Istanbul is the largest megalopolis of Turkey with a population of more than fourteen million, it is only officially, in fact, in different data, more than eighteen million people live here. In addition, Istanbul annually visits ten million tourists, from all over the planet.
The majority of Istanbul's guests stops just a few of its districts that are of the greatest interest. Who came purely for excursions and inspection of the sights of this beautiful city with rather rich history, as a rule, stop in the "Sultanahmet '' area. There are main historical objects that are subject to visiting any excursion of this city. Among them, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Basilica Cistern and Others, Interesting Places.
The choice of hotels in the area is quite large and varied in relation to comfort and prices. From inexpensive, but quite decent hotels can be found in 25-30 dollars per day per person. The price includes breakfast on the principle of the buffet and accommodation. I can say that leave the tips is not a commitment and depends on your desire. At least, no one will look at you to watch, and the maid removes the room during your absence, usually in the morning.
Therefore, if you are not an amateur to spend time in bed before dinner, you can not meet with the maid for all the time of your stay and not to meet, despite the fact that cleaning is made daily. As for the preservation of things, you can not worry about it. Cases of theft in hotels are extremely rare, although for more valuable things in many hotels provide a storage chamber cell. Most tourists in the area are citizens of European countries. But this does not mean that you will have difficulty communicating with the hotel staff or sellers of local shops.
Many people say rather well or understand Russian, although knowledge of English or German on your part will only be an additional trump card. The attitude of the local population towards tourists is very benevolent. You will always be helped and tell me unfamiliar people. Turks are generally quite friendly and hospitable people, and those conflicts that are rare, but may be mainly provoked by the inadequate behavior of the tourists themselves.
If you need the Internet, there is no problem in this. Almost all hotels have a wireless connection for which it is not necessary to pay. As a last resort, you can use the service of one and the Internet cafe, which are on the streets of the city. As for telephone communication, the system of blocking foreign telephones is valid in Turkey. It acts as follows. If you have not appealed to one and mobile phone operators on the registration of your phone, then within a few days it will be blocked and call it you can not. This is done to prevent the smuggling of phones and other countries. To do this, you will need to approach one of the cellular offices and paying money to unlock your phone. This is done only to tourists who are in Turkey for no more than a month. If your stay exceeds a month, you will have to buy a phone adapted to work in the country. You can freely find an old phone for dollars 20-30. In the event of the unnecessary frequent telephone conversations, you can buy a telephone card in any supermarket or stall, where they are sold, and use the taxophone, which can be found in the streets in large numbers. The minimum cost of such a card is four and a half.
The main part of our compatriots come for the sake of shopping, so they stop not in Sultanahmet, and in the neighboring areas with it, which are within walking distance and where the main part of the wholesale and retail stores is concentrated. Now I will briefly describe what area is located.
Bayazit. Here is the world famous bazaar '' Capali Charshi ''.
The range is the most diverse, from jewelry to souvenirs and food. It makes no sense to list everything. The area is large enough and a large number of shops and bazaars are located throughout its territory. Going away from the "Caps of Charshi" in the direction of the Embankment of the Eminian district, there is a street with shops that sell various types of weapons and other goods for hunting and fishing. Next, going down below the street, go shops with dishes and other kitchen utensils, live appliances. Passing some more, the ranks of the stores of toys and goods for children begin. Closer to the promenade itself, streets selling shopping goods and such as mangals, safes and the like.
If you face the embankment, then having passed a little right, you will get to the market '' Myster Charsche '', translates as a corn market.
There is a large selection of agricultural products, various seeds, indoor plants. Large interest are pet sales departments, and not only such as bunny chickens and similar species, namely pets in the form of parrots, canary, dogs, cats, monkeys and more exotic, like snakes or lizards. The choice is really very big.
On the opposite of the Emino Bank of the Strait, the Karaki region is located.
There is a port in which ships arrive from other countries, in particular from Ukraine and many tourists live in cabins on ships. In the port area there is a large shopping complex EKHRO 2000, which contains a large selection of various products. The Karaken region itself can be interested in shops with various equipment and machines.
Opposite the Burezit, behind the tram line, is the most famous area of the district of Istanbul. Of course, we are talking about Lales.
There is a huge selection of various kinds of shops and wholesale and retail shopping centers. The bulk of the shuttles, acquire their goods in the area. There are quite a few hotels with accommodation prices from $ 15 and above. In addition, the area is rich in its restaurants and nightclubs. One of these popular restaurants is "Aksu", where in the evening it is hard to find free space. Our compatriots are major customers. The advantage of the restaurant is rich in the menu, delicious dishes and relatively low prices. There is a restaurant between Stalls and Aksarai Streets, which in turn are both the names of the districts. I want to note that smoking in the premises is prohibited, despite their purpose, so choosing a place in the restaurant, subject to smoking at the table, it is worth staying on the terrace. Numerous shops of shoes and accessories for its production spread between the districts of Lales and Sultanahmet.
In the area of Aksarai, which borders with Lales, a large selection of shops with auto parts and accessories for cars. A little further sell building materials and everything for home. In the same area there is a famous '' Balkanbazar '', which contains a large selection of textiles and other goods. From him, buses are sent in the direction of Bulgaria and Romania.
This is what is the most popular areas of Istanbul. In anyone and they have a large selection of hotels, restaurants and offices for the sale of tickets in any direction and selling excursions throughout Turkey. I think my information will help you while traveling to Istanbul.