Istanbul

Travel Guide

Istanbul
Istanbul
Galata Bridge
Istanbul
Dolmabahçe Mosque

Where to stay in Istanbul

Blue Mosque featuring a mosque, a pond and a fountain

Sultanahmet

Discover the charm of old Istanbul in this working-class district, featuring narrow streets with tightly packed apartment buildings. Explore historic sites like Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia, or indulge in diverse cuisines, all easily accessible by tramway.

Sultanahmet
Taksim which includes street scenes and a city as well as a couple

Taksim

4/5(1,856 area reviews)

Major tourist hub, Taksim Square boasts a lively atmosphere with numerous restaurants, shops, and grand hotels. Explore İstiklal Caddesi, ride the nostalgic tram, and visit iconic landmarks like the Republic Monument and Taksim Mosque.

Taksim
Default Image

Kadıköy

4/5(165 area reviews)

Cosmopolitan and bustling, this area boasts numerous bars, cinemas, and bookshops, as well as diverse dining options and shopping centers like Tepe Nautilus. Explore historic sites, Süreyya Opera House, and enjoy walkable paths along the seafront.

Kadıköy
Cumhuriyet Anıtı featuring street scenes, a city and a square or plaza

Istanbul City Center

4/5(235 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Istanbul City Center. Check out top attractions like Taksim Square and Galata Tower, and jump on the metro at Aksaray Station or Aksaray Tram Station to see more of the city.

Istanbul City Center
Bosphorus Bridge which includes a coastal town, cruising and a river or creek

Beşiktaş

4.5/5(331 area reviews)

Scenic views of the Bosphorus strait and historic sites like Dolmabahçe Palace await in this bustling financial center. Enjoy modern shopping malls, diverse dining options, and easy access to ferries and metro lines for seamless exploration.

Beşiktaş
Istanbul which includes a marina, landscape views and general coastal views

Fatih

4.5/5(2,609 area reviews)

Explore historic libraries and diverse cuisines in this area, home to Istanbul University and the Orthodox Christian Patriarchate. Visit iconic sights like Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia, and discover what's nearby via the tramway from Sirkeci to Aksaray.

Fatih
The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
5 out of 5
Suzer Plaza, Askerocagi Caddesi, No:6, Elmadag/Sisli, Istanbul
The price is AED 729 per night from Feb 8 to Feb 9
AED 729
AED 816 total
includes taxes & fees
8 Feb - 9 Feb
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
"Great place to stay"

Reviewed on 2 February 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
4 out of 5
Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AED 305 per night from Feb 7 to Feb 8
AED 305
AED 341 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Feb - 8 Feb
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,861 reviews)
Great place. Really well located.
"I wasn’t expecting much given how reasonable and well located it is; but boy did this hotel blow me away! It is beautiful with an old world charm. It’s location is amazing - walking distance to the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Topkapi, etc with many restaurants right on its doorstep. The staff were ..."

Reviewed on 4 February 2025

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamis Marina Hotel
Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamis Marina Hotel
5 out of 5
Fener Kalamis Caddesi 38, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AED 509 per night from Feb 7 to Feb 8
AED 509
AED 570 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Feb - 8 Feb
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Enjoyed my stay. They go above and beyond! Ege especially made sure I’m satisfied!"

Reviewed on 2 February 2025

Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamis Marina Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Somerset Maslak Istanbul
Somerset Maslak Istanbul
Maslak 1453, Maslak District, Sogut Street No:20AA C15, Sariyer
Book a stay at this eco-certified aparthotel in Sariyer. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (243 reviews)
"Excellent staff, rooms and housekeeping. Everything was clean and well-maintained. We were there for an extended stay and really enjoyed it, has all the amenities you need."

Reviewed on 24 January 2025

Somerset Maslak Istanbul
The Superior Living Kağıthane
The Superior Living Kağıthane
Cendere Cad. 33, Istanbul, Istanbul
Book a stay at this spa aparthotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Taksim Square and Galata Tower are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
"I had a very pleasant stay which the staff Mazlum, Yusuf and Berkay helped me a lot. Any issues I had they were quick to fix them, booking taxis, technical issues, orders etc. the hotel is in a quiet location with 5 minute access to places like Vadi Istanbul shopping mall. The apartment rooms are ..."

Reviewed on 24 December 2024

The Superior Living Kağıthane
The Han YK
The Han YK
Universite Mah., Aral Sokak No. 14, Avcilar, Istanbul, Istanbul
Stay at this aparthotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 6 coffee shops/cafes. Popular attractions Avcilar Belediyesi Baris Manco Kultur Merkezi ...
9/10 Wonderful! (32 reviews)
"Good experience"

Reviewed on 20 January 2025

The Han YK
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Istanbul

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
3131
5 - Excellent 65%
4 - Good
1378
4 - Good 28%
3 - Okay
236
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
47
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
55
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Taxi drivers are very aggressive and arrogant towards tourists

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Istanbul is a very vibrant city. It's an interest mix of cultures and played a key role throughout many points in history. We spent a week here after a week in Athens. 1 week was enough to enjoy our time and see the highlights in Istanbul.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

This was not our first trip to Istanbul. We had visited many of the places before and were only there for a day and a half this trip.

5/5 - Excellent

Melissa

Beautiful, clean city especially suited to couples or individual travelers. I would imagine it difficult to keep children interested in historical sites although plenty of outdoor walking. A multicultural destination where we felt welcome.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very beautiful city we really enjoy our stay We definitely come back in the future..

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The new airport is very far from town. Don't arrange a shuttle. They couldn't find us. Take a bus or a taxi if you are four people. They plan to have the metro connect to the airport next year.

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