City Guide: Istanbul

It may come as a surprise to many, but Istanbul is fast gaining a reputation as the world's hippest city.

That reputation is based on the fact it is a city on the move, swelling with bars, restaurants, galleries and clubs that rival its more historic attractions such as Ottoman mosques.

An ancient city, Istanbul is all about the old versus the new, the traditional versus the modern. It is a conflict any visitor can see. This city is full of contrasts. It is a mix that gives Istanbul its charm,  giving visitors more than enough to fill their day, before transforming into a center characterized by vibrant nightlife after dark.

Through Booked.net you can be part of the action. Booked.net can help you find an Instanbul hotel from cheap to five-star accommodation. As well as a comprehensive selection of hotels in Istanbul we provide information on the hotels facilities, photos, maps, and secure reservation forms.

Istanbul is a major city in Turkey at the edge of the Black and Marmara seas. It is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, therefore attaining global cultural and financial significance. Due to this, the hotels in Istanbul saw a noticeable growth over the past years. At

Booked.net we list a range of Istanbul hotels, and provide you with relevant information on Istanbul.

Known for its Ottoman architecture, Instanbul's cityscape still reflects the various peoples and empires that have ruled there from the Genoese, Byzantine, Roman, and even Greek.
Must-sees include;

- The Greek era Maiden's (Leander's) Tower

- Obelisks from the Hippodrome of Constantinople modeled after the Circus Maximus in Rome, are still visible in Sultanahmet Square

- The oldest existing examples of Ottoman architecture are the Rumelishisari and Anadoluhisari fortresses

The ancient sites reflect the fact Istanbul was seen as heir to ancient Greece and Rome, before the city was captured Further it was captured by the forces of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II.
The World War I was to spell the end of Ottoman domination and when the Republic of Turkey was formed, Istanbul ceded its capital credentials to Ankara.

As a visitor, you can find a hotel close to what interests you using our Istanbul hotel map at Booked.net. If sightseeing, then look for Istanbul hotel near famed Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace around Sultanahmet Square. Business travelers will benefit from Istanbul accommodation in New City. At Booked.net you can easily find cheap Istanbul hotels or luxury hotels in Istanbul using our hotel rating system based on unbiased real travelers' reviews.