I'm going to Turkey in early Sept. What exciting things are there to see. I will for sure go to Istanbul. ?

Question

Are turkish baths worth doing there as well?

Answer 1

You cant call a vacation at turkey without visiting a turkish bath : )



and a note to Robin k the hagia sophia is not a church it used to be but after the conquer of istanbul it was used as a mosque but now its a museum.

Answer 2

In Istanbul

-sheesha bars are lots of fun

-Galata tower offers fantastic views of the city

-Topkapi Palace is amazing, don't miss it!

-Turkish baths are totally worth it

-Drink lots of apple tea!

-The underground cistern is really cool

-spice market (which I missed) is supposed to be great

-and everything everyone above said...

Also, if you get a chance, go to Kusadasi (on the Asia side of Turkey on Aegean coast) and check out Ephesus, an ancient city that they are in the midst of excavating, one of the biggest ever found!  

Answer 3

First of all, Turkish baths (hamams) are definitely worth experiencing. Three of the most important and historical hamams are:

Cağaloğlu Hamamı, Çemberlitaş Hamamı and Galatasaray Hamamı. See their web-sites below:

http://www.cemberlitashamami.com.tr/html...

http://www.cagalogluhamami.com.tr/

http://www.galatasarayhamami.com/en/hama...

You can also try the hamams of the luxury hotels like the spa of Ritz-Carlton Ä°stanbul or Sofa Hotel or Les Ottomans, but keep in mind that they are more expensive and quite not as authentic as the historical hammams.

Must-see places of Ä°stanbul:

----Golden Horn

----Egyptian Bazaar

----at the end of the Golden Horn lies Eyüp neighborhood which has a spectacular view of the Golden Horn and that view is best appreciated from the famous PIERRE LOTI teahouse.

----Galata Tower

http://www.galatatower.net/eng/index.php

-----The Sultanahmet Neighborhood for TOPKAPI PALACE, BLUE MOSQUE and HAGIA SOPHIA. Behind the Blue Mosque, there is the Hippodrome, a Byzantine stadium. Nearby, there is Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, The ARCHEOLOGICAL Museum, CALLIGRAPHY Museum and MOSAIC Museum. Also, you should see The BASILICA CISTERN. As you see, there are many things to do in Sultanahmet area. While there, you can also go to SOĞUKÇEŞME Street, a perfectly preserved Ottoman street. Sultanahmet offers shopping options, as well with the famous Covered or GRAND BAZAAR. Sultanahmet Köftecisi is a simple but historical restaurant with delicious Turkish köfte (meatballs)

http://www.topkapisarayi.gov.tr/eng/inde...

----Dolmabahçe Palace

----Ortaköy, a charming dining and entertainment enclave, also famous with Ortaköy Mosque

----Excellent fish restaurants at Kuruçeşme and Arnavutköy. Arnavutköy is one of İstanbul's most picturesque neighborhoods.

----Maiden's Tower

----BEYOĞLU, İstiklal Street and Taksim Square. Beyoglu is the melting pot of İstanbul, you should see this place. Whatever you seek, you will find there. Some important locations here: Pera Museum, http://www.pm.org.tr/index_en.html The İstanbul Culinary Institute, the Flower Arcade (Çiçek Pasajı), the Fish Market (Balık Pazarı), Nevizade Street with lots of taverns, Asmalımescit area known also as Tünel with its night life, for ex: Babylon, Ghetto and garajistanbul are best places for jazz, live performances and dancing. Below Istiklal Street there is Cihangir, a popular area with a quirky atmosphere populated by actors, writers, artists.... It is also a cafe haven.

----Princes' Islands (the most famous of these islands is Büyükada)

----Istanbul Modern, a very famous contemporary art museum.

For İstanbul nightlife I can recommend Reina and Sortie (2 major clubs at Kuruçeşme) and on the opposite side of the streeet there is Blackk with one of the nicest meyhane in İstanbul called Levendiz on the top floor of the club, very nice view.http://www.reina.com.tr/2008/

For shopping, you can go to Nişantaşı neighborhood, or big shopping malls like Kanyon, Akmerkez, İstinye Park and City's Nişantaşı.

Google all the names I've mentioned, you'll find detailed info with photos.