Macka for a Nice City Walk
Macka is a neigbourhood between Besiktas and Harbiye. Macka supposedly took its name from people of Macka from Trabzon province, who were send to Istanbul by Mehmed the Conqueror after the conquest of Trabzon.
Macka is close to central districts, so I think it would be a nice part of a city walk. There are beautiful houses, some of which have a view of Marmara Sea (and presumably are expensive). Apart from the view, there are some interesting things in Macka, including a telfer, an open concert arena and old buildings.
Macka-Taskisla Telfer
This telfer has a short but pleasant route. It is over Macka Demokrasi Park and Beyoglu Marriage Office. It isn't actually for touristic purposes, it eases the traffic and transportation between the area. It works very frequently between 8:15-19.00, and every five minutes at working hours. It is only 3,5 minutes.
Istanbul Technical University Macka Campus
The main building of the campus was formerly Macka Armoury. It is a three-storey Ottoman building. Since 1955, it is used by Istanbul Technical University. It is really a massive and impressive building. Don't forget to take photos of it!
Kucukciftlik Park
This is a open concert and event area, where famous singers and bands have come and will probably come. (The names I've seen there: Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Alice Cooper...) It was formerly a lunapark, but and there was a connection with park, but it was kind of weird to walk down there. When it became an event area in 2009, it came alive. It is partly operated as a closed hall in winter.
If the concert is very crowded, you feel like packed, but the transportation is so easy that I don't really mind. After concerts it is almost impossible to take a taxi because of the rush. Instead walk towards Besiktas or Gumusuyu-Taksim.
Akaretler
Akaretler is actually a separate neighbourhood from Macka, but it is so close that it is good to mention about it. Akaretler Row Houses are between Macka and Besiktas. They are important examples of Istanbul architecture. The architect is Sarkis Balyan. (The Turkish-Armenian architect is famous for his impressive works, such as Macka Armoury mentioned above, Cıragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Baltalimani Mansion, Sale Pavilion, Kagithane Mosque, and many more. His brother Agop is also a prolific architect.) These houses were intended for rental income to built Aziziye Mosque (Kagithane Mosque). Today they are residences and offices.
Transportation in Macka
You can take a walking route from Besiktas to Taksim visiting Macka, Tesvikiye, Nisantasi, Harbiye, and Elmadag. If you want to use a public transport, take a bus that goes between Besiktas and Nisantasi, such as Mecidiyekoy-Taksim bus, 30M. I prefer walking. You can also take a taxi, if you're not a great fan of slopes.
Where to Stay in Macka
There are some beautiful hotels in Macka (mostly of which are five star hotels), but you don't have to stay in Macka. For example, you can find a budget hotel at Besiktas.
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