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Emirgan neighborhood in Istanbul

It's said that the name of Emirgan derived from Emir Gune Han, a Persian commander who surrendered his castle during the siege of sultan Murad IV without any resistance thus he was taken to Istanbul and given these lands as a gift in return in the 17th century.

Emirgan is one of the most known neighborhoods of Sariyer district on the Bosphorus. It's famous for its seaside cafeterias and a large park (472.000 m2 - 117 acres). Emirgan Park has several Ottoman pavillions inside: Sari, Pembe, and Beyaz kiosks which are renovated and used as cafeterias or restaurants today. Inside the park, there is a decorative pool, many trees, jogging tracks and picnic tables making it a very popular recreation area for the local people especially during the weekends and holidays. The annual Tulip Festival is organized here every April making the park very colorful with these plants.

The Sakip Sabanci Museum, formerly known as Atli Kiosk, is also in Emirgan neighborhood. Side streets at Boyaciköy are full of good examples of late Ottoman and early Republic period Turkish architecture, such as Serifler pavillion. Old fountains and the monumental plane trees (known as Cinaralti in Turkish) are other important sites to see in the neighborhood where you can try the Turkish tea or coffee. There are public buses departing from Taksim (11 km - 7 mi) or Eminonu (12 km), and also a passenger ferry to get to Emirgan.

Just passed Emirgan, there is the small bay of Istinye which housed the shipyards for many years. These have been removed recently and the area has been restored as a recreational area and marina with restaurants and a small fish market.

Hope to see you soon in Istanbul.