City Guide Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul - Too Late!

Turkish imports are cheaper and better in the USA than in the Grand Bazaar. Taxi service is expensive and public transportation is overcrowded in the city center. The cultural attractions were incredible, but less pleasant than hoped. The main attractions are overrun by cruise ship tours. Many lines leave you in the sun for a hour or longer. When you buy the three day museums pass the documentation is very poor leaving your wondering how to find them and which days they are closed.

Insider Tip:Go to Istanbul in the off season. The weather is easier to deal with than the crowds. You can easily waste half day trying to find a particular museum only to find it closed. One can waste the equivalent of a day standing in lines. Even when paying exorbitant entrance fees, no brochures, building layouts, maps, or other information is provided. Do your research in advance. Restaurant ingredients seemed very poor; we ate a lot of fat and gristle with some interesting spices. There was lots of bread.

Istambul

Istanbul is an awesome city with tons of things to do. Sultanhamet is a very touristy place but it is gorgeous and contains most of the touristic attractions (such as the grand bazaar, the blue mosque and tons of others). It is definitely a place to visit! However, food is very expensive and some are definitely ripoffs. Restaurant owners are extremely aggressive and will hail you, and almost pull you into their restaurants, which is very annoying.

Insider Tip:On the down side, men are perverts, they comment, stare and are extremely annoying. I was with my girlfriend and it didn't prevent them to stare, and they wouldn't stop unless you move towards them. Very little manners...and it applies to the majority of them.

Amazing Istanbul

I experienced many awful experiences during on my way to this city, especially border police bureaucration. However, it's been paid by the beautiful panoramic view surrounding Galata Bridge. I did reserved a room, but never slept in, because I arrived there 2 days later. I wa impressed b the hospitality of the staff who allowed me to have breakfast & shower. Hopefully, I will be able to visit this city someday.

Expensive. The city looks like modernised but really not. And all people are very nice but think only about money and not very much reliable. Had lots of sexual harassment, sadly... Anyway, most of local people are nice and there are so many to see!!

No matter what pleases you, you'll be pleased by Istanbul!

This city has so much history and what to do that two days are not enough to decently visit it. It's brilliant! There's a lot of places to see, but of course the mosques worth a visit as the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) and the Hagya Sofia are face-to-face, just some steps away from each other. The Galata Tower gives you an amazing view of the city and there's lots of palaces you can visit. The palace's garden at the back of Hagya Sofia mosque is pretty. Visit the Grand Bazaar! There's nothing like that. Take

Insider Tip:The entrance fee for the museums is a little bit pricey, so bring some extra money if you'd like to visit them. Beyond that the prices in the city are generally good. :) You should visit the Blue Mosque, Hagya Sofia mosque, the Grande Bazaar, the Galata Tower, the palaces and definitely take a boat cruise in the Bosphorus at night with yummy food and typical dances!