Istanbul Travel Notes

Travel Notes > Turkey > Istanbul Travel Notes

Accommodation

Istanbul hotels – Search for discount hotels in Istanbul with lowest rates guaranteed.

Car Rental

Istanbul Car Rental – Compare car rental offers with free cancellation in Istanbul. Find the cheapest prices from rentals including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Alamo, and Sixt.

Travel Guides

Time Out Istanbul – Tips on venues, events, restaurants, concerts, shops and nightlife.

Great Istanbul – History, sight, photos of Istanbul.

Blogs

Istanbul For 91 Days – Jürgen and Mike, from Germany and the USA, live in a city once every three months (about 91 days). This is their Istanbul experience.

Blog Posts

Istanbul trip review from first time visitor and solo female traveller.

The best 24 hour stopover in Istanbul – Guide by Snap Happy Travel.

50 ways to experience Istanbul – By thatbackpacker.com.

Why I still love Istanbul and you should too – By mytravelingjoys.com.

The Istanbul Promenade: Istiklal Caddesi – By themadtraveler.com.

What It Costs: A Day of Travel in Istanbul – By Stephen Lioy at gomadnomad.com.

5 Must Visit Romantic Places of Istanbul – By traveljots.com.

7 unique experiences to have in Istanbul, Turkey – By geekyexplorer.com.

Food

Istanbul Eats – Helps you find the best Istanbul eateries that you might not always find on your own.

Istanbul Food – The tastes of Istanbul from a local food expert’s point of view.

Books About Istanbul

1453: The Holy War for Constantinople and the Clash of Islam and the West by Roger Crowley.

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 signaled a shift in history, and the end of the Byzantium Empire. 1453 is a readable and comprehensive account of the battle between Mehmed II, sultan of the Ottoman Empire, and Constantine XI, the 57th emperor of Byzantium.

Istanbul: The Imperial City by John Freely.

Istanbul’s history is a catalogue of change, not least of name, yet it has managed to retain its own unique identity. John Freely captures the flavour of daily life as well as court ceremonial and intrigue. The book also includes a comprehensive gazetteer of all major monuments and museums. An in-depth study of this legendary city through its many different ages from its earliest foundation to the present day.

Istanbul Guide Books

Lonely Planet Istanbul (City Guide)

Photos

This is the New Mosque of Istanbul. Having been completed in 1665 it’s not that new anymore, but why quibble over details. The mosque is on the Golden Horn near the Galata Bridge. I love to come down here in and see all the “new” buildings glow in the afternoon sun.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (better known as the Blue Mosque). If you are wondering why it doesn’t look that blue, it is named for the blue tiles on the interior walls.

Istanbul Photo Gallery – Photo gallery of my visits to Istanbul.

Old Istanbul – Collection of old Istanbul postcards.