Destination Istanbul

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Visit Istanbul and discover one of the most mystic and romantic cities in the world. In our search engine you will find 556 Istanbul hotels that range from cheap hotels in Istanbul to luxurious 5-stars hotels. Moreover, we present solid travel information for you stay in Istanbul!

Tourist Guide Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the most mystic and at the same time romantic cities in the world. Its history tracks back from the Byzantine Empire, where it was its capital city under the name Constantinople, to its privilege place at the head of the Ottoman Empire. In this unique city, where the European and Asian continents meet, an unparallel mix of eastern and western civilization is ever-present. Straddling the fantastic Bosphorus, its minarets, mosques, bazaars and domes will travel you back to the era of sultans, crusaders and Pashas. Today Istanbul is the cultural heart of Turkey and its main economic center. Known for its spectacular sites such as the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, Topkapi Palace (the residence of the Sultan and his family) and Dolmabace Palace (residence of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk), Istanbul offers outstanding traditional Turkish experiences. Start your day from the area of Sultanahmet, where the two main sights of Istanbul, namely Aya Sofya and Blue Mosque prevail. It is truly a unique location with Blue Mosque behind one shoulder, Aya Sofya behind the other and a great green park in between. From there you should walk along the ancient Roman road to enter the famous Grand Bazaar, a covered market full of small shops with traditional products, souvenirs and local handicrafts. Istanbul is a great place to shop. Whatever you want to buy, you can find the whole range – from souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar to designer labels in exclusive malls. The same rules apply as in the rest of Turkey. The end of the Grand Bazaar will bring you to the spectacular Golden Horn, where a fantastic view with hundreds of local fishermen on the bridge will amaze you. If you don’t see it you can’t believe it. Later on, aim towards Beyoglu, the heart of modern Istanbul and home to a thriving arts scene, bars, and some of the best restaurants in the city.

Lifestyle Istanbul

After enjoying a comprehensive city tour, Istanbul’s animated nightlife offers thousands of options. The neighborhoods of Ortaköy and Kuruçeşme accommodate many nice bars and clubs, where you can also enjoy the Bosphorus view. Many rock, punk, jazz and techno music nightclubs can also be found in Istiklal Avenue and its side streets, on Kadife Street in Kadıköy. In Istanbul you can find the latest clubs, which are some of the best in Europe or a café with cushions on the floor, where you can smoke a hookah pipe or nargile. Wherever you choose to eat, whether you want a quick snack in the midst of sightseeing or a romantic dinner for two you are likely to find delicious food made fresh ingredients and can expect good value for money. If you want traditional street entertainers and musicians head to the area of Kumkapi near the Sea of Marmara, in the old town, famous for its fish, or the Flower Passage Cicek Pasaji off Istiklal Caddesi. You can find excellent restaurants with views and many in historic buildings, as well as some very fashionable restaurants serving international cuisine. Istanbul is famous for its fish and seafood so you should try to eat fish at least once during your stay. There are some excellent fish restaurants along the Bosphorus. As the night ends you should dine at a tripe soup joint, locally known as işkembeci. Visit Istanbul all year long and stay in a tradition Istanbul hotel, as hotels in Istanbul are well known for their great services and warm hospitality. You will find all kinds of hotels in Istanbul that range from cheap hotels in Istanbul to family hotels and luxurious suites.

Transportation

Istanbul’s largest airport is Ataturk airport, with many international and domestic connections. Public transportation in Istanbul varies greatly. Municipality busses, public busses, inner city and general ships, car ferries, the tunnel, metro and suburban train systems all vary in price and have either tokens or ticket fares to pay. If your decision lies with living in Istanbul, it is essential that you obtain an "Akbil", a smart ticket key. Akbil, means smart ticket. An Akbil comes in different colors and has a refillable battery on the end of a plastic key. It is possible to buy your Akbil at major bus stops for about 6 TL and have it filled to the amount you desire. There are Akbil filling stations around all major bus stops, ports and Tünel. Your Akbil is valid on all busses, ships, sea busses, metro and tunnel systems. It gets you different discounts from 10-25% on all transport listed above. Of course, you can always use Istanbul’s city ferries that offer easiest and most affordable way of traveling between the city’s two sides. Finally, should you want to travel around the city, it is recommended that you use the local trains and the suburban lines.