Beyazit Square — Attraction in Fatih

This is a wonderful hidden gem in the garment district of Istanbul, Turkey about 4 minutes from the Bazaar. Book through their site & you get free breakfast + 10% off. The small basic rooms lack drawers, but you have everything you need.The bed is comfortable with a Turkish duvet covering. The bathroom has a rainshower & hand faucet. We had a beautiful painted glass window that was lit by the bathroom into the bedroom. The shower is great. Toilets here have a bidet. If your new to this, it becomes quite desired very quickly. Immerse yourself in the experience, but not in the toilet & plan on wiping a larger area for a squeaky clean feeling. Lighting is well setup with recessed lighting in the rooms, switch lights at each bedside, & ambient lighting behind the bed & along the wall. The remote for the tv & the remote for the AC both come in sealed plastic. Hanging space is limited & there are also some hanging hooks by the door with a shelf above. They allow only 1 key but staff will let you in your room anytime. You can fill your water from the filtered water coolers at reception or the terrace, ice is l available on request on the terrace.

Breakfast on the terrace is nice & well balanced. I often have a few pieces of cucumber & tomato slightly salted. The tomato is very bland & if that's the biggest issue, you are doing well. I often grab some shredded string cheese & covering with some scrambled eggs. I get 2 olives & a few grapes on the vine. They do serve orange juice, but I prefer the cherry juice & a coffee. I prefer the view of the Mediterranean watching the ships change direction as the winds change from night to daytime breezes. Food choices include simit, the local bread with butter, cream cheese, or a local jam, rose being my favorite. The honey here is an excellent choice & they have the blackberry + plenty of other choices. If you like, they have a white cheese that is similar to feta but not salty & a yellow cheese like Monterrey Jack. Breakfast has cereal & options that look like cocoa puffs & corn flakes. My wife chose to put oats & honey into her locally made yogurt. Other choices imclude hard boiled egg or french fries / chips, or even morning tea with steamed milk or sugar/sugar substitute. Staff is always ready to assist with anything you

We now upgraded to the Junior Suite & the manager gave us a great deal. It has drawers in the night stand, an armoire & a wonderful day bed that had a light duvet & is set in a bay that is surrounded in light by three windows. The bathroom is expansive with a Turkish bathing area & handheld shower. No rainfall shower head but everything else is wonderful. The entire room is marble. The upgrade doubles our space, adds a tiny microwave, lots more open & closed storage, & a tiny balcony you can walk out on. Most local balconies are now filled with the AC unit for the rooms.

There are shops close by where you can buy detergent, chocolates, ice cream bars, etc

This hotel is charming with a staff seriously dedicated to making your stay an experience you'll cherish & Kamil the manager is not only congenial, but has traveled the world as an educated man so you will find out he is a lot more than just his appearance of a friendly helpful manager. He is a truly great asset...

I spent an unforgettable time at Beyazit Square in the heart of Istanbul. The extraordinary atmosphere of this historical place instantly captivated me. The square itself is impressive in its scale and beauty, surrounded by majestic buildings and historical monuments. Walking through the square, I felt the presence of the spirit of grandeur and history that enveloped this place. There were so many interesting and beautiful things around: glorious monuments, architectural masterpieces, a crowded square, and in the distance the grandiose Laleli Mosque. It was impossible not to be amazed by these magnificent views. I happily sat down on the bench to just watch what was happening around me. There are always a lot of people on the square - tourists, locals, traders, and they all created an incredible atmosphere of life and movement. I smelled the local snacks, heard the sounds of street performers, and felt the energy that filled this amazing square. The cafes and restaurants in the square offered a wide variety of food and drinks, and I did not miss the opportunity to try the local cuisine. A cup of Turkish coffee and lokums became a real discovery for me, giving this place even more flavor. A trip to Beyazit Square became for me a real journey into the past and present of Istanbul. I remember this unique corner of the city not only for its beauty, but also for the spirit of history, which is felt here at every step. I can confidently say that this place left a lasting impression in my memory, and I would be happy to return here...

Beyazıt Square is one of Istanbul’s most historic public spaces, carrying the weight of centuries in its stones.

The square sits on the site of the ancient Forum of Theodosius from Byzantine times and later became a key Ottoman hub. Today, it’s surrounded by landmarks that reflect this layered past. The most striking is the monumental gate of Istanbul University, rising like a triumphal arch and dominating the square. Nearby stands the Beyazıt Mosque, built by Sultan Bayezid II in the late 15th century, a classic Ottoman imperial mosque with its peaceful courtyard and fountain. It is a scene to admire.

The square itself is a lively, often chaotic space with students rushing between classes, vendors selling simit and tea, and the hum of trams and buses passing through. Yet if you pause, you notice its atmosphere: pigeons gathering by the mosque, the smell of roasted chestnuts in winter, and echoes of the old city markets just around the corner with the entrance to the Grand Bazaar only a few steps away. And it is a nice experience to enter the bazaar from there to end at the ports near the Egyptian bazaar. From a visitor’s perspective, Beyazıt Square feels less polished than Sultanahmet or Taksim but more authentic part university plaza, part historical monument, part urban crossroads. It’s a place where Istanbul’s academic life, Ottoman heritage, and everyday street rhythm come. In summer it is a great place to see and walk around and enjoy the energy of this...