April is one of the best months to visit Istanbul with full of surprises. The weather can be uncertain, but from the flowers around, you will feel the spring has arrived.

1 – 29th Istanbul International Film Festival

This year it will be held between 3-18 April  and we will start to wait for the ticket queues, spend time at cafes around theaters and try to catch the ferry to catch the film on different side of Europe or Asia; in any case we will enjoy our days very much by this festival. Tickets are available through internet by biletix and at the theaters in Beyoğlu and Kadikoy. 

2 – David Guetta concert on 10th of April

Grammy awarded music star David Guetta is coming to Istanbul for a great concert which will be held at Kücükciftlik Park at Maçka and we are ready to sing the ” I got a feeling” under the stars. (Hopefully if it doesn’t rain!).

3 -  23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children’s day

Another unique event in Turkey & Istanbul. It is a national holiday gifted to children by the founder of Turkish Republic – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Different ceremonies throughout Turkey are held and also many children from other countries join these ceremonies.

4 -  WWE Smackdown show

This is the first time we welcome the wrestlers in İstanbul. They will be in Istanbul as per Wrestle Mania Revenge Tour on 18th of April at Abdi İpekçi sports center, if you are interested you need to hurry up, tickets are available at
biletix

Known as one of the best live performance stage, Babylon has an extensive program in December with worldwide known artists. You can see the whole program of Babylon here.

1 – Delinquent Habits
Delinquent Habits made it to the top of Latin-Hip Hop in the latter half of the 90’s. Their debut “Delinquent Habits” combined Hip Hop beats with Funk trumpets and sold over 1 million copies and has achieved “hip hop classic” status the success. Their new album “The Common Man” is more critical and harsh but the hot groove and the catchy lyrics make it clear: Delinquent Habits knows how to party.

Warm-up & After Party with DJake
Standing 30TL, Students 20TL, December 4th 22.00

2 – Nigel Kennedy Quintet ” Jimi Hendrix Experience”
Music world’s rebel souled punk artists Nigel Kennedy is performing at Babylon for three nights! Accepted as one of the best living violinists, Kennedy commemorates Jimmy Hendrix songs with his last project. His “Vivaldi The Four Seasons” album which was realeased in 1989, sold over two million records and took place in Guiness Record book. Performed with The Who, commemorated The Doors and Jimi Hendrix, don’t miss this unique classic performance!

Standing 60 TL Student 50 TL Table 90 TL, Dec 9th 21.30, Dec 10th 21.30, Dec 11th 23.00

3 – SMADJ featuring Erik Truffaz & Talvin Singh “Selin”
Fusion expert, lute player & electronic music producer Smadj released his new album “Selin” where he will perform with trompet master Erik Truffaz and Talvin Singh. The album reflects Smadj’s impression of Istanbul. Hear the new songs from Smadj with Truffaz and Singh at Babylon.

Standing 25 TL Student 15 TL, Dec 17th 21.30

4 – İlhan Erşahin’s İstanbul Sessions featuring Erik Truffaz
İlhan Erşahin’s Istanbul Sessions project, which is going to be released soon, makes a quick entry to 2009/2010 season. World wide known musical identity “İlhan Erşahin” with his style created by saxophone and Rhodes, enriched with groovy bass of Alp Ersönmez and accompanied by drums of Turgut Alp and agile rhythms of İzzet Kızıl, will be will be performing with surprising guests at Babylon such as Erik Truffaz.

Standing 35 TL Student 25 TL, Dec 18th 21.00 and 00.00, Dec 19th 21.00 and 00.00

1 – Miss Pizza
A small pizza house in Cihangir with a cosy atmosphere serving delicious thin crust pizza. Pizza with zucchini and pizza with artichoke(!) are the most recommended ones. Turn left when you come to Cihangir from Taksim Sq. through Sıraselviler; it’s just on the second left street.

2 – Pizzeria 14
Another small pizza house offering tasty pizza with various choices from marine (with crab, smoked salmon and rocket) to marinara (no cheese, only tomato , pesto and thyme). It’s in Nisantası – Guzelbahce Street No.14 very close to American Hospital.

3 – Pizzeria Pidos
Pizza house with menu of great variety of delicious Italian food from salad to deserts. Pizza Filetto – with filet, rocket and mozarella – is highly recommended. It’s very close to Taksim Square, in Dunya Saglik Street No 13 Gumussuyu.

4 – House Cafe
Choose pizza from the extensive menu of House Cafe – Ortakoy and you won’t be sorry at a “feel at home” atmosphere and a wonderful sea view. House Cafe has many other branches for example in Beyoglu – Tunel, Tesvikiye and on the Anatolian side in Caddebostan (also a seaview). Check here for all branches.

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1 – Balad

Poet says ‘ If İstanbul is a mermaid than Balat will be her smile ’. It has cute narrow streets which ends to Golden horn with beautiful wooden old houses. People from different cultures and religions are mixed for centuries (Jewish, Armenian, Greek, Muslim) in Balat that you will also find many small churches next to small mosques and we guarantee that you will shoot many nice photos if you walk through in this nice neighborhood.

2 – Kuzguncuk

Another old Istanbul neighborhood located at the Asian side on the shore, it is not easy to reach there from the city center but it is worth it. Kuzguncuk is a calm place with its cats and very friendly residents; nice smell of the sea will be mixed with nice smell of fresh bakeries. If you get tired to walk around the old houses, you can have a cup of coffee at Sitare, very comfortable cafe with nostalgic decoration and delicious tastes.

3 – Samatya

Here is another historical neighborhood located very close to the old city. Many years Jewish, Armenian and Turkish people lived together in Samatya where as now most of them moved to other parts of Istanbul but outstanding churches are still standing with all their memories. It has also very nice small Bazaar at the center that you can enjoy a whole day watching people around.

** Samatya picture from ” a cup of caffein blog”

4 – Beyoglu ; 

Here we are again back to Beyoglu very popular pedestrian street close to the Taksim square, if you need a shooting that includes all colors this is the place you are looking for. You will find detailed information about Beyoglu if you click on “Beyoglu” tag below.

1 – Pano

The place is the main attraction area for wine loving students and young people who go out with their crowded group of friends. The Pano No.10 is the popular house wine and if you are also hungry, shrimp casserole and butcher meatballs are recommended. It is located in Galatasaray, Kalyoncu Kulluk Street no.4 – the street just in the opposite of Galatasaray College on the right of Istiklal Avenue from Taksim.

2 – Viktor Levi

The neighbour of Pano serving various wine, which is most famous for Viktor Levi No.59 made of Bogazkere/Okuzgozu grapes. Most people prefer this winehouse not only for drinking but also for a dinner. This winehouse has also a branch in the Anatolian side – Kadikoy Moda Damaci Street.

3 – Isis

The fourth floor of Isis which is also a cafe bar is a wine house having a variety of more than 150 wine choices with origins of more than 10 countries. The most preferred local wines are Sarafin Merlot and Antik. During the winter, you can also sip your hot wine in front of the fire place. It’s on the right end of Kadife Street (The street of bars) in Moda – Kadıköy.

4 – Şarabi

Having a great variety of wine choices, Sarabi is a well-known wine house Beyoğlu with a modern decoration. Pasaj – a white wine is a popular choice, and Sarabi steak is another recommendation from the menu. The age gap of the crowd is wide, but mostly  young people prefer this wine house. It’s on the right of Istiklal Avenue just close to the entrance of “Cicek Passage”.

Istanbul is a great metropol where public transport can be a torment for people sometimes, but there are ways to enjoy Istanbul in a local way.

1 – Ferry from Haydarpaşa to Eminönü
Get on the ferry and travel from the historical Haydarpaşa Rail Station to the Old Town Peninsula – Eminönü. Simit (savory roll covered with sesame seed) and tea are indispensable meal for Istanbul locals travelling by ferry. You can share your simit during your voyage with the friendly seagulls.

2 – Tram from Tunel to Taksim
Back from the beginning of 20th century, this nostalgic tramway takes you all over the Istiklal Street. It’s one of the symbols of Beyoğlu District and Old Istanbul.

3 – Fenicular from Tunel to Karaköy
Officially built as the second metro after London in 1875, it’s the shortest (about 2 mins) but one of the most useful public transport vehicle in Istanbul connecting Beyoğlu to the coast of Karaköy.

4 – Boat from Beşiktaş to Üsküdar:
It’s one of the most useful public transport route in Istanbul helping thousands of citizens travelling between the two sides of Istanbul. You can get to the other continent in less than 10 minutes with these boats. The Bosphorus view charms the citizens in the mornings before a challenging workday.

Here in Istanbul autumn is back and we are ready to welcome the autumn film festival between October 17 -25. This year festival is extended to include two weekends because of its success last year with 33,500 viewers and a capacity of 99 %. 

Emek Movie Theater hosts the festival and if you have not bought your ticket earlier, you should be at Emek, at least half an hour before the film and wait for the “reserved tickets” to be sold at the last minute.

We tried to give some tips about this year’s program as below; you can check the whole program here.

 1 – White Ribbon / Michael Haneke

One of the hit films of this festival is White Ribbon from Michael Haneke with three awards. This dark film focuses on a rural German school in 1913, which seems to be the sight of ritual punishment. If you are a fan of Haneke you must not miss this masterpiece. Imdb note is 8,3 /10

2 -  Che Part One – Che Part Two / Steve Soderbergh

Another film with three awards and 8 nominations, produced in 7 years with partnerships of Benici Del Torro and Steven Soderbergh. Interesting life story of Che has two sessions; part one named ‘ The Argentine’ and part two is ‘ Guerrilla ‘. Imdb note is 7,4 /10.

3 – Whatever Works / Woody Allen

Latest film of Woody Allen, at last he came back to New York streets. An eccentric New Yorker played by Larry David abandons his upper class life to lead a more bohemian existence. He meets a young girl from the south and her family and no two people seem to get along in the entanglements that follow. Imdb note is 7,7 /10

4 – Don’t look back / Marina de Van

A psychodrama about a photographer whose pictures tell a different story to that of her perception from two great actresses Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci.

These are just the highlights; there are many other hit films in this festival. You can buy tickets from biletix on Internet or from Emek movie theater in Beyoğlu. Ticket sales had started on 3rd of October that you may not find tickets for some of the popular films, don’t worry keep in mind that if you wait at the queue, half an hour before the scheduled time of your film, you can buy a ticket.

1 – Roxy

It’s a popular bar for a long time, playing music for almost everyone:  rock, jazz, blues, Latin, techno, underground. It’s so crowded especially on weekends that you’ll have difficulty in finding a space to dance. Though it’s a fun club, with a crowd of people around their 20s and 25s. The entrance fee is around 20 USD with a free drink, and with two entrance tickets, you can have a bottle of sex on the beach. It’s located on the Sıraselviler Street just before German Hospital, walking distance from Taksim Square.

Adress: Sıraselviler Caddesi Aslan Yatağı Sok. No:1-3 Beyoğlu

2 – Indigo

A popular night club in Istanbul with a crowd of young people who love electronic music. Worldwide known djs and festival groups perform here on special weekend parties. The music varies between techno, house, electro, disco, indie. Recommended for a moving night out.

Adress: İstiklal Cad. Tomtom Mah. Acara Sk. No:5/A Beyoğlu

3 – Otto

A popular bar in Asmalimescid – Beyoğlu with a crowd of young people (age group around 25-30) flowing into the street. Its outside is full of people standing as if they ara at an open-air coctail. It’s like a meeting place for gathering and planning the night with a vodka hazelnut before going to other bars. For the ones that stay, quality electronic music is available inside.               

Adress: Asmalı Mescit Mahallesi Şehbender Sokak No:15 Tünel Beyoğlu

4 – Nupera

Next to the wonderful Pera Palace Hotel, this is a bit costly place full of people with ages between 20 and 30 enjoying house music. The drinks are pricey, but the atmosphere is fun and worth seeing the beautiful girls and boys in Istanbul, if you can walk through the cocky doormen who are more likely to be helpful to the customers with Porsches.

Adress: Tepebaşı Meşrutiyet Cd. No:147-149Taksim

Istanbul is a shopping paradise, providing lots of choices: For example, if you are looking for a scarf, you will find it in flea market, from the Armani shop in Tesvikiye or you can have it from Grand Bazaar.  Whereever you go for shopping you will need some tips to keep in mind to get the best bargain at the end of the day. We try to point out some tips for shopping in Istanbul.

1 - Get recommendations:

It is always better to get some recommendations before shopping, especially if you will buy expensive goods like carpet or jewellery, ask advise from your hotel concierge or tour guide that they can help you to find the right shop.

2 – Visit at least 3 shops:

Best shopping places in Istanbul are undoubtfully The Spice Market or Grand Bazaar for an oriental gift . Firstly, be sure that nothing is unique at these places; you can find the same pillow or necklace (exceptions can occur) after two steps in an other shop so it is better to decide on the goods and ask for the price for different shops, you won’t believe the price differentiation.

3 - Make the bargain:

Even when you think you have just found the best price, you can still ask to decrease the price for the shop owner, especially in the old city but do not forget that it is not valid for all the shops .

4 – Pay in TL:

In the old city many shops can accept foreign currency but it is better for you to pay in credit cards or Turkish Liras because their convertion rate can be higher than your expectation.

Istanbul is a shopping paradise, you can find any kind of materials in different qualities and accordingly different prices. We have listed the interesting shopping districts below; not only for shopping but also to feel the spirit of İstanbul.

1 – Grand Bazaar and Spice Market
If you would like to see the oriental face of this marvellous city, you must visit these two bazaars. Grand Bazaar is one the largest covered market with its 4.400 shops and Spice Market was the last point for the legendary silk road where the goods from Asia tranferred to the Europe during 13th century. They are located in the old city very close to the top historical places, but you can get lost very easily while checking the interesting shops, salesmen and beautiful carvings on the ceilings.
Do not hesitate to bargain while shopping – especially for souvenirs, carpets, other oriental materials.

2 – İstiklal Caddesi
Another story starts in İstiklal avenue, you can take the tram from Taksim square to the end but it is always better to walk on this original pedestrian street to see all type of Turkish people walking up and down. Some passageways with small shops (like Atlas, Aznavur, Terkos Passageways) sell very original / hand made or 2nd hand clothes. It is crowded during any time of the day as many night clubs and bars located on this cosmopolite avenue.

3 – Teşvikiye / Nişantaşı
Here we are in Champelysee or 5th avenue of İstanbul. If you are looking for Louis Vuitton, Escada or Armani that is the place but you can also find small boutiques, nice small cafes , hip hotels and many Art Nouveau buildings. Especially on Saturday nights it gets crowded with many people who come to the famous pubs and cafes.

4 – Bağdat Avenue
Located at the Asian side. You can find many cafes and restaurants, besides many international famous brands such as Gap , Mango, Zara and Lacoste. Keep in mind that in summer and mostly at the weekends it is almost impossible to pass the avenue by car because of the heavy traffic.

TIPS ** In İstanbul mostly shops open at 9,00 am and close at 8,00 pm, they are also open on Sunday between 12,00 pm to 6,00 pm.