Budget Hotels Istanbul

Tours of Istanbul: The Hagia Sophia

Once you have arrived in Istanbul, you are probably going to want to take one of the tours of Istanbul to get to know this spectacular city.  Rest up in your budget hotel in Istanbul before you take a tour.  There are many tours of Istanbul you can go on.  You could, for example take an off the beaten path walking tour or explore old Istanbul, from viewing the mystical Whirling Dervishes, to visiting the Egyptian Spice Market, or experience the ancient tradition of the Turkish baths.  You could even take Turkish lessons if you are going to be in Istanbul long enough or you could take Turkish cooking classes and learn how to cook food like the Turkish people do.  For those wishing to know how to belly dance, you can even take lessons while staying in the city. Luckily for you, there are walking tours, daily Istanbul tours, and Istanbul bus tours and organizations set up that will assist you.

Your hotel in Istanbul will probably be able to assist you in booking an Istanbul city tour.  Most of the hotel staff will do this for you whether you are staying in a budget hotel or a luxury hotel.  You will find Turkish people very helpful and friendly and always willing to practice their English speaking skills.

For ideas on what type of tours are available and what they include, read further.  For a half day tour of Istanbul, you can take one of the boats from the station in Eminonu and travel  up the Bosphorus, the body of water that separates the European side of Istanbul from the Asian side.  You will go as far as the Rumeli Fortress and then return.  On the way, you can see beautiful villas, wooden mansions from Ottoman times,  small fishing villages and the sea side view of the Dolmabahçe Palace. This is possible to do by yourself and it is not expensive to take the tour on one of the many boats available.

Tours of Istanbul - The Blue Mosque

I have created a list of the most famous sites in Istanbul that you must see.  From this list, you will be able to create your own tour if you are traveling on a budget, backpacking or just being careful about money.

The following is a list of tourist sites you should not miss on any tours of Istanbul, whether on your own or with an Istanbul city tour – warning, don’t miss any of these famous sights:

• The Grand Bazaar – with over 3,000 shops, good for “just looking” or actual shopping for souvenirs.
• The Hagia Sophia – stunning mosque
• The Egyptian Spice Market – which is full of, of course, spices, things to eat, coffee and also presents many a photo opportunity.
• The Blue Mosque – Sultanahmet Mosque – another stunningly beautiful mosque
• Topkapi Palace and the pink painted famous Harem
• The Dolmabahce Palace – The magnificent residential palace of the sultans
• The Byzantine Hippodrome
• The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
• The Sunken Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray)
• The Prince’s Islands -  Take a boat ride over for the day to see the lovely wooden houses, superb scenic views and take a horse drawn carriage ride around the island.  There are hotels, restaurants and cafes on the Islands, making this a day well spent in Istanbul.  The sunsets on the Prince’s Islands are incredible.

Tours of Istanbul: Princes Islands

It is possible to do an Istanbul sightseeing tour in one day if you must and then go back and visit places that you were really interested in seeing again.  Tours of Istanbul can be booked online before your vacation if you wish.  Or the concierge or owners of the budget hotel in Istanbul you are staying in can recommend a tour.  Remember, bring your digital camera and comfortable walking shoes.