For a new tourist without a detailed map of Istanbul, it can be challenging to navigate the city. The city's districts are divided into official administrative areas, historical districts, and tourist areas. These different regions often overlap with each other, and the Sultanahmet neighbourhood may not be clearly labelled on a regular map of Istanbul.
It is very convenient to have a map of Istanbul from hotels. It is easy to find sights, shops, restaurants located near your hotel and how to get to them.
The city can be roughly divided into two parts, separated by the Bosphorus - the Asian and European sides. The Asian side includes two attractive districts for tourists, Uskudar and Kadikoy. However, this part of the city is generally considered less popular than the European side, so accommodation here tends to be cheaper.
We recommend staying in this part of Istanbul to those who have come here not for the first time or want to feel the real atmosphere of the city. Also, accommodation in the Asian part is suitable for lovers of shopping and tourists who want to save on housing without sacrificing comfort.
In the European part of Istanbul, it is worth highlighting the Sultanahmet district and the Taksim district. It is here that most of the sights are located, which means that it is best to stay closer to them. In addition, there are plenty of hotels for every taste and budget.
Dangerous districts of Istanbul
Istanbul is considered a calm and safe city. But even here there are places that are best avoided. Locals advise not to wander into the Tarlabashi area, especially at night. It has long been inhabited by Kurds from Eastern Turkey and emigrants from Arab countries. Robbery is not uncommon here, and at night you can easily stumble upon drug dealers and girls of easy virtue.
