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From Wikitravel

This district of Istanbul contains neighborhoods like Elmadağ, Nişantaşı, Kurtuluş, and Şişli, which were first settled during the last years of the Ottoman Empire or early years of Turkish Republic, all situated north of Taksim Square, and the main business district between Mecidiyeköy and Levent - Maslak in the north. Most of Istanbul’s steel-and-glass skyscrapers, including İş Bank’s towers which are currently the tallest buildings (172 mt) in Turkey (and also in all the lands between Frankfurt and Dubai), are located in Levent-Maslak area. Even taller buildings, such as Sapphire which will eventually have a height of 238 meters (261 mt including its antenna), are on the way.

[edit] Get in

• The fastest and most common way to reach this district is to take the metro from Taksim. There are metro station at every couple kilometres all along this part of the city.
• Buses from many places in the city has their terminus at Mecidiyeköy.
• Dolmuşes from Beşiktaş to Nişantaşı are also available.

[edit] Get around

The main thoroughfare of this district is Cumhuriyet Caddesi (Avenue) between Taksim Square and Mecidiyeköy in the north, passing through or near Nişantaşı and Şişli; and its extension Büyükdere Caddesi, which lies towards east and then north, passing through Levent and Maslak and eventually reaching Sarıyer on the Bosphorus bank in north. Between Taksim and Levent, a metro/subway line (with an extension construction towards Maslak) lies under these streets.

[edit][add listing] See

• When you are bored of Roman/Byzantine/Ottoman architecture whatsoever, this district -especially the northern sections around Levent and Maslak- is where you want to be to run an eye over steel-and-glass skyscrapers of Istanbul. However, southern sections around Elmadağ, Osmanbey, Nişantaşı, Kurtuluş, and Şişli has large numbers of neo-classical buildings which date back to the turn of 20th century, making a nice contrast to northern section of New Istanbul.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

This part of the city is characterized by having a modern shopping mall every few kilometers on a straight line. Here is a list of them:

• Cevahir [1], the newest one of malls in Istanbul. At Şişli. Metro: Şişli.
• Profilo [2], located a bit away from main street (about 10 min walk) at Mecidiyeköy. Metro: Mecidiyeköy.
• Akmerkez [3], at Etiler. Nearest metro station is Gayrettepe/Zincirlikuyu, the actual location of the mall is about 25-min walk or 10-min taxi ride away from that station.
• Metrocity [4]. Levent metro station has a direct exit to the mall.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

• Sultana's Dinner and 1001 Nights Show [5], in Elmadag, near Taksim, has traditional Turkish cuisine (meze, kebabs, desserts) with a show every evening of belly dancing, Turkish folklore and live music.

• Set Kebap at Nispetiye Cad. No:13 in Levent. Has a wonderful meze table and delicious Adana Kebab. The staff speaks very little English but are most anxious to be helpful.

• Kosebasi Kebap [6]. This Zagat-rated kebab joint serves traditional Turkish kebabs in modern/ upscale atmosphere. Levent is the main branch but they have 7 more locations (including 3 express versions) in Istanbul.

• Sosa. At Akmerkez Mall, Etiler. tel - +90 212 282 01 51. Fairly priced salads and wraps among others.

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Aytekin Cafe, Sehit Muhtar Cad. 71 (north of Taksim Square), ☎ +90 212 361 8402. Sidewalk cafe offering hooka (nargile).  edit
• Reassürans Pasajı in Nişantaşı houses many bars and cafés and is a good place for bar hopping on a Saturday night.
• Taps, [7]. A bar, restaurant and brewery in one. The crowd is the general Nişantaşı crowd, it also attracts a lot of expatriates.

[edit] Adult entertainment

• The city's most reputable strip club, or gentleman's club, is Regina Revue [8], in Elmadag, near Taksim. It's not a sleazy place and has been running for nearly 30 years. Rather than a standard strip club with just a pole on the stage, Regina has many different decors and performances to music, with the girls acting out different scenarios on stage. Quite a surprise to find such a liberal place in Istanbul.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Mid range

• Istanbul Suites, Harbiye Çayiri Sokak No:111, Harbiye, +90 212 224 53 10, [9]. Ranging from duplex to studio apartments which are all furnished with modern appliances. It's located in the city center and is within a 5 minute walking distance to Taksim, nişantaşı and the metro. Possibility for short and long term rentals.

• Gallery Residence All-Suites Boutique Hotel: Located 300 meters from the congress valley and 150 meters from the metro station in trendy Nisantasi. 21 luxury suites with fully equipped kitchens, DVD players and fax machines. Free wi-fi, breakfast, sauna, jacuzzi and fitness. Available for short and long term stays. Address: Valikonagi Cad. Suleyman Nazif Sok. No: 10 Nisantasi, Tel: +90 (212) 291-77-10, Fax: +90 (212) 224-40-13, http://www.galleryresidence.com , mailto:info@galleryresidence.com

[edit] Splurge

• Ceylan Intercontinental Istanbul, Asker Ocağı Cad. No:1, near Taksim, +90 212 368 44 44 (fax: +90 212 368 44 99, istanbul@interconti.com.tr), [10]. Situated in the heart of the city, its fantastic location ensures all rooms have the views of the city or of the Bosphorus.

• Hilton Istanbul, Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Harbiye, +90 212 315 6000 (fax: +90 212 240 4165), [11]. Hotel offers a business center, fitness facilities, pool and Turkish baths. Rooms have high speed internet access. Basic room starts at €175, most rooms between €250-350.

• Park Hyatt Istanbul - Maçka Palas, Tesvikiye, Bronz Sokak No. 4 Sisli, ☎ + 90 212 315 1234 (istanbul.park@hyatt.com, fax: + 90 212 315 1235), [12]. A new 5 star hotel in the residential and shopping district Nisantasi. Rooms combine Art Deco style and historic Turkish decor with modern amenities: wireless internet access, DVD player and iPod docking station. The hotel is also home to a spa, swimming pool and restaurants. Emporio Armani and Gucci boutiques are located on the ground floor.  edit

[edit] Contact