I'm traveling to Istanbul in the middle of March and would like some suggestions as to where to stay and would like some suggestions as to guides we can hire to see the city. We're there for 3 days so any suggestions on what to see, eat and experience would be appreciated.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
there are plenty posts here on hotels in IST. I stayed at this placed old city viva you can find on bookings.com. it's 2 blocks behind the train station, easy walk from the tram line. in general the sultanahmet area is good you can walk to just about anything in the old town. 3 days is short but enought to see some good stuff: topkapi palace + hagia sofia for one day, then you can do blue mosque + the 2 bazars for another day, and on the 3rd day you can see dolmabache palace + taksim sqr then walk down to the tower and see sunset crossing the bridge back to old town. you should get up early to get a bosphorus cruise if you can. from taksim square walking down the golden mile has plenty food to choose, i like konak's special kebab and inci's desert, both are very old places. if you want to eat cheap the fish sandwitch by the bridge is good. try to stay away from places in the sultanahmet area - over priced food for tourists!
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2788 posts
Do you have RS Istanbul Guide Book? If you do, good. If not, you should get it as soon as possible as it is full of good information for you that we used when we went to Istanbul last summer.
Posted by
Belfair, WA, USA
30 posts
I've stayed at he Hotel Sultan Hill (right next to the Blue Mosque) in the past and will stay there again this summer. I found the staff very helpful, breakfast great, a short walk from a tram stop, rooms clean, and location great.
Posted by
Cochrane, Alberta, Canada
54 posts
Sultan Hill will also arrange airport shuttle for about 25 euro and it takes only 30 or 40 minutes. RS book is excellent so no need for a guide. A word of caution, however. Avoid buying souvenirs on the first day until you have had a chance to grow accustom to the enthusiastic requests by the vendors who are adept at coaxing you to buy their wares.
Posted by
Arlington, TX, USA
281 posts
If you will be staying in Istanbul for 3 nights you may be able to arrange a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel on your arrival. Many hotels offer this service with a minimum of 3 nights. I would also recommend that you see the Chora Church and if you enjoy shopping try looking around the Arasta Bazaar after dinner as it is a smaller market and they stay open late. It is located just behind the Blue Mosque and is convenient
if you stay in the Sultanahmet area.