Istanbul (In turkish İstanbul), is a city of Turkey. It is a city of fantastic history, culture and beauty. Call Byzantium In ancient times, the name of the city was changed to Constantinople in 324 CE when it was rebuilt by the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine. The name "Istanbul", which - perhaps surprisingly - comes from the Greek and could be translated as a corruption of "to the city". While the term had been used widely for centuries, it only became the city's official name after the founding of the Republic of Turkey in the 1920s.
Istanbul, the most populous city in Europe, forms Turkey's financial and cultural center and confidently stretches across the borders between Asia and Europe as it has done for millennia - this is the result when ancient Christendom, a medieval metropolis, is mixed. and the modern Middle East. Lying on both sides of the Bosphorus, Istanbul retains its metropolitan status: the city's population is over 14 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the world.
Praised in ancient times as "the second Rome", this is a city for which you should definitely wander - Culture and excitement meet on every corner and more than 2,000 years of history await you.
Understand
Istanbul is a city that has it all. From starting the day eating a "su borek", to ending it on a night walk along the famous Bosphorus, Istanbul has things that can satisfy the most demanding person. Istanbul is located in a very peculiar place. It is located in the northwest of Turkey, between the European part of the country and the Asian. Technically, half the city is Europe, and half is Asia.
History
While relics of prehistoric human settlements were found in the Yarımburgaz cave near Lake Küçükçekmece and during the construction of a subway station in Yenikapı, the Greek settlers of Megara, led by their legendary leader Byzas, have traditionally been accepted as the founders of Istanbul. Expansion of the ancient Greek colony of Byzantium by order of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, the imperial city of ConstantinopleIt was for almost a thousand years the heavily fortified capital of the Eastern Roman Empire (later called Byzantine). To this day, the Ecumenical Patriarch, head of the Eastern Orthodox Church, remains the Archbishop of Constantinople, who still has his seat in Istanbul. It was finally conquered by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II on May 29, 1453, an event that is sometimes used to mark the end of the Middle Ages. It was the nerve center of the military campaigns that would expand the Ottoman Empire dramatically. In the mid-16th century, Istanbul, with a population of almost half a million, was an important cultural, political, and commercial center. Ottoman rule continued until it was defeated in World War I. and Istanbul was occupied by the Allies. When the Republic of Turkey was born in 1923 after the War of Independence, Kemal Atatürk moved his capital to the city of Ankara, strategically located in the center of the new republic. However, Istanbul has continued to expand dramatically; today its population is approximately 14 million and increases to an estimated 400,000 immigrants per year. The industry has expanded even as tourism has grown. It remains a city that creates its own history at the intersection where both continents meet.
Orientation
Istanbul is divided into three by the close north-south of Bosphorus ( İstanbul Boğazı , "the Istanbul Strait"), the dividing line between Europe and Asia, the estuary of the Golden horn ( Haliç ) that divides the western part and the Marmara sea ( Marmara Denizi ) forming a boundary to the south. Most of the views are concentrated in the old city on the peninsula of Sultanahmet , west of the Bosphorus between the Horn and the Sea. On the other side of the Horn, to the north, are Galata , Beyoğlu Y Taksim , the heart of modern Istanbul, while KadıköyIt is the main district on the Anatolian side of the city, comparatively less visited. The Black Sea forms the relatively less developed northern boundary of Istanbul.
Weather
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Despite what its stereotypes, artificially placed palm trees, or misleading tourism brochures may imply, Istanbul is not the sunny and warm year-round vacation destination that some people might wish for. In fact, Istanbul has much more in common with southwestern France or the Pacific Northwest than with virtually all cities near the Mediterranean Sea, with an average temperature of around 12-14 ° C, it is only 1 ° C warmer. than New York. and roughly the same average temperature as Portland, Oregon or Bordeaux, France. Istanbul experiences frequent rainfall during the colder months of the year, some of which falls as snow. Simply put, Istanbul has an oceanic climate with some Mediterranean influences . This means very hot summers, mostly sunny, and cool to cold and shady winters, with very frequent rains and occasionally snow.
Istanbul is a fairly cloudy city, especially for the eastern Mediterranean, with around 1,700-2,300 hours of sunshine, which means the skies are covered about half the time. Cloudy conditions can occur due to heavy fog, which is common throughout the year, affecting certain parts of the interior of Istanbul for an impressive 200 days a year. However, due to the urbanization of Istanbul and the resulting 'urban heat island', fog has become increasingly rare in the densely inhabited coastal regions of Istanbul, making summers much sunnier than before.
Another potentially surprising part of Istanbul's climate is its frequent rainfall, as although rainfall varies greatly depending on where you are in the city, the city average is around 800mm for about 150 days a year. This makes umbrellas useful, especially in the summer and fall when the rains tend to be heavier. Istanbul is more humid than most major European cities, such as London, Paris or Berlin. However, a large part of the rainfall in Istanbul occurs in the colder months, leaving the warmer months to a sunny and moderately dry climate.
Before going into more detailed information, it is important to understand that due to its enormous size, topography and maritime influences, Istanbul exhibits a multitude of different microclimates. Therefore, different sections of Istanbul can experience different weather conditions at the same time. A good example of this would be the occasional summer rains in the city. These rains often affect the north of the city much more than the south, and the south is likely to remain dry while the north gets soaked.
Summer (July-August)
Summer is generally quite warm, averaging 26 ° C during the day and 17 ° C at night. The weather is usually pleasant and there is an almost constant northeast wind called Poyraz that prevents the city from experiencing temperatures above 32-33 ° C most years. However, the same wind conditions also bring in very humid air from the Black Sea, which causes very muggy conditions, which raises the perceived temperature quite a bit.
Summer is relatively dry, but generally not without rain, with around four to five days of rain per month. However, the rain that falls during this time can be heavy, and for various reasons, Istanbul is known to be a severe climate hot spot, with, among other things, around 2-3 hail storms per year, which is extremely high for a Mediterranean. -influenced city.
Light clothing is recommended during the summer. A light jacket and / or light sweater if summer nights get a little cooler than average could help.
Spring (April-June) and Autumn (September-November)
Spring and fall are mild, with a good combination of rain and sun. Late spring (late May to early June) and early fall (late September to early October) are quite pleasant and the best times to visit the city. During these periods the temperatures are pleasantly warm and the climate is less rainy than in winter; even though nights can be a bit chilly, and rain definitely can't be ruled out.
Winter (December-March)
Winter is generally cold, averaging around 8 ° C during the day and 2 ° C at night, but high relative humidity levels make the winter air a bit more miserable, and the wind chill can make let the temperatures feel much colder. There can also be warm and cold periods, which generally change with wind patterns. A southwesterly wind, called Lodos, can bring relatively comfortable but rainy days with highs around 12-16 ° C, while north winds bring daytime temperatures at or slightly above freezing.
This time of year is famous for the rain. Rain usually falls as a light, intermittent, and barely noticeable drizzle, but it can last for a week or more at a time, with almost three weeks of rain on average per month. This type of rain can be easily handled without an umbrella (and in fact, most locals tend to prefer raincoats or warm clothing), however if you want an umbrella when it rains, the streets of Istanbul suddenly fill with vendors. of umbrellas. As soon as it starts to rain Although the umbrellas they provide are a bit of poor quality, the usual fee is TL 5 per umbrella, and you can find much better umbrellas for that price in stores if you look around a bit.
Snowfall is somewhat common between December and March, however this changes quite a bit from year to year. Mild winters can have only a trace of accumulation, while colder winters can bring up to three weeks of snow cover. Another thing to keep in mind here is how heavy the snow can get in Istanbul. This is because Istanbul's snowfall comes from an event called a sea or lake effect snowfall, where bands of heavy rain hit the shores of Istanbul, bringing waves of snow. These events generally don't last long, as when the coldest weather comes out of Istanbul, so does the snow. However, accumulations of up to 75 cm have been recorded in a single day, even in the hottest city center.
Warm clothing is essential during winter, even if extreme temperatures are not common, the chill from the wind can make most people absolutely miserable.
To get
You can get to Istanbul in several ways: if you fly from Anywhere in the American Continent you can fly TO THE International Airports of Mexico City, Bogotá, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Orlando and from there take a Flight to Any Destination in Europe. European airlines in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, Paris, England, Russia, or Turkish Airlines, fly daily one Istanbul. You CAN also fly into a JFK airport in New York, and from there take a non-stop service on an Istanbul Delta Airlines, Turkish Airlines, or American Airlines. There are also flights from Chicago one by Istanbul Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Gulf Air, from Saudi Arabia, They also make daily flights to Istanbul Airport. There are daily flights from other cities in Turkey by Turkish Airlines.In the case of having purchased a Turkish Airlines flight on the Internet and consequently for having paid with a Credit Card, remember to carry the card as at the company's counter It will be required to check-in for the flight.
Travel
Transportation in the city is easy. To cross from Asia to Europe or from Europe to Asia you can take a taxi, which will take you over one of the two bridges that connect the two sides, or you can simply take the maritime transport "vapur" or ferry. There are different "vapur" stations in different parts of the city, such as Harem, Uskudar, and Beykoz in the Asian part and Eminonu, Kabatas and Besiktas in the European part. On both sides, Asia and Europe, you can take the minibus, which is very easy to use, as it has the names of the places it goes in front of it. It is very economical and safe. In the European part there is a very modern underground metro system, which is also very economical, and which can connect you to any important point on the continent. You can also use the tram. Modern, with air conditioning and that runs through a large part of the city from the sea, connecting with the ferries, passing through emblematic places such as the Topkapi Palace, Sta. Sofia and the Blue Mosque or the Grand Bazaar until entering the modern part. To use it, you have to buy tokens (jetons) that are sold at kiosks next to the stops. Its price per journey (July 09) is 1.50 Turkish liras. In Istanbul there is the oldest and shortest metro in the world (Tünel), it connects the base of the Galata Bridge with the hill where the Galata Tower is. Its price is 90 cents of Turkish lira. We must be careful with the change they give us when we buy the tickets, I have just returned and on two occasions the same collector has tried to deceive me: one by trying to give me a lira less and another by trying to pass me an old 250 lira coin (no have no value) for a 25 cent coin.
Essential and precious Bosphorus route, catch municipal ferry in port Eminonu, Bogaz hatti, take round trip, about 14 liras, the end is in Anadolukavagi. There you eat cheap fish, especially mussels and battered squid, also grilled sea bass and sea bream, with salad and a drink included, it can cost between 12 and 15 lira. In this town go up to the castle to contemplate the Black Sea.
I recommend a very practical and inexpensive circuit to get to the Galata Tower, if you are at the end of the day in the Sultanahmet sector and want to see the sunset in the Tower, take the tram to Kabatas station, on the esplanade you can access it lowered by stairs to the underground Funicular that leads to Taksim Square, when you get there look for the old 19th century tram that will take you to the base of the tower in a few minutes.After visiting the Tower, go down the surrounding streets to the avenue where you can take the tram back to Sultanahmet.
Watch
Mosques
- Blue Mosque or Sultanahmet - Located in the area of the same name, the Sultanahmet Mosque is one of the major attractions of the city. Located in the European part, the mosque is a majestic building with thousands of tiles inside. Built by Sultanahmet during the Ottoman Empire, the mosque has six miniatures, being the only mosque in the world with something similar. Inside it is richly decorated with thousands of tiles, bay windows, Arabic inscriptions, and columns made of huge marble pieces. It is open for tourists most of the day, except for five times a day, which are times of prayer for Muslims.
- St. Sophia Cathedral - Located right across from Sultanahmet, the Hagia Sophia Mosque is now a museum featuring Constantine and Ottoman history. The Hagia Sophia Mosque was originally built by Constantin, and was for years the most important temple in the Eastern Roman Empire. For many years it was the largest domed building in the world, and although its decoration is simple, it is still a majestic monument. Upon the arrival of the Ottomans to the territory, the temple became a mosque, and years ago, the government of the Turkish republic turned it into a museum, which can be accessed.
To visit it you have to pay a ticket that is justified because they are restoring it, although they have been like this for years and there is not much progress. Unfortunately there is a scaffolding in the center that makes its interior quite ugly. If they really end up completely restoring it, it will be a fabulous place.
Istanbul is a city with countless places to visit and all of them surprising:
- City cisterns - ESSENTIAL - Old underground water tanks: A forest of columns with different ornamentation and the entire space has a very appropriate current decoration. The two columns with medusa heads, one on the side and the other upside down, deserve special (a mystery, because while the city used these cisterns, the two heads were kept below the water level)
- Topkapi Palace - Official residence of the Ottoman sultans until their disappearance. Noteworthy is the palace harem and the collection of the treasures of the sultans, which is considered one of the largest collections of jewelry in the world.
- Dolmabache Palace - Palace of 1855 in European style.
- Galata Tower - From which you can take some fantastic pictures at sunset of the famous "Golden Horn"
- Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque - This 1557 mosque stands out above all for its impressive interior.
- Boat trip on the Bosphorus seeing the splendid residences that are on the banks, among which is one of the most expensive houses in the world, according to the Forbes magazine. And a priceless view of Istanbul from the water.
- Grand Bazaar - This immense complex of shops and stalls offers just about anything we can imagine. Almost a city within the city of Istanbul, it is a pleasure to get lost in the dozens of streets and hundreds of shops. If you want to have a very good experience and enjoy the real Istanbul, go through the bazaar from south to north and continue along the alleys that descend towards the golden horn and the spice bazaar. Through these alleys you will discover the shops and market stalls where the Turks go and where the only tourist will be you.
- Spice Bazaar - Strolling through the Spice Bazaar will allow you to delight in the smells of Arabia and India. The bazaar smells of curry, saffron, cinnamon, etc, but be very careful, if you are going to buy products of a certain price (saffron, caviar, etc.) go to a store with well-marked prices and that do not offer you bargains. Well, you may be surprised when you get home.
- Istikal caddesi - Istikal avenue is Istanbul's shopping and meeting street. A beautiful vintage tram runs through it and if you go through the streets that lead to it, you will discover different areas in which shops of the same guild are grouped (neighborhood of old bookstores, area of fish restaurants, area of shops of musical instruments , etc).
The Eyup MosqueIt is one of the most visited places in the city by Muslims as a pilgrimage point, especially in wedding ceremonies, circumcision and funerals. Eyüp Sultán Ensarin, friend of Muhammad and his banner-bearer, Do not miss his cemetery, right there take a funicular that takes you to the Pierre Lotti café, from there you have a good view of the Golden horn, walk down through the cemetery that is on the same hillside.
Do
Go to a Hammam (Turkish bath) in central Istanbul. There are several old Hammams but in very good condition. They will take good care of you, but don't forget the tips.
To buy
The main currency is the New Turkish Lira or "Yeni Turk Lira", which is accepted anywhere, and is the most widely used.7,5 New Turkish liras are equivalent to one dollar. They also accept euro and dollar in most of the city, especially in large shopping centers such as the Grand Bazaar, The Egyptian Bazaar, Taksim, and Sultanahmet. It is always much better to pay in Turkish liras because the purchase is cheaper as there is no rounding. and throughout the city there are bureaux de change called "Döviz" ("change" in Turkish).
To eat
The Balık-ekmek It is a street food and is about a fillet of fish fried or grilled and served between the two parts of a loaf. You can also get in the streets Mussels which are mussels.
The restaurant is called Enjoyer (incili çavus sok no 25) Sultanahmet Specialist in Ottoman food, they speak Spanish and it is good food.
Drink and go out
It should be noted that a recent law passed by the Turkish government prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the neighborhoods near a mosque, in public. Since the old part of Istanbul is full of mosques, it is practically impossible to consume alcohol in the most touristy areas.
For this reason, you have to go to the Taksim area, in modern Istanbul, where you can eat quite well and where the big brand stores are.
Sultanahmet (old area) is a restaurant called Enjoyer, they speak Spanish and the food is very good as is the service.
Keep in touch
Phone codes
Istanbul is the only city or province in Turkey that has more than one phone code: 212 for the European side, 216 for the Asian side and the Princes' Islands. When calling from one continent to another, the usual dialing format used for long distance calls should be used, as if it were a long distance call: 0area code (212 or 216) 7-digit phone number. It may appear as a toll call, but it will be treated as a local call with respect to payment. When making an intercontinental call, if you forget to dial the code, your call will not be automatically routed to the number on another continent, it is likely that you are connected to the "wrong" number that is on the same continent as you, because many of the sets of numbers are They use on both continents (albeit with different codes, of course). When dialing a number that is on the continent you are already on, only a 7-digit number is sufficient. However, don't forget to dial the code first no matter what continent you are on if you are calling a landline number from a cell phone (even if it is a number that is on the same continent as you).
Security
Be careful with taxis for the money you give them, someone tries to make you believe that the 50 lire paper you gave them was only 5!
- As with most European cities, but especially in busy areas of Istanbul, be careful with your pockets and travel documents, as the pickpockets they have devised all kinds of strategies to obtain them. Don't rely too heavily on the sense of "security" you get from the omnipresence of the police.
- If the prices are not on display, always ask in advance (even for tea) rather than just ordering something like in Europe. This can be fatal in Istanbul because tourists are constantly overcharged. Unfortunately, prices are often not displayed, such as in candy stores or even restaurants. Skip these places or ask for a price knowing what the approximate or fair price is.
- Istanbul is home to three of the biggest clubs in Turkey and perhaps the soccer European: Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. It is advisable not to wear colors that are associated with either club - black and white, navy blue and yellow, and red and yellow respectively, particularly on match days between the teams due to the fearsome rivalry they share.
- In Istanbul, most of the drivers they don't follow any rules. Even if you have priority at a road crossing, a crosswalk, or even during the green light, always be aware of your surroundings. Even if you are on a one-way road, check both sides before crossing the road. It is common for Turkish drivers to use shortcuts.
- A great earthquake with its epicenter in the nearby Sea of Marmara for decades to come, so read the earthquake safety article here before you get there.
Scams
Note that the Most of the following summaries are almost 10 years old. Turkey has changed a lot since then, due to modernization, political turmoil, the war in Syria, and many other things. Today, the situation is much less fierce than it may appear in these sketches. So relax! However, get to know them and read about them, to be aware. The biggest ones are expensive nightclubs and bars, pickpockets, and overly friendly strangers.
Blue Mosque Scam "Guides"
As you walk through the gates of the Blue Mosque, watch out for the smiling and friendly friends who immediately volunteer to be your de facto guide through the mosque and its surroundings; they would be quite informative on anything related to the mosque; Islamic etiquette, history and practices. However, they eventually demand a price for their "services", a fee that can go up to TL 50. It would be better to book a private tour online; or nothing, since the mosque is essentially free for everyone anyway.
Restaurant scams
A notable scam to convince tourists to visit expensive restaurants with mediocre food involves the following:
As you walk, you are passed by a Turkish man who says he recognizes you from the hotel you are staying at (for example, he will tell you that he works there as a waiter or receptionist). He will ask you where you are going. If you are going out to eat, he will recommend a restaurant, claiming that it is where he takes his family or friends when they eat out. He can give you some other advice (for example, the best time to visit Topkapi Palace) so that the conversation feels genuine and friendly. The restaurant he recommends will almost certainly be mediocre or low-quality, and the staff will try to sell you expensive dishes without you noticing. For example, they can promote dishes marked as 'MP' (market price) on the menu, such as 'salted fish' (baked fish with salt), which can cost more than 100 TL. They can also serve you additional dishes that you haven't ordered and then add them to the bill for an additional 25-50 TL, along with additional service charges and taxes. One restaurant that appears to be using this scam to get customers is Haci Baba in Sultanahmet.
Bar and Club Scams
High drink price scams found in so-called nightclubs located mainly in the Aksaray, Beyazit and Taksim areas. These clubs often charge expensive bills, based on a replica of the original menu, or simply on the menu that had been face down on the table. Two or three drinks can already produce a fancy bill that easily exceeds 1,000 TL.
Also keep in mind that groups of young men or male-female couples who behave in a friendly manner strike up a conversation on the street and invite you to a "good nightclub they know." This has been frequently reported as a prelude to such a scam. People involved in the scam may offer to treat you to dinner first, in order to reduce your suspicions. Another way they will try to lure you in is by speaking to you in Turkish, and when you mutter your answer in your language they will be surprised that you are not Turkish and will immediately feel the need to pay you for their accident with a beer.
Another variant of this involves an invitation in Taksim to male tourists to buy beer from them (as they were "guests"). At the club, they are joined by attractive women, also with beers. When the invoice arrives, the person inviting the tourists denies saying that they would pay for the drinks and a large invoice is presented, for example 1500 TL; When tourists object, burly "security" personnel emerge to escort tourists to an ATM (presumably to clear their bank account). Any bar that looks like it could be a strip club is more than likely a scam.
In any of these scams, if you refuse to pay the high prices or try to call the police (dial 155) to file a complaint, the club managers can use physical intimidation to close the dead end. If you find yourself in such a situation for any reason, you should do what they want you to do, pay the bill, buy the things they force you to buy, etc. Try to get out of the situation as soon as possible. go to a safe place and call the police.
Water scams
Also watch out for the men in Taksim splashing water on the back of your neck. When you turn around, they will try to start a fight with you while another man comes in and robs you. These men often carry knives and they can be very dangerous.
Lire / Euro scams
A frequent scam, often in smaller hotels (but can also occur in a variety of other contexts), is to quote prices in lira and then, when payment is due, claim that the price was given in euros. Hotels that refuse to pay early on a stay and prefer that you "pay when you leave" should raise suspicions. The hotels operating this scam often offer excellent service and accommodation at a reasonable price and they know that most guests will conclude and pay without complaint, so this may be a sign of a good hotel.
Another scam is related to coins and happens right when you walk down the streets. A Turk hugs you and asks you where you are from. If you mention a euro-country, the guy wants you to exchange a € 50 note of yours for € 2 coins that he is showing. He has the coins stacked in his hands. For the trouble, he says he will offer you '€ 30 2 coins, winning € 60 in total'. Please disagree with this money exchange as the first coin is indeed a € 2 coin, but (many of) the other coins will probably be 1 lira coins (very similar), but with a value of only 1 / 4 of the value of € 2.
Muchos bares en el área de Taksim le dan billetes falsos. Por lo general, están bien hechos y son difíciles de identificar como falsificaciones en la oscuridad. Una forma de verificar la autenticidad de un billete es comparar su tamaño con otro. Otra es sostener el billete hacia una luz fuerte, con el lado hacia arriba y verificar el contorno de la misma cara que está en el billete. El valor del billete (20, 50, etc.) debe aparecer junto al contorno, claro y traslúcido. Si falta alguna de estas dos características de seguridad, intente cambiar la factura o hable con la policía.
Cepillo de zapatos
Algunos hombres caminarán por Taksim (u otras áreas frecuentadas por turistas) con un kit de limpiabotas y el cepillo se caerá. Se trata de una estafa para hacer que algún turista occidental con conciencia lo recoja y se lo devuelva al propietario, quien luego expresará su gratitud y se ofrecerá a lustrar sus zapatos de forma gratuita. Mientras hace eso, hablará sobre cómo es de otra ciudad y cómo tiene un hijo enfermo. Al final, el limpiador exigirá un precio mucho más alto por los servicios "gratuitos" proporcionados que lo que es la norma real del mercado. Un truco similar consiste en pedir un cigarrillo y proceder de manera similar.
Si decide activamente que le gustaría que le brillen los zapatos, no espere pagar más de 5 TL por ambos.
Conductores de taxi
Los taxis son abundantes en Estambul y económicos para los estándares de Europa Occidental y Estados Unidos. Se pueden recoger en los puntos de taxi de toda la ciudad o en las calles. Los taxis vacíos en las calles tocarán la bocina a los peatones para ver si les gustaría que los transporten, o los peatones pueden llamar a los taxis al hacer contacto visual con el conductor y saludar. Pocos taxistas hablan otros idiomas además del turco, pero hacen un buen trabajo al descifrar los nombres de lugares mal pronunciados dados por pasajeros extranjeros. Es recomendable tener anotado el nombre del destino e intentar tener de antemano un mapa para mostrar al conductor, para evitar malentendidos y también posibles estafas. Aunque los taxis son abundantes, tenga en cuenta que los taxis son más difíciles de encontrar durante las horas pico de tráfico y los atascos y cuando llueve y nieva. También son menos frecuentes durante las noches,
Trate de evitar usar taxis para distancias cortas (5 a 10 minutos de caminata) si es posible. Algunos taxistas pueden molestarse con esto, especialmente si usted llamó al taxi desde un centro de taxis en lugar de llamarlo desde la calle. Si desea taxis para distancias cortas, simplemente póngalos en la calle, no vaya al centro de taxis.
Pocos taxis tienen cinturones de seguridad y algunos conductores pueden parecer imprudentes. Si desea que el conductor reduzca la velocidad, diga "yavash lütfen" (más lento, por favor). Su solicitud puede ser aceptada o no.
Como en cualquier ciudad importante, los turistas son más vulnerables a las estafas de taxis que los locales. Tenga en cuenta que los taxistas utilizan automóviles afiliados a un centro en particular y que el nombre y el número de teléfono del centro, así como el número de matrícula, están escritos en el costado de cada automóvil. Anotar o fotografiar esta información puede ser útil si tiene problemas. En general, viajar en taxis afiliados a los principales hoteles (Hilton, Marriot, Ritz, etc.) es seguro y no es necesario hospedarse en estos hoteles para usar un taxi que salga de sus hubs.
Otros pueden tomar rutas innecesariamente largas para aumentar el monto adeudado (aunque a veces también se toman rutas alternativas para evitar el tráfico de Estambul, que puede ser muy malo). Algunas estafas involucran la transacción de pago; por ejemplo, si el pasajero paga 50 TL cuando solo se necesitan 20 TL, el conductor puede cambiarlo rápidamente con un billete de 5 TL e insistir en que el resto de los 20 TL aún está pendiente o puede cambiar la factura real por una falsa y Insista en que se le dé dinero diferente.
Métodos para evitar estafas de taxis:
1. Siéntese en el asiento del pasajero delantero . Mire el medidor. Observe las acciones del conductor (hacer sonar el claxon, bombear los frenos, etc.) y observe lo que hace el taxímetro. Si bien es raro, algunos conductores conectarán partes de sus controles para aumentar la tarifa al momento de la activación. Si estás con tu pareja, hazlo de todos modos . Guarde los abrazos para después del viaje. Compruebe si el sello del taxímetro está roto. Use su teléfono para la luz. Esto hará que el conductor se dé cuenta de que es cauteloso. Para las mujeres, es mejor sentarse en el asiento trasero (donde puede ver el taxímetro desde el medio), ya que ocasionalmente hay problemas con los taxistas que se vuelven demasiado amigables, y sentarse en el frente es una señal de que una mujer agradece ese comportamiento.
2. Pregunte "¿Cuánto me cuesta ir a ...?" (se entiende inglés básico), antes de subir al taxi . El precio será bastante exacto al del taxímetro al final del viaje. Si el precio le parece bien, suba al taxi y dígales que se pongan el taxímetro. La tarifa que aplican es la misma durante el día y la noche.
3. Conoce la ruta. Si tiene la oportunidad, busque un mapa y exija que el conductor tome la ruta elegida hasta el destino. A menudo, conducirán por el camino largo o fingirán no saber a dónde se dirige para sacar más dinero de usted. Si el conductor afirma no conocer la ruta a un punto de referencia importante o lugar de reunión, rechace sus servicios, ya que probablemente mienta.
4. Elija un conductor mayor. Es menos probable que los taxistas mayores engañen a los pasajeros.
5. Deje que el taxista vea dinero en sus manos y muestre valores y se comprometa con ello. Esto es 50 liras. ¿De acuerdo? Toma estas 50 liras y devuélveme 30 liras ¿ok ?. Esto garantiza su valor monetario. De lo contrario, sus 50 liras pueden ser 5 liras inmediatamente en sus manos. Trate de tener siempre billetes de 10 o 20 liras en su billetera. Esto dificulta las estafas de dinero en general. Si se da cuenta de que el conductor intentó usar el truco de 50 liras a 5 liras con usted, llame a la policía (# 155) de inmediato y anote la matrícula.
6. Cree una gran escena si hay algún problema. Si está absolutamente seguro de que ha sido objeto de una estafa, amenace o llame a la policía y, si cree que puede ayudar, comience a gritar. Los taxistas solo estafarán a aquellos que crean que caerán en la trampa; crear una escena llama la atención sobre ellos y facilitará el pago de la tarifa correcta.
Sobreprecio
Observe cuidadosamente el menú en los cafés de la calle para ver si hay señales de que los precios no son discriminatorios; si los precios están claramente sobre inflados, simplemente váyase. Una buena indicación de un exceso de inflación es la circulación de dos tipos diferentes de menú: el menú "extranjero" generalmente se imprime en una tarjeta plastificada con los precios del menú escritos en rotulador de lavandería / texta, es decir, los precios no se imprimen; en estos casos, espere que los precios para extranjeros estén muy inflados (300% o más).
Si bien esto no es realmente un problema en Beyoğlu u Ortaköy , es aconsejable evitar los cafés al aire libre hacia el patio trasero del Bazar de las Especias ( Sultanahmet ). El área inmediatamente al norte del Spice Bazaar también está plagada de vendedores de estos cafés 'infames'.
Tener nargile (pipa de agua) es una actividad famosa en Estambul, Tophane (top-hane) es un lugar famoso para esta actividad donde hay una gran cantidad de tiendas de nargile disponibles y se puede llegar fácilmente en tranvía, evitando un lugar llamado "Ali Baba "en Tophane es sabio, por lo general te servirán platos que no pediste, como un plato de nueces, ¡y esperas tener una factura de alrededor de 50 dólares por tu narguile!
Acecho
En lugares turísticos puede haber hombres con la intención de acechar a mujeres extranjeras. Tales hombres pueden suponer que los extranjeros tienen mucho dinero o valores liberales y pueden acercarse a las mujeres extranjeras de una manera coqueta o atrevida en busca de sexo o dinero (ya sea por robo o vendiendo bienes a precios excesivos). Si está siendo acosado, use el sentido común y vaya a donde están otras personas; a menudo esta es la tienda más cercana. Crear una escena pública disuadirá a muchos acosadores, y estas frases pueden ser útiles en tales casos:
- İmdat! - "¡Ayuda!"
- Ayıp! - "¡Grosero!"
- Bırak beni! - "¡Déjame solo!"
- Dur! - "¡Detener!"
- ¡¿Gider misin ?! - "¡¿Irás?!"
O arruinarlo realmente:
- Beni takip etme! - "¡Deja de acecharme!"
- Polisi arıyorum - "¡Voy a llamar a la policía!"
- Siktir Git - "¡Vete a la mierda!"
De vez en cuando, trate de no usar el turco, ya que al acosador le gustará más, simplemente grite y corra y encuentre un lugar más seguro entre la multitud y la policía.
Policía de Turismo
El Departamento de Policía de Estambul tiene un departamento de "Policía de Turismo" donde los viajeros pueden denunciar la pérdida y el robo de pasaportes o cualquier otra actividad delictiva de la que sean víctimas. Tienen una oficina en Sultanahmet y, según los informes, pueden hablar inglés, alemán, francés y árabe.
- Policía de Turismo (Turizm Polisi), Yerebatan Caddesi 6, Sultanahmet (en el edificio de madera amarilla entre Hagia Sophia y la entrada de la Cisterna Basílica, a pocos metros de cada), ☏ [45 03], fax : 90212512 76 76.
Surroundings
West
El área de la Turquía europea al oeste de Estambul se llama Tracia. Tiene muchas ciudades históricas con herencia bizantina y otomana.
- Edirne , dos horas al noroeste, es una hermosa ciudad histórica y fue la capital otomana antes de que el poder se trasladara a Estambul. Necesitas al menos un día aquí. Una ruta escénica lenta serpentea hacia el norte a través de Kıyıköy , la antigua Medea, un pueblo de pescadores en el Mar Negro con algo de arquitectura tradicional, antiguas murallas de la ciudad parcialmente reconstruidas y un monasterio cercano excavado en la roca. La siguiente ciudad en esa ruta es Vize , un casco antiguo con una catedral bizantina bien conservada.
- Diríjase a Europa occidental a través de Sofía en Bulgaria o Bucarest en Rumania.
- O tal vez pueda seguir la antigua Via Egnatia hasta el Adriático y hasta Roma.
South
- Las Islas Mármara están al otro lado del mar, mucho más lejos y menos urbanas que las Islas Príncipe, cerca de la ciudad.
- Bursa, al sureste, es una antigua capital otomana con muchos lugares de interés histórico y el Parque Nacional Uludağ al sur. Iznik , rica en herencia bizantina, selyúcida y otomana temprana, merece un desvío en el camino.
- Una ruta escénica hacia Izmir es dirigirse hacia el oeste y luego hacia el sur hacia la península de Gallipoli , con sus sitios de la Primera Guerra Mundial, cruzar los Dardanelos hasta Çanakkale , luego pasar la antigua Troya y Pérgamo (Bergama) . Un corto viaje en ferry lo lleva a la encantadora isla de Bozcaada .
East
En Estambul, solo ha pisado el umbral de la Turquía asiática. Continúe hacia el este a través de Anatolia por mucho más: la renovada Ankara, la poco mundana Capadocia, el surrealista Monte Nemrut , el lejano Kars. Y aún más por las tierras del antiguo Imperio Otomano: siga los pasos de los antiguos comerciantes, viajeros medievales, peregrinos y hippies.
Rutas por Estambul
| Edirne ← Çorlu ← Cruce( W ) ← | W AND | → İzmit → Ankara |
external links
Wikipedia has an article on Estambul.w:Estambul
Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about EstambulCommons.
