A Guide to Istanbul for Couples Without Children

Istanbul is the most populous city in Turkey, with over 13 million inhabitants. However, just because Istanbul is a huge city doesn't mean that it has to be hard to get around. In fact, if you have just one day to sightsee in Istanbul, you might want to consider staying in a hotel in the Sultanahmeht district. From there, you can walk to many sites within the neighborhood and won't even have to mess with public transportation. Walking tours are strenuous and best for couples without children.

Luxury Hotel in Sultanahmeht, Istanbul, Turkey

Hotel Sultanhan
Piyer Loti Caddesi 15-17
Telephone: 0212/516-3232
www.hotelsultanhan.com
info@hotelsultanhan.com

Hotel Sultanhan is located within walking distance of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar. It is a luxury hotel, with 40 rooms and offers an excellent place to relax in comfort and luxury after a long day exploring the city.

A One-Day Walking Tour in Istanbul, Turkey

The three sights listed below are all within easy walking distance of Hotel Sultanhan.

Blue Mosque

As you probably guessed, the Blue Mosque is blue. But did you know that it's blue because of blue Iznik tile that decorates the interior? One of the better known sites in Istanbul, it's a must see stop on your one-day walking tour of Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is translated as the "Church of Holy Wisdom" and is another must-see mosque in Sultanahmeht. It's located north, and just slightly east of the Blue Mosque.

The Grand Bazaar

Located northwest of Sultanahmeht, the Grand Bazaar, since it has over 5,000 shops. If you have an extra day to spare, instead of visiting it and the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia on the same day, plan to spend an entire day in the Grand Bazaar. It's a great place to shop for souvenirs. If you love to cook, be sure to hit the spice market, for exotic spices, sold for pennies.

Food

Lale Restaurant
Divan Yolu, 6
Telephone:0210/522-2970
Open Daily 7 a.m. '" 10:30 p.m.

Lale Restaurant, better known as "the Pudding Shop," has a long history as a hippie restaurant, due to it's popularity with the hippie crowd in the 1960s. Today it's patrons are more conservative, but much of the vibe remains. It's a self-service cafeteria, with a variety of moderately priced foods, including a vegetarian menu.

Additional Tips for Enjoying Your Walking Tour in Istanbul, Turkey

*Women should carry a light-weight scarf with them in order to always be prepared to cover their heads in times when it is culturally appropriate to do so, such as when entering a mosque.

*The bazaar is especially crowded on Saturday, so avoid visiting Istanbul on Saturdays, if at all possible.

*On Sundays, the Grand Bazaar and many other sites are closed. Between the crowded streets on Saturdays and the closed shops and attractions on Sundays, it is best to visit Istanbul on weekdays.

*The entire Sultanahmeht Park area, between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia is one giant free WiFi hotspot, so Internet connectivity should not be a problem.

References:

Rick Steve's: Istanbul, pages 294
DK Eyewitness Travel: Istanbul, pages 69, 72, 78-79

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