We had opted to fly with Turkish Airlines to Istanbul's Atatürk Airport (Yesilköy Int'l, IATA: IST) since the transfer time to our hotel in Sultanahmet was much shorter than from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (IATA: SAW).
When we had checked into the hotel we immediately took to the streets and found ourselves only a few minutes walk from the Galata bridge and the above mosque, the Yeni Cami.

The Galata bridge in its nightly splendour. At the center the Galata tower.

A late night snack tasted real good here.

Business and bargaining went on until late at night.

The top level of the Galata bridge has all the traffic and the anglers (note the fish line), while
the lower level has a series of trendy restaurants.

The next day we visited Beyoğlu and had a stroll in the trendy Istiklal Caddesi.
Generations of young Turks have jumped on this tram for a free ride.

Lighting a candle..

I had my eyes set on these old houses, a vanishing scene.
About that street name: Gül Baba: 'Gül' means 'Rose', the only Turkish word I picked up.

See also my page Istanbul's Old Houses

We found it by 17:15 to be pitch dark, but it only enhanced our walks and our photography!

The park near the Fatih Mosque (Fatih Cami)

Each night we found hundreds of anglers at the waterfront.

Into the backstreet of Fatih, near the Egyptian Bazaar, also called the Spice Bazaar.

The Galata bridge and Istanbul's unique skyline.

A mosque and Istanbul's modern skyline.

The famous Bosphorus bridge.

Houses along the Bosphorus vary in size and modernity.

SARIYER

We decided to disembark a little early from the Bosphorus cruise, in Sariyer. And travel back by bus.

KANYON

We disembarked from the dolmus at the modern Kanyon Mall. We saw the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, in the 'Cinemaximum' cinema. The opening scene of this 007 film is shot in Istanbul!

The Aya Sofia (a.k.a. Hagia Sofia or Ayasofia) late at night.

The Red River restaurant was near our hotel and became a favourite of ours: good food, nice music, cold beer.

Our visit to the Archeological Museum was found to be beyond our expectations!
See also my page on Istanbul's Tourist Sights.

Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic.

Not to be missed: a visit to the Aya Sofia!

To this day mosques are built to this example. More photos and information on my page 'SIGHTS'

Glances of respect..

Caught in a ray of light.

History caught on modern electronics.

 

A visit to the Grand Bazaar.

A fellow photography enthusiast at work in the Spice Bazaar.

Actually that fez on tv was the only one I saw, none were seen elsewhere.

Watching a Champions League game on tv. When we left at the break we found prices were doubled because
of the game on tv: I paid over 2 euros for one simple cup of European tea..
Best to avoid 'Turkish Kitchen' pub/restaurant on the Muradiye Cd, Sultanahmet and avoid such surprises!

A better place to watch the game: the Port Shield!

The cheering is for Galatasaray, beating Manchester City!

From the rooftop of our hotel, the Orka Royal (excellent location, good price, poor room on 6th floor).

One of the nicest visits: Basilica Cisterne!

View from Istanbul's highest point: Çamlıca Hill; it has an altitude of 288 meters (945 ft).

The Blue Mosque.
More photos and information on my Istanbul's tourist sights.

Near the Topkapi entrance we found this small, richly decorated building; I have no idea of its meaning or function.

The only day with rain during our 7-day visit. We visited the Topkapi palace this day.

We stumbled upon this beautiful museum: the Istanbul Photography Museum.

We saw a great variety of talented work on display.

After our visit we crossed the street, walked more or less in the direction of our hotel (we tried different routes each time) and found ourselves immediately in an area which brought our cameras out!

Thed area was brimming with shoemakers and shops selling shoes.

Visit also my page on ISTANBUL'S STREETS.

HERE ARE MORE OF MY PAGES ON ISTANBUL
THE STREETS
THE OLD HOUSES
THE WATERFRONT
THE TOURIST SIGHTS