Visiting the 4Levent Pazar in Istanbul: Photo Post

I love outdoor markets for their vibrant colors, the tantalizing smells, the different ingredients and the local people.

In my mind, no trip to Istanbul would be complete without a visit to a local pazar (think farmer’s market meets flea market). Every neighborhood in Istanbul hosts a pazar on different days of the week. When we lived here, we would frequent the large Saturday pazar in Beşiktaş

near our apartment.

This time, since I’m not a visitor in Istanbul, I decided to go to the Tuesday 4Levent pazar because it’s conveniently located near the metro stop. This one is known as the Salı Pazar in Turkish. Every now and then, I used to meet friends here for a quick shopping excursion and perhaps lunch.

This pazar also is home to my favorite gözleme (a Turkish version of a freshly made quesadilla) seller. He also can be found cooking up hot gözleme on Thursdays at the Ulus pazar under the Bosphorus bridge. In addition, his family makes some really great dolmas you can take home for later.

Another reason I wanted to stop by this specific pazar is that there is one stall run by a Chinese family. The mother and son, I think, sell the odd, cheap bric a brac from China. I bought a few of the hand-held fans and nylon shopping bags, which are great for holding your fresh produce purchased at the pazar.

I took several photos this time so you can experience the pazar for yourself. The summertime really is the best in Turkey because the stalls are so colorful.

Afiyet olsun!

 

Directions:

Take the metro to the 4Levent stop.

Follow the exit signs for Yenilevent.

Once outside, walk past the bus stops. Turn right.

Walk about 3 blocks and then turn right again at the simit seller.

You really can’t miss the pazar, and you simply can follow all the ladies with their shopping bags and trolleys!

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Soaring Sights from the Sapphire in Istanbul

Since Saturday, I’ve been acting as the city’s best tour guide - at least in the eyes of my mother and father in-law.

We’ve been running all over Istanbul and using all sorts of transportation - taxis, otobus (city bus), tramvay (an electric tram), metro (subway), vapur (ferry boat), dolmuş (a group-like taxi van) and our feet. I am exhausted at the end of the day, but happy to show off my city and visit with family members. They are visiting us for the next two weeks, so I may not be blogging as often as I usually do.

One overcast morning, I took Mary and Tom to the top of “Europe’s tallest building” - the 236-meter-high Istanbul Sapphire. This is the tallest building located in Istanbul’s Levent main business district and the second tallest building in Istanbul and Turkey after the Diamond of Istanbul. Constructed by the Kiler Group, Istanbul Sapphire is at 368 meters above sea level.

Some of the many skyscrapers that make up the business district around Levent.

Last month, I had briefly visited the building to meet a friend for lunch. The bottom floors include many restaurants, some small grocery stores and typical shopping mall stores like H & M, YKM, LC Waikiki and Mavi while the top floors are luxury residences.

We took an elevator to the building's 54th floor. Then, we reached the 56th floor by climbing up stairs to access the top observation deck. I have to say the view is pretty impressive!

I zoomed in on the mosque down below.

The day was slightly overcast, but you can see the Bosphorus in the background.  

You can see why Istanbul is so crowded. Most residences are topped with these red-tiled roofs.

If you are in Istanbul, I’d highly recommend setting aside an hour to see the city from a different viewpoint. 

Here are my happy in-laws with the many buildings of Istanbul behind them.

View of the first bridge - that connects Europe and Asia together in Istanbul.

The Turkish flag flies on top of the Istanbul Sapphire.

View of the second bridge - also known as the F.S.M. Köprüsü. 

For more photos, take a look at these professional shots by Istanbul Blogger.

How to get there:
Take the metro to 4Levent. Take the çelektepe exit, turn right and follow the signs for the Istanbul Sapphire.

The ticket office is on the first floor.
Admission is 15 TL for adults.

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