Things to Doin Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul! Discover all the travel info and assistance you need right here on our website, as well as from the friendly staff of one of the most convenient and charming hotels in the district of Sultanahmet, the heart of Old Town Istanbul. As the capital of two successive empires—the Byzantine and the Ottoman—for an astounding two millenia, the amazing attractions, culture, historic sites and ancient neighborhoods to enjoy are myriad.

Istanbul Travel and Helpful Info

Today, while Ankara is the capital of Turkey, Istanbul is still considered as the "heart of the country." With a massive population of 14 million, which comprises 20 percent of all of Turkey, along with its impressively numerous and historically significant points of interest, Istanbul is certainly the most popular place to visit in the country. Additionally, we are a short 20 kilometers from the International Istanbul Airport.

Fun Things to Do in Istanbul

From the healthy variety of museums, stunning palaces and mosques to an array of live entertainment and sporting events to wonderful restaurants serving up incredible Turkish and international cuisine to shopping bazaars laden with wares of yesteryear and today, Sultanahmet and the whole of Istanbul provide virtually an endless selection of enlightening, entertaining and fascinating points of interest. Additionally, the Istanbul Lutfi Kirdar Convention Center draws thousands of visitors every year for corporate, organizational and entertainment events, conferences, international meetings and fairs in Istanbul. Conveniently, our our hotel's in the district of Sultanahmet, just six miles from this state-of-the-art facility.

The Sultanahmet and Surrounding Istanbul Area

Though many historical sites in this ancient city have yet to be unearthed either by the casual tourist or the life-long Istanbulite, the known list of things to do in Istanbul is so great that we at Hotel Sari Konak believe you would need at least five days to discover the city properly. If you are in Istanbul for a limited of time—one or two days, for instance—our hotel's staff in the historic district of Sultanahmet would recommend that you focus on the highlights and skip some of the less famous sites.

Major Local Events

• MITT Tourism Fair, February
• Istanbul Film Festival, April
• Istanbul Theatre Festival, May
• Istanbul Music Festival, June
• Istanbul Jazz Festival, July
• Istanbul Biennial 2013, September
• Istanbul Biennial 2013/Istanbul Design, October
• Contemporary Istanbul/Istanbul Design, November

Major Not-to-Miss Attractions

• Hagia Sophia
• Blue Mosque
• Hippodrome
• Topkapi Museum
• Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
• Mosaic Museum

Ideally Nestled in the Sultanahmet Neighborhood of Istanbul

Given that our boutique hotel's located in the district of Sultanahmet, which is the center of the old town where major tourist attractions and museums are located, travelers with a limited amount of time will be able to catch the big attractions that bring millions to this great city year after year. We look forward to welcoming you!