# Anyone been to Istanbul? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 28, 2016, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610 "2016-06-28T11:08:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/21 "2016-06-28T22:04:11Z")
I love the city’s skyline, it’s like Asia and Europe, modernity and antiquity, all slammed together. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2016, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/22 "2016-06-28T22:18:30Z")
I’m sure there’ll be a thread on this soon enough, but word is coming in of a Brussels-style terrorist attack at Istanbul’s airport. At least 28 dead and 60 injured with both counts expected to rise. The following cite is from the _Daily Mail_ but it’s the most comprehensive I’ve seen thus far. Fairly graphic but not gruesome pics included. Prob NSFW. [Cite](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3664710/Two-explosions-gunfire-Istanbul-s-Ataturk-airport-cause-multiple-injuries.html) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/23 "2016-06-28T22:55:13Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I’m sure there’ll be a thread on this soon enough, but word is coming in of a Brussels-style terrorist attack at Istanbul’s airport. Yup, **madmonk28** and **Don Draper** and **Little\_Pig** have mentioned that. Like the Brussels attack, it seems to have been a suicide bombing. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/24 "2016-06-29T00:05:32Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The Blue Mosque is nice, but the Hagia Sophia is 800 years older and twice as impressive. I’d go there instead. This ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/25 "2016-06-29T05:13:27Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Um, the OP may [want to delay](http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36658187) that visit. Oh, crap…! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![GWF\_Hefel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@GWF\_Hefel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GWF_Hefel)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/26 "2016-06-29T11:39:57Z")
Hi, I lived in Istanbul for a few years and no one has suggested anything wrong. I would go with either hopping a ferry back and forth across the Bosphorus for a restful overview or going to Aya Sofia if you want to visit one location. Unfortunately, between security (even in normal times) and Istanbul crowds you will probably not have time to go anywhere. The M1 subway or subway & T1 tram will get you to the old part of the city where everything is within walking distance. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/27 "2016-06-29T13:04:18Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The Blue Mosque is nice, but the Hagia Sophia is 800 years older and twice as impressive. I’d go there instead. They are literally across each other. You can go to both (and most tours do). The problem with Haiga Sophia is that ot seems to perpetually undergoing repairs and renovations. Fun fact, the Dome of the Rock was based on Haiga Sophia. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/28 "2016-06-29T14:41:47Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > They are literally across each other. You can go to both (and most tours do). The problem with Haiga Sophia is that ot seems to perpetually undergoing repairs and renovations. > > Fun fact, the Dome of the Rock was based on Haiga Sophia. Dude–architect Sinan’s entire career was based on Hagia Sophia! In particular, compare Sultanahmet (the “Blue Mosque”) with Ayasofya. Sinan saw something unique and wonderful in the old church and worked for his whole life developing that idea to the fullest extent possible. Sultanahmet (the “Blue Mosque”) is the ultimate masterpiece of that quest and the reason Sinan is like the most renowned name in architecture next to Frank Lloyd Wright. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/29 "2016-06-29T16:25:48Z")
Last fall we had a day in Istanbul, prior to sailing away on a cruise. We got on to a walking tour that started in the Hippodrome, went through Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, broke for lunch, sprinted through the Grand Bazaar, and then toured the Blue Mosque. It’s a fantastic city, and there is so much to see. But we felt we got a nice taste in a short amount of time. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/30 "2016-06-29T16:29:15Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I had a date there, but she never showed. ☹ Check Constantinople. ---
**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/31 "2016-06-29T18:02:44Z")
OP, I hope you have a way to reschedule your trip. ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/32 "2016-06-29T18:57:01Z")
I was there exactly a year ago- and my how things have changed in that time! I would go to the Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, The Hippodrome, and the Museum right across the Hippodrome (Culture/Arts). 1 hr, 20 minutes, 20 minutes, 1 hr. If you have time, walk down the main street to the Grand Bazaar (briefly) and then head to the Spice Market (more interesting, I found), There are two other very spectacular Mosques along the way that are worth peaking into. Quick day, but get some highlights in a short period! Taxi back to the airport is quick- although public transportation on the subway won’t take long at all. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/33 "2016-06-29T21:39:58Z")
TMBJ??? (They Might Be Jedi?) ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/34 "2016-06-29T23:49:40Z")
While there I visited Rumeli Hisar castle (and museum) about 5 miles north, on the Bosporus (See Google Maps link). Worthwhile if you have to layover. I also visited the sights mentioned above including a ferry trip between Europe & Asia. If you’re into suspension bridges there are two across the Strait that were not there during my two visits in 1965 & 1966. https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.084387,29.0563544&z=18&output=embed&dg=ntvb&q=Rumelihisar%C4%B1 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610/35 "2016-07-15T22:12:03Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > OP, I hope you have a way to reschedule your trip. Given the recent events, I’m guessing rescheduling will not be a problem. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-been-to-istanbul/758610.md?page=1)