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If
you're coming to Istanbul primarily
for sightseeing, the
hotels, inns, pensions and hostels in
the neighborhoods surrounding the historic
Hippodrome provide
easy access to the major
sights in historic Old Istanbul ("Stamboul"),
the peninsula on the south shore of the
Golden
Horn. These include the Blue
Mosque, Topkapı
Palace, the Basilica
Cistern, and Ayasofya.
(If you're coming more for boutique
shopping, cafés, music clubs and the
arts, you may want to stay in Beyoğlu, on
the north shore of the Golden
Horn. More...)
Lodgings
in Old Istanbul are in all
price ranges,
from cheap
hostels to five-star
luxury, with most being charming
mid-range inns.
Lodgings closest to the Hippodrome tend
to be more expensive than those a bit
farther from the main attractions,
but distance is not the only factor
to consider. A short walk uphill may
be less pleasant than a longer walk
if the short hill is steep and thronged
with traffic; and a slightly more distant
location with a variety of restaurants
and cafés may prove more appealing
than one closer, but busy with annoying
carpet-shop touts.
Some of Istanbul's best lodging values,
for example, are in Sirkeci and Beyazıt, hotel
areas with lots of intrinsic interest
that are still within 10- or 15-minutes'
walk of the Hippodrome.
Here are short descriptions of Old
Istanbul's hotel areas, from
the most central to those a short walk
away:
Ayasofya
You can't get any closer to Istanbul's
major sights—in some cases, right
next door—but that can also mean
there's noise. More...
Divan Yolu
Old Istanbul's main avenue has numerous
hotels, restaurants and other services.
You're near the great
sites here,
but prices for everything may be
higher, and there may be
noise, so choose carefully. More...
Hippodrome
The center of ancient Byzantium has
hotels on its edges, all convenient,
some quiet, each with particular advantages. More...
Cankurtaran
Southeast down the slope from Ayasofya,
near the posh Four
Seasons Hotel,
are many small hotels and hostels in all price ranges. More...
Binbirdirek
West of the Hippodrome up the hill,
Binbirdirek cistern is topped by
a quiet park, with some hotels nearby.
More...
Piyer Loti
West of Binbirdirek along Divan
Yolu, this quiet dead-end street has
several fine, conveniently-located upscale
boutique hotels. More...
Küçük Ayasofya
Down the slope southwest of the Blue
Mosque to the Küçük
Ayasofya Mosque,
every third building is a boutique
hotel or hostel—lots of choice here,
but few good restaurants, and some
noise. More...
Sirkeci/Hocapaşa
Just down the hill from Sultanahmet, Sirkeci is
also near the train
station, ferry
docks and Galata
Bridge.
With more than two dozen lodging-places
in all price ranges, it has great
variety and selection, prices
tend to be lower, and it's still only
10 minutes from any major sight. More...
Beyazıt
Beyazıt
Square, dominated by the lofty
gates of Istanbul University and
the minarets of the imperial Beyazıt
Mosque, is right next to the Grand
Bazaar and the Old
Book Bazaar, and only a
12-15 minute walk along Divan
Yolu from Sultanahmet,
even quicker by tram.
Prices are lower here, too. More...
Eminönü
Bustling with commerce—and traffic—but
right in the hub of shopping and
transport, with the Egyptian
(Spice) Bazaar, Galata
Bridge, and ferry
docks (think Bosphorus
cruise) close
by. You can't get more central to
all of Istanbul. More...
Kadırga
Typical old-time Istanbul residential
area downhill from the Hippodrome and Beyazıt,
a good choice if you want real Istanbul
neighborhood life, but you'll have
to climb that hill. In some cases, taxis won't
help you. More...
Ahırkapı
Right next to the historic city
walls,
the shore road and
the Cankurtaran
suburban
train station, these hotels
are a bit of a walk up and downhill
from the Hippodrome, but offer other
advantages. More...
Haven't found what you want? Have
a look at the hotel
areas in Beyoğlu, north of the
Golden
Horn; or along
the shores of the Bosphorus;
or near Atatürk
Airport.
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