Istanbul - recommend it?

[Istanholiday]

I’m looking to spend a few days in Istanbul. Has anyone been lately? I know it is hilly, loads of walking. Was thinking of staying near Hagia Sofia and would like somewhere where I will be looked after well. Recommend me somewhere, please! Also - any other tips welcome!

I've just returned from a 2nd visit, & I think you might have to compromise.
I've stayed in the old town both times - Hotel Agan when we travelled independently, & Hotel Sapphire when we were on a group Grand Tour.
Very convenient location, but neither are good hotels. I do wonder how the star system works in Turkey !
If you want to be looked after, there are plenty of hotels that can do that - at a price - but I can't recommend one.
Check what places you want to visit, & perhaps book online.

A cruise on the Bosporus is great, we just turned up at the quay & bought tickets on the spot, c.£10/12.

Anywhere in the old town will be old buildings etc - if you want new build with pool etc then you may need to look further out.

we’ve been and loved it. Food amazing, atmosphere great, so much to see.

We stayed in the Ottoman’s Life Hotel. Was a last minute booking and we got very lucky. A really lovely hotel just a short tram ride from Blue Mosque, etc. It has a pool. Feels quite luxe but not expensive. No alcohol though. Didn’t know this till we arrived but I don’t drink very much and my husband doesn’t drink at all.

Do not book the Wyndham Ramada in Pera! Noisy, broken windows generally run down and tired.
The Hagia Sofia is being renovated atm and we were actually told by the woman at the ticket desk not to bother as you can’t see the dome and lots of the buildings is covered up.
We found Istanbul to be fairly pricey too, Topkapi Palace is about £40 entry for example.

It is pricey. It’s worth working out if the Istanbul card would save you money (it doesn’t cover everything).

we were there a few weeks ago. Loved it. We stayed near the blue mosque, hotels round there have small rooms, small lifts, and are expensive. It’s quiet round there at night and you have to be a bit picky about where you eat…lot of tourist trap restaurants. Basically ignore anywhere with someone trying to encourage you in.

if I went again I’d probably stay in Beyoğlu. Less touristy better choice of places to eat.

the public ferry across to the Asian side is great.

we took the public ferry up the Bosporus as well. Easy to do.

when I first went a few years ago you could go right I. Hagia Sophia and it was incredible, now you can only go upstairs and it’s being renovated….it wasn’t the same.

we got a guide through the hotel, who was very good, it’s easy to arrange with get your guide.

i liked the topkapi palace and the Dolmabahçe palace a lot. Get to both of them early, at opening time.

Me too, I would love to visit Istanbul.

I don’t enjoy flying so wouldn’t be planning just a few nights. Combined with a beach holiday would be great, no idea if this is feasible though.

Some reading to do, this thread will be an interesting place to start.

We stayed at the small Hotel Ibrahim Pasha which had a small rooftop bar overlooking the Blue Mosque. It is steps from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. They arranged airport taxis for us both ways. There is a light breakfast in the morning and drinks and snacks early evening.

Most places were walkable but public transport is quick and easy.

Topkapi Palace is a must. Would recommend Basilica Cistern which is very atmospheric.

Look at walking tours, they’re excellent

I used to stay in the SWISSotel Bosphorus frequently- very luxurious but pricey.

If you can get a hotel either a rooftop terrace to have breakfast that’s nice.