Traveling to Istanbul (Turkey) for the first time, need tips =)?

Grand Cevahir Hotel is not a nice hotel. I've been there, and there are many others with a better price and quality. And Hünkar is not a place that comes to one's mind about eating in Istanbul. Chora church is a museum first of all, and it's not even on the top 20 list to see. I doubt this person knows Istanbul at all. Did you google those derya? December is cold here, bring winter clothes. And no one stares whatever you wear. " they find that very disrespectful." no comment...There are many people living there, and many other tourists in any time of the year, no one finds anything disrespectful. If you went to the villages i could tell some tips about the culture, but i cant find anything to advice to a tourist visiting a cosmopolitan city. If you act friendly, smile and say hi and bye, ppl will like it.

Hi! First of all, December is a nice time to visit Istanbul. You may even have a chance to see the snow) I would recommend you to stay at cozy Tria Elegance hotel in Sultanahmet - its location is very close to major sights. They have a beautiful restaurant and terrace, offering real Turkish food. You should definitely visit Topkapi Palace - you can spend the whole day there. Then visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Yerebatan Sarnici. Then go to Taksim and have a walk along Istiklal Avenue. There are lots of interesting shops and boutiques. Take a Bosphorus trip from Eminonu pier - it's really amazing. And do not pass by Istanbul street vendors and their street food!

It will be cold in December, but sometimes the weather in Istanbul is insane so it may be nice then. Also, Turks overheat the insides of buildings, so you should bring outerwear appropriate for winter, but also bring clothes appropriate for summer. There's no real suggestions for culture - it's a big, modern city. Read up on the common scams targeting tourists in Turkey. If you think someone is being creepy, don't worry about walking away or telling him to go away. You don't mention your budget etc., which would dramatically affect where you could/should stay and eat. You should definitely try mezes and raki while you are there, gozleme, ayran, Turkish breakfast, and in the winter they'll have sahlep which is delicious. The Chora church, in my opinion, is better than the aya sofia (but not as big). You could go there, then see the city walls, then go up to Eyup (which is a quite conservative area of Istanbul) to see a beautiful view of the city - or take a boat ride there or back for a great view. The Eyup mosque is a pilgrimage site - the most important in Islam that non-Muslims can get into, so that's pretty cool. Another day in Sultanahmet could include the Aya Sofia, Blue Mosque, hippodrome+other statutes in the square, the Basilica Cistern (my favorite) and the Topkapi palace. It's cool to go to the Asian side just to see it (quite different than the European side of Istanbul), but there aren't as many tourist destinations there. Another day going to the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, looking at the New Mosque, walking across the Eminonu bridge (over and under), walking by Tophane and maybe smoking nargile if you'd like, then up to Istiklal to walk to Taksim square. I would skip the Dolmabahce palace, but that's because I don't like looking at crazy ornate things - but if you wanted to go, you should. Maybe a copy of Lonely Planet would help you out while you're there.

since your traveling alone be careful of pickpockets. many little kids run up and snatch away your purse or bag. so hold on to it tight and be aware of the men around you. just remeber if a guy asks you to join him to go for a drink or something never do it and i wouldn't be out very late if you do take a taxi.some men my try to touch or turn on the charm with you and if you keep smiling at a guy he might think your interested in him. so overall remeber to have fun and know that istanbul is a great place. to attract less guys where something that covers most of your body try shopping at the bazzaer when entering a mosque they will sometimes give you a scarf put on your head. once leving the tourist area you'll notice that things get a lot cheaper. once sales people know your a tourist they will try and hussle you so be careful AND HAVE A GREAT TRIP