Istanbul – Constantinople/Byzantium

Istanbul has always been on the Bucket List. Five nights in May 2022 proved to be enough to see the historical/religious sites, get a feel for the atmosphere, and find better Bier than Efes.

Arriving at Istanbul’s second airport, Sabiha Gökçen courtesy of an attractively priced Pegasus flight from Berlin, there was the realisation that the Metro does not stretch this far into the Asian side of the city. Ninety minutes in a bus was eschewed in favour of an arranged transfer. It took two hours in the evening traffic. The return at 06.00 took the promised forty five minutes.  Beware.

The sights

Sultan Ahmet Camii – The Blue Mosque

Ayasofya Camii -Hagia Sophia

Topkapi Sarayi Müzesi – Topkapi Palace

Galata Kulesi – Galata Tower

Kapali Çarsi  –  Grand Bazaar

The bars and restaurants visited, all are in Galata-Pera:

Ziba Bar

Edinburgh Pub

Nardi’s Jazz Club

Tower Pub

Snog Roof Bar

Beer House / Beer Corner (?)

The James Joyce Irish Pub

Stop Restaurant

Gala Life

Karachi Darbar

Nosh-E-Jaan

 

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