expert Istanbul'ers

[loz]

Call to members who have visited Istanbul, looking for not necessarily best hotels but the best area to stay in the city; for convenience visiting the sights.

[Diverbaz 1]

Sultanhamet loz, is where most sights are.

[loz]

Thank you Baz x

[nichola]

Sultanahmet without a doubt. Virtually everything is within walking distance and right on the doorstep literally for the Ayasofya, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and a 15 minute stroll to the Grand Bazaar or in the other direction for Galata Bridge and the Egyptian (Mısır) Bazaar.

Easy enough to get a tram and the old one stop subway for Taksim if you want too and also a tram if you want to visit the Sultan's Palace where Ata Turk died.

Have a great time.

[loz]

Thanks Nichola, that is confirmed then, now to see when we can fit it in. 

[philrose]

It's also worth noting that a lot of the museums and attractions have different closing days in the week so if you are doing your sightseeing independently, it's worth getting a decent guide book to avoid disappointment. Also taxis in Istanbul are relatively cheap so worth using for to get to any of more out of the way places or your hotel airport transfers.

[busybee]

Definately worth getting a Muze (Museum) Card which will gain you free entry into many attractions.  Also you pay 8tl for a tram card which you just top up and when you leave you sell it back to them for 6tl!!!

[nichola]

Good point philrose. Mondays is the day most places are closed and Sunday the Grand Bazaar and Egyption Bazaars are closed.

Weekends are always the busiest days at most signts.

There is/were also renovations taking place at the Blue Mosque and some areas weren't accessible in November.

Oh and you must go to the cistern, also in Sultanahmet especially if you are into photography.

[Marggie]

I know Topkapi Palace is  closed on Tuesdays and as Nichola says some close on Mondays.  I have the information in Turkey so will pm you with details when I go back shortly.

[Kevin Sowten]

The Rahmi Koc museum of technology is a fabulous whole day entertainment.
http://www.rmk-museum.org.tr/english/index.html