Istanbul

Istanbul : Travel information before you go!

Discover the destination

Main gateway to the country and a mythical town that bridges Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a fascinating city of contrasts and like no other. The thousand and one neighbourhoods each reserve different surprises but always with a local feel. Go shopping at the Grand Bazaar and spice market, visit the Blue Mosque whose six minarets once rivalled Mecca's, see the sumptuous Saint Sophia, the Byzantine basilica turned into a mosque and the impressive Topkapi palace-museum of sultans. Also push the door of Saint Saviour in Chora, the Romanesque basilica decorated with admirable Byzantine mosaics, plan a boat ride on the Bosporus, see the history of ancient Byzantium and alternatively the 'yalés' (partly-timbered houses), bordering the banks of the river.

pros

•  Only a 4 hour flight from the UK
•  A large and varied choice of hotels
•  A significant architectural and cultural heritage

cons

•  A tendency for noise and pollution in some neighborhoods

Visit Istanbul

• To see

  The Blue Mosque, Saint Sophia, the Bosphorus, the Galata Bridge, the Galata Tower, the Topkapi Palace are all essential places to see.

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  To do

  Shopping at the Grand Bazaar and the spices market is called for and is a really incredible experience. The Prince Islands in the Marmara Sea off Istanbul will let you enjoy some peace and quiet in a more tranquil setting.

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  To think about

  Enjoy a body scrub and massage in a Turkish bath, locally known as hammams. There is no shortage of hammams in Istanbul but should you want a more local atmosphere, choose a hammam around Taksim, for there are only Turks.

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• To avoid

  Make sure that taxis have a meter and that it is turned on so that you pay a fair amount for your journey. Taxis are cheap but during the day, use public transport as much as possible as traffic jams are incessant.

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  To try

  From the famous Turkish kebab, to berek, Baklava or the mezze, many local specialties will delight your palat; the cuisine is rich and varied .

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  To bring back

  Spices, silver jewellery, leather items, local products, carpets, textiles; you are not lacking choices in the many market areas of this huge capital.

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Turkey Travel guide

Turkey, All you need to know!

• Practical information 
• History 
• Culture and traditions 
• Useful Addresses 
• Events 
• Climate 
• Food 
• Souvenirs 

Best selection of hotels in Istanbul

Dalaman: Top hotels on the Turquoise Coast

Istanbul in pictures

Best Travel Deals Istanbul