Ahim Sahim - Istanbul Apartments. Bedrettin, Sishane, Beyoglu

03/05/2024

Everything you need to know about Turkey's new digital nomad visa, including who is eligible and where to go.

14/03/2021

Lockdowns and Curfews in one sense means you'll miss out on some of the best night life and dinners but...there's so much to see and do and a fewer crowds, queues when you do it!
The whole city is there for visitors to enjoy whilst locals are under curfew!
It's a great time to be in Istanbul!
Have a look at this to do list by Time Out and you'll see just how much there is you can do and how much is really close to your apartment! Keep an eye out for Tulips, the incredible Tuilip festival is starting in April! Explore Istanbul!

Discover Istanbul with our definitive guide to the essential sights, activities, shopping, restaurants and nightlife in the city, including our pick of the must-see attractions and museums in the historical peninsula.

07/03/2021

Later today the there's a Women's Day March scheduled to be in Taksim. As a precaution there's to be several road closures between Taksim and Sishane from 14.00.
Coronavirus is is still very much a risk in the world. Please avoid crowds and do your best to keep social distancing when you're out. If you wish to show support for this or any cause, please give to the aproproiate charities and relevant organisations and/or show virtual support. Stay Safe everyone!

Below is a translation of the article:

The Governorship of Istanbul announced that all roads leading to Taksim will be closed as of 14:00 due to the 8 March International Women's Day events.

The Governorship of Istanbul announced that all roads leading to Taksim will be closed from 14:00 before the 19th Feminist Night March to be held due to 8 March International Women's Day.
Stating that “In our province, the roads and alternative routes that will be closed as of 14:00 due to the 8 March International Women's Day events to be held tomorrow,” the Governorship listed the roads to be closed as follows:
* Sıraselviler Caddesi will be closed from Meşelik Street towards Taksim Square.
* Taksim Square (in front of kiosks) - The road connecting to Istiklal Street will be closed.
* Entry and exit from Refik Saydam Street to Asmalı Mescit Street, Ensiz Street - İlk Belediye Caddesi intersection will be closed to traffic
* Balo Street - Turnacıbaşı Street intersection will be closed to traffic.
* Sadri Alışık Street - Atıf Yılmaz Street will be closed to traffic.
* The direction from Yeni Çarşı Caddesi, Kumbaracı Slope, Turnacıbaşı Street, Meşelik Street and Sadri Alışık Street to İstiklal Street will be closed to traffic.
* No current will be given to Istiklal at the intersection of Yeni Çarşı Caddesi -İstiklal Caddesi.

* Taksim Tunnel entrance, entrance to İstiklal will be closed to traffic. "

İstanbul Valiliği, 8 Mart Dünya Kadınlar Günü nedeniyle yapılacak olan 19.Feminist Gece Yürüyüşü öncesi saat 14.00’ten itibaren Taksim'e çıkan tüm yolların kapatılacağını açıkladı. "İlimizde…

07/03/2021

Lots of rain and sleet expected this week! Luckily restaurants and cafes are now open to give a place to hide from it. Grab your umbrellas as you explore Istanbul!

A heavy rainfall is expected to hit most regions of Turkey this week, the Turkish State Meteorological Service (TSMS) warned in a statement on...

02/03/2021

Good news!

Having successfully reduced the spread of Coronavirus, Turkey will now ease some of the precautions.
Evening curfews from 9pm to 5am the following day continue but weekend curfews have been halved. Saturday's from 5am to 9pm are now not under curfew.
These dont impact non Turkish residents as anyone with a tourist visa is still able to enjoy Istanbul even during curfew hours.

For the really good news you can finally eat at your favourite restaurants and cafes again, but book if you can, space will be limited!

Cafes and restaurants can now offer inside seating and dining between 7am and 7pm. They will operate at half capacity to ensure maximum social distancing. You will need your HES code to sit inside. Takeaway and deliveries are available later in the evening as before.

For more details read these two articles:

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-coronavirus-outbreak/turkey-issues-covid-19-guidelines-based-on-risk-groups/2161303

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on March 1 that Turkey will lift weekend lockdowns in low and medium-risk cities and limit the restrictions to just Sundays in high and very high-risk cities as it starts a "controlled normalization" of coronavirus measures.

12/02/2021

We had a spatter of snow today but there's more to come! A chance to experience Istanbul under a blanket of snow! Enjoy Istanbul!!!

A sprinkle of snowfall that hit parts of Istanbul on Friday is a harbinger of a tough week ahead for Turkey’s most populated city. Starting late...

29/01/2021

In these days of curfews, lockdowns it's a great opportunity to see the great sights of Istanbul without the usual crowds but once you've done that maybe you want do some shopping? There's lots of local designers in various sectors for all budgets as well as international brands. This article has some good recommendations and most of them are walking distance from your apartment!
Shopping in Istanbul is not just about Grand Bazaar, explore Istanbul and you'll find anything you need and even things you never knew you needed!

Since everyone already knows about the Grand Bazaar, here are some of Istanbul’s other standout shopping streets.

12/01/2021

It's been a warm winter but according to this we may have snow in a few days!!! Get those warm jackets and scarves ready! Take a camera as well, as if it does snow it's a great chance! Istanbul is super stunning under the snow 😊

Meteorologists issued a four-day snowfall warning for Istanbul on Tuesday, with average temperatures expected to drop as much as 8 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). With...

31/12/2020

The end of 2020 is just a hours away. Most of Turkey will be welcoming 2021 at home. A curfew will start today at 9pm and it will last until the 4th January at 5am.

Normally those with a tourist visa are allowed to freely go out even during curfews but for new years eve, some places will be off limits. Read the article for more details but it seems Taksim Square and Istiklal Street will be off limits.

Stay safe, be happy, enjoy Istanbul and best wishes to everyone for the New Year!!!

Turkey will close certain streets and squares during the upcoming four-day weekend curfew as part of measures against the spread of coronavirus during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, with the ban also covering foreign tourists, authorities announced on Dec. 30.

26/12/2020

More new measures in the precautions against Coronavirus.

If you are coming into Turkey from abroad you will need to show a negative PCR test taken within the last 72hrs to fly. Just the same as you will need when you leave.

Keep social distancing, wear your mask and keep those hands clean but enjoy and explore Istanbul!!!

Turkey will require all international passengers arriving by air starting from Dec. 28, and all travelers arriving by air, land, and sea routes starting from Dec. 30 to submit negative PCR virus test results obtained within the last 72 hours before their departure, the country's health minister said...

15/12/2020

I think we could have expected a New Year's eve at home this year but now it's confirmed with this 4 day curfew. Remember to do the majority of your shopping at least a day or two before curfew starts. If left to the day before curfew it will be very crowded and stocks may get low. Also remember those with Tourist visas are curfew exempt. You lucky few can enjoy the city all to yourselves!

Turkey will have a nationwide curfew spanning the New Year’s holiday, from Dec. 31 to early Jan. 4, as part of measures to bring the COVID-19 outbreak under control.