Let your self experience a great city where the Continents meet.
Latest News
New openings in 2024
The St. Saviour in Chora (Kariye) is re-opened after years of restorations as a mosque and a museum.
Entrance fees in 2024
As of 1st of March 2024, many State museums' fees are set in Euros, to be paid its equivalent in Turkish Liras.
Museum Pass
You can buy the "Museum Pass" for foreigners which is valid for 5 days in various museums of Istanbul.
Museums open 7 days
Many State museums in Istanbul operate 7 days a week, except Topkapi Palace.
Pera Palas Hotel in Istanbul
Pera Palas Hotel in Galata district is one of the oldest and the most famous hotels of Istanbul. The hotel was built in 1892 for the specific purpose of hosting passengers arriving on the Orient Express train. Agatha Christie was one of its visitors where she wrote Murder on the Orient Express. Today, the "Agatha Christie Room", number 411, is now preserved in her honor.
Another room, number 101, is notable too as it housed Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic, while he prepared for the Turkish War of Independence. "Atatürk's Suite" is a small museum now, displaying his personal objects of interest like ebony chairs, exotic oriental carpets and a rare black silk prayer rug, all gifts from foreign heads-of-state to the Turkish leader.
The fascinating lobbies and halls of the hotel are decorated with 19th century furniture. Its "Orient Bar" and charming dining rooms are considered some of the most atmospheric in Turkey. One can well imagine the spies Mata Hari and Kim Philby lounging seductively on a comfy sofa in the bar or Ernest Hemingway outlining his next novel in the dining room over Chicken Döner and Bloody Mary's with his lady of the moment. Many historically notable people were guests at the Pera Palas.
Pera Palace Hotel was closed by the end of 2006 and restored until September 2010, and it's completely rennovated now including a spa center and meeting rooms.
The hotel is at walking distance to Taksim Square and several Foreign Consulates such as British, Swedish, Russian, Dutch, Italian, French, German, etc.
Hope to see you soon in Istanbul.
