Istanbul air sightseeing tours by Seabird Airlines

Where can you get the best bird eye view of Istanbul? There are some great rooftop bars and restaurants for this as well as historic towers but the best bird eye view comes from a plane touring above Istanbul. You can join a plane tour over Istanbul to get the most out of the city by air sightseeing tours of Istanbul.

Seabird Airlines, Turkey’s first and only Air Taxi / Airline company to land and take off from water, operates DHC-6 Twin Otter Series planes which can take of with 19 passangers from Halic. The Istanbul air sightseeing tour takes approximately 20 minutes and starting from Ataturk Bridge on Halic you will have a chance to see Galata Tower, Rumeli, Anadolu Hisari, Maiden’s Tower.

Seabird Airlines is known for its regional scheduled services from Istanbul to Bozcaada, Bursa and Alacati. In the winter season the company is focusing on these Istanbul tours.

According to Kursad Arusan, the General Manager of Sea Bird Airlines “the large windows of Twin Otter planes provides a nice view of Istanbul and there is a great demand for these tours.

There is a short promotional video below about this fantastic Istanbul tour:


Seabird Airlines Istanbul city tour from Hip-Notics on Vimeo.

The ticket prices for air sightseeing tours of Istanbul is 95 EUR per person per tour and the tickets are sold in http://www.flyseabird.com/ as well as in some 5-star hotels in Istanbul. For an air tour like this, ticket prices are very reasonable.

Below are the places you can see during the 20 minutes plane tour over Istanbul:

• Haydarpaşa Terminal (Haydarpasa Tren Gari)
• Selimiye Barracks (Selimiye Askeri Kışlası)
• Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi)
• Taksim Square (Taksim Meydanı)
• Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı)
• Bosphorus Bridge (Boğaziçi Köprüsü)
• Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayı)
• Kuleli Military High School (Kuleli Askeri Lisesi)
• Bebek
• Roumeli Hissar Castle (Rumeli Hisarı)
• Anadolu Hissar Castle (Anadolu Hisarı)
• Bosphorus University Campus (Bogazici University Kampusu)
• Sarıyer
• Pierre Loti
• Feshane
• Rahmi Koc Museum (Rahmi Koç Müzesi)
• ST. Stephan of Bulgar (Bulgar Kilisesi)
• Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Fener Patrikhanesi)
• Fatih Mosque (Fatih Camii)
• Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi)
• Galata Bridge (Galata Köprüsü)
• Suleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii)
• Beyazit Tower (Beyazıt Kulesi)
• Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
• Hipodrom
• Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)
• Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
• Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)

For other alternative Istanbul tours check our Bosphorus Cruise – Full Bosphorus Cruise and Short Bosphorus Tour post. You can visit our Istanbul tours pages for more Istanbul sightseeing tours.

The Hagia Sophia Topkapı Palace and Ephesus most visited attractions in Turkey

The Hagia Sophia Museum,Topkapı Palace and the ruins of Ephesus. These are the most visited tourism attractions in Turkey last year, according to the Culture Ministry’s General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums.

The Hagia Sophia Museum, a 1,475-year-old church that is regarded as one of the most significant architectural structures in Istanbul and in the world, became the most-visited museum in 2012. Hagia Sophia was a former Greek Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later an imperial mosque, and is now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. The Hagia Sophia served as inspiration for many other Ottoman mosques, such as the Blue Mosque, the Şehzade Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque and the Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque.

Topkapı Palace in Istanbul which was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign came in second place. Both Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia are located in Sultanahmed and within walking distance to each other and infamous Blue Mosque.

Ephesus, an ancient Greek and later a major Roman city on the coast of Ionia was in the third place. The ruins of the city which date back to 6000 B.C. are one of the best preserved ancient city ruins in Turkey and is quite popular thanks to its accessibility.

Meanwhile, the Mevlana Museum in the Central Anatolian province of Konya and the ruins of Hierapolis in the Aegean province of Denizli ranked among the most popular museums and ruins.

In 2011 a grand total of 28,462,893 tourists visited museums and ruins in Turkey, contributing 253,892,756 liras of revenue.

Top 10 Destination in Turkey

TripAdvisor's Traveller's Choice Awards 2013 has been out. We have looked at the top destinations in Turkey in 2013. Not suprisingly the list is crowded by resort cities from Turkish Turqouise Coast and lead by Turkey's largest and most happening city Istanbul. Still suprised to see Ankara on the top while there are better destinations like Izmir or Bursa.

1 - Istanbul
Istanbul is located on both Asia and Europe and carries characteristics of both. It may not be the capital but it is the most important city in Turkey. Its centuries old history combined with being the cultural, financial and entertainment center of Turkey offers something to all travelers and naturally sits at the top of top 10 destinations list in Turkey.

TripAdvisor advices not to miss Sultanahmet District, Bosphorus Strait and Suleymaniye Mosque.

2 - Marmaris

Seaside resort of Marmaris on Turkish Turquoise Coast is a very popular destination for cruise ships as well as British budget holiday hunters. Do not miss Blue Voyage, Dalyan, Marmaris Marina and Cleopatra Island.

Marmaris Marina

3 - Antalya
Turkey's tourism capital Antalya offers great beaches, traditional Turkish culture and some of the best beaches of Turkish Riviera. When there do not forget to visit city's old town center, Termessos, Antalya Archieological Museum and Pamukkale.

4 - Side
This resort town and a classical historic site in Pamphylia of Mediterranean Turkey hosts one of the few sites where you can find well-protected Roman ruins. Side offers quite nice resorts and beaches and is popular for both locals and tourists.

5 - Goreme
A town literally carved into the volcanic rock, Goreme is the gateway to the Goreme National Park, a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses spectacular 10th- and 11th-century cave churches. The park itself is known for its chimney rock formations and is very popular with backpackers. It’s also a great area to sample Turkish cuisine and wine.

6 - Bodrum
This is where all Turkish Turquoise Coast as a tourist destination has started. Turkey's most popular vacation hotspot is also one of the most important stops on Turkish Riviera. It offers both a very nice beach and sea sports destination as well as a very vibrant nightlife.

7 - Dalyan Turkey
Ancient ruins, mud baths and loggerhead sea turtle breeding grounds are just some of the magical features of Dalyan. Beach sports, bike rides and river tours will satisfy your inner adventurer. Don’t miss the ornate Lycian tombs, carved into the cliffs along the Dalyan Çayı River circa 400 B.C.

8 - Oludeniz

Paragliding over Oludeniz

Famous for its 'Blue Lagoon' offers fantastic beaches and the best paragliding location in Turkey.

9 - Ankara
I am not sure how the capital city of Turkey famous for being the city of bureaucrats, students and soldiers made the top 10 destination but the city has its own character, a very nice modern facade and offers several tourist attractions for those interested in Turkish history like Ataturk Mausoleum (Anitkabir) and Anatolian Civilizations Museum (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Muzesi).

10 - Urgup
The Cappadocia region's most upscale and contemporary tourist city, Urgup has a number of lovely hotels, many built in and around centuries-old cave dwellings. The city and its surrounding area are known for their mysterious fairy chimneys, early Christian rock churches and fine vineyards. A mix of ancient and modern, Urgup is a center for traditional handmade carpets, but also has a lively nightlife. Hot air ballooning is very popular, and a fantastic way to see the area's beauty from above.

Istanbul Vacation Package by Untours

In April 2013, Untours will welcome their new Istanbul vacation package, the Istanbul Untour. “It is an exciting new destination for us,” says Brian Taussig-Lux, Untours General Manager. “Istanbul strikes the perfect balance of exotic and safe, exciting but easy to navigate.”

The new program was announced at the end of January, and early sales have been brisk. “I am thrilled with our early response,” says Cathrin Baumbach, one of the program’s coordinators. “Clearly there was a lot of pent up demand, both from our regular clients and new ones.”

This huge response supports the beliefs of Fodor's and [The New York Times that Istanbul is one of the top 25 places to go in 2013.

“Our clients asked for Istanbul,” says Taussig-Lux. “And now they are responding! We were delighted to see bookings even before the program was officially announced on our website.”

The Istanbul vacation package includes a week or two in a hand-selected, staff-inspected apartment in the city, with central locations in the ancient Sultanahmet district and the trendy Galata neighborhood. “We loved the fantastic street life, churches and restaurants in the area near the Galata Tower,” says Baumbach. “But we knew we also wanted to offer something in the old city. Staying in Sultanahmet, you can walk to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. You hear the call to prayer and live within the dramatic skyline of mosques and minarets.”

Untours staff meets guests on the Istanbul Untour upon their arrival at the airport. The Istanbul vacation package includes airport transfers and an Istanbul transit card. As with other Untour packages, the Untour in Istanbul allows guests to plan their own daily activities while giving them thorough local information, a cell phone to use on site, and the assistance of knowledgeable hosts.

Istanbul Vacation Package by Untours

Local Untours staffers help guests on the Istanbul Untour settle into the city and present an informational seminar the morning after their arrival. This covers the city’s transportation system, an overview of city sights, helpful pointers on safety, and useful information and background on the culture itself. “Our staff people, Hale and Levent, are top notch,” says Andi Cancelliere, another of the program’s coordinators. “When I met Hale for the first time, I felt I was reconnecting with an old friend.”

“Istanbul is a perfect marriage of old and new cultures,” explains Taussig-Lux. “All of our apartments have Wi-Fi and are newly renovated, with high end amenities. But to settle contracts for them, we had to spend a lot of time sitting with owners, face to face, drinking tea and talking.”

On the Istanbul vacation package, local Untours staff members focus their time not only on explaining practical matters, but translating more meaningful aspects of the culture. Beyond presenting Istanbul’s sophisticated tourist infrastructure, they share insight into the city’s rich Islamic tradition and deep rooted history. “On a guided tour of the Hagia Sofia or a cruise on the Bosphorus, they will help translate some of the most fascinating and compelling aspects of Turkish history and culture,” explains Taussig-Lux.

Untours has offered apartment-based, cultural immersion vacations since 1975, with programs all over Europe as well as in Quebec City and Buenos Aires. Visit untours.com for full offerings and for more details on the new Istanbul vacation package. Better yet, see Arthur Frommer’s coverage of the new program.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to Debut in Istanbul, Turkey

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts today announced a new development in Istanbul, Turkey, scheduled to open in 2016. The 210-room hotel will be joined by branded residences and is part of the Quasar Istanbul complex, a new mixed-use development in the Sisli district, a vibrant neighborhood blending commercial, residential and retail yet situated close to major attractions in the city. The project is being developed through a joint venture between Viatrans - Meydanbey. Viatrans is a Geneva-based company specializing in shipping logistics and insurance as well as commercial real estate.

The Quasar Istanbul complex is in the central business district whose showpiece is the former Mecidiyeköy Liqueur and Cognac Factory. Built in the 1930's on then undeveloped land, the factory was designed by Robert Mallet-Stevens, who with Le Corbusier was among the most influential modern French architects of that era.

Two 41-story towers will sit above a 4-story office podium with fitness facilities and luxury retail stores. The towers will house a Fairmont Hotel and Fairmont Residences as well as Quasar Residences and offices which will be managed by Fairmont. The hotel will feature Fairmont Gold, the brand's hotel within a hotel lifestyle offering, a number of lounges and several restaurants, 2,000 square meters of function space, and a Willow Stream Spa.

The two residences are whole-ownership, private homes and will offer studios, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom duplexes. While in residence, owners will have access to a private lounge and a number of services and amenities such as 24-hour concierge, wine cellar, preferred pricing for various hotel offerings including dining, spa and fitness, meeting facilities, hotel guestrooms and more. Owners will also be awarded VIP status and privileges when they travel to any Fairmont hotels or resorts worldwide.

The former distillery, located adjacent to the hotel will undergo a thoughtful restoration echoing the Modern style of its French designer to become a culture, fashion and arts center for special events and exhibits. A verdant urban open space is also planned for the development of a city park and recreation area.

Photo - Emlak Guncel

"Istanbul is an exciting, dynamic city that will appeal to our business and leisure guests," said Jennifer Fox, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. "As well as complementing our other developments in the region, it is very exciting to be partnering with Viatrans on this amazing project blending hotel, residential and community space."

Turkey's largest city straddles the Bosphorus one of the world's busiest waterways, and is the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. Istanbul served as the capital of three distinct empires, including Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, and is located at the edge of Europe and Asia, with one-third of its population living in Asia and its commercial and historical center in Europe. Today it is a thriving tourist and business destination rich with history and natural beauty, home to 13.5 million people in the second-largest metropolitan area in Europe.

Fairmont Quasar, Istanbul is the most recent project to be announced by the brand in the region and joins Fairmont Kyiv, Ukraine; Fairmont Baku, Azerbaijan (2013) and Fairmont Pekin, Moscow (2016).

Istanbul is in Top 10 best cities to travel

It is so delightful how tourism in Istanbul came a very long way in just a decade. This largest and most beautiful city of Turkey which spans between Asia and Europe as well as modern and ancient has been visited by 7 million foreigners in 2010, up from 2.4 million visitors of 2000. [1] This makes it the 10th most visited city in the world.[2]

Although still largely (and narrowly) known for its historic center (Sultanahmet-Old City) with majestic mosques and ancient shopping bazaars, this is only a fraction of what Istanbul offers for a holiday visit. Istanbul offers great shopping experience, a world class cuisine (ancient Ottoman recipes are must try), beautiful shores of Bosphorus and surprisingly rich and entertaining night life. It is also quite easy to travel to other tourism centers in Turkey from Istanbul such as Turquoise Coast a.k.a Turkish Riviera.

So in short, Istanbul is one of the best cities in the world to visit. Actually the 3rd best, according to the 2012 World’s Best Awards. Travel + Leisure readers voted Istanbul the 3rd best city of the world to travel to. But what is more promising is the fast rise of the city in the list: Istanbul has risen from 5th spot to 2nd. And it is now the Europe's second best city to visit [3]:

"New York City holds its title for the twelfth year in a row as the Best City in the U.S. and Canada, and ranks No.7 among top cities overall, while Bangkok retains its number one ranking in the world for the third year in a row. Istanbul rises to its highest ranking ever in the survey at No. 3 on the list of Top Cities Overall. Among cities in the U.S. and Canada, Chicago rises to the No. 2 spot and New Orleans moves up to No. 5 this year from No. 6 in 2011." [2]

Istanbul is rising in almost all types of tourism such as medical. Thanks to the high quality of healthcare of private hospitals, medical tourism has surged in Turkey with laser eye surgery is the common among medical tourists.[1] Recent, popularity of Turkish Soap Operas in the Arab world also helped this part of the region to rediscover Turkey as a holiday destination.

Although largely known with its historic center, Istanbul offers much more to visitors.
In the photo Ortakoy district of Istanbul seen from European side. Other side of the Bosphorus is Asia.
Bogazici Bridge connecting Asia and Europe can be seen behind.

Worlds Top 10 Cities for Travel & Leisure

RANK	2011	NAME	SCORE
1	1	Bangkok	89.87
2	2	Florence	89.14
3	5	Istanbul	89.11
4	6	Cape Town	88.64
5	8	Sydney	88.52
6	3	Rome	88.49
7	4	New York City	88.12
8	-	Hong Kong	88.03
9	-	Kyoto, Japan	87.90
10	10	Paris	87.67

[1] - Istanbul
[2] - World's Most Visited Cities

[3] - World Best Cities 2012

[2] - Travel+Leisure Press Release