Transport
Getting to Istanbul
Istanbul is served by two international airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) on the Asian side.
Since both conference venues, ANAMED in Beyoğlu and Minerva Han in Karaköy, are on the European side, Istanbul Airport is generally the more convenient option, although both airports are accessible by public transport, airport shuttle, and taxi.
For delegates arriving at Istanbul Airport, the M11 metro line connects the airport with the city’s metro network. Airport buses are also available to central Istanbul.
From Sabiha Gökçen Airport, delegates can use the M4 metro line and connect to other forms of public transport, or use airport shuttle services to central areas such as Taksim.
Taxis are available at both airports. Journey times in Istanbul can vary considerably depending on traffic, so we recommend allowing plenty of time, particularly during morning and evening rush hours.
Getting Around Istanbul
Istanbul has an extensive public transport network of metro, tram, funicular, ferry, and bus services. The easiest way to use public transport is with an Istanbulkart, which can be purchased and topped up at machines at metro, tram, and ferry stations.
For the conference, the most useful stations are likely to be:
• Şişhane Metro Station (M2): convenient for both ANAMED and the Galata area.
• Taksim Metro Station (M2): convenient for Beyoğlu and İstiklal Avenue.
• Karaköy Tram Stop (T1): convenient for Minerva Han.
The F2 Tünel funicular between Karaköy and Beyoğlu is particularly useful for travelling between the areas around our two conference venues.
Karaköy ferry station is also useful to travel to and from the Asian side of the city.
Conference Venues
Friday, 9 October: ANAMED
The opening day of the conference will take place at ANAMED – Koç University Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations in Beyoğlu.
ANAMED is located just off İstiklal Avenue, in the heart of Beyoğlu. It is within walking distance of Şişhane and Taksim metro stations and is easily accessible from Galata and Karaköy.
Registration begins at 14.30 on Friday, 9 October.
Following the opening keynotes, our Welcome Cocktail will take place at Divan Brasserie Beyoğlu at 18.00.
Saturday, 10 October & Sunday, 11 October: Minerva Han
The Saturday and Sunday sessions will take place at Minerva Han – Sabancı University, in Karaköy.
Minerva Han is within walking distance of the Karaköy tram and ferry stations and is also accessible from Şişhane and Galata.
Karaköy and Beyoğlu are connected by the historic Tünel funicular, making it easy to travel between the two conference areas.
Accommodation
There are numerous accommodation options within easy reach of the conference venues.
Since the conference takes place at two venues, in Beyoğlu and Karaköy, we particularly recommend staying in:
- • Karaköy – particularly convenient for the Saturday and Sunday programme.
• Galata / Şişhane – probably the best compromise between the two venues and within walking distance of both.
• Beyoğlu / Pera – particularly convenient for ANAMED and the Friday programme.
• Taksim – a larger hotel area with excellent transport connections, although slightly farther from Minerva Han.
We recommend booking accommodation reasonably early, as Istanbul remains busy with visitors in October.
Eating and Drinking
Where to Eat, Drink & Have Coffee
Beyoğlu, Pera, Galata and Karaköy have an enormous range of cafés, restaurants and bars, many within easy walking distance of the conference venues. Below are some of our recommendations.
Breakfast, Lunch & All-Day
Urban
A good all-day option, from breakfast and coffee to lunch, dinner and drinks. A relaxed choice that works at almost any time of day.
Minoa Pera
Coffee, lunch and books. Minoa Pera combines a bookshop with a café and restaurant in a beautiful historic building. A particularly nice place for coffee or lunch if you would also like to browse its selection of Turkish- and English-language books.
Coffee
Noir Pit
A speciality coffee shop in Pera/Asmalımescit, convenient for delegates staying around Pera and Şişhane and a good choice for a quick coffee.
Dinner
Buselik Meyhane
Recommended for dinner and for those who would like to experience a contemporary Istanbul meyhane. A good option for a longer evening meal with meze and drinks.
Mahkeme Lokantası
A particularly good option in Karaköy for Turkish food.
Drinks, Cocktails & a View
Anemon Galata
Recommended for drinks or dinner with a great view of Galata, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. Its rooftop is an especially good option around sunset or for an evening drink.
Vegetarian & Vegan-Friendly Options
There are several good vegetarian and vegan-friendly options around Karaköy, Şişhane, Galata and Cihangir. Some of the restaurants below are not exclusively vegetarian or vegan, so delegates with particular dietary requirements should confirm ingredients with the staff.
Karaköy
Karaköy Çorba Evi
Not exclusively vegetarian or vegan, but offers a wide variety of soups, with vegan and vegetarian options clearly marked. A useful choice for a quick and inexpensive meal.
Karaköy Güllüoğlu
One of Istanbul’s best-known baklava shops and very convenient for the Karaköy conference venue. Vegan baklava is available.
Şişhane / Beyoğlu
Helvetia
An informal ev yemekleri, Turkish home-style cooking, restaurant with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. A particularly useful choice for an inexpensive lunch around Şişhane and Asmalımescit.
Antakya Mutfağı
Offers a wide range of vegetarian and vegan meze and appetisers, as well as vegan kebab and vegan köfte options.
Accessibility note: the restaurant is located on an upper floor and there is no lift.
Ficcin
Specialises in Circassian and regional cuisine and has plenty of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. As it is not an exclusively vegetarian or vegan restaurant, we recommend double-checking ingredients with the staff when ordering.
Useful Information
Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY/TL). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, although having a small amount of cash can be useful.
Electricity
Türkiye uses Type C and Type F plugs, with a standard voltage of 230V.
Emergency number
112.
Things to Do Nearby
If you have some free time during your visit, many of Istanbul’s best-known cultural sites are close to the conference venues.
From ANAMED, you can easily explore İstiklal Avenue, Pera, Çukurcuma and Cihangir.
From Minerva Han, Galata Tower, the waterfront at Karaköy and the Istanbul Modern are all nearby.
The historic peninsula, including Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar, is easily reached from Karaköy via the T1 tram. The Asian side is also easily accessible via ferries from Karaköy ferry station.