Known as the city of a thousand mosques, the city of the seven hills, and the city of a thousand and one nights, this bridge between Asia and Europe is home to those from all over the world who come together at Occidental Hotels & Resorts in Istanbul. Daily life is always accompanied by the call to prayer from the mosques and seems to stop before the vision of the Hagia Sophia Mosque, its palaces, or a sunset over the waters of the Bosporus.

Old Constantinople is a place brimming with nuances, contrasts and details that inspire a stroll around. Occidental Hotels & Resorts in Istanbul offer you a comfortable location to explore from. You can visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the basilica which was first converted into a mosque and then a museum, the Süleymaniye Mosque, the largest in Istanbul which houses the mausoleums of Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife, and also Dolmabahçe Palace, an imperial residence dating back to the 19th century. 

Getting lost and haggling at the Grand Bazaar is a must on your trip. As is the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, with its Byzantine frescoes which are considered the best preserved in the world; and the enormous Topkapi Palace, centre of the Ottoman Empire. A climb up to the hilltop cemetery in Eyüp allows you to enjoy views of the Golden Horn, the division between east and west.

Old Constantinople is also home to a modern area with its centre in Taksim Square, blending the traditional and the contemporary, just like the offering at Occidental Hotels & Resorts in Istanbul. From an unrivalled position, guests will be able to explore the hidden mosque of Rüstem Paşa, relax in the Turkish baths or Gülhane Park, and above all enjoy a truly magical city in complete comfort. 

Visit east and west by staying at Barceló Hotel Group hotels in Istanbul.