Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

For Free 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. 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. Mosques Topping the seven hills of the Old City and adorning many of its streets, İstanbul’s Ottoman mosques 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 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 Caddesi in Beyoğlu and charge no entry fees. The Pera Museum offers free admission every Friday between 6pm and 10pm; on Wednesday admission is also free for students. On the Bosphorus, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum offers free entry on Wednesday. In Eminönü, the tile-adorned Hünkâr Kasrı 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. Particularly beautiful or historic examples include Gülhane Park and