Istanbul, Turkey
From Byzantium, to Constantinople, Istanbul is a city that has lived through the rise and fall of many of modern history's most pivotal civilisations. Today the largest city proper in Europe, the fourth largest city proper in the world. Having been at the centre of more than a few ancient empires, it is no surprise that several areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
A traditional marketplace, Istanbul has always thrived as a commercial centre, and even today generates 55% of Turkey's trade and 21.2% of its Gross National Product, thus making it an important financial centre, both for the country and the region at large. Forbes magazine reports that as of March 2008, the city is home to 35 billionaires, ranking it 4th in the world behind only Moscow, New York and London. A strong industrial city, Istanbul also employs around 20% of the country's industrial labour, and this, if anything, strengthens its position as a financial hub.
Of course, the city's economy also revolves heavily around tourism. With plenty of Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture to see, it is easy to see why visitors from all over the world flock to this historic location every year. From Leander's Tower, to the Column of Constantine, the city boasts of a cross-section of architecture from multiple civilizations, and is therefore an attractive vacation spot for history buffs and cultural tourists.
Of course, a visit to a city with such a rich commercial history would not be complete without a sampling of its legendary bazaars. From the Grand Bazaar to the Mahmutpaşa Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar, the city has several ancient marketplaces that sell a massive variety of goods. Of course, if choice beverage is more your thing, be sure to stop by İstiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu to sample some of the city's most historic wine houses.
One of Europe's cornerstones, Istanbul has stood the test of time to emerge as crossroads at which the ancient and the contemporary meet. Whether you're visiting for business, or pleasure, the city will no doubt greet you with the trademark hospitality it has shown travellers for centuries.
Show me this city's main attractions
Your 2 night stay in Istanbul, TR
Check-in: Thursday, March 25, 2010
Check-out: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Room 1: 1 Adult, 0 Children
W Istanbul
The W Istanbul is located in the Akaretler district of Istanbul, Turkey, 300 metres from the European-style Dolmabahce Palace.
$18.49 
Only 2 rooms left!
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Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul
Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul is a contemporary, high-rise hotel located on the European side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. $19.03
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Erguvan
Erguvan Hotel dates back to the 19th Century, and is a charming, boutique property located in the center of Istanbul, Turkey. $8.53 Last Minute Deal! Save an additional 40%.
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$107
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Radisson Blu Conference & Airport Hotel, Istanbul
The contemporary Radisson SAS Conference and Airport Hotel is close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) in Istanbul, Turkey. In the vicinity is the CNR Exhibition Centre. $10.77
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$135
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Barcelo Saray
The Barcelo Saray is a modern hotel situated in the Beyazit district of Istanbul city centre, 800 metres from the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and St Sophia Museum. $11.78
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Istanbul Hilton
The contemporary Istanbul Hilton hotel overlooks the waters of the Bosphorus strait in the Harbiye district of Istanbul, Turkey. $20.67
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Best Western Premier Regency Suites Hotel-Spa
The Best Western Premier Regency Suites Hotel-Spa is located in Istanbul, Turkey, 200 metres from the Blue Mosque and 500 metres from the Grand Bazaar. $21.65 Sale! Save 30% on this Stay. Only 5 rooms left!
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Best Point Hotel
The Best Point Hotel is located in Istanbul, Turkey, 100 metres from the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia mosque, and 750 metres from Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. Hotel Features. $17.83
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Radisson Blu Bosphorus Hotel, Istanbul
The modern Radisson Blu Bosphorus Hotel, Istanbul is located on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, Turkey. $21.21
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$265
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The Marmara Taksim
The Marmara Taksim is a modern nineteen-storey hotel situated high on a hill in Taksim Square set 500 metres from the Bosphorus. $15.01 Only 1 rooms left!
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Adamar Hotel
The Adamar Hotel is located in Istanbul, Turkey, 70 metres from the Byzantine Basilica Cistern, and within 150 metres of the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. $20.50 Stay 1 Nights and Save 15% on Your Stay!
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Conrad Istanbul
The contemporary Conrad Istanbul hotel is located in Istanbul, Turkey, adjacent to Yildiz Palace and Park. $18.49
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$231
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The Marmara Pera
Located in the trendy Beyoglu district, the Marmara Pera is a modern, cosmopolitan hotel situated next to a metro station and two kilometres from the shops, restaurants and nightclubs of the tourist a $9.14
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The Byzantium Hotel & Suites
The Byzantium Hotel & Suites is located in Istanbul, Turkey, 100 metres away from the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, and 800 metres away from the Grand Bazaar. $7.76 Limited Time Offer! Save 30% on this reservation.
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Sultanhan Hotel
The Sultanhan Hotel is a traditional Turkish hotel with a white façade, set in the Sultanahmet district, within 350 metres of the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. $17.19
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Hotel Ipek Palas
Built in 1948, Hotel Ipek Palas is located in the Eminonu area of Istanbul, 750 metres from the historic district of Sultanahmet. $6.60 Limited-Time Offer! Save 35% on This Reservation
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$82
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Best Western Acropol Hotel
Location.Built in the style of a 19th-century Ottoman Mansion, the Best Western Acropol Hotel is a boutique property set in the centre of Istanbul overlooking the Bosphorus and St. Sofia. $10.47 Sale! Save 30% on this Stay.
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$131
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Legacy Ottoman Hotel
The Legacy Ottoman Hotel is housed in a five-storey building with strong Islamic influences, and is located in the central Istanbul area of Eminonu. $10.22
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$128
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Kent Hotel Istanbul
The Kent Hotel is located in Istanbul, Turkey, in the heart of the Beyazit district of the Turkish capital. $8.63
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$108
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Key Attractions
- Abdi Ipekci Arena
Abdi İpekçi Arena, formerly known as Abdi İpekçi Sports Complex, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the Zeytinburnu district of İstanbul, Turkey, situated just outside of the ancient city walls in Yedikule.
- Ali Sami Yen Stadium
Ali Sami Yen Stadı is the home of the football club Galatasaray SK in Istanbul, Turkey. It is named after the founder of the club, Ali Sami Yen. The stadium has a capacity of 23,785 (all-seater) and is situated in the Mecidiyeköy quarter of the Şişli district, at the center of the European side of the city.
- Ataturk Airport
Atatürk International Airport is the major international airport in Istanbul, Turkey. Located in Yeşilköy, on the European side of the city, it is 15 km (9 mi) southwest of the city centre.
More Attractions from Istanbul, Turkey
- Ataturk Cultural Center
- Ataturk Stadium
- Beyazit Mosque
- Beyazit Tower
- Beylerbeyi Palace
- BJK Inonu Stadium
- Blue Mosque
- Boganzici University
- Bosphurus Bridge
- Chora Church
- Cicek Pasaji
- Column of Constantine
- Constantinople Walls
- Dolmabahce Palace
- Fatih Mosque
- Fatih Mosque
- Fatih Sultan Bridge
- Galata Bridge
- Galata Tower
- Grand Bazaar
- Gulhane Park
- Hagia Sophia
- Istanbul Archaelogy Museum
- Istanbul Modern Art Museum
- Istanbul Technical University
- Istanbul University
- Istiklal Avenue
- Kanyon Mall
- Little Hagia Sophia
- Maiden's Tower
- Mosaic Museum
- Orient Express Railway Station
- Ortakoy Mosque
- Palace of the Porphyrogenitus
- Pera Museum
- Rumeli Hisari
- Sadberk Hanim Museum
- Sakip Sabanci Museum
- Serpentine Column
- Spice Bazaar
- St. Antoine Cathedral
- Sukru Saracoglu Stadium
- Suleymaniye Mosque
- Topkapi Palace
- Turkish and Islamic Art Museum
- Valens Aqueduct
- Yildiz Palace
- Zeyrek Mosque
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