Top 7 nostalgic movies about Istanbul
Istanbul has a long cinematic history; it has been a colorful setting for Turkish and foreign movies. Love, loss, comedy, and adventure; the many sides of the city have been…
Top 7 non-fiction books about Istanbul
The large number of books available on Istanbul makes it hard to separate the dry from the inspiring. These recommended non-fiction books will show you why Istanbul deserves its place…
Anatolian Rock Revival Project
As well as compiling superb Turkish tracks from 1964-1980, Anatolian Rock Revival Project has commissioned Turkey’s top illustrators to create new art for each song. Rock music fanatics are often accused of…
Digital exhibition: street dogs in 19th-century Istanbul
Presented by Istanbul Research Institute, The Four-Legged Municipality: Street Dogs of Istanbul exhibition sheds light upon the adventure of street dogs of Istanbul. Nineteenth-century Istanbul was a model of cosmopolitanism,…
Let it be: one line drawing workshop
In a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere, people use the simplest tools to explore their creativity at Ekin Anıl’s one line drawing workshop. “I did not graduate from a fine art…
Survival guide: staying home in Istanbul
In times of cold and rain, we know you Istanbulites want nothing more than to stay warm and cozy on the couch, while others cater to their needs. Here’s how…
Evliya Çelebi and his strange encounters
By Joshua Bruce Allen Evliya Çelebi is known as the Marco Polo of the Ottoman Empire, having traveled across Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe,…
How to spend a day in Beşiktaş like a local
Beşiktaş has always been the type of neighborhood where a visitor immediately becomes immersed in its buzzing energy, a one-of-a-kind combination of local culture, history, city life, and delicious food.…
ADA at the OMM: filling in the blanks
After traveling the world, Karina Smigla-Bobinski’s ADA—a kinetic, fully-interactive art installation like no other—has temporarily come to life in Eskişehir. Text and photos by Marzena Romanowska On the second weekend…
Bergama Stereotip: sound, architecture, and history
Artist Cevdet Erek has reinterpreted the Great Altar of Pergamon with sounding architecture. Curated by Selen Ansen, this site-specific exhibition offers a fresh take on the ancient monument. By Yao…
Istanbul late night foods and where to find them
Following a boozy night out, Istanbul offers a wide variety of after-hours eating options. Garlicky işkembe (tripe) soup is a popular late-night meal, as many believe that it is sure…
Exclusive: “Dawn In Istanbul” by Elif Shafak
This short essay was written by internationally acclaimed Turkish author Elif Shafak for The Guide Istanbul November/December 2005 issue. Fast forward to now, Shafak’s take on dawn in Istanbul is…