European Side

Travel Guide

From the verdant mountains on the European side of the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul, Turkey, appears picturesque on a summer day. Traditional houses harmonize with the dense foliage
Istanbul, Turkey - September 2019: Panorama of the modern European side; Istanbul cityscape on the banks of Bosphorus strait
Panoramic view of the city from Çamlıca Hill. Istanbul Turkey, February 2024
Istanbul at sunset, Turkey. Bosphorus divides the city into the Asian and European parts. View from the European side.; Shutterstock ID 268794914
The Sultanahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles that are used to decorate the interior) is one of the grandest and most famous mosques in Istanbul.

The mosque was criticized early on for having 6 minarets – the same number of the Great Mosque in Mecca. Sultan Ahmet overcame this problem by ordering a 7th minaret to be built at the Great Mosque.

One local anecdote claims that the original design called for several gold minarets. The architect realized that there wasn't enough gold in the empire to construct gold minarets, so he built six minarets instead. When questioned about his decision, the architect claimed that he mistakenly heard the instruction to be six ("altı" in Turkish) minarets rather than gold ("altın" in Turkish) minarets.

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Where to stay in European Side

Blue Mosque featuring a mosque, a pond and a fountain

Sultanahmet

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Blue Mosque to Hagia Sophia – discover Sultanahmet, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Sultanahmet
Taksim which includes street scenes and a city as well as a couple

Taksim

4/5(355 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Taksim. Taksim Square is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Taksim Station or Findikli Station to see more of Istanbul.

Taksim
Cumhuriyet Anıtı featuring street scenes, a city and a square or plaza

Istanbul City Center

4/5(122 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Istanbul City Center. Check out top attractions like Blue Mosque and Taksim Square, and jump on the metro at Aksaray Station or Aksaray Tram Station to see more of the city.

Istanbul City Center
Bosphorus Bridge showing a coastal town, a river or creek and cruising

Beşiktaş

4/5(81 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Zorlu Performing Arts Center while getting to know Beşiktaş, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Nispetiye Station or Etiler Station to see more of the area.

Beşiktaş
Karaköy

Karaköy

Spend some time visiting places like Galata Tower while getting to know Karaköy, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Karakoy Station or Karakoy Tünel Station to see more of the area.

Karaköy
Panorama of Golden Horn Gulf and the Bosphorus in Istanbul

Beyoğlu

Enjoy the popular shops in Beyoğlu. Taksim Square is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Tophane Station to see more of Istanbul.

Beyoğlu
YOTELAIR Istanbul Airport AIRSIDE

YOTELAIR Istanbul Airport AIRSIDE

Tayakadin Mah. Terminal Cad. No.1 Arnavutköy Istanbul
The price is HK$2,955 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
HK$2,955
HK$3,310 total
2 Apr - 3 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Arnavutköy. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
Pricey, but very clean and convenient for an early AM flight

Reviewed on 13 Mar 2026

YOTELAIR Istanbul Airport AIRSIDE
Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Airport, Arnavutkoy

Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Airport, Arnavutkoy

4 out of 5
Mehmet Akif Ersoy Mah. Gorele Sk. No 1 Arnavutköy
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is HK$1,037 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
HK$1,037
HK$1,162 total
9 Apr - 10 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Arnavutköy. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,089 reviews)
Excellent !!!

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2026

Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Airport, Arnavutkoy
YOTEL Istanbul Airport LANDSIDE, City Entrance

YOTEL Istanbul Airport LANDSIDE, City Entrance

Tayakadin Mah. Terminal Cad. No.: 1 Arnavutköy Istanbul
The price is HK$2,671 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
HK$2,671
HK$2,992 total
12 Apr - 13 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Arnavutköy. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Helpful staff. I was able to check into my flight early due to their assistance and check my bags early. Room was ready when I arrived. I was able to sleep, shower, watch TV and relax. Breakfast inside the hotel is excellent - the hotel restaurant/bar overall is very good. In general the staff is ...

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2026

YOTEL Istanbul Airport LANDSIDE, City Entrance
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Element Suites

Element Suites

Sehit Muhtar Mah Turan Cad Cevza Sok 2 Istanbul
Stay at this aparthotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
Element Suites
G Tower Residences

G Tower Residences

Mimar Sinan Cd 35 Istanbul Istanbul
Stay at this business-friendly residence in Istanbul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (389 reviews)
The noise coming from somewhere around the room was too much I had to cancel the rest of my reservation, hangers in the wardrobe were very dusty , the lighting in the apartment was too low , I didn’t get the exact luxury vibe it looked like in the photos.

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2026

G Tower Residences
Marriott Executive Apartments Istanbul Investvadi

Marriott Executive Apartments Istanbul Investvadi

Ayazaga Mahallesi Kemerburgaz Cd Sariyer
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Sariyer. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Taksim Square and Galata Tower are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (89 reviews)
The hotel is brand new, rooms are very large , the kitchen is well equipped. Check-in thanks to Akif took only 2 minutes. We stayed a week, every day the hotel supplied with small bottles of water, also supplied with detergents for washing machine and dish washing machine. All staff even security ...

Reviewed on 7 Feb 2026

Marriott Executive Apartments Istanbul Investvadi
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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