| Tips and photos of Istanbul tourist attractions and tourist traps, posted by real travelers and Istanbul locals. Istanbul Map |
 | Istanbul Tourist Traps | Tips 1 - 10 of 153 |  |
There are two types of Bosphorus cruises: one that is part of a larger tour and one that is a no-frills trip up-and-down the waterway. The latter is much cheaper, but can be very unenjoyable. The cruise takes about 90 minutes and does not stop. It goes slightly past Rumeli Hisari and then turns back.
During the summer, these boats are packed. All the seats inside will be taken and you will have no choice but to sit in the sun for the entire cruise. Plus, the wind can be quite bothersome.
Instead of going on a cruise, you can take a bus along the shores of the Bosphorus. Or you can take a commuter ferry, although it will take longer and you will not get to see all of the sights. However, you will actually get to stop at many of the things you see from the boat.
|
Visiting Istanbul?
Read reviews about Istanbul Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 by gilabrand
Before you leave the grounds, make sure to take advantage of the bathroom near the exit (no, folks, you can't use the Sultan's marble and gold facilities). Not only are most of the public toilets in Istanbul filthy and smelly, but you have to pay. At Dolmabahce, they are amazingly clean, and best of all, they're free. Leave a Comment
|
When you are in Instanbul, you will certainly be asked to come into at least one carpet shop. The salesmen speak many languages and are friendly. If you do come into the store, they will prepare tea or coffee. They will talk to you for about ten minutes, asking you about your trip and where you are from. Then, they will explain how the carpets are made. At this point, one of his assistants will start rolling out several carpets for you. They will ask which ones you like. They will try to find one or two carpets you like the most. At some point they will ask you how much you think they are worth.
Then, you will probably be told that you will be given a "special price." Even if you say that you do not want to buy anything they will ask you to name your price. You might be tempted to play along, but you will be falling into a trap. If you name a price, they might say "deal," shake your hand and start wrapping the carpet. An hour later your wallet will be hundreds of dollars lighter and you will be asking yourself, "How did that happen?"
If you have no intention of buying a carpet, don't go in the shop. If you are "just looking," stay outside. Look from the window. Sure, you could walk out of a carpet store without buying anything, but the carpet salesman will try to make it look like you are being rude to him. After all, you just had tea/coffee with him and had a nice conversation. How can you turn your back on a friend?
If you really want to buy a carpet, do a lot of research before coming to Istanbul. Go to a store in your own city and see how much hand-made carpets cost there. They might be cheaper than in Istanbul!
Also, if you are traveling to a different part of Turkey, such as Konya, you might want to buy a carpet there as prices are not as high.
|
 | |  |
I recommend to you to eat in places where the locals eat.For example in Sultanahmet area do not eat in the main street and following streets.Go to Sirkeci down to hagia sophia and ask for Lokanta (Restaurant in turkish)You will arrive a small square (Hocapasa sokak) with full of local restaurants filled up with turkish people.6,00 YTL is good for a porsition of meat balls and salad and water-bread.If you eat turkish pizza (pide) with cheese 4,00ytl Leave a Comment
|
The Kapali Carsi or Grand Bazaar lives up to its name as big in size -- about 4,000 shops lining kilometers of alleyways -- and big in price -- yes, it is the city's BIGGEST tourist trap where prices are easily 40-100% higher than their ''fair'' price.
And why not? Thousands of tourists troop to this historic place on summer days, all fair game for the scheming and enterprising Kapali Carsi salesmen. This is their turf, so no matter how much advanced your bargaining skills are, these salesmen will always come out victorious.
Go there to experience the place and test your haggling skills. If you need to do some serious shopping, your best alternative are the shops located just outside Carsi's gates. I've noticed that similar products sold outside are at least 40% cheaper than those displayed inside. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Istanbul?
Read reviews about Istanbul Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 metro by KIZGINdamdakiKedi
For Cab: When you take a cab,you will see,he will put the thing to put price on.
it should starts with 1.01 YTL .it suppose to show Gunduz (Day) or Gece (Night).
Night cost double and starts after midnight.
if you realise he put the wrong one.Tell him to stop the car right away and ask for the cop. Actually suppose to be tourist cops but if you can not see any around,go to any cop you see.Tell them,whats going on and let them help you.
why dont you take the bus named HAVAS?
they are always waiting front of the airport and has hours to move.
Tell them,where you want to go,they will help you.
They are working with the airport,so thats not really possible cheating by 'em.
These buses are going to Aksaray,Taksim,Kozyatagi (Anatolian side) etc etc.
Another option is to take a metro/subway.
If you follow the signs for metro in the airport,you can find it easy.
you can see the map for destinations in all subway
Any problem?confused?Ask to people in Subway !
Even if they dont speak english well,they will try to help (yes,we are very helpful people :-)))
They are not like some Cab drivers,dont worry :-) Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 by pflewis123
But you mustn't miss this area if you are visiting Istanbul, so you have to learn to deal with it.
Just say "No Thank You," over and over, and keep walking. If they say, "Can I ask you just one question," just say "no thank you." If they say ANYTHING AT ALL, ATTEMPT ANY KIND OF CONVERSATION, just say "No Thank You" AND KEEP WALKING. DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT.
You may feel silly answering the question, "Where are you from" with "No thank you", but you have to learn to do this. Otherwise you'll spend all your time trying to extract yourself from these guys rather than seeing the sights.
They are counting on your politeness to get you into their shops. You can be polite but firm. And it is imperative to learn this very early on, because there are literally no streets where you can walk in this area without getting accosted by carpet and souvenir salesmen. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
I have been to Istanbul about 6 times, primarily to visit my wife’s family and to take in some culture and history: ex, Seat of the Eastern Roman Empire, then the Byzantine Empire, then the Ottoman Empire, now the cultural and industrial capital of Turkey. At least 2000 years of continuous existance, with a population of 14 million. If you visit Istanbul, either take a tour where you can be babysat, or do your homework, and learn how to count zeros. You must visit Istanbul or any other city of similar pedigree on its terms. Bad things can happen when you travel anywhere, ex: I have been pick-pocketed while in Rome, I just chalk it up to an experience.
Jerry’s Tips
1. Do be carefull about the sharper than average con-artists on the street, they will approach you and before you know it, you’re in a shop and they are serving you tea and showing you carpets that otherwise cost a quarter of what your best bargaining skills can muster.
2) Taxis are essential. Carry lots of 5 YTL bills because you will loose at most 5 YTL. I have paid 20 and gotten 10 in change, but it was counterfeit and before we realized it, he was gone. Turkish Lira (YTL):1.45 YTL per USD.
3. DO NOT FLASH YOUR AMERICANISM. Dress like you live there. NO shorts, this is an instant giveaway that you are a foreigner. Dress in slacks and a button-up shirt, like you are going to work. Don’t walk with your mouth open while you are marveling at the sites.
4. Food and Drink: Drink only bottled water, cola, or hot tea. If it hasn’t been pre bottled or boiled, rest assured your digestive system will not be familiar with Turkish culture. Pack Anti-diarrea stuff, cold medicine, know the nearest drug store (ECZANE) is. Turkish food is delightfull, but you may want to also skip the yogurt, salads, and kokorec (fried sheep intestines).
5. After Dark: With the EU imposing their laws, there has been a surge in petty crime. I have seen a visible increase since my first trip in 1994. Do not walk the streets after dark unless you are with a group of local knowlegable people.
6. Have a good time, plan you’re days and understand that Istanbul is really like no other city on the planet. The people are warm hearted, and genuine. They really do want to know where you are from, and they really like American visitors. But be respectfull while you are in their part of the world. As a rule I try to avoid any political discussions because they get a bit excited about world affairs.
7. Buy a Turkish-English dictionary or phrase book. Turkish is an Asian based language, and although the letters look like English characters, they have only modern words in common.
Other Sites: You may also want to add a 3 or 4 night stay at one of the thousands of all inclusive resorts on the Agean or Meditteranean (sp) resorts, where you can see the beautifull Turkish Coast, ruins from the Greek, Roman, Lycian, and Ottoman civilizations. Most sites charge a small fee (15 YTL per person) which I gladly pay so they can operate these sites for the public enjoyment. In fact, most of the sites are very accessible, unlike what I have experienced in the UK, or Italy. My favorite places include Antalya: which is near Termessos, Pergamum, Phasaleis. Marmaris or Bodrum which is near Ephesus. Fetiye which is near Xanthos, and Tlos.
|
| | |
 by Sharon
As you can see in the photo of this tip, Galata Bridge is full of restaurants / cafes. Its a pure Touristy place.
The nice thing about it is watching the ships / boats and the view, other then that its not a place to get some good food or hang out for a few reasons. First of all the touristy restaurants, You want a good and quality food ? thats not the place, Even my Espresso and the tiramissu (typo?) cake didn't remind of the real thing. I think that unless if you drink coka cola from its bottle nothing there is good. The chips (frize) that my friend ate looked bad (!)and oily and well as the rest of the things.
Luckily we only tried a light meal before the cruise we had to the Princess island.
Around the bridge and also when walking on it you can smell the bad smells of dead fish or the ships fuel. I was amazed to see so many people standing there and fishing and kept wondering whether they do it to enjoy their free time or do they sell it to people that will eventually eat it ? i dont even want to think about the last option.
Oh, one last thing, like in the suk or Bazaar also here the waitress's will try to convince you into their restaurants, they are not easy... sometimes they just nag you and wont let you go, be ready for that and just say no thanks and Keep walking !
I say dont miss this place cause you'll any way be near by at this or that point.
Walk on the bridge enjoy the beautiful view, its really nice but dont waste much time there. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 con artist at work by prikje
You will find all kinds of salespersons( = con artists).
One friendly old man walked up to us asked me for a cigare wich I gave and he started to polish my girlfriend shoes.How nice of him to polish them as a return favour for the (expensive) cigar.Then he started mine,not asked for that either.
He demanded 10 Euro for this 5 minutes work !!!
Tell him he didn't do it right so at least you have the pleasure of not being a to easy victim.
Tell him your life story before you pay,so he is forced to listen to YOUR story for a change and waste his time.
Tell the fuc ker to fu ck off.
"Hello whats your name,where do you come from..." hear the intro recognise the con artist time to harden up.
Turks who come to you and ask where your from and being so interested are only interested to rip you off or to lure you into their shops where you waste you valuable holiday time looking at capets and sh it you don't need and definately don't want.
No need to be polite,they aren't either if you don't buy something. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
|
More Istanbul Travel Deals Istanbul, Turkey Hotels
Find the Perfect Hotel! Book Online for the Lowest Prices Guaranteed. 144 Istanbul Hotels
Our selection of great hotels in Istanbul sorted by user rating. Turkey Tours
National Geographic Award Winner Custom Itineraries & Private Guides Sponsored Links - Cartoon Hotel
Tarlabasi Bulvari No.36-38 Taksim, Istanbul - Hotel Almina
Kucuk Ayasofya Cad Akbiyik Degirmeni Sk No 27 Sultanahmet, Istanbul - Mina Hotel
Piyerloti Caddesi Dostluk Yurdu Sokak No 6 Sultanahmet, Istanbul - Barcelo Eresin Topkapi
Millet Caddesi 186 (formerly Golden Tulip Eresin Topkapi Hotel), Istanbul - Nena Hotel
Binbirdirek Mah Klodfarer Cad 8/10 Sultanahmet, Istanbul - Vardar Palace Hotel Istanbul
Syraselviler Caddesi No.16 Taksim, Istanbul - Bentley Hotel
Halaskargazi Cad. No. 75 Harbiye, Istanbul - Blackbird
Gencturk Cad No 51-53 Sehzadebaşı, Istanbul - Bergama Hotel
Fevziye Caddesi No 34 Sehzadebasi, Istanbul - Divas Hotel
Klodfarer Caddesi 33 Sultanahmet, Istanbul - Hotel Sultanahmet
Divanyolu Cad No 20 Sultanahmet, Istanbul - Allstar Elite Hotel
Cumhuriyet Caddesi Tan Sokak No:4 Kucukyali Sahil Mevkii, Istanbul - Angels Home Hotel
Mimar Mehmet Aga Cad. Amiral Tafdil Sk. No: 22, Sultanahmet, Istanbul - Sapphire
Ibni Kemal caddesi no:14 Sirkeci, Istanbul - Grand Star Hotel
Siraselviler caddesi No. 79/1 Taksim, Istanbul
|
