Istanbul car rental comparison

The ancient city of Constantinople, nowadays known as Istanbul, is the second-largest city in the world and considered the beating heart of Turkey. Its wide array of historical attractions is a haven for classical historians and its picturesque minaret cityscape, with its profuse Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, is admired by all. HAPPYCAR is here to help you find the best car hire Istanbul has to offer so you can take full advantage of this huge cit, and a direct car hire Istanbul Airport is also available. We check the prices of international and local providers so that you don’t have to check each website to provide you with the best deals to make your money go further on a rental car that fits your specific vacation needs.

General Information

Istanbul served as the capital of four empires over its history, both Christian and Muslim, and its historical role that shaped the region’s history over 2,500 years has bestowed Istanbul with a bounty of stunning attractions. The city is huge and sprawling and conservative districts with mosques and minarets face opposite swish modern streets with bustling business districts and fashionable malls. The inhabitants of Istanbul are content with this cultural meld and are incredibly warm towards the visitors who explore into their city.

To Do

A must for any patron of Istanbul is a trip to the Hamam, a Turkish bath. Almost every neighborhood in the city has one, and provides a great way to unwind with a sauna and a scrub. Many walking tours are available around many museums and mosques such as the Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque, and there is a classic Bosporus cruise to the Black Sea that proves popular all year round. If you’re in the mood to brave the sports fans there are a number of popular soccer teams that play in Istanbul, such as Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray, but be warned of their passion. No visit to Istanbul would be complete, however, without a trip to the Grand Bazaar. This chaotic labyrinth has been the heart of the Old City for centuries and begs to be rediscovered time and time again. It’s a perfect place to practice your haggling and try some çay.

Attractions

Istanbul’s architecture is a massive draw for tourists and architecture buffs alike. Visitors will find themselves absorbed in these historical monuments for days. Many of these buildings date back to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods and in particular there is a cluster of beautiful buildings in the Sultanahmet district, featuring the famous Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and the Hagia Sophia, perhaps the greatest architectural landmark in the heart of the city that has served both as a church and a mosque. A day-long tour of all these sights is possible, but doing so would miss out on a lot of their character.

Eating

Istanbul is home to Turkey’s best restaurants, including old Ottoman cuisine and a healthy menu of fish. Of course, snacks populate every corner of every street that cater to locals, workers and tourists alike, and the chance to plug into this city is all around. You can easily duck in to a Türkü bar to listen to the languid sounds of Anatolian folk music or take in some of its annual cultural festivals. But if you prefer something a little more modern, Istanbul features a wide selection of fusion creations, Asian dishes or Italian classics.

Excursions

Istanbul can easily soak up your time with its sprawling streets and its many historical attractions, but an Istanbul car hire with HAPPYCAR can help you explore around Istanbul and Turkey. South of Istanbul is the country’s capital, Ankara, and is very much worth the drive with an Istanbul car rental not only for the city, but for the scenery on the way. Cappadocia is a unique landscape of strange rock pinnacles and deep valleys that hide rock-cut churches and entire underground cities. You can spend many days here to take in the sights, but at least a couple of days are recommended. You can also take your car to relax at the beach when you visit lovely Greece.