I noticed Twistygirldk request for places to visit in Istanbul and was wondering if we could come up with a top ten list of places other then the usual kapali carsi and blue mosque?
An alternative to the usual tourist attractions. Street behind Charly's place not acceptable.
Here are 2 from me.

Hill behind Sariyer where the power pylons are built. Very difficult to find the road up there unless you go with some one you know but the views are amazing. One of the best views you can get of the black sea and the Bosphorus.

Anadolu kavağı, you can get the boat from Sariyer to take you across to the small village and the very impressive castle.

Islands, esp. Kinaliada, with views of the entire city, looking down the Bosphorus.

The çay bahçesi in Kanlica.

Rumeli Hisari.

The area of Tophane, encompassing the art museum and the nargile / cay places

Ulus park up on the hill behind arnavutkoy area and the restaurant on top of the hill, on Buyuk ada. Both awesome for views.

Yeah by mistake one day I found the road up to those pylons - view is great.....

The adventurous looking for fun in the sun should head out to the suburban town of Büyükcekmece and spend the day along the seaside and the beach. This little town is dead in the winter, but in the summer turns into the best place in Istanbul to lay in the sun and swim in the sea. The water is clean for swimming (blue flag flying). A lovely seaside town with a huge boardwalk (although cement, not wooden). On the weekend you'll find thousands of folks enjoying themselves, and no tourists at all. There are a million seaside cafes and even a few bars (Laila is the current new fav place). There is a big water park called Aquamarine. This is how it works if you are looking for a finer place to relax... there are small private beach clubs that to enter you must pay a small fee. Park yourself on a bean bag chair or chaise lounge on the sand. You can be served drinks and snacks by waitors all day right on the shore's edge. Private clean toilets and showers are included. Highly recommended. Feels like vacation over there. I like it even better than resorts on Cyprus. There's a flea market that opens on weekend eve's at the boardwalk. And every summer in July is an International festival of world cultures. 45 min drive by taxi, 35 ytl. There's also direct bus service from Yenibosna (Büyükcekmece Sahil Otobüsü). This place is a gem, great little secret for the Yabancı circle. Go see.

Yeah, I used to work out near there. Nice area in the summer, but a bit of a schlep.

yeah, but a taxi ride is painless. I used to live out there and worked in Taksim for a while. Commuted by bus every day. Ouch. But I got used to it.

but a taxi ride is expensive...

if you go with friends by taxi, split the 35 ytl. Comes to nothing. OR... take the bus or metro to Yenibosna, catch a cab from there --- 18 ytl.
Bus fare from Taksim to Ybosna -- 1.30 ytl.
Taxi from Yenibosna to Büyükcekmece, 18 ytl.
Total for a great time at the beach 19 ytl.
But then, there's the return fare to consider. Neyse, it's worth it.

I would also add Su-Ada during weekdays, Galatasaray Clubs bit of concrete floating in the Bosphorus, recently leased to Reina I think. Although a bit of an eyesore in the Bosphorus from outside, what views from inside!! I think it's great escape to bring anyone visiting in the the summer as a break to the usual sightseeing in the heat - it's hard to beat swimming and sunbathing by the pool (filtered seawater pool) with great views all around of the Bosphorus bridge and tankers, ferries, fishing boats etc. cruising on by right beside you... Also very reasonable entrance on weekdays!

[quote user="Christanbull" post="19018"]The adventurous looking for fun in the sun should head out to the suburban town of Büyükcekmece and spend the day along the seaside and the beach. This little town is dead in the winter, but in the summer turns into the best place in Istanbul to lay in the sun and swim in the sea. The water is clean for swimming (blue flag flying). A lovely seaside town with a huge boardwalk (although cement, not wooden). On the weekend you'll find thousands of folks enjoying themselves, and no tourists at all. There are a million seaside cafes and even a few bars (Laila is the current new fav place). There is a big water park called Aquamarine. This is how it works if you are looking for a finer place to relax... there are small private beach clubs that to enter you must pay a small fee. Park yourself on a bean bag chair or chaise lounge on the sand. You can be served drinks and snacks by waitors all day right on the shore's edge. Private clean toilets and showers are included. Highly recommended. Feels like vacation over there. I like it even better than resorts on Cyprus. There's a flea market that opens on weekend eve's at the boardwalk. And every summer in July is an International festival of world cultures. 45 min drive by taxi, 35 ytl. There's also direct bus service from Yenibosna (Büyükcekmece Sahil Otobüsü). This place is a gem, great little secret for the Yabancı circle. Go see.[/quote]

Sounds lovely. Whereabouts is Büyükcekmece?



I would like to add Maltepe Merkezi Camii, the biggest mosque on the Asian side of town and a great sight both during daytime and night.

Other than that, the Grand Bazar is a MUST SEE for everyone to visit Istanbul.