Things to do in Istanbul

Hi Folks. Myself and the better half are off to Istanbul for a week in January. An recommendations of what to do and what not to do?

Hi Villa, Just back from a long weekend. Great spot. Public transport is really excellent so once you arrive at the Airport you are into the network. You will need a 20 Lira or smaller note to operate the machine (located near the platform in the Metro Station) where you buy tokens for 3 Lira each, best to stock up as every journey is one token so you'll probably need two each to get to your Hotel. I printed a copy of the transport system on A3 and found it really good (best to print a colour version). After that decide what you want to see and do it, I found the Lonely Planet pocket guide to be a great help. There are lots of sights and we found the Galata Tower, the Blue Mosque, and the Spice Bazaar to be the best. If you're there for a week the trip up to the Black Sea is supposed to be really worth it and it will take a full day. The locals are the most friendly and helpful we have ever encountered, all you have to do is take out the map and someone will offer to help. Eating out is good value, don't be afraid to try the smaller improbable looking places, we did and weren't disappointed. The only Restaurant we were disappointed with was the only expensive one we chose which was a roof top and although the food was nice it was way over priced, however, the views were fabulous. Check before you sit down whether or not you can get a Pint (if that's appropriate) as not every place does alcohol.

Beware scamming taxi drivers...it's the only city in the world where we were repeatedly almost ripped off...notes being switched, being brought the long way round and then the cab "breaking down" when we said we'd report it when we got to the hotel.

Having said that it's a fabulous city. The hop on hop off bus tour is a great way to get your bearings early. Make sure you take the ferry across the Bosphorous..continent hopping from Europe to Asia for pennies.

Be prepared to dress appropriately for the mosques..in January you're likely to be covered enough anyway..definitely the Blue Mosque and also the Hagia Sophia (church turned mosque turned museum). We loved the cisterns, but largely cos it was roasting when we were there so the cool air underground was appreciated.

The view from the Galata tower is stunning but not for those who are nervous about heights. Health and safety regulations are obviously much less....safe...in Turkey. Felt very unsafe on the viewing balcony.

shesells said:

Beware scamming taxi drivers...it's the only city in the world where we were repeatedly almost ripped off...notes being switched, being brought the long way round and then the cab "breaking down" when we said we'd report it when we got to the hotel.

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Always flag down a passing taxi, never take one of the guys who is hanging around the tourist areas. Also insist on being driven to the door of the hotel. That way you can call on the doorman to assist if you wind up having fare issues (driver claiming no change, no English etc etc).

Just back from Istanbul yesterday.

Taxi drivers, simply avoid them. They are all crooks for the reasons set out above. If you need transport to and from the airport to your hotel simply have the hotel arrange the transport and pay them directly. A fair price from the airport to the city centre is 25 euro. Most hotels are happy to send their car to collect you.

Use the trams and metro, the cheapest way of getting from a to b.