My husband, 2 teenage sons and I are going on our first trip to Turkey in early July, 2011, and would love some advice on the must sees during our 4 days in Istanbul. We haven't booked a hotel yet, but have narrowed down to the area of Sultanahmet mainly because of our time constraints (even though I'm sure it'll be crazy busy with tourists there). Any suggestions? Love to stay in a place that's fairly traditional. Budget is pretty flexible, our primary goal is to get as true a sense of the city as possible. I've found a couple of places: Hotel Sultania and the Byzantium Hotel & Suites. I've also looked at Celal Aga Konagi Hotel - it looked great but didn't seem to have showers in the rooms. Has anyone stayed at these hotels? Would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks.

You might want to take a look at my trip report. Just click on my name to find it. The Hali Hotel had showers in the room. This is the view from its breakfast terrace: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622934223233/

I think that many people will argue that the Sultanahmet area is not representative of Istanbul because it is its tourist center. But for convenience sake I would stay there.

Thanks for your reply Michael. Yes, I'm a bit concerned about staying in Sultanahmet for that reason, but I'm more concerned wasting valuable time traveling from an area away from the 'must sees'. Having said that, though, I also realize that sometimes one can gain a better appreciation for a place if they're forced to travel through it.

If you walk down to the railroad tracks from the Sultanahmet, and go between the railroad tracks and the Sea of Marmara, you'll see a non-touristy and rather decrepit area, although there is an excellent restaurant there. I suspect that in ten years it will have been rehabilitated.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622934223233/

The restaurants along the Sea of Marmara, close to the fishing port, appeared to be devoid of tourists and were very popular on a Saturday afternoon with the local population.

booboo -

For a short visit like yours I also vote for staying in Sultanahmet as it is convenient to what you will want to do and we found it very charming as well with lots of restaurants and shops. Istanbul is huge and there is a lot of traffic so it is nice to be able to walk to a lot of interesting things rather than requiring taxis and public transportation. You will get to see a lot in the number of days you have.

I particularly liked seeing the Palace Cistern and that would be a must see for me and your sons might think it pretty cool.

I also very much liked the authentic whirling dervishes - not the big dance show but the smaller one with just the dervishes. But, maybe your sons would find this weird... You know how teens can be.

My daughter is really into art history so we hired a tour guide through our hotel for a morning and the two of them had a grand time at Hagia Sophia and then on to other sites.

We all preferred the spice bazaar to the grand bazaar but the latter IS grand! There is a nice low key open shopping area in Sultanahmet just beyond the Blue Mosque for souvenirs, tea, music, etc.

I doubt you can go wrong in Istanbul for having a fun and interesting family trip. We are all 4 quite different in interests and everyone in our family (2 teen girls) loved this city.

Have fun!

gruezi

Thanks for the info gruezi, it's great to have input from those who have already been there. Istanbul does seem to be huge, and a little daunting for a first timer. What hotel did you and your family stay at while there?

One of the experiences I'd love to have is to see the whirling dervishes. Where can one catch a show - a smaller one would be ideal? And yes, the boys might find it a bit weird, but I think they'll enjoy it all the more because of it (I hope).

Were you there during the summer months? We arrive the 1st of July, but from what I've read it won't be too unbearably hot - somewhere in the low to mid-80s?

boobooville

check out turkey travel planner website..Lots on info. we stayed 4 dsays @ Tash Konak Hotel..wonderful location. Don't know if they have quads but they do have a suite annex.. Consider that option..Also Backpacker Tours.. Another wonderful experience!! We enjoyed the Bosphorus boat tour from BackP. The view from the boat gives the city a totally different look.

He just stayed at place called the Tan Hotel in the Sultanahmet. It is relatively new and the staff most congenial.

I would advise you to go the major tourist sites early as they get extremely crowded.

Hi

Well I must be the odd one out re Sultanahmet, the 'Old City". I loved this part of Istanbul. Yes it's touristy and inundated with pesky carpet salesmen but you need to zone out the negatives and focus on its timelessness.

Some inexpensive restaurant suggestions. Try the restaurant on Adliye Sokak, a short walk from the Hanedan Hotel - http://www.hanedanhotel.com/location.htm. If anyone knows the name of it I'd luv to know because I can't remember! I think it started with a Y (maybe Yildiz?). If you time your visit to the cistern around lunchtime eat at the Green Corner Cafe-Restaurant (Photo : http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...estaurant2.jpg. The place had an an authentic feel to it and the burger and chips were great. Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi 12 Divanyolu Caddesi (Sultanahmet Square) claims to have the best meatballs in Istanbul. They weren't too bad! Another inexpensive dining option is to catch a ferry (or tram) to Ortakoy in the evening and dine like the locals. Buy Kumpir (stuffed potatoes) and eat them at the ferry dock. Here's a photo of the potato stalls - http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Mid...hoto103478.htm. Very atmospheric at night with the mosque lit up. There are several restaurants there too. Lovely views but beware of "surprises" on your bill.

Dear Booboo -

There is a renovation at the monastery (or whatever it is called) where the authentic dervishes typically perform in Istanbul. I had the pleasure of seeing them in this small, beautiful venue where they are performing in the interim:

http://www.istanbuldervish.com/performances.html

You should book in advance... It might be a good idea to explain to the boys beforehand that this is a form of meditation/worship - perhaps they have even read some Rumi as he is very popular amongst young people these days. I loved it but I am someone into meditation, etc. There were a few adults in the audience who didn't quite get that it wasn't really "a show."

We actually stayed at the 4 Seasons Sultanahmet as part of a special they were running - 2 nights there and 3 in Bosphorus with one night free. (It was a special treat from my husband - I was celebrating my 50th and met my daughter there for 5 nights after we attended a family event in Ankara.) It is beautiful and the location is ideal but it is also pricey. Probably not great if you will need to pay for 2 rooms with the boys along...We were there in March and it was not too crowded anywhere and the weather was very nice but not hot. We saw some lovely smaller hotels right in that neighborhood where we would have been happy and probably much cheaper but I'm sorry not to have a specific recommendation.

I returned to 4 Seasons Bosphorus with my husband in May and we had lovely weather and again not overly crowded. I missed the Sultanahmet location for sure even though I enjoyed boating to dinner on the Bosphorus and the sunsets there.

I don't have my Istanbul book but it arrives this week in my sea container and there is a really great restaurant to have lunch near Taksim on a high floor that overlooks the Bosphorus. I'll try to get you the name as it is good for the price and the view really nice and they were so welcoming there including treating us to tea and dessert. I think your boys would like this spot for lunch or even in the evening - I think it is a popular cocktail hour spot as well because of the view.

Also there is a wonderful 'string' ice cream that you must try - specialty to Turkey and I will try to recommend a spot for this.

I love middle eastern food and really enjoyed the food in Istanbul.

gruezi

sultanahmet area is good choice for hotel
I suggest http://istanbulcityhotels.com to book hotel
u can ask anything via website to travel agency
they will be happy to give informations about any hotel
probably they work with every hotel in istanbul

I have just posted my trip report from our visit to Istanbul in September 2010. We stayed in Sultanahmet and found the location to be perfect for sightseeing and there were lots of places to eat. I think location will be very important for you since you will have 4 very busy days.

Thanks everyone for your great input. It should make my task of organizing this trip that much more easy and enjoyable.