A'jia's remote location - a boutique hotel in a converted yalı on the shores of the Bosphorus - is actually an advantage. Far from the hustle of the city centre, the waterfront...

Abdulla is all about a contemporary take on traditional crafts. The bywords are 'natural' and 'handmade', the main product line hamam accessories, so you will find towels,...

A long-running outfit, competent at all kinds of stitching and mending, as well as more ambitious custom-made outfits for ladies and gents.

Owned by local record company Ada, this is the first shop to specialise in Turkish rock and protest music. The setting is surprisingly smart, and there's a small café and...

This organisation provides outdoors training and adventure-sport weekends aimed principally at adrenaline-hungry business people. Activities include low- and high-rope systems,...

Adrenalin offers training in outdoor adventure sports, prefaced by classroom sessions on surviving the experience. Activities run the gamut from weekends camping in the...

Just below Taksim Square, this US-style multiplex is at the back of a blaring arcade selling CDs. The 11 screens show a mix of Hollywood hits, indie and Turkish film. The IF...

One of the oldest rug merchants in the bazaar, specialising in kilims and carpets from Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus and Suzanis from Uzbekistan. What you get is quality...

Founded by Macedonians from the town of Ohrid (of which 'Ahrida' is a corruption) in the 15th century, the synagogue's congregation later comprised the city's Sephardic Jewish...

The first boutique hotel on the Asian Shore, Aija opened in 2004 to great acclaim. Aijia is Japanese for Asia, and the Zen influence is palpable in the 16 sleek, pared down...

Opened in 1992 and fully renovated in 2001, this arts centre in the heart of Beyoĸlu boasts its own chamber music orchestra and a cosy, 135-seat, multi-purpose concert hall....

Of the many galleries affiliated to a bank, this one has perhaps the most interesting programme . Close to Taksim Square, the first-floor space is accessible via the main...

An upmarket mall with 250 shops, a food court, cinema and one of the city's better Italian restaurants, Paper Moon. But its infuriating design means it's hard to find your way...