İstanbul
There are many places to visit in Istanbul and it would be better if you could assemble the important tourist spots categorizing on areas and nature. By doing this you could save on your time yet get a comprehensive tour of everything.
Next in the Istanbul travel arrangement comes the mosques. These are beautiful creations commissioned by the rulers of Istanbul to give a glimpse of their own power and glorious reign. The Blue Mosque built by Sultan Ahmet is the largest mosque in Istanbul. Its specialty lies in its Iznik tile interior.
The Ahi Çelebi Mosque holds an important place in the Istanbul myth for being the mosque where Evliya Çelebi had his famous dream.
The Aya Sofya (known as Haghia Sofia in Greek and also called the Church of the Divine Wisdom) was regarded as the greatest church in the entire Christian kingdom until the fall of Constantinople after which it was used as a mosque. Since the foundation of Turkish Republic, modern day Turkey, Hagia Sophia is being used as a museum.
The Anglikan/Crimean Church in Beyoglu, which was built in the memory of English soldiers who fought the Crimean War, is another attraction. The church was closed in 1971 due to its declining parishioners but was re-opened in 1991.
There are five hotel districts in Istanbul catering to all sorts of budgets. You could choose any one according to your tour plans and area preferences. The five main areas to host most of the hotels in Istanbul are Sultanahmet, Hocapasa, Beyoglu, Bosphorus and Airport. The Sultanahmet is situated in Old Istanbul and is closer to all historical places, while the Beyoglu is situated in the more modern part of Istanbul. If you stay at the Bosphorus Hotels there may be a good water front view but you will have to spend lots of time and money to travel to the city center.
Luxury Hotels
Almost all the International chains of hotels have their representation in Istanbul, and all provide the best possible services and facilities.
- The Four Seasons Hotel is the best base for you to stay, if you want a good tour of all the historical places of Istanbul because of its strategic position in Sultanahmet.
- The Hilton Hotel is a huge structure offering magnificent views and hilltop gardens. It is also a stone`s throw away from the shopping district.
- The Ritz-Carlton is one of the recent luxury hotel additions to Istanbul.
Middle Class Hotels
There are smaller hotels available in Istanbul as well, maybe not equaling the luxury hotels in facilities but surely not any less in hospitality and services. Moreover, the in-house décor speaks of understated elegance and Ottoman style opulence.
- The Mavi Ev Hotel also called The Blue House mainly because of its proximity to the Blue Mosque has great views, great staff and great services.
- The Sari Konak Oteli known as the Yellow Mansion is a small Ottoman style inn where you feel you are not far away from home.
- The Pera Palas Oteli also known as the Pera Palace was originally constructed for the passengers of the Orient Express and is still one of the finest hotels in Istanbul.
On the other hand if you have a tight budget regarding accommodation then Istanbul has a host of Budget Hotels and Pensions. The latter has a very homely environment and may have loads of variety in accommodations. So look through all the options before settling on one. The Budget hotels and guesthouses may have services quite unexpected of the place and at a very reasonable price too.
- The Apricot Hotel has a great location, great prices and can give you a comfortable stay.
- The Berk Guesthouse is one of the very first lodgings in Sultanahmet and is an institution in itself.
- The Nayla Palas Pension is situated very close to the Hippodrome and Sultanahmet on Kutlugün Sokak.
Dining and Restaurants
Istanbul is truly a gastronome`s delight; this cultural capital of Turkey with its mouth-watering dishes might just turn even a Spartan into a glutton. However, you will enjoy more if you eat moderately and taste all the delicious dishes but more important is to know what to eat and when. The Lakerda (pickled Tuna fish) and Ciroz (sun dried Mackerel or Whitebait) are the best possible starters, choose rocket as your fish salad and liberally squeeze lemon juice over it. You could move on to the Lüfer (the `blue` fish) if the time is summer but in spring insist on the larger Turbot (Kalkan). While the Red Mullet (Barbunya) and Silverside (Gümüs) are great all year round but in autumn always have the Bonito (Palamut).
Even in a meager budget you could still enjoy delicious food in Istanbul and the major food districts offer different sorts of cuisines.
The shores of the Bosphorus spoil you for choice regarding great restaurants, which mainly focus on seafood. Both on the European side as well as the Asian side you will find food joints with a beautiful view and marvelous, mouthwatering food. A variety of kebab, meze (hors d`oeuvres) and drinks such as the native Raki, wine and beer await your attention.
After a few meals of typical Turkish food, if you find yourself yearning for fast food then Beyoglu is the place to be. It is in the north of the Golden Horn and could be a bit expensive too. Off the side streets of Istiklal Caddesi you will find a number of eating joints dishing out popular European fare. Cafes, bistros, pastry shops, small eateries are dotted all over. The Beyoglyu is a nice place to get up close and personal to the young, the hip and the cool dudes of the city.
Sultanahmet is the place where you get restaurants mainly targeted towards the tourists. Thus, their dishes are less Turkish and more European and the prices are almost sky high. However, you also do get food joints where the food is local and the price is reasonable too, but you have to know these places. If you do get hold of one such restaurant be sure to taste one of the traditional home dishes (Sulu Yemek) and Pilav (rice).