Istanbul - Day 1
Arrival

View on Eminönü İskele with Topkapi at the back

Upon our arrival at Istanbul Atatürk airport, we were transferred to the Sude Konak Hotel, that is very conveniently situated at the Ebusuut Caddesi in the Eminönü-Sirkeci district. Staying in the Ebusuut Caddesi has the advantage that it is very close to the major sights of the Sultanahmet district, as well as to the transportation hub at Eminonu. An additional advantage is that this is a quiet area, at least for Istanbul standards.

Eminönü is the name of the district in  İstanbul that is situated right on the waterfront on the south side of the Golden Horn where it runs into the Bosphorus.  Throughout history, Eminönü was Istanbul's main entry point and customs area and was a major shopping area. The area is still buzzing with activity during the day, with street peddlars selling you things you never even knew you wanted. The major landmark at Eminönü  Square is certainly the Yeni Cami or New Mosque. Only in Istanbul, a more than 400-year old building would be called "New".  From Eminönü  İskele, ferries to the Asian side and the Princes Islands leave. This is also the place to take a boat trip along the Bosphorus. The Galata bridge over the Golden Horn connects the districts of Eminönü and Karaköy. In 1992, the 19th century pontoon bridge was replaced by a a modern construction. As was the case for the old bridge, there are again restaurants and teahouses beneath the roadway.  The Sirkeci Train Station, where all trains to and from Europe start and finish and historically the endpoint of the famous Orient Express is situated here.

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