STADIUM EXPERT
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Istanbul- Turkey
General Information
Istanbul formerly Constantinople, is the largest city in Turkey and is known as the gateway between Europe and Asia. Historically, a hugely historical marvel with living history of the Ottoman and Byzantium on show for all to see. Istanbul is the most important footballing city in Turkey with the big 3 (Fenerbahce, Galatasaray & Besiktas) all residing in this Turkish powerhouse.
Currency: Turkish Lira Population: approx 16 million
Landmarks: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern
Cuisine: Baklava, Kebabs & Raki
Weather: Lows - February 3 - 8 Degrees Celsius, Highs - August 18 - 28 degrees Celsius
Clubs: 8 football clubs in the major divisions
Main Clubs: Fenerbahce, Galatasaray & Besiktas
Stadium Information
1 - Atatürk Olympic Stadium - Turkey National Team - 76,092 Capacity
2 - Nef Stadium - Galatasary - 52,280 Capacity
3 - Åžükrü SaracoÄŸlu Stadium - Fenerbahce - 50,530 Capacity
4 - Vodafone Park - Besiktas - 42,590 Capacity
5 - BaÅŸakÅŸehir Stadium - Istanbul BaÅŸakÅŸehir - 17,156 Capacity
6 - Zeytinburnu Stadium - Zeytinburnuspor - 16,000 Capacity
7 - Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium - Kasımpaşa - 13,856 Capacity
Atatürk Olympic Stadium - Turkey National Team
City: Istanbul
Address: Ziya Gökalp, 34490 BaÅŸakÅŸehir/Ä°stanbul, Turkey
Capacity: 76,092
Stands: Guney Tribun (South), Bati Tribun (West), Kuzey Tribun (North) & Dogu Tribun (East)
Teams: Turkey (Red, Red & Red)
Rivalries: Greece
Distance from City Centre: 16 miles / 26 km Direction: North West
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Matchday Tickets
How: Tickets for Turkey are best sourced directly with the Turkey Football Federation or with the competition host of the match being played i.e. UEFA, Fifa etc.
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Stadium Tours
We do not currently have information on stadium tours provided by the stadium or the football club.
Nef Stadium - Galatasaray
City: Istanbul
Address: Huzur Mh., Metin Oktay Caddesi, 34396 Sarıyer/İstanbul, Turkey
Capacity: 52,280
Stands: Guney Tribun (South), Bati Tribun (West), Pegasus Tribun (North) & Dogu Tribun (East)
Teams: Galatasaray (Red & Yellow/Black/Black)
Rivalries: Fenerbahce
Distance from City Centre: 8 miles / 13.5 km Direction: North
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Matchday Tickets
How: Ticket information can be sourced from Passo which is free. You will need to create an account with Passo and purchase a Passolig card. Otherwise, you will NOT be able to attend any games in Turkey. The only official seller of e-tickets for football games in Turkey is Passo. This includes Super Lig, Turkish Cup, Champions League and Europa League games.
Price Range: N/A
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Stadium Tours
Galatasaray stadium tours are available from Tuesday to Sunday. To book yourself on a tour, visit the Galatasaray club shop opposite the Nef stadium.
Price Range: £5+
Åžükrü SaracoÄŸlu Stadium - Fenerbahçe
City: Istanbul
Address: ZühtüpaÅŸa, BaÄŸdat Cd. No:2, 34724 Kadıköy/Ä°stanbul, Turkey
Capacity: 50,530
Stands: Turk Telekom Tribunu, Fenerium Tribun, Migrus Tribun and Maraton Tribun Ust
Teams: Fenerbahce (Blue & Yellow/Blue/Blue)
Rivalries: Galatasaray
Distance From City Centre: 5 miles / 8.5 km Direction: East
Matchday Tickets
How: Ticket information can be sourced from Passo which is free. You will need to create an account with Passo and purchase a Passolig card. Otherwise, you will NOT be able to attend any games in Turkey. The only official seller of e-tickets for football games in Turkey is Passo. This includes Super Lig, Turkish Cup, Champions League and Europa League games.
Price Range: N/A
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Stadium Tours
Stadium tours run regularly with no pre-booking required.
The tour includes the media areas, both the home and away dressing rooms, press area and will pitch side areas including the dug out as well as the museum and club shop.
Price Range: N/A
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Vodafone Park - Besiktas
City: Istanbul
Address: ViÅŸnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd. No:1, 34357 BeÅŸiktaÅŸ/Ä°stanbul, Turkey
Capacity: 52,280
Stands: Denix Tarafi, Aktif Bank Tribunu (West), Spor Toto Tribunu & Dogu Ust Tribun (East)
Teams: Besiktas (Black & White/White/Black)
Rivalries: Fenerbahce
Distance from City Centre: 2.8 miles / 4.5 km Direction: North
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Matchday Tickets
How: Ticket information can be sourced from Passo which is free. You will need to create an account with Passo and purchase a Passolig card. Otherwise, you will NOT be able to attend any games in Turkey. The only official seller of e-tickets for football games in Turkey is Passo. This includes Super Lig, Turkish Cup, Champions League and Europa League games.
Price Range: N/A
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Stadium Tours
Besiktas stadium tours are available as well as visit to Turkey’s largest and first officially-registered sports museum is located inside the BeÅŸiktaÅŸ football park. Information on stadium tours must be done directly at the stadium.
Price Range: £4+
Travel to Istanbul
Istanbul Airports
Istanbul Ataturk airport (ist)
Istanbul Ataturk (IST) to City Centre
Public transport in Istanbul will need an Istanbulkart which is a top up card for public transport as you can't pay cash.
Bus: Havabus operate a bus service from Ataturk airport to and from Taksim Square, in the city centre.
Bus + Tram: Use the H-9 IETT bus, get off at Cevizlibag, and then change to the T1 tram towards Kabatas or Eminonu.
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Metro: Currently unavailable but it is imminent. The M11 line will connect Gayrettepe to Istanbul Airport to Halkalı
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport (sAw)
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to City Centre
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Bus: Havabus operate a bus service from the Sabina Gokcen airport to and from Taksim Square, in the city centre.
Theres a number of other public bus services:
E3 - 4 goes from the airport to Levent
E9 goes from the airport to Bostancı
E10 goes from the airport to Kadıköy - Kurtköy
E11 goes from the airport to Kadıköy
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Travel around Istanbul
Metro
The metro in Istanbul has 9 lines covering all areas of this vast city. The lines are named M1A, M1B, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7 & M9. Its constantly growing and will soon include the M11 line which will reach Ataturk airport.
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Trams
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Ferries
City Buses
There's 400 bus lines in Istanbul and cover all areas except for Sultanahmet (accessible by tram). Destinations and major stops are written in yellow on the sides of the buses.
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Dolmus' (Shared Taxis)
Dolmus' are yellow shared taxis that run specific routes. The main dolmuÅŸ lines are in Europe: BeÅŸiktaÅŸ – Taksim; and Taksim – Bakırköy, YeÅŸilköy; Sarıyer – BeÅŸiktaÅŸ and Kadıköy and Üsküdar from Asia.
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Funicular
The Istanbul funiculars connect the lower part of the city with Taksim Square and its surroundings. There are two funicular lines one Karaköy-BeyoÄŸlu Tünel and the second KabataÅŸ-Taksim Funicular
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Things To See In Istanbul
The city where east meets west, Istanbul can be an overwhelming experience for first-order visitors. Istanbul is known for the incredibe structures of Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque and the Topkapi Palace. A fascinating mix of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman influences. Navigate the narrow cobbled streets through illustrious markets to meet the Bosphorus Strait which separates two continents. Here is a selection of tickets and tours to really make life easier when visiting the previously named Constantinople.
Where To Stay
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Best Connected: Taksim Square
Taksim Square situated in the European side of Istanbul. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul and hugely connects the city with funicular, trams, and other public transport centering around the square. Its also very close to the Karakoy region, and more modern than other parts of the city. Taksim square is still a fantastic choice who want architectural sights, shops and restaurants.
Upmarket Choice: Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet district is where it all starts and ends in Istanbul. Most of the iconic landmarks like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia dominate the skyline in what's considered Old Istanbul. Sultanahmet is the Istanbul experience whether its bartering in the bazaars, taking in the history, scaling the city walls. Its hard to not to be struck in awe exploring this area of Turkey
Up & Coming: Karakoy
Formerly, a crucial port and little more. Karakoy has reinvented itself as a trendy, laid back side to Istanbul allowing visitors to navigate art galleries, cafes, churches, synagogues in the midst of the more modern parts.