Istanbul Hotels

Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. When staying in Istanbul, we recommend Witt Istanbul Suites, Midtown Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul, Hotel Gezi Istanbul, and Misafir Suites.

Sultanahmet-Old City

The Old City of Istanbul is the oldest part of Istanbul, and the location of most of its historical sights.

Galata

Galata, and Beyoğlu further north with its main thoroughfare, the pedestrianized Istiklal Street, and the adjoining Taksim Square is the district of Istanbul north of Sultanahmet/Old City, across the Golden Horn.

Asian Side

Asian Side is the eastern half of the city of Istanbul, located east of Bosphorus and geographically on the Asian mainland.

Bosphorus

Along the Bosphorus, the strait that lies between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, and separating Europe and Asia, lies a number of neighborhoods each with a different character, palaces of the late Ottoman period, and parks.

Princes’ Islands

Princes’ Islands are a group of nine islands off the Asian coast of Istanbul, Turkey.

Golden Horn

Golden Horn is both the name of the estuary of the Bosphorus towards west in Istanbul, and also of the district on banks of it.

New City

This district of Istanbul contains neighborhoods like Elmadağ, Nişantaşı, Kurtuluş, and Şişli, which were first settled …

Western Suburbs

Western Suburbs are a collection of Istanbul neighborhoods, lying west of the city walls of old city.

European Side

European Side is western half of Istanbul, located west of the Bosphorus and on the European mainland.

If you're short on time, avoid places like Topkapi palace, etc. They charge yabancis (foreigners) out the nose, and the grand bazaar is cooler anyway... and has free admission. Give yourself a solid two days to fully explore it. Make sure to take a water taxi to Uskudar on the Asian side of the … Rob B.

---

Best place to stay in Istanbul -SulanAhmet (£25 to 40 per night). Low cost airlines go to Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Take Bus upto Taksem (cost 10 Turkish Liras). The journey is 45 mins to 75 minutes. From Taksem, take a taxi to Sultan Ahment. Better if you fix the rate before hand to 10 to 15 Turkish … Siddarth R.

---

When you want the true Turkish experience and you want to stray off the beaten tourist path, find a hamam the Turks visit themselves. Once in there, go with the flow...observe those around you and don't shy out of a massage. It might look scary to have your bones racked like that, but it sure is a … Bart V.More Istanbul Tips  GeckoGo