Tourist places in Istanbul: What to see in your transplant journey
By Prof. Dr. Soner Tatlidede 2019-09-18
Istanbul is one of the greatest tourist places in the whole world, a city full of history and placed between two continents like no other one exists, and at the same time one of the best destinations for a hair transplant. So you can come to Istanbul to get a surgery with FUE in Turkey, and at the same time make a tourist visit in what Napoleon himself described as "the capital of the world".
The price of a hair transplant in Istanbul is also one of the reasons why so many people nowadays want to come to Turkey; however, if this is your case we do not recommend visiting the city after your surgery, because intensive sun, rain or high temperature may cause a swelling of the face; in addition, sweating does not have a positive effect on implanted grafts. So our recommendation is to visit Istanbul at least one day before your operation.
We recommend moderation and adaptation of your visit to Istanbul to the current weather conditions. Please remember that, after the hair transplantation procedure, it is better to visit closed places, due to lower exposure to the sun and lower risk of sweating, rain etc. Besides, do not forget that too much effort during sightseeing can adversely affect transplants.
The following list is prepared including distances from the Naz City Hotel Taksim, from the nearest to the farthest place of interest. If you have at least one day to visit Istanbul before your surgery, choose the first option; however the second option is only recommended if you come to Istanbul at least two days before, or after your operation but under good weather conditions.
Places to visit before your operation
We recommend that you go to the places below before performing the hair transplant. But as we explained before, due to the large distance to be covered and the big influence of weather conditions in your transplanted hair, we do not recommend making the whole route after the operation. Once this has been explained... Let´s begin with your trip!
Dolmabahçe Sarayı - Dolmabahçe Palace
It is located 2 km from the Hotel Naz City Taksim. It can be reached by taxi in about 10 minutes. However, it is only about 30 minutes far walking. Located in the Beşiktaş district, it was built in the 19th century. The palace covers 45,000 m², 285 rooms, 43 hallways, 68 toilets and 6 bathtubs. After visiting the palace, you can also go and drink something in its cafe with an amazing view of the Bosphorus.
Taksim Meydanı - Taksim Square
It is located 1.8 km from the hotel: that means about 10 minutes by car, and 12 minutes on foot. From the Dolmabahçe Palace, Taksim is about 4.5 km far by car (about 15 minutes), or 1.3 km on foot, that is around 20 minutes.
Taksim Square is the main centre of the European side of Istanbul, an also the place where many pages of the history of Turkey have been written. On Taksim Square there is a famous monument of the Republic, which shows Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with soldiers. There is also a subway from which you can commute to distant parts of the city.
İstiklal Caddesi - İstiklal Street
3.1 km away from the hotel, it´s 17 minutes by car and 20 minutes on foot. You can access to İstiklal Street from Taksim Square; the main street is about 1.5 km long from Taksim Square to Şişhane, where to Swiss consulate is placed. It takes about 15 minutes to get there.
İstiklal Street is one of the city's most popular streets. Walking along the street you can meet street artists, and see magnificent buildings, shops, boutiques. There are also beautiful mosques and churches along the way.
Galata Kulesi - Galata Tower
The distance from the hotel is 3.3 km: about 20 minutes by car, 30 minutes on foot.
It´s located about 1.1 km far from İstiklal Street, so you can get there in 15 minutes. In the Tower there is a restaurant with a great view of the city. There are also many cafes near the Tower. As for the Basilica Cistern and the Leander's Tower, the inhabitants of Istanbul have created legends also for The Galata Tower; according to the most famous one, when you enter to the tower with your lover, you will definitely marry.
Galata Köprüsü - Galata Bridge
It is located 4.1 km from the hotel: you can get there in about 20 minutes by car, while it will take 40 minutes by walking. There are 750 meters from the Galata Tower to the Galata Bridge; this distance can be covered by walking in 10 minutes.
On the Galata Bridge there are many restaurants where you can eat fresh fish. This bridge connects the two parts of the European side of Istanbul, linking the Eminönü and Karaköy districts. It was built in 1845 over the Golden Horn, in the bay of the Istanbul´s historical Peninsula.
Eminönü - Market square
The hotel is 5.3 km from Eminönü: about 20 minutes by car, 55 minutes on foot.
There are 1,2 km from the Galata Tower to Eminönü, so it will take you about 20 minutes to cross this way. Eminönü is and old port and one of the very hearts of Istanbul; this place smells of coffee, oriental spices, Turkish sweets and perfumes even from far. You really can buy everything here. For this reason, both tourists and residents often visit this place to do shopping.
Mısır Çarşısı - Egyptian Bazaar
The hotel is 5.8 km from the Egyptian Bazaar: 25 minutes by car and 50 minutes on foot.
It is located just off Eminönü, coming from the Galata Bridge. In fact, while visiting Eminönü you cannot miss this historical market built by the ottomans. In the Egyptian Bazaar you can find thousands of different spices; you can also buy amazing types of teas or Turkish sweets.
Kapalı Çarşı - Grand Bazaar (Old City)
5.7 km away from the hotel: 25 minutes by car, 1 hour on foot.
It is located 600 meters away from the Egyptian Bazaar. It will take you about 9 minutes by walking. It´s one of the largest and oldest covered bazaars in the whole world, so it really worths the visit. The Grand Bazaar has 30,700 square meters and is a heaven for tourist shopping, with over 60 streets and alleys and 4,000 stores inside it.
Places to visit in Istanbul with enough time
Visiting these attractions may take longer, due to the large number of tourists and the duration of the visit itself. Additionally, below listed attractions will not affect your hair transplant, because they are covered places and don´t require from you a great physical effort. But if you visit these places after your surgery, avoid walking -because of sweating- and take a taxi.
Yerebatan Sarnıcı - Basilica Cistern
The distance from the hotel is 6.2 km: about 35 minutes by car or about an hour on foot. This magnificent place was created in the 6th century, under the reign of Roman Emperor Justinianus. In the Basilica there are 336 columns arranged in rows, which create a kind of "sunken forest" because they are partially submerged in water. In the Basilica you can also find two columns with a Medusa's forged head.
Sultan Ahmet Camii - Blue Mosque
The distance from the hotel is 6.5 km: 35 minutes by car, about an hour on foot.
You can go there walking from the Basilica Cistern in only 3 minutes, because the distance between them is just about 290 meters. This wonderful place is located opposite the Hagia Sophia Museum. The name Blue Mosque comes from the blue tiles decorating the interior of the building, and it´s one of the most important works of the Ottoman Empire and one of the most famous monuments of Istanbul.
Ayasofya Müzesi - Hagia Sophia Museum
The distance from the hotel to Hagia Sophia is 6.8 km: 40 minutes by car, about an hour on foot. Hagia Sophia is very close from the Blue Mosque: It will not take you more than 5 minutes to get there. Hagia Sophia is a magnificent building built on the 6th century. It was built as a Christian Basilica by the Emperor Justinianus, but was transformed into a Mosque after the conquest of Istanbul. From 1935 functions only as a Museum.
The aforementioned list include the main tourist places in Istanbul that you shouldn´t miss if you came to Turkey, especially if this is the first time that you visit the country. Also do not forget to try a cup of Turkish coffee and tea, or eat some lokum -Turkish delight- or the authentic Turkish kebab.
Overall, our best recommendation if you come to Turkey is to choose the best clinic and a professional and skilled medical staff. Clinicana is an exclusive clinic, with the highest reputable services and a team with many years of experience, providing our patients with a high-quality hotel with transport included. Just try our online free consultation, and see why Clinicana and Istanbul are your best option for your hair transplant.
