In movie theaters, most of the films are screened in original language with Turkish subtitles. Some popular films may need early reservation especially for their first screening days.

There are three major film festivals in Istanbul – the most traditional one is “Istanbul International Film Festival” (first two weeks of April); the other two are “If Istanbul” (in mid February) and “Filmekimi” (in mid October). Most of the Beyoglu theaters host the films during the festivals; and it’s highly recommended to watch the exceptional movies there.

1 – Istinye AFM Park Imax:
One of the newest movie theater complex in Istanbul in Istinye Park Mall with Imax technology. Click here for info about Istinye Park Mall.

2 – Kanyon Levent Cinebonus:
Another modern movie theater complex in Kanyon Mall. Click here for info about Kanyon Mall.

3 – Beyoğlu Emek:
The nostalgic temple of film festivals also offering seats in the balcony. It’s on Yeşilçam Street which is on the right of Istiklal Street before Galatasaray when you walk from Taksim.

4 – Rexx Kadıköy:
It’s one of the most crowded meeting spots in Kadıköy for Anatolian side residents, very close to the “street of bars”. The newly renovated theater no.1 can be recommended. Adress: Sakizgulu Street No.22.

Although there are some alternatives to go for swimming in Istanbul, if you have a few days to spend for sun and sea, some beautiful places are available out of Istanbul. These places can be reached by motorway, and since you’ll need mobility where you visit, you are recommended to rent a car.

1 – Bozcaada:
Bozcaada is a tiny island on North Aegean Sea, with wonderful food, wine, beaches and a bohemian atmosphere. There’s something that makes you feel peaceful and happy on this island as soon as you get off the ferry. There are many pensions and guest houses to stay in the center which are owned by local, friendly people. The sea is crystal clear and it’s usually cool even at the hottest time of the year.

2 – Gokceada:
Gokceada is the greatest island (more than 40 km from one to the other end) in Turkey, being on the furthest west of the country. The island is not very touristic and this makes it a bit more unique and peaceful. The sea is clean and beautiful, and it’s also a suitable place for windsurfers. If you want to see natural beaches, old villages and eat good food as fish or the famous puding with mastic, Gokceada is the place.

3 – Assos:
It’s a tiny town on the shore in the North Aegean Sea where Aristotle lived before. Though the town is historic and offers old stone houses, temples, castle; it also has beautiful beaches in the surrounding areas. The restaurants in the center serve delightful fish with a wonderful seaview.

4 – Kıyıkoy:
A small village on the shore of Black Sea with a beautiful beach. It’s a wonderful spot where nature is still untouched and having the features of Black Sea and Meditarenean climate together. You can enjoy the sea, food, nature all at once.

1 – Belgrade Forest
In the North of the city, it’s a popular place for the citizens who like to go jogging or walking in the forest. It might be crowded in good weather, especially on Sundays. Water channels for the city come from this forest since the Byzantine period. Click here for transportation alternatives to the Forest.

2 – Yıldız Park
Down the slopes from Yıldız Palace, this park has chalets serving as restaurants or tea houses. It’s a good place to walk around and have a breakfast with a Bosphorus view from above. Walk up the Barboros Street from Beşiktaş and you’ll get there.

3 – Caddebostan Park
A beautiful park close to Bagdat Street on the coast of Marmara where people walk, ride their bikes, make jogging, play basketball or sit on the grass watching Prince’s Islands. It’s highly recommended for a relaxing activity in good weather. It takes 20 minutes from Kadiköy to reach the park by bus or minibuses. Your starting point should be behind Migros Supermarket in Caddebostan.

4 – Polonezköy
A beautiful town of Anatolian side in the North, where Polish community lives since mid 19th century. People come here for the wonderful green nature; to have barbeque in open air. It was designated as Istanbul’s first national park, having beautiful pathways among the forest with streams and wooden bridges. The best time to come here is from May to October; it is usually crowded at weekends. Public transport would take too much time, private vehicles are recommended.

<

1 – İnci Pastanesi

If you like chocolate, you must taste delicious “profiterol” in İnci before you leave Istanbul. It is a very old pastry shop with 5 small tables, most of the time you have to wait at the queue just to get a portion but when you taste it we bet you will order the second immediately. It on the right of Istiklal Street No. 124/2.

2 – Bahar Pastanesi

Since 1973, they are popular with their pastries. They are the right adress for breakfast or for 5 o’ clock tea, and they have several branches.

a) Bahar pastanesi at Tesvikiye, very small shop, maybe it is better to pack the breakfast. (Atiye Street No. 3/A).

b) Bahar pastanesi at Arnavutköy, beautiful view of Bosphorus, freshly brewed Turkish tea and simit (Turkish bagel). (1st avenue no.48).

c) Bahar pastanesi at Kınalıada, it is on one of the Prince’s Islands, easy to go by ferry (suggested for summer), it can be a very good choice also for breakfast before renting a bike or making an island tour. (Ali Boran Square 1/1).

3 – Baylan Pastanesi

It is located at Asian side of Istanbul, if you have time to take the ferry from the port of Karakoy or Besiktas, close to the old city, you will also enjoy the nostalgic ferry trip. They are serving amazing tastes since 1923 but mostly famous with ‘Cup Griye’ vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce, toasted almond, pistachios and served with freshly baked cats’tounge biscuits.

4 – Gezi Pastanesi

Next to İstanbul Opera and Ballet center (AKM) in Taksim Square, they are famous with home made chocolates but all type of pastries are delicious, it is very convenient to have a cup of coffee with small snacks after a tiring day or just before a concert (For your information, AKM is under reconstruction).

1 – Babylon

Famous American jazz magazine Downbeat has listed Babylon among world’s best 100 jazz clubs in 2002 and 2004. It is also one of the venues for major jazz festivals in Istanbul. It’s located in Tunel – Asmalimescit Street – the end of Istiklal Caddesi before Galata. The program of Babylon is not always “jazz” it features from Balkan music to Cuban rapsters; but it is obviously the best indoor live music venue in Istanbul expressing the energetic side of the city.

2 – Ghetto

It’s a night club in a renovated historic building with beutiful, high ceilings and a cozy atmosphere. Live performances are available from Thursday to Saturday nights varying between Latin, jazz, funk, house music.

3 – Balans Music and Performance Hall

Just in front of Nevizade Street, with a good ambiance and music acoustic, Balans is one of the best places for live music in Istanbul. Live performers are mostly Turkish well-known groups, musicians and singers playing from rock to pop.

4 – Mojo

Mojo is a popular bar in Beyoğlu featuring local cover groups playing rock music. It can be too crowded in weekends full of university students, so Wednesdays are reccommended not for comfort but also for the famous local cover group Circus.

  

2 – Burgaz Island Harbour – Kalpazankaya (Princess Islands – 2,5 km)

Watch İstanbul out of Istanbul from a beautiful island. You’ll walk through the old houses of Burgaz, on a silent pathway where no cars are allowed and reach the small hill of Kalpazankaya, to have a beer looking over the enormous city.

3 – Üsküdar – Salacak (Asian Side – 1,5 km)

Great view of European side of Bosphorus including Topkapı and Dolmabahçe Palace. On summer nights till late hours, you will see the people chatting by the sea in front of Maiden Tower.