The Best Hotels to Stay at in Istanbul
From luxury picks to boutique hotels to hip and happening stays, here are the best hotels to stay at in Istanbul!
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Sitting on the edge of the Islamic world and the European Union, visiting Turkey is one of the easiest and most fascinating ways to explore the Islamic culture. Between the incredible food, the richness of history in Istanbul, the hot air balloon rides over Cappadocia, and the stunning mosques, it’s no wonder that Turkey is the 6th most-visited destination in the entire world!
Despite the unrest that the country went through within the last few years with Syria, Turkey is not only a safe destination but also one that I believe everyone should experience once in their life.
For ideal weather, visit during the spring months—the days are long, and the heat hasn’t quite hit yet. Because the temperatures are almost perfect, this is the high season for cities like Istanbul and Cappadocia. Expect fully booked hotels and high prices. However, it is the off-season for the beach resorts.
Summer brings plenty of sunshine and hot weather, meaning locals and tourists alike flock to the beaches.
Fall is also a wonderful time to visit. The days are shorter, and there is a higher chance of rain come October, but the weather overall is very mild. Winter is cold and rainy, but because of this, there are far fewer travelers
Check out my Best Time to Travel to Turkey guide to help you plan out your perfect trip!
Language: The official language of Turkey is Turkish. However, you will also find that Kurmanji, Arabic, and Zazaki are also widely spoken.
Currency: The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY).
Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Turkey, especially Visa and Mastercard. American Express payment is typically only available in high-end hotels and restaurants. If you’re shopping in the markets, it’s smart to have cash on you. Luckily, ATMs are very common in Turkey. It’s advised to use the ATMs that are attached to banks when possible. These tend to be safer and are less likely to be tampered with. When withdrawing from an ATM, you’re also likely to get a pretty fair exchange rate.
Plugs: In Turkey, the standard plug is type F, the standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Safety: If you’ve been following the news, you might’ve seen the stories of the tension with Syria and resulting terrorist attacks, and you’re probably wondering if Turkey really is safe. Tourist destinations such as Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia are relatively safe, so long as you exercise normal cautionary measures. However, it’s best to do your research beforehand and check government sites as things can change.
From luxury picks to boutique hotels to hip and happening stays, here are the best hotels to stay at in Istanbul!
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