One night in Istanbul

PompeyPete

Blue264 wrote: »

Their roof top restaurant has stunning views of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and across the Bosphorus. It's also where certain news stations do their broadcasts from to use the views as their backdrop.

Agree, there are a few excellent budget hotels too with great roof-top breakfast terraces, particularly those on the seaward side of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia

The first hotel we stayed at in 2009 was The Hanadan...

http://www.hanedanhotel.com/

All the photos on the website gallery are spot-on, and the fresh Turkish breakfast on the roof terrace is as good as you get. The price is still the same too, 40€ including breakfast for a double ff-season is a steal. Ask for the Ottoman Room, with a 4-poster.

Blue264 wrote: »

For me, it's one of the best places to be when the call to prayer is made.

Agree. All part of atmosphere of being in one of the world's great cities.

kdogg_05

Was there this summer, and instantly became one of my favourite cities, despite (luckily) being too many of the worlds best cities.

Agree with much of the above, but if you can fit another mosque in, go to Sulemaniye mosque. It's quieter then the others, but really beautiful, nice grounds, and has brilliant views over the city. Beautiful being there around the time of the evening prayer as the sun is going down on the city.

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g293974-d296037-Reviews-Suleymaniye_Mosque-Istanbul.html

PompeyPete

kdogg_05 wrote: »

Agree with much of the above, but if you can fit another mosque in, go to Sulemaniye mosque.

Gosh. If the OP had more time available, I'm sure there would be a 1001 other recommendations for them to visit in central Istanbul, and within easy reach.

I love Istiklal Caddesi...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%B0stiklal_Avenue

The Istanbul public ferries that sail mainly from Eminonu, easily reached by the tram from Suiltanahmet...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferries_in_Istanbul

Kadikoy on the Asian side is a lovely vibrant place to escape the tourist hordes. It's only 25 minutes by public ferry from Eminonu, and passes some superb sights along the way...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kad%C4%B1k%C3%B6y

Sirkeci train station [Orient Express] is a beautiful place, only a 15 minute walk from Sultanahmet. Just follow the tram line down the hill...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%B0stanbul_Sirkeci_Terminal

The Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn. Just follow the tram line down the hill, past Sirkeci train station and the Eminonu ferries...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galata_Bridge

While you're at the Galata Bridge, enjoy a fish sandwich...

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/RestsCafesBars/eminonu/balik_ekmek.html

A day trip on a public ferry to The Princes Islands...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Islands

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Turkey/Istanbul_Ili/Istanbul-1837624/Things_To_Do-Istanbul-Daytrip_Princes_Islands-BR-1.html

That's just skimming the surface of htings to see and do. Istanbul really is a bewildering place.

asajj

You are given wonderful advice here, especially by PompeyPete however if you need advise from someone who used to be local, I'm happy to help - send me a Pm

bigadaj

asajj wrote: »

You are given wonderful advice here, especially by PompeyPete however if you need advise from someone who used to be local, I'm happy to help - send me a Pm

Any carpets for sale?

NiftyDigits

You should really have a no fee piece of plastic in your purse for this kind of thing, such as the Halifax Clarity or Revolut. Then you just pull the cash out of an ATM at better rates than you would get here.
Possibly too late for this trip if you don't.

Voyager2002

Wonderful place!

When I was there ten years ago it was easy to find an ATM and easy to find a money-changer, offering better rates for sterling than were available in the UK. So I suggest that you do not worry about changing money in advance.

SultanAhmet is a kind of tourist ghetto, but a great place for wandering and many of the most important historical sites are there. So do stay there, and spend most of your time in this area. However, the best food options are likely to be in the new town, around Taksim Square. So I suggest that you go there for your evening meal. For the journey, be sure to take the ferry across from Europe to Asia: a brief ride but a great experience.

PompeyPete

Voyager2002 wrote: »

However, the best food options are likely to be in the new town, around Taksim Square. So I suggest that you go there for your evening meal. For the journey, be sure to take the ferry across from Europe to Asia: a brief ride but a great experience.

Taksim isn't on the Asian though! I know it's across the Galata Bridge but it's not the Asian side of Istanbul.

To get to the Asian side you need to get the ferry from Eminonu to Kadikoy or Uskudar. Kadikoy is v.vibrant and colourful, Uskudar less so and is quite conservative...

http://wikitravel.org/en/Istanbul/Asian_Side

http://atdaa.com/the-ultimate-guide-for-getting-to-the-asian-side-from-the-european-side-in-istanbul

http://www.urbanrail.net/as/tr/istanbul/istanbul-map.htm

[Deleted User]

I have to second Istiklal Street up to Taksim square, really magic street to be in of an evening for eating and atmosphere and street entertainment, do stop and watch the icecream sellers

PompeyPete

shrimper1 wrote: »

I have to second Istiklal Street up to Taksim square, really magic street to be in of an evening for eating and atmosphere and street entertainment, do stop and watch the icecream sellers

Join in with the ice-cream sellers...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35bofq77_nY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK7sF8IeF2Y

...if you dare.:)