A Short Break in the Old City of Istanbul

What’s Good To See in the Sultanhamet District of Istanbul

Before we go any further can I own up to being a massive Istanbul fan. I love the place, the food, the people, the language, the culture: I could go on but I would start to repeat myself.

My favourite part is the Old city – what was basically Constantinople in the olden days and Byzantium before that – but there are discoveries to be made all over the city: both on the European side and the Asian side!

In the old city you will find the most recognisable parts of Istanbul – The Topkapi Palace, The Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sofia – you will also find your own piece of Turkey in the maze in between the stalls of the Grand Bazaar or in the heady atmosphere of the Spice Bazaar or the tree-lined paths of the Gülhane Park. The whole peninsula was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
There is so much that is Good To See in Istanbul that it is important to book a central hotel, especially if you are not staying for long, although you will probably still find yourself criss-crossing the Golden Horn between the old and modern cities that make up the most touristy spots.

Having said that, I’ve been to Istanbul three times and still not spent more than 30 minutes in Taksim – too wrapped up in the musems, mosques, palaces, hammams, restaurants, shops and bazaars of the Fatih and Sultanhamet area.

Hotels in the Sultanhamet District of Istanbul

If you are looking for a Sultanhamet Hotel, on the south eastern tip of the horn, in the Sultanahmet District of Istanbul, against the walls of the Topkapi Palace you will find an excellent 4 star boutique hotel called the Premist Hotel.

The Premist Hotel is a Sultanhamet hotel in the centre of Istanbul

Within walking distance of the afore mentioned Hagia Sofia, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, and Gülhane Park you might expect it to be ruinously expensive. Of course it is not cheap, especially when you compare it to the $5 a night hotel I found myself suffering the first time a came to Istanbul, but this is a real quality, hotel which would stand its own in any major European city. Here in Istanbul it is currently voted as the 13^th best in the whole city on TripAdvisor so you will probably be surprised to know that friends recently stayed there for a smidge over £140 for two nights for two people including bed, breakfast, taxes and fees!

Obviously I am going to tell you to go to Istanbul and if you are reading this article you are hopefuly already halfway to deciding to book.

Of course it is one of the further European cities from London so do make sure you stay at least three days, so that you can make the plane journey worthwhile and if you do manage to get there, do check in to the Premist Hotel – you won’t regret it!