Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

A Beyoğlu The city’s entertainment hub, with performance venues, cinemas and live-music clubs galore. Also home to the Galata Mevlevi Museum, where a weekly sema (Whirling dervish ceremony) is held. A Beşiktaş, Nişantaşi & Ortaköy Home to the city’s major orchestral music hall, the İstanbul Lütfi Kırdar ICEC ( MAP ; % 0212-373 1100; www.icec.org; Gümüş Caddesi 4, Harbiye; m Taksim); while the much-loved Babylon Bomonti music venue is only a short distance away. A Kadıköy The city’s bijou Süreyya Opera House is located here, as are a couple of smaller venues in the Yeldeğirmeni district. Lonely Planet’s Top Choices Babylon Bomonti Eclectic music program and bohemian surrounds. Borusan Art Small but prestigious music hall. Garajistanbul About as edgy as the city’s performance scene gets. Nardis Jazz Club The city’s pre-eminent jazz venue. Salon Intimate space operated by İstanbul Foundation for Culture & Arts (İKSV). Zorlu Center Two theatres where musicals are staged and big-name acts perform. Best Cinemas Başka Sinema Art-house cinema on İstiklal Caddesi in Beyoğlu. Cinemaximum Zorlu Center Fourteen state-of-the-art screens. Best Jazz Venues Borusan Art Limited but top-drawer performance program. Nardis Jazz Club Beloved of true aficionados. Salon Strong on jazz, but also hosts alternative, experimental and world music.