tips for any would-be investors hoping to ride the boom.
So, how well do you know Istanbul? You have probably heard of Besiktas - where eye-watering prices put the central region at the top of the pile. However, there are a number of up-and-coming neighbourhoods where property is becoming available thanks to regeneration and gentrification. Investors are moving in and developers are buying up - a sure sign that these little-known areas are on their uppers. We let you in on four areas where, price-wise, there is still room to move.
Istanbul is not only Turkey's shining star, but the rising star of the real estate world with more than 250,000 properties being sold in Istanbul last year alone, leaving developers struggling to keep up with demand as more and more savvy investors look to take advantage of government initiatives for regeneration, prime areas, and the districts of tomorrow. In a city of 17 million, prices of Istanbul's real estate are rising quickly, and in this blog we put together our top investment opportunities in the city today.
Although it’s a short drive away, gorgeous Gurpinar might as well be a million miles from central Istanbul. The pretty seaside town, once popular with weekenders, is now entering the radar of home buyers and investors. Luxury apartments overlooking the Marmara Sea are a fraction of the cost of central city apartments, and minutes away from Gurpinar’s seven-kilometre beach and pretty town centre.
Istanbul is set to become Europe’s number two tourist destination. Turkey’s largest city is attracting more and more visitors each year, and with a higher growth rate than Paris, currently number two after London, It’s likely that Istanbul will overtake the city of love within four years. What is it about this city, perched between Europe and Asia? We take a look at the four biggest tourist attractions - including one that was last year found to be the world’s single most visited attraction.
At the moment, it seems that all roads (and ferries, bridges and tunnels) lead to Istanbul. The fast-growing population has meant congestion problems: the city’s traffic has reached a crucial point, and officials are scrambling to find solutions. Work is underway on a new bridge, a Bosphorus tunnel and more creative solutions, all expected to roll out in the next couple of years. Public transport is also expanding, with new ferries and hundreds of kilometres of metro lines being added to the commuter arsenal, endeavouring to make travelling around Turkey’s largest city pain free.
In recent decades Istanbul’s transformation from a modest city to a huge centre, home to a quarter of Turkey’s population has been astounding. Economic advances and increased immigration to the city mean Istanbul is bigger and wealthier than ever before. However, growth has not been smooth, and now city planners are aiming to transform the city over the next 20 years with initiatives aiming to improve housing and infrastructure for future generations. We explore the opportunities urban transformation presents for investors - and the problems associated with rapid change.
Planning a whirlwind trip to Istanbul? Let us guide you on a 24-hour tour of the city. Take in the city from rooftops, beneath Ottoman domes and from the Bosphorus Strait. Indulge in some of the finest food on offer in the city, from dishes beloved by sultans to Finnish fusion. Although 24 hours is not nearly enough time to explore this fascinating city, it’s enough to sample its unique flavour - and give you a few ideas for your next visit.
The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are two dominant and majestic buildings within Istanbul that regularly make the listings in numerous guidebooks and travel blogs as two of the top landmarks to see in Istanbul. Standing directly opposite each other, the stories of these two buildings stretches far back, connecting two of the world’s greatest empires and also two of the world’s leading religions.
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