Istanbul: The Ultimate Guide by Saffet Emre Tonguç

Istanbul: The Ultimate Guide Reviews

• 
  Paul

  Wow, this book is amazing. Thousands of photos, and a depth of coverage--it's full of descriptions of places in Istanbul that I (who've been there 3 times) nor my wife (who's been there 6 or 7 times) have never heard of from any of the several guidebooks we've read.
  
  Opening to a random spread: Pages 326-327 (covering part of the Galata area) have 9 photos, a quote from a travel writer, an inset box about the Genoese in that area in the 1000s and 1100s, and information about a hospital, a restaurant in a building that was once a prison, a church, and an apartment block built by a French ambassador in the 18th century. And it goes on for 600 pages like this.
  
  One of the few paper books (as opposed to ebooks) I will take with me the next time I go.
• 
  Bethany

  I've read through this about three times in the past four or so days. I have colour-coded sticky notes EVERYWHERE. It's a really fantastic resource, and I can't wait to actually put it to use!
• 
  SusanwithaGoodBook

  Fabulous resource jam-packed with interesting tidbits of info and wonderful photos. I briefly looked at it before our visit to Istanbul, but didn't have time to dive in. I've already got a list of places to see if we can ever go again. There's so much to see and do there.
• 
  Ilona Vellekoop

  For someone like me, who has visited Istanbul more often than the doctor it is hard to find a book that can show me something new and surprising. More often than not I think I could have written a better guide myself. But not in this case! I bought the Turkish version of this book two years ago and fell in love with it. This year I discovered a hardback and totally updated version in the bookstore but decided I wanted the English version instead so my friends and relatives could also use it. Bought it at the airport, amazingly cheap for a 600 page book that not only covers every aspect but also every interesting corner of this huge city. The pictures are great too. And it is totally updated!
  
  The best book on Istanbul I saw in ages.
  
  Is there room for improval: Yes: 1. Though I personally don't need it it does lack a few maps and details about the transport systems. 2. I wish the index would be more elaborate. 3. The hardback version is already dropping pages :-(.