ISTANBUL HOLIDAY REVIEWS
Istanbul
The vast historic city of Istanbul, known as Constantinople in the days of the ancient Roman Empire, is one of the world’s most intriguing cities, part of it in Europe and the newer area across the Bosphorus Strait in Asia. Those who holiday in Istanbul generally come to marvel at its grand palaces, mosques, andmore
The vast historic city of Istanbul, known as Constantinople in the days of the ancient Roman Empire, is one of the world’s most intriguing cities, part of it in Europe and the newer area across the Bosphorus Strait in Asia. Those who holiday in Istanbul generally come to marvel at its grand palaces, mosques, andmore
Book Istanbul hotels with:
Best city - Sue Amory. Date of travel: Jul 2008
Istanbul was incredible! Bosphorus trips, Turkish nights, blue mosque, St Sophia, grand bazaar - magnificent!
Istanbul was incredible! Bosphorus trips, Turkish nights, blue mosque, St Sophia, grand bazaar - magnificent!
Istanbul was great.... except for one dreadful apartment - Monaco love. Date of travel: Jul 2008
Istanbul is a beautiful city with the mixture of ancient and modern excitement.....except for one dreadful apartment.
Istanbul is a beautiful city with the mixture of ancient and modern excitement.....except for one dreadful apartment.
Istanbul - Hala. Date of travel: Apr 2008
I visited Istanbul for the first time in April 2008 -- it is a fantastic city. But be aware of people seeking tourists and making short friendship. They start conversation with "where do you come from?" -- this is their famous starting line -- at the end of the conversation either they ask you for a drink in a bar (5 ytl) or a massage by young girls for cheap price (30 ytl) which is just a bait for dragging victim into the bar or the cheap hotel. There, they will offer a drink and some girls will come to share their drinks on the table and being very friendly. Then, the receipt comes with unrealistic amount (700 to 800 ytl) -- if you refuse to pay, four or five strong security men come on the table forcing you to sit down and won't let you go until paying them good amount of money depending on the money you have in your pocket. They will tell you that our cameras is recording that you are trying to leave without paying. Please, please, be careful, a rule of thumb, do not go with short time street friend to bars or cheap hotels, they WILL rob your money off and you may get injured.
I visited Istanbul for the first time in April 2008 -- it is a fantastic city. But be aware of people seeking tourists and making short friendship. They start conversation with "where do you come from?" -- this is their famous starting line -- at the end of the conversation either they ask you for a drink in a bar (5 ytl) or a massage by young girls for cheap price (30 ytl) which is just a bait for dragging victim into the bar or the cheap hotel. There, they will offer a drink and some girls will come to share their drinks on the table and being very friendly. Then, the receipt comes with unrealistic amount (700 to 800 ytl) -- if you refuse to pay, four or five strong security men come on the table forcing you to sit down and won't let you go until paying them good amount of money depending on the money you have in your pocket. They will tell you that our cameras is recording that you are trying to leave without paying. Please, please, be careful, a rule of thumb, do not go with short time street friend to bars or cheap hotels, they WILL rob your money off and you may get injured.
Historic Istanbul - David Reid. Date of travel: Dec 2007
Once known as Constantinople, Istanbul was capital of the Eastern Roman empire and has relics dating back to beyond this period from its Islamic and Christian history. An Istanbul holiday is a fascinating experience and can be combined with a few days on beaches of Turkey's Aegean coast. Istanbul has some excellent hotels and great restaurants, and the people are generally charming, and not in your face like the Arab countries. If you do travel to Istanbul you must visit a Hammam (traditional Turkish bath). The Cagaloglu Hammam is over 300 years old and is my favourite, wonderful archetecture and incredibly relaxing - massages, steam room and even a shave! Must-see attractions in Istanbul include The Blue Mosque (one of the world's most famous mosques) and The Grand Bazaar (a huge market where you can practice your bargaining skills).
More than you can barter for - get some practice in before going - Anton D'abo. Date of travel: Sep 2007
The square outside the hotel allowed me to walk to most of the town's main the tourist sites. Still you can grab a taxi or a metro. They're cheap and on the whole reliable and good for the few times I travelled on them. With 3 days, I just wanted to check out the old town. Basically I just walked along Pera, a pedestrian like shopping street. You can then get the bridge across the golden horn. There's lots to see and do there. If bartering is your game, have a go but I wasn't that good at it. Although I picked up some silks and a few small mats, it was value but not local value :-D
The square outside the hotel allowed me to walk to most of the town's main the tourist sites. Still you can grab a taxi or a metro. They're cheap and on the whole reliable and good for the few times I travelled on them. With 3 days, I just wanted to check out the old town. Basically I just walked along Pera, a pedestrian like shopping street. You can then get the bridge across the golden horn. There's lots to see and do there. If bartering is your game, have a go but I wasn't that good at it. Although I picked up some silks and a few small mats, it was value but not local value :-D
I loved Istanbul - Honestreport. Date of travel: Aug 2007
Istambul is a nice city full of wonder. People are kind, with some exceptions.
Istambul is a nice city full of wonder. People are kind, with some exceptions.
Great City - Ann & Anthony Hume. Date of travel: May 2007
Istanbul is a nice city, recommend the old city there are many hotels near by... Try Best Western Acropol Hotel.
Istanbul is a nice city, recommend the old city there are many hotels near by... Try Best Western Acropol Hotel.
Dave Smith. Date of travel: Mar 2004
Istanbul was absolutely great for me and my partner( who lived out there for 5 years and speaks Turkish fluently) - the tea seemed to be endless and the people were fantastic too.. lots of things to see and do - we spent 3 weeks there and met some great people although we nearly got fleeced several times by untrustworthy characters- also at night endless amounts of pimps offering us prostitutes on all the corners but apart from that it was great- we ferried also to the asian side which was equally as fun- i'd advise anyone going to Turkey to go to Istanbul.. Tour Operator: Hays
Istanbul was absolutely great for me and my partner( who lived out there for 5 years and speaks Turkish fluently) - the tea seemed to be endless and the people were fantastic too.. lots of things to see and do - we spent 3 weeks there and met some great people although we nearly got fleeced several times by untrustworthy characters- also at night endless amounts of pimps offering us prostitutes on all the corners but apart from that it was great- we ferried also to the asian side which was equally as fun- i'd advise anyone going to Turkey to go to Istanbul.. Tour Operator: Hays
Matt and Lorna. Date of travel: Feb 2004
Loved the Grand Bazaar even with all the hassle and pressure to buy. There is so much to see and absorb even if you don't want to spend hours negotiating a price for a carpet over endless cups of tea. Only don't be in a hurry to buy anything as bargaining and socialising is part of the experience, but it can get quite exhausting. And don't feel you have to buy something just because you have been given tea and had hundreds of carpets and kilims hauled out for your inspection - they try to make you feel guilty so you buy something!
Loved the Grand Bazaar even with all the hassle and pressure to buy. There is so much to see and absorb even if you don't want to spend hours negotiating a price for a carpet over endless cups of tea. Only don't be in a hurry to buy anything as bargaining and socialising is part of the experience, but it can get quite exhausting. And don't feel you have to buy something just because you have been given tea and had hundreds of carpets and kilims hauled out for your inspection - they try to make you feel guilty so you buy something!
CHOOSE A DESTINATION IN ISTANBUL