Istanbul Guide

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free admission every Friday between 6pm and 10pm; on Wednesday admission is also free for students. On the Bosphorus, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum (p 168) offers free entry on Wednesday. In Eminönü, the tile-adorned Hünkâr Kasrı (p 99) charges no entry fees. Parks & Gardens Picnicking and promenading are two favourite local pastimes, so it’s fortunate that there are so many wonderful parks and gardens open to the public. Par ticularly beautiful or historic examples include Gülhane Park (p 81) and the Hippodrome (p 77 ) in Sultanahmet, Yıldız Park (p 151 ) in Beşiktaş, and Hıdiv Kasrı (p 168 ) and Emirgan Korusu (woods; p 168 ) on the Bosphorus. Churches There are a surprising number of still functioning Christian churches in İstanbul, many of which are of great historical significance and none of which charge an official entry fee. The best known of these is the Patriarchal Church of St George (p 117 ) in Fener, the symbolic headquarters of the Greek Orthodox church. Byzantine Monuments Many of the city’s Byzantine churches were converted into mosques after the Conquest and still function as such. Other Byzantine monuments that can be visited at no charge include the beauti fully restored cistern in the basement of the Nakkaş (p 82 ) carpet store in Sultan ahmet and the historic city walls built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius II. The best place to see the latter is at Edirnekapı in the Western Districts.

For Free

Mosques Topping the seven hills of the Old City and adorning many of its streets, İstanbul’s Ottoman mosques (p 54) are the jewels in the city’s crown. Entry to these architectural wonders is open to everyone regardless of their religion. The türbes (tombs) attached to these mosques are often sumptuously decorated with İznik tiles and can also be visited; head to the Aya Sofya Tombs (p 78) to see some great examples. Museums & Galleries The recent trend for İstanbul’s banks and business dynasties to endow private art galleries and cultural centres is the best thing to hit the city since the tulip bulb arrived. Most are on or near İstiklal Cad desi (p 125 ) in Beyoğlu and charge no en try fees. The Pera Museum (p 126) offers Fortunately, the ever-increasing price of hotel rooms, transport and meals is counterbalanced by an array of top-drawer sights that can be visited at no cost. The hippies and backpackers who flocked to İstanbul in the 1960s and 1970s would certainly blow their meagre budgets if they headed this way today.