BEST PARKS AT THE ASIAN SIDE OF ISTANBUL

We’ve listed the best parklands at Istanbul’s Asian Side. You can have the freshest air in town while you’re hanging at those parks. Go and relax!

5- DEDEOĞLU PARKI

You can have cool time with your family or friends in this parkland. The choices for here could be having a picnic, playing basketball and for sure walking or jogging in this park’s special hiking trail.

4- GÖZTEPE 60. YIL PARKI

This parkland had a renovation lately and now it gets 5 stars from locals. It is like a heaven for kids now with its great playgrounds. While you’re walking or jogging in here, kids would be playing with joy at their playgrounds.

3- MODA PARKI

You can see many different kind of people from every age at this park which is enjoyable.

In front of a beautiful sea view you can enjoy walking or jogging at this parkland. If you have kids they also will enjoy the great playing grounds in here.

2- KALAMIŞ PARKI

Kalamış Park is one of the best parklands at Kadıköy district.

With its renewed style it is more cozy and makes you wanna go this park every day for having great time. You can fill your lungs with fresh air while walking in here.

You also have the chance to drink coffee or tea in front of a great sea view.

1- DALYAN PARKI

Opened at the year 2005, this park has called as Central Park of Istanbul. It is located at Caddebostan seashore.

Not just the Asian side folk is coming here, also people from the European side of Istanbul is coming to this park to spend time. You can cycle, jog or have romantic walks with your lovers in this park.

YAZAR: M. GÖKHAN MEMİŞ

BEST OUTDOOR POOLS ON THE ASIAN SIDE

If you’re on the Asian side, too lazy to cross the bridge – or don’t feel like pouring in all that much money to Çırağan Palace’s pool, here’s the list for the best pools of Istanbul on the Asian side y’all!!

6- DALYAN CLUB

You could lie on the grass to show your abs or get in the pool for a nice dip. You do not need to be a member to use Dalyan Club’s facilities.

5- HILLSIDE CITY CLUB – TRIO

You may use the pool even if you’re not a member of the Hillside City Club. There’s not much of a view and it’s not by the sea but it’s semi-olympic and quite hip  The biggest problem is; it’s not easy to find a place for your car at the parking area.

4- BÜYÜK CLUB (CERCLE D’ORIENT)

Büyük Kulüp’s pool is actually by the seaside but the wall that gets in keeps the view to the restaurant-goes above. Beyond the wall is Büyük Kulüp İskele a great beach club by day, and the youngest and hippest spot of the club by night. As it may get crowded, the service may slow down at times – but try the döner if you’re there.

3- ISTANBUL YELKEN CLUB

You may swim in the sea or dip in the pool filled with sea-water, the choice is yours. Just don’t miss the sunset!

2- FENERBAHÇE SPORTS CLUB FARUK ILGAZ SOCIAL FACILITIES

Everything we could say for İstanbul Yelken Club could also be said for the Faruk Ilgaz facilities: the sea is great, the pool with the sea-water is great and the sunset is amazing! For us, these two places are at a draw!

1- MODA DENİZ CLUB

With its salt-water pool, its sunset, its pier with access to the sea, its impeccable service and its raft in the midst of the sea where you can have tea (how cool is that, really?) and its weekend parties, Moda Deniz Kulübü’s poolside places itself at the top of our list. If you’re not a member, you should make friends with someone who is 

Yazar: DENIZ GÖZLER ÖZENÇ

BEST PRIVATE GIRL DORMITORIES ON THE ASIAN SIDE

“Istanbul” is a beautiful city as well it is frightening. If you live in Istanbul you’ll have many opportunities for everything but also you’ll face with many challenges. Thus we prepared a list for you to help your accommodation. If you’re coming to Istanbul to study, try those dorms you won’t get regret! Dormitories for female students on the Asian Side of Istanbul;

5- YAŞAM GIRL STUDENT DORMITORY

Wanna feel yourself like you’re at home? Then here is the best dorm for you, like a family house, cosy and warm.

4- PRIVATE NİLÜFER GÖKAY HIGH EDUCATION GIRL STUDENT DORMITORY

“If I’d be living in Istanbul, I need a great view of Istanbul!” – Do you agree with it? If yes, then this dorm should be your living place. It has a great view of Princes’ Islands, whenever you get bored from your studies just go up to the cafe and watch the great view!

3- ÇAMLIKÖŞK GIRL STUDENT DORMITORY

Opened this year with full opportunities; central located, beautiful rooms and many more…

2- MODA GIRL STUDENT DORMITORY

If you want to live in a modern designed cool place with a garden at Moda district then welcome to your new home!

1- MOZAİK GIRL STUDENT DORMITORY

You’ll love the cute and modern design of this dorm!

Yazar: SEMA KAVASLAR

ISTANBUL’S UNIVERSITIES ON THE EUROPEAN SIDE

“Istanbul” is a beautiful city as well it is frightening. If you live in Istanbul you’ll have many opportunities for everything but also you’ll face with many challenges. Studying in Istanbul would be a really great life-time experience for everyone which is priceless! We decided to contribute a guide about Istanbul’s universities to help students. Started from the universities located in Istanbul’s European Side – this list will be continued with alphabetic order – here is the initial five universities;

5- BOĞAZİÇİ UNIVERSITY

There is a great atmosphere and a beautiful Istanbul view at Boğaziçi University. Even if you are a student or not you’ve gotta go here and chill-out absolutely! We don’t think that saying Boğaziçi University’s education quality is at the top!

4- BİRUNİ UNIVERSITY

Opened this year with a really strong and assertive aim “Being the future of Science” Biruni University gets the attentions. We hope that they will! 

3- BEZMIALEM FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY

Located at Vatan Caddesi, Vakıf Gureba Hospital had a renovation, then called as Bezmialem University which both serves as university and hospital. It seems that they are successfull at both.

2- BEYKENT UNIVERSITY

Beykent University can be famous with its scholarship. If you had a scholarship first you’ve entered this university even if you fail all the lectures you’ve taken, the lifetime scholarship continues till you graduate!

1- BAHÇEŞEHİR UNIVERSITY

Of the city’s most vibrant centers in Beşiktaş Bahçeşehir University locates at the shore of Bosphorus. You can get quality education with many opportunities in this university. Don’t be upset if you’re not studying here, just go and chill out there 

BEST PRIVATE MALE DORMITORIES ON THE ASIAN SIDE

“Istanbul” is a beautiful city as well it is frightening. If you live in Istanbul you’ll have many opportunities for everything but also you’ll face with many challenges. Thus we prepared a list for you to help about your accommodation.

If you’re coming to Istanbul to study, try those dorms you won’t get regret!

5- PRIVATE ARI MALE DORMITORY ATAŞEHİR

Located in Ataşehir this dorm has the home comfort. They have a fitness and laundry room and and many more services that a student can need.

4- PRIVATE ARI MALE DORMITORY KADIKOY

Private Arı Male Dormitory’s quality and convenience will make you feel good. Also it is in the center of Kadıköy and near everywhere which is really a cool thing in Istanbul!

3- ALPER STUDENT MALE DORMITORY

Alper Student Dormitory, offers both comfortable and pleasant environment for you, from time to time they organize activities which lets students to socialize!

2- KADIKOY ACADEMY MALE DORMITORY

In the center of Kadıkoy, you can feel yourself better than at home in this dormitory.

1- PRIVATE ÇETİNKAYA MALE STUDENT DORMITORY

There are many great services and options, it’s lucky to staying in here.

ATTRACTIONS FOR A FUN-FILLED FAMILY WEEKEND WITH KIDS IN ISTANBUL

ATTRACTIONS FOR A FUN-FILLED FAMILY WEEKEND WITH KIDS

You’ve promised the kids for a fun-filled weekend and don’t know where to take them. No shopping malls, no new kid’s movies and you may even be bored with taking them to the park.

So take a look at our list: we’ve compiled all the attractions that every children must go at least once to have a fun-filled (and maybe even an educational) weekend in Istanbul!

7- MINIATURK

As difficult vacationing with the kids is, you don’t need to take them all around the Anatolia to give them some historic and geographical knowledge. If you simply take them to Miniaturk, you can show them all the important landmarks of Istanbul, Anatolia and beyond, in just one day. The best part? The kids are the same height with all the buildings inside!

6- TURQUAZOO

Turquazoo, an aquarium with a Tripadvisor 2013 Certificate of Perfection, is home to more than 10.000 sea creatures. There’s all sorts of activities with diver shows, temporary exhibitions and diving with sharks (if you don’t get afraid!)

5- ISTANBUL AQUARIUM

World’s largest thematic aquarium awaits for a fun-filled educational weekend. They have all sorts of activities such as regular fish feeding sessions, shark diving, 5D cinema and more.

4- AQUA CLUB DOLPHIN

A huge pool, slides, foam parties… where else to go on a hot summer’s day for this much fun!

3- ISTANBUL TOY MUSEUM

You may visit this toy museum with your children, grandchildren or three generations all together. You can even brag about whose childhood toys were the best!

2- KIDZANIA

Kids under the age of 8 are not allowed to spend time in Kidzania without a parent. But if your kid is above 8, you may go shopping or chill in one of the cafes in Akasya mall after checking your kid in. Isn’t spending time with kids, spending time alone sometimes while the kids have fun safely nearby? 

1- VIALAND

Whether you come to the shopping mall or the theme park, you will not get bored for a whole day at the recently-opened Vialand. And you’ll want to come back for more.

YAZAR: DENIZ GÖZLER ÖZENÇ

BEST OUTDOOR POOLS ON THE EUROPEAN SIDE OF ISTANBUL

BEST OUTDOOR POOLS ON THE EUROPEAN SIDE

Though Istanbulites prefer to go out of town for a seaside vacation, it’s rather tempting to be chilling by the pool if one’s stuck in the city on a hot summer day.

Unless you’re insisting on going to the beach to get a tan (in which case you should take a look at our list of beaches in Istanbul), enjoy view to the one and only Bosphorus with our list of outdoor pools on the European side.

6- THE MARMARA PERA HOTEL

This one is not by the sea, but as a rooftop pool it definitely deserves to be in this list. Please order a cocktail, get in that pool and enjoy the view!

5- THE GRAND TARABYA HOTEL

As you lounge in the pool of this hotel, a popular filming location for many Turkish movies back in the 60s, you’ll gaze around and think what it would be like to actually live in one of those houses.

4- LES OTTOMANS

A seaside mansion decorated elaborately and a pool with the view to the sea. Except they close the pool a little early (around 18:00 or so) and it’s rather small compared to the other pools.

3- SUADA CLUB

You are swimming in the Bosphorus but not really swimming in the waters of the Bosphorus (which is really a good call, if you know what I mean). Hip and young, Suada Club is the place to go.

2- FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ISTANBUL AT THE BOSPHORUS

Now slowly close your eyes: You’re in the garden of a beautiful seaside mansion, few meters away from the sea. Under the summer sun, you immerse yourself in the water and let go completely. As you watch the ships go by, you forget about everything else. How does that sound?

1- ÇIRAĞAN PALACE KEMPINSKI

A pool surrounded by palm trees, next to the Sultan’s personal palace and the Bosphorus just a few steps away. If anyone knows of a better spot to swim in this city, we should get together and have a conversation.

YAZAR: DENIZ GÖZLER ÖZENÇ