Small and boutique hotels of Istanbul

Boutique hotel recommendation in Istanbul

There are numberless hotels and accommodation options in Istanbul. The city is huge- 5000km2. Most of the hotels in Istanbul are either located in Sultanahmet district or Taksim district. In this post we will share some of the most inspiring and unique accommodation places of Istanbul. 

Adahan Istanbul

Located at Şişhane neighborhood, Adahan Istanbul is housed in a historical building from 19 century. The current building was renovated few years ago and opened its doors as Adahan hotel. Adahan Istanbul has 40 rooms- all decorated and furnished differently. Click here for more information about Adahan Istanbul Hotel. 

Armada Hotel Sultanahmet

Located at Sultanahmet neighborhood, Armada Sultanahmet Hotel is only 5 minutes walking distance to the major historical landmarks of Istanbul. The hotel is decorated with Ottoman-Turkish architecture, staff is very friendly and the building has an amazing roof-top with panoramic view of the old city- Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Click here for more information about Armada Hotel Sultanahmet.

Tomtom Suites Galatasaray

Tomtom Suites is located in a very calm and silent neighborhood of Istanbul. Situated just across the Italian Consulate, Tomtom Suites is one of the nicest boutique hotels of Istanbul. Tomtom has twenty rooms. It is known that throughout the history the hotel building was home for French nuns. Click here for more information about Tomtom Suites Galatasaray. 


Four Seasons Sultanahmet, Old City

The current building was once a prison! Yes, it's very hard to believe but todays award-winning boutique hotel was once a prison! Situated only a minute away from the most famous landmarks of Istanbul, Four Seaons Sultanahmet received the best boutique hotel award several times. Click here for more information about Four Seasons Sultanahmet, Old City.

Airport transfer at Istanbul: Istanbul International Atatürk or Sabiha Gökçen Airports to Taksim or Kadıköy Square

Istanbul Airport Shuttle Service

Istanbul Atatürk International Airport is approximately about 45 minutes from city centre Taksim. Havatas -Istanbul's leading shuttle company- offers bus services from/to Atatürk and Sabiha Gökçen every half an hour (early in the morning each hour). One way trip is 10 TL/person.

Havatas: Istanbul's leading shuttle service company

The shuttle services for Taksim and other parts of Istanbul depart both from domestic and international flights terminals. You can find more information through this link. 

Havataş Taksim Office
Address:Kocatepe Mah. Lamartin Caddesi Demircioğlu İş Merkezi No:40 7.Kat Taksim/İstanbul
Tel: 444 26 56
E-mail: iletisim@havatas.com
Web: www.havatas.com

Airports of Istanbul: How many airports are there in Istanbul?

Istanbul has two international airports. 

1) Atatürk International Airport - European side

Istanbul Atatürk International Airport
Address: Yeşilköy Mh., 34149 İstanbul, Turkey
Code: IST
Phone:+90 212 463 3000
Web-site: www.ataturkairport.com

Photo by Istanbul Ataturk Airport

2) Sabiha Gökçen International Airport - Asian side

Address: Sanayi Mh., 34906 İstanbul, Turkey
Code: SAW
Phone: +90 216 588 8000
Web-site: http://www.sabihagokcen.aero/homepage

Sabiha Gökçen Airport

Contact Details of Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Turkey

Contact Details of Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Turkey

Turkey has diplomatic relationships with most of the countries in the world. If you are visiting Istanbul or other major cities of Turkey you might need a list of foreign embassies and consulates located in Turkey. All the embassies are located in Ankara, since it's the capital. Although many countries have consulates in Istanbul and İzmir.

Find you countries embassies or consulates contact details

Click to this link to find your countries embassy or consulate in Turkey.

U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey 
110 Ataturk Blvd., Kavakl1dere, 06100 Ankara, Turkey
City: Ankara
Phone: (90-312) 455-5555
Fax: (90-312) 467-0019
Website: http://turkey.usembassy.gov/
Email: usembassyankara@yahoo.com, webmaster_ankara@state.gov

American Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
American Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey 
U.S Consulate General Istanbul, 0stinye Mahallesi, Kapl1calar Mevkii No.2, Istinye 34460, Istanbul, Turkey
City: Istanbul
Phone: (90) 212-335 90 00
Email: amcongen1@tnn.net
Office Hours: Working Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 16:30 p.m.

British Embassy in Ankara, Turkey
British Embassy in Ankara, Turkey 
Sehit Ersan Caddesi No 46/A, Cankaya 06680, Turkey
City: Ankara
Phone: +90 312 455 3344
Fax: +90 312 455 3356
Email: britembinf@fco.gov.uk
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, from 8:45 to 17:00 Consular section working hours Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 16:15

Spanish Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
Consulate General of Spain in Istanbul, Turkey 
Karanfil Araligi Sok. no 16, 1 Levent, 80620
City: Istanbul
Phone: (+90) 212 270 74 10 / 14 / 65
Fax: (+90) 212 270 74 84

Email: cgspestambul@mail.mae.es, consular2@superonline.com

German Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
General Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Turkey 
Inonu Caddesi 16-18, Istanbul.
City: Istanbul
Phone: (0090 212) 3 34 61 00
Fax: (0090 212) 249 99 20
Website: http://www.istanbul.diplo.de/

Email: info@istanbul.diplo.de

Italian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey
Embassy of Italy in Ankara, Turkey 
Ataturk Bulvar1, 118, 06680 Kavaklidere , Ankara, Turkey
City: Ankara
Phone: +90 312 4574 200
Fax: +90 312 4574 280
Website: http://www.italian-embassy.org.ae/ambasciata_ankara
Email: ambasciata.ankara@esteri.it

Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
Consulate General of Israel in Istanbul, Turkey 
Yapi Kredi Plaza, C Blok K.7, Levent
City: Istanbul
Phone: (0090) 212 317 65 00
Fax: (0090) 212 317 65 55
Website: http://istanbul.mfa.gov.il
Email: info@istanbul.mfa.gov.il
Office Hours: Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 13.00

Details: Jurisdiction: Marmara, Eagean, Trakya, West Black Sea

Japanese Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
Consulate General of Japan in Istanbul, Turkey 
Tekfen Tower 10F, Buyukdere Caddesi No.209, 4. Levent 34394, Turkey
City: Istanbul
Phone: +90-212-317-4600

Fax: +90-212-317-4604

Canadian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
Consulate of Canada in Istanbul, Turkey 
Istiklal Caddesi, No. 189/5, Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey, 34433
City: Istanbul
Phone: (011 90 212) 251 9838
Fax: (011 90 212) 251 9888
Website: http://www.turkey.gc.ca
Email: zeyda@mymerhaba.com
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 09:30 - 17:00, Friday: 09:30 - 13:00

Brazilian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey
Embassy of Brazil in Ankara,Turkey 
Resit Galip Caddesi , Ilkadim Sokak N 1 , Gaziosmanpasa , 06700 ANKARA, Turkey
City: Ankara
Phone: (90-312) 448 18 40
Fax: (90-312) 448 18 38
Website: http://ancara.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/
Email: brasemb@brasembancara.org

Australian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
Australian Consulate-General in Istanbul, Turkey 
16th Floor, Suzer Plaza, Elmadag Askerocagi Caddesi No. 15, Sisli, Istanbul 34367, Turkey
City: Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 243 1333
Fax: +90 212 243 1332
Website: http://www.turkey.embassy.gov.au/
Email: istanbul@austrade.gov.au
Office Hours: Monday to Friday between 08.30 and 17.00

Details: This post is managed by Austrade.

Find you countries embassies or consulates contact details

Click to this link to find your countries embassy or consulate in Turkey.

What's the visa policy of Turkey? Do I need a visa for Turkish customs?

Turkish visa for foreigners

Just like any other country Turkish governmet also asks for Turkish visa for customs control yet it's not very compelling. Most of the countries citizens can purchase Turkish visa as they arrive at the airport. 

How much is Turkish visa?

Turkish visa for short stays (less than 90 days) is about $30/person. You can purchase your visa at the custom control points such as airports, land border or sea frontier. 

Don't wait for the visa line: Buy your E-Turkish Visa in-advance and skip the crowd at the airport

Turkish government is actively offering e-visa for foreign visitors. You can purchase for Turkish visa up to 10 individuals (family) and for a group of maximum 100 people (travel agencies or big groups) And e-visa prices are much lower than the actual price. You can click to this link to find more information about the Turkish visa.

Fethiye Museum

FETHIYE MUSEUM

NAME: FETHIYE MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: FETHİYE MÜZESİ
TIME: 9AM-6PM (Closed on Mondays)
ENTRANCE FEE: 5 TL
LOCATION: Çarşamba, Fatih
Click here to read more about Fethiye Museum

Fener Greek Ortodox Patriarchy Church

FENER GREEK ORTODOX PATRIARCHY CHURCH

NAME: FENER GREEK ORTODOX PATRIARCHY CHURCH
TURKISH NAME: FENER RUM PATRİKHANESİ
TIME: 9AM-7PM (Sundays service held in Greek)
ENTRANCE FEE: NO ENTRANCE FEE
LOCATION: Fener, Haliç
Click here to read more about Fener Greek Ortodox Patriarch Church

Jewish Museum Istanbul

TURKISH JEWISH MUSEUM

NAME: TURKISH JEWISH MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: TÜRK MUSEVİLERİ MÜZESİ
TIME: 10AM-4PM (CLOSED ON SATURDAYS)
ENTRANCE FEE: DONATION BASED
LOCATION: Karaköy
Click here to read more about Turkish Jewish Museum

Sabancı Museum

SAKIP SABANCI MUSEUM

NAME: SABANCI MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: SABANCI MÜZESİ
TIME: 10AM-6PM (CLOSED ON MONDAYS)
ENTRANCE FEE: 15 TURKISH LIRA
LOCATION: Emirgan
Click here to read more about Sakıp Sabancı Museum

Galata Mevlevihouse

GALATA MEVLEVI HOUSE (WHIRLING DERVISHES)

NAME: GALATA MEVLEVI HOUSE
TURKISH NAME: GALATA MEVLEVİHANESİ
TIME: 9AM-6:30PM (Every Sunday 5pm Sema Ceremony held)
ENTRANCE FEE: 5 TL
LOCATION: Tünel Square, Taksim
Click here to read more about Galata Mevlevi House

Cevahir Bedesteni

CEVAHIR BEDESTEN of GRAND BAZAAR

NAME: CEVAHIR BEDESTEN of GRAND BAZAAR
TURKISH NAME: CEVAHİR BEDESTENİ
TIME: 9AM-7PM (Closed on Sundays)
ENTRANCE FEE: NO ENTRANCE FEE
LOCATION: Grand Bazaar, Kapalı Çarşı
Click here to read more about Cevahir Bedesteni

Kilic Ali Pasa Mosque

KILIÇ ALİ PAŞA MOSQUE

NAME: KILIC ALI PASHA MOSQUE
TURKISH NAME: KILIÇ ALİ PAŞA CAMİİ
TIME:  9AM-6PM (Closed during the praying hours)
ENTRANCE FEE: Donation Based
LOCATION: Tophane
Click here to read more about Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque

Eyüp Sultan Mosque

EYÜP SULTAN MOSQUE

NAME: EYÜP SULTAN MOSQUE
TURKISH NAME: EYÜP SULTAN CAMİİ
TIME: 9AM-6PM (Closed during the praying hours)
ENTRANCE FEE: DONATION BASED
LOCATION: Eyüp
Click here to read more about Eyüp Sultan Mosque

Ortaköy Mosque

ORTAKÖY MOSQUE

NAME: ORTAKÖY MOSQUE
TURKISH NAME: ORTAKÖY CAMİİ
TIME: 9AM-6PM (Closed during the praying hours)
ENTRANCE FEE: DONATION BASED
LOCATION: Ortaköy
Click here to read more about Ortaköy Mosque

Saint Antoine Church

SAINT ANTOINE CHURCH de PADOVA

NAME: SAINT ANTOINE CHURCH de PADOVA
TURKISH NAME: SEN ANTOAN KİLİSESİ
TIME: 9AM-7PM (Sundays service held in various different languages)
ENTRANCE FEE: NO ENTRANCE FEE
LOCATION: Istiklal Avenue, Taksim
Click here to read more about Saint Antoine Church

Zincirli Han, Grand Bazaar

ZINCIRLI HAN of GRAND BAZAAR

NAME: ZINCIRLI HAN of GRAND BAZAAR
TURKISH NAME: ZİNCİRLİ HAN
TIME: 9AM-7PM (Closed on Sundays)
ENTRANCE FEE: NO ENTRANCE FEE
LOCATION: Grand Bazaar, Kapalı Çarşı
Click here to read more about Zincirli Han

Istanbul Modern Museum

ISTANBUL MODERN MUSEUM

NAME: ISTANBUL MODERN MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: ISTANBUL MODERN
TIME: 10AM-6PM (CLOSED ON MONDAYS)
ENTRANCE FEE: 15 TURKISH LIRA
LOCATION: Tophane
Click here to read more about Istanbul Modern Museum

Spice Bazaar

SPICE BAZAAR

NAME: SPICE BAZAAR
TURKISH NAME: MISIR ÇARŞISI
TIME: 9AM-7PM (Open everyday)
ENTRANCE FEE: NO ENTRANCE FEE
LOCATION: Eminönü
Click here to read more about Spice Bazaar

Beylerbeyi Palace

BEYLERBEYİ PALACE MUSEUM

NAME: BEYLERBEYİ PALACE MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: BEYLERBEYİ SARAYI
TIME: 10AM-3PM (CLOSED ON MONDAYS and THURSDAYS)
ENTRANCE FEE: 15 TURKISH LIRA
LOCATION: Beylerbeyi, located on the Asian Side
Click here to read more about Beylerbeyi Palace Museum

Pera Museum

PERA MUSEUM

NAME: PERA MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: PERA MÜZESİ
TIME:  9AM-6PM (Closed on Mondays)
ENTRANCE FEE: 10 TL
LOCATION: Odakule, Taksim
Click here to read more about Pera Museum

Blue Mosque

BLUE MOSQUE

NAME: BLUE MOSQUE
TURKISH NAME: SULTANAHMET CAMİİ
TIME:  9AM-6PM (Closed during the praying hours)
ENTRANCE FEE: Donation Based
LOCATION: Sultanahmet
Click here to read more about Blue Mosque

Chora Museum

CHORA MUSEUM

NAME: CHORA MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: KARİYE CAMİİ
TIME:  9AM-6PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
ENTRANCE FEE: 15 TL
LOCATION: Edirnekapı
Click here to read more about Chora Museum

Suleymaniye Mosque

SÜLEYMANİYE MOSQUE

NAME: SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE
TURKISH NAME: SÜLEYMANİYE CAMİİ
TIME:  9AM-6PM (Closed during the praying hours)
ENTRANCE FEE: Donation Based
LOCATION: Süleymaniye, Fatih
Click here to read more about Süleymaniye Mosque

Grand Bazaar

GRAND BAZAAR

NAME: GRAND BAZAAR
TURKISH NAME: KAPALI ÇARŞI
TIME: 9AM-7PM (Closed on Sundays)
ENTRANCE FEE: NO ENTRANCE FEE
LOCATION: Beyazıt, Kapalıçarşı
Click here to read more about Grand Bazaar

Leander's Tower

LEANDER'S TOWER

NAME: LEANDERS TOWER
TURKISH NAME: KIZ KULESİ
TIME: 9AM-MIDNIGHT (Closed on bad weathers)
ENTRANCE FEE: 5 TL
LOCATION: Salacak, Üsküdar
Click here to read more about Leander's Tower

Rustem Pasa Mosque

RUSTEM PASA MOSQUE

NAME: RUSTEM PASA MOSQUE
TURKISH NAME: RÜSTEM PAŞA CAMİİ
TIME: 9AM-6PM (Closed during the praying hours)
ENTRANCE FEE: Donation based
LOCATION: Tahtakale, Eminönü
Click here to read more about Rustem Pasa Mosque

Dolmabahçe Palace

DOLMABAHÇE PALACE MUSEUM

NAME: DOLMABAHÇE PALACE MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: DOLMABAHÇE SARAYI
TIME: 9AM-3PM (CLOSED ON MONDAYS and THURSDAYS)
ENTRANCE FEE: 25 TURKISH LIRA
LOCATION: Dolmabahçe, Beşiktaş
Click here to read more about Dolmabahçe Palace Museum

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum

TURKISH and ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM

NAME: TURKISH and ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: TÜRK İSLAM ESERLERİ MÜZESİ
TIME: TEMPORARY CLOSED
ENTRANCE FEE: 10 TURKISH LIRA
LOCATION: Sultanahmet Atmeydani
Click here to read more about Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum

Istanbul Archeological Museum

ISTANBUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

NAME: ISTANBUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: İSTANBUL ARKEOLOJİ MÜZESİ
TIME: 9AM-6PM (CLOSED ON TUESDAYS)
ENTRANCE FEE: 10 TURKISH LIRA
LOCATION: Gülhane Parkı
Click here to read more about Istanbul Archeological Museum

Underground Cistern

UNDERGROUND CISTERN MUSEUM

NAME: UNDERGROUND CISTERN MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: YEREBATAN SARNICI
TIME: 9AM-6PM (OPEN EVERYDAY)
ENTRANCE FEE: 10 TURKISH LIRA
LOCATION: Sultanahmet Mahallesi, Yerebatan Caddesi
Click here to read more about Underground Cistern Museum

Topkapi Palace Museum

TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

NAME: TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM
TURKISH NAME: TOPKAPI SARAYI
TIME: 9AM-6PM (CLOSED ON TUESDAYS)
ENTRANCE FEE: 25 TURKISH LIRA
LOCATION: Gülhane Parkı
Click here to read more about Topkapı Palace Museum