Historic Wonders Meet Modern Life in This Timeless City
Istanbul not only straddles Asia and Europe — it also spans the centuries. Its heritage is embodied by the Topkapi and Dolmabahce Palaces, the soaring Hagia Sophia, the maze-like Grand Bazaar, and the domes and minarets of the Blue Mosque, where Muslims pray five times a day. Meanwhile, the 21st century reigns at western shops on Istiklal Caddesi, upscale boutiques in Nisantasi, and throbbing nightclubs by the Bosporus.
The European part of Turkey experience hot, muggy summers and cold, rainy (though seldom snowy) winters. Spring (from April to May) and autumn (from September to mid-November) sees delightful weather in Istanbul, with pleasant temperatures and clear skies. Istanbul’s location near the sea means it can be quite a windy city, especially in the winter, shutting down ferry service.
The main airport serving the region is IST Istanbul International. Recently opened and is extremely well run and attractive.
Flying Private: IST Istanbul International or SAW Sabiha Gökçen International are your best options. Many good opportunities for 1-way repositioning flights.
► Wikipedia information on IST Istanbul International
The best source to check which airlines are servicing the airport.
center of the Old City
Size: 67 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary Classic
Year Opened: 1992
Most Recent Renovation/Update: 2022
After an extensive remodel, this is the best hotel in Istanbul for a first time visitor.
Arches, tiles, and towers catch your eye upon arrival at this century-old landmark, a former prison turned enclave in Istanbul’s Old City. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet is an intimate retreat of 65 rooms and suites offering a variety of views over the landscaped courtyard. The UNESCO World Heritage sites Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque are just a couple of minutes’ stroll from the hotel. Of the 65 guest rooms and suites at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, the signature suites provide extra indulgence. This neoclassical hotel is known worldwide for its attentive service and fine dining.
I AM A FOUR SEASONS PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in
• Daily full breakfast for two people per bedroom, served in a hotel restaurant or through In-Room Dining
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Guaranteed late check-out at 4pm
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Bosphorus waterfront in Karaköy
Size: 177 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary
Year Opened: 2023
Designer/Architect: Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu
Set on the iconic shores of the Bosphorus strait, The Peninsula Istanbul is ready to welcome guests with open arms – and epic views. The city’s newest property is home to 177 opulent guestrooms and suites, multiple dining venues serving local and international fare, plus lush gardens, two swimming pools, and a full-service spa complete with hammam steam baths. Guests can also take advantage of the onsite shopping arcade, an 8,000-square-foot retail space.
American Express Travel One To Watch Award 2024
I AM A PENINSULA HOTELS PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Bosphorus, Naile Sultan pine grove
Size: 100 rooms and suites
Style: Modern Design & Lively
Year Opened: 2021
Designer/Architect: Tihany Design
Set along a quiet stretch of the Bosphorus, this Mandarin Oriental leans into understatement: rare for Istanbul, and rarer still for a hotel of this scale. The low-rise form draws from the waterfront mansions that still line this stretch of the strait. Rooms come with embroidered motifs, tulip-patterned tiles, and balconies that open onto the Bosphorus, with Beylerbeyi Palace just across the water. Most of the hotel’s six floors sit underground, housing a vast spa and event spaces. Above ground, dining brings in locals and guests alike, especially when the city lights start to flicker.
I AM A MANDARIN ORIENTAL PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• USD 100 Food & Beverage or Spa Credit
• Daily full breakfast for two persons
• Complimentary High Speed Internet Access during stay
• Personalized welcome amenity
• One category room upgrade, subject to availability at time of check-in
• Dedicated Ambassador team support at each property
and more
Nişantaşı and the historic Dolmabahçe Palace
Size: 170 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary Classic & Quiet
Year Opened: 2008
Designer/Architect: Sinan Kafadar
Of Note: A fantastic spa for your private Hammam treatment.
Guest rooms are elegantly classic with clean lines, while the spa and traditional Turkish baths evoke a bygone era, complete with marble colonnades and timeless ambiance. What you can expect is the signature Four Seasons experience — which is far from ordinary. While other luxury brands chase trends and edgy designs, Four Seasons doubles down on classic, old-world luxury. And in a city like Istanbul, known for its discerning and worldly visitors, that’s exactly the right choice.
I AM A FOUR SEASONS PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in
• Daily full breakfast for two people per bedroom, served in a hotel restaurant or through In-Room Dining
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Guaranteed late check-out at 4pm
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Cihangir
Size: 18 rooms and suites
Style: Modern Design & Lively
Year Opened: 2008
Designer/Architect: Autoban
Their look for the Witt is modernist-inspired but also lush and luxurious, space-age lines expressed in rich textures of wood and leather — and in many places they’re using their own furniture designs. Each suite is outfitted with apartment-style comforts, including separate living rooms and kitchens as well as standards like flat-screen entertainment centers. We’ve seen “residential” hotels before, to mixed results, but Witt is the rare exception — it’s got not just the bells and whistles but character too, enough that you could actually imagine yourself calling it home for a while.
PART OF MY TABLET PARTNER PORTFOLIO
Chef: Fatih Tutak
Bomonti region
Fatih Tutak expresses his love for his Turkish terroir. Every day he puts ingredients from his region and produce from local traders on a pedestal. This is a chef who cooks with respect for tradition and what nature has to offer. His predilection for sustainability is reflected, among other ways, in his no-waste approach and use of preservation techniques such as fermentation and dry-ageing. Traditional flavours take on an extra dimension. Part of his originality lies in his nuanced use of delicate acidic and smoky flavours, with which he puts his own stamp on dishes. Take his preparation of manti, a delicate stuffed pasta; he fills them with rich lamb and serves them alongside a sublime smoked yoghurt cream, tomato tapenade and chilli butter. For dessert, he invites you into the open kitchen of this chic, contemporary establishment. Here you will find yourself in the thick of the action.
2023 #66
GO TO ► Turk Fatih Tutak website
GO TO ► Turk Fatih Tutak Michelin review
Chef: Maksut Aşkar
near Galata Tower / Karaköy
Maksut Aşkar and his young team preserve their culinary heritage and guide it into the future with their exciting cuisine. This also involves an emphasis on sustainability, as in the rigorous selection of local produce (including the fine Turkish wines) and the proximity of suppliers. Chef Aşkar puts his stamp on authentic recipes with a subtlety that is all of his own. Imagine a finely spiced ‘cupcake’ made of bulgur and a tasty chicken preparation, accompanied by a rich cream velouté and a full-bodied chicken demi-glace, topped with a potato crisp. The location of the restaurant, in the Salt Galata, makes your experience all the more memorable. The large windows and fabulous terrace afford superb views of Istanbul’s rooftops and beautiful mosques.
2024 #91
2023 #63
GO TO ► Neolokal website
GO TO ► Neolokal Michelin review
50 Hours in Istanbul
In the latest edition of our global gastronomic travel series, Cemre Torun takes on our food-lovers’ tour of her home city over an extended weekend
► VIRTUOSO: Istanbul Information Page
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.
► THE VIRTUOSO LIFE: Mickey Ashmore’s Guide to Turkey
The shoe impresario stops by to discuss his travel style and give us the intel on his favorite restaurants in Istanbul.
► WIKIVOYAGE: Istanbul Page
A great resource for all the basic information you need for Istanbul Turkey Türkiye.
► SimOptions – Orange Holiday Europe
Orange Holiday Europe eSim is one of the best options for European travellers with coverage in 30 EU countries.
Bodrum General Information Page
Türkiye General Information
with Visa & Entry Requirements
or leave a comment below
page updated: August 2025
images courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Turkey Tourism Board
Please Note: All Hotel / Resort / Cruise / Services Amenities are subject to availability and may have changed since the date of this being originally published.
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