Showing posts with label Istanbul. Show all posts

Economical Places to Stay in Istanbul

Just got admission in a university or college in Istanbul? Or is business bringing you into this historically rich city? Whatever the reason may be, you will definitely not want to pass up the chance to visit and explore Istanbul. However, a limited budget without an accommodation can pose a problem. So, are you worried? Relax, we got your back. These places offer good facilities and most economical rates you can ever find to live in Istanbul.


Academia Hostel
Situated in the center of Istanbul makes it an ideal economical place to live.From hostel, Taksim Metro Station can be reached by just a 10 minutes’ walk. All rooms are air conditioned, have bunk beds and the facility of free Wi-Fi. You can prepare your own meals in communal kitchen and can relax in common room watching television.  It costs only €5.55 per night.
Location- BostanMahallesiKalyoncuKulluguCaddesi No:79Taksim, Beyoğlu, 34500 İstanbul, Türkiye.

Manon Hostel Galata
Offers modern style, air conditioned apartments with attached bathroom and aprivate kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with microwave, electric kettle and a fridge. It also has a comfortable dining room for family/ friends to spend quality time. Per night charge is €5.35.
Location- Emekyemezmah.okc Musa Cad.New Stairs Sok. No: 3Beyoglu, Istanbul 34430, Turkey.

Ex- Istanbul House
Is located at just a 15minutes’ walk from the Galala Tower and 5 minutes from Taksim square, saving much of transport cost. The house offers individual rooms, twin rooms, 6 bed dorm room and double private rooms with the facility of free Wi-Fi. Room charges depend on the room you take.  Bunk bed in mixed dormitory cost €6.24 per night.
Location- Hüseyinaga Quarter.AtifYilmazCaddesi. Kucukbayra Street. No: 8 Beyoglu / Taksim, Beyoglu, Istanbul 34435, Turkey

Agora Guest House and Hostel
Situated in a heart of old city, the agora is in high demand by young generation because of the mesmerizing view over the glittering blue Sea of Marmara from its terrace. The secure environment, peaceful atmosphere and clean dorm rooms have made it a first preference for many single-females students. To facilitate guests, free Wi-Fi and hostel’s laptop are available for use. Dorm rooms from €15 onwards are available.
Location- miralTafdilSokak 12, Cankurtaran.

Hotel Niles
Its modern yet comfy rooms are preferred for family stay and people who come on business tours in Istanbul.Cooperative staff and good service makes your stay more pleasant. The roof terrace is a perfect place to enjoy Turkish hi-tea and breakfast buffet with enrapturing view across the Sea of Marmara.Children can enjoy playing in courtyard garden downstairs. Free Wi-Fi is also available to their guests. Separate meeting room and exercise room are additional treat for Niles guests. Also, the hotel is located 3 minutes of walk away from the Grand Bazaar which makes it easy to move and explore different places.  Double rooms are offered from €50 onwards.
Location- OrduCaddesiDibekliCamiSokak No:19Beyazıt – Istanbul , Turkey.

5 Reasons to Love Istanbul

What is country without its people, its culture, food, history and geography? A country’s people make the country able to be called a Hospitable Country, its culture make it popular, the history of a country make it interesting and food and geography make it worth living and worth visiting for the people of other countries.

Ankara is the capital of Turkey. But Istanbul is the symbol city of Turkey. Turkey is known for the rich culture and geographical position of Istanbul. Istanbul, the city with largest population in the world, is a huge metropolis, known for its beautiful people, places and culture. You will hardly get to hear that “I do not like Istanbul” people who have seen the city or not equally love it.

Let me tell you the reasons to absolutely fall in love with the great city Istanbul. 

1. Location
Istanbul is straddling between two continents which make it unique among all the cities in the world. Bosporus Bridge connects Marmara Sea and Black Sea. You can divide the city in two halves, one is European side and other is Asian Side. Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosporus, further separates the European side of city in two halves, one is the Old city which contains most of the historical sites, and the other is New City which is full of Istanbul’s business and cultural life. The city’s steep hills topped with mosques make it a place of unforgettable views across its waterways. The great architecture of Istanbul is like none of the other city’s architecture. 

2. Architecture
Nature has made Istanbul beautiful but the rich architectural history has made the Old City 10 times more beautiful and attractive. From Hagia Sophia to Byzantine Christendom, from Suleymaniya Mosque to Sultan Ahmet Mosque with dazzling domes and design, every building every mosque every church is a self-speaking master piece of art.

3. Welcoming and Hospitable People
People in turkey will never let you feel bad about anything such as not speaking and understanding their language. They will speak in English with either fluently or haltingly, no matter what, they will share some words with you in English. Everyone there is so helpful, say what you want or just give a hint, Turks will never let you get lost. You will meet welcoming people everywhere. They will share food and even their house if they get to know that you just arrived in Turkey.

4. Richest Culture You’ll Ever See
You will see the street culture full of café societies in Istanbul. Istanbul street culture is about the character of the neighborhoods. New City is full of nooks and crannies, and run-down upholstery shops beside elegant townhouses. You will see a tiny restaurant with a board saying “Do not think twice, Just trust the chef” and you will never regret entering the restaurant. New City is not any lesser that the Old City. It is also full of street culture but focuses more on tourist trade. Smart, beautiful, intelligent and clever English-speaking men will bring you under their spell in seconds. Turkish men are smooth talkers…. Hahaha!

5. Shopping
Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the city with world’s most innovative, full of variety and easy-to-buy shopping places in the world. Turks make it easy for you to buy many things, and by easy I mean EXTREMELY easy! Maybe Turkey is not world’s most capitalistic society. Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is the world’s biggest covered market, present in Istanbul since 15th century. You will find everything in the markets of Istanbul, from chic clothing brands to vegetables, everything is available in same market. Shopping in Istanbul is indeed an extreme shopping experience.



I believe that there is no reason not to love Istanbul. Every bit of this city is absolutely amazing ad magnificent.

Top 10 Places to Visit in Istanbul

“If one had but a glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul” said Alphonse de Lamartine. Istanbul is a city with one of the most ancient and important historical creations in the world. The great architectural pieces in the city are unforgettable.

There are many spots in the great city to visit, let’s have a look the 10 most popular and visited places in Istanbul.


1.  Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Museum
Hagia Sophia, The Devine Church of Wisdom is world’s most impressive building. It remained the largest church built in the world for 1000 years. Mehmet the Conqueror claimed Hagia Sophia as a mosque after his conquest of the city. Ayasofya is the most visited sight in Turkey. There are great items in museum and the building itself is a great attraction for art lovers. Most of the building is museum but one portion is set for prayer.




2. 
Sultanahmet Mosque
Blue mosque facing Hippodrome also known as Sultanahmet Mosque is one of the top sights in historic city. Call for prayer from Blue Mosque minarets is just phenomenon. It is a great piece of architecture. Beautiful design of the mosque from outside and inside is magnificent.




3. 
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi palace, overlooking both Marmara and Bosphorus, had been the home of many Ottoman sultans. The inside of the palace has beautiful designs and calligraphy on its walls. Palace has four courtyards. There is a treasury in the third yard, with its magnificent gems, gold and work of art.



 
4. 
Grand Bazaar
It is the largest covered market of Turkey that offers great shopping. According to the guidebook it has 4000 shops, but due to consolidation and replacement of shops by restaurants, the actual number of shops is lesser. Grand Bazaar is complete fun place where you can shop and eat. 




5. 
Kariye Museum (Chora Church):

 The building of Chora church was constructed in 11th century. The two small domes of inner narthex have portraits of all Jesus’s ancestors. Another series concentrates on Jesus’s ministry.




6. 
Galata Tower
From Galata Tower one can get a 360-degree bird eye view of the beautiful Istanbul. You can see all significant points from the Galata tower. It is one of the most visited places in Istanbul. It has a café and restaurant on its top floor. Also a night club that organizes Turkish show is present in Galata tower.




7. 
Basilica Cistern
Istanbul’s most romantic attraction is Basilica Cistern. The spot offers an insight to the complicated system which brought drinking water Thrace into Istanbul.




8. 
The Hippodrome of Constantinople
You will see spiral bronze base of a three headed serpent sculpture which was brought from Delphi. At the Southwest of Hippodrome is the bare stone of column of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, situated there from 10th century.




9. 
Istanbul Archeology Museum
Istanbul Archeology Museum is situated just down the hill from Topkapi Palace. The museum is devoted to later stuff; it has many ancient Greek and Roman marble sculptures.



 10.  Adalar
Take a ferry ride to Adalar from Kabatas, Kadikoy or Eminonu. Enjoy the sea food, beautiful lush green forests, fun ride on a Horse cart or ride a rented bicycle and see the great architecture at the clean and calm island. Visiting Adalar fairly pays back.