Welcome to Armada Hotel

İstanbul Tips and Suggestions

6th Day, "Prince Islands"

Take a taxi to the Kabataş Pier for the 9.00 a.m. ferry to the Princes’ Islands, named for the Byzantine princes who were exiled there. Although the ferries stop at the first three islands, disembark at the fourth one: Büyükada...

The ferry ride takes about 1½ hours...

When you arrive, take a stroll around the square. There are no cars on the Islands, so hire one of the horse-drawn carriages from behind the square and go on the long tour, a beautiful tour past the old villas and through the pine woods. You can stop at the "Kır Bahçesi", or countryside garden, for tea (go to the back for the best views). You can also arrange with your driver to stay longer and walk up to visit the old Byzantine monastery (allow 45 minutes to 1 hour).

Depending on your time and energy, you can walk all or part of this route, but it would be a shame to miss the pleasure of the carriage ride for at least part of the way. Feeling more energetic? You can also hire a bike and cycle round the island.

After returning to the square, enjoy lunch at Milto Restaurant where you can enjoy delicious seafood. Ferries return to Eminönü from 3.15 p.m; check for the exact times when you arrive…

Evening
In the evening take a cab to Karaköy and then take the short underground train ride (one of the oldest underground railways in Europe), just one stop up to Tünel. When you disembark, walk along İstiklal Street, which will take you through the area that used to be called Pera…

İstiklal Street is roughly divided into three districts: Tünel, Galatasaray and Taksim. Along the street the old embassy buildings reflecting their country's architectural styles draw one's attention. There are some interesting buildings along the street, such as the Church of St. Antoine. When you feel like having dinner, go to the Çicek Pasaj (Flower Passage) lane, where you will find a number of "meyhane"s, cafés that sell mezes and drinks, all housed in one of the most interesting buildings in this area known as Beyoğlu. The Çiçek Pasaji, which was called Hristaki Pasajı or Cité de Pera in the first half of the 20th century, was built on the former site of the famous Naum Theatre, which burned in the huge Beyoğlu fire of 1870. It was later purchased by Zografos, who began to erect the ornate Cité de Pera on the site in 1876. The Cité de Pera was considered an architectural masterpiece of its time. Residential apartments lined the upper floor and shops occupied the ground floor.

Pera began to change after 1914 as the Levantines who inhabited the area slowly began to move away. Pera changed again with the arrival of the White Russians in 1917. They headed for Istanbul and took up residence in Galata, Karaköy and Beyoğlu, usually working in Pera. It was during this time that the passage began to be known as the Çiçek Pasaji…

Nevizade Street behind the Flower Passage also has many similar cafes and restaurants. After dinner, walk up to Taksim Square (just 5 minutes) and take a taxi back to the Armada.

Have a good sleep...

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