Istanbul Guide

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system, Klein has DJs who spin techno and electronica, two bars and a dance-focused crowd. Check the Facebook feed for events. 7 SHOPPING Serious shoppers, visiting celebs, public relations professionals and the city’s gilded youth gravitate towards upmarket Nişantaşı, which is located about 2km north of Taksim Meydanı and accessed via the metro (Osmanbey stop). International fashion and design shops are found in the streets surrounding the main artery, Teşvikiye Caddesi, which prompts some locals to refer to that area as Teşvikiye. Nişantaşı is one of İstanbul’s major fashion hubs, especially Abdi İpekçi Caddesi, where Turkish and international designers can be found. LOKUM ISTANBUL FOOD ( % 0212-257 1052; www.lokumistanbul.com; Kuruçeşme Caddesi 19, Kuruçeşme; h 9am-8pm Mon-Fri, from 10am Sat & Sun; g Kuruçeşme) Lokum (Turkish Delight) is elevated to the status of artwork at this boutique. Owner and creator Zeynep Keyman brings back the delights, flavours, knowledge and beauty of Ottoman-Turkish products, in cluding colourful and chunky pomegran ate and pistachio lokum (a small box for ₺ 65), akide candies (traditional boiled lollies), cologne water and scented can dles. The gorgeous packaging makes these treats perfect gifts. GÖNÜL PAKSOY CLOTHING Map p250 ( % 0212-236 0209; gonulpaksoy@ gmail.com; Demet Apt 4a, Akkavak Sokak, Nişantaşı; h 10am-7pm Tue-Sat, from 1pm Mon; m Osmanbey) Paksoy creates and sells piec es that transcend fashion and step into art. Her work – distinctive handmade clothing using naturally dyed fabrics including silk, linen, cotton, cashmere, goat hair and wool, and often decorated with vintage beads – was once the subject of an exhibi tion at İstanbul’s Rezan Haş Gallery. She also creates and sells delicate silk and cot ton knits and exquisite jewellery based on traditional Ottoman designs. Beşiktaş, Nişantaşı & Ortaköy Shopping

BABYLON BOMONTI

CITY’S NISANTASI Map p250 ( % 0212-373 3535; http://citys nisantasi.com/tr/sinema; Teşvikiye Caddesi 162, Nişantaşı; h 10am-10.30pm Sun-Thu, to 12.30am Fri & Sat; m Osmanbey) This shopping mall includes a food court and seven-screen multiplex cinema. KANYON SHOPPING CENTRE ( % 0212-317 5300; www.kanyon.com.tr; Büyük dere Caddesi 185, Levent; h 10am-10pm; m Lev ent) This upmarket shopping mall includes a nine-screen multiplex cinema. 2 SPORTS & ACTIVITIES FOUR SEASONS ISTANBUL AT THE BOSPHORUS SPA Map p250 ( % 0212-381 4000; www.fourseasons. com/bosphorus; Çırağan Caddesi 28, Beşiktaş; 30/45/60min hamam experience €125/155/185; h 9am-9pm; g Bahçeşehir Ünv. or Çırağan) With its luxury-hotel setting, this spa has wow-factor in spades, including a stun ning indoor pool area, steam room, sauna and relaxation lounge. Facials and mas sages, from deep tissue to hot stone, are available and the gorgeous marble hamam is perfect if you’re looking for an indulgent Turkish bath experience. The hamam and treatment packages include full access to the spa facilities. İstanbul’s pre-eminent live-music venue, Babylon Bomonti ( % 0212-334 0190; www.babylon.com.tr; Tarihi Bomonti Bira Fabrikası, Birahane Sokak 1, Bomonti; m Osmanbey) F has been packing the crowds in since 1999 and shows no sign of losing its mojo, especially now that it has moved to a larger space in an atmospheric old beer factory in the upmarket arts enclave of Bomonti, reasonably close to the Osmanbey metro stop in Nişantaşı. In summer the action moves to the club’s beach clubs in the Black Sea resort of Kilyos and in Çeşme on the North Aegean coast. SHOPPING CENTRE