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Istanbul is Turkey’s most populous city and serves as the country’s cultural and financial hub. Located on the Bosphorus Strait, it includes the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn in the northwest of the country. Istanbul truly is the heart of Turkey, uniquely spanning both Europe (Thrace) and Asia (Anatolia). It’s the only metropolis in the world located on two continents.
Throughout its long history, Istanbul has served as the capital of several empires: the Roman Empire (330–395), Byzantium (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). In 2010, Istanbul was named the European Capital of Culture, and in 1985, the “Historic Areas of Istanbul” were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The western part of Istanbul is in Europe, while the eastern part is in Asia, divided by the Bosphorus Strait. Currently, two bridges connect the continents. The Bosphorus also serves as the only sea route to the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, making it a vital waterway.
Istanbul is unique as it is both the closest Asian city to Europe and the nearest European city to Asia. What sets it apart is its long-standing role as a port and trade hub for thousands of years.
If you’re visiting, be aware that transportation by car can be challenging, especially on weekends when parking spots are scarce. Instead, consider taking a bus, dolmuş, or cab from Kadıköy seaport. Alternatively, park your car outside the busy zones and continue on foot or by public transport.
Here are the Istanbul Maps . Click for the maps of Istanbul.
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Another key feature of the city is its exceptional natural defenses. Particularly the old city, now known as the “Historical Peninsula,” which was once the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its location on a hill surrounded by three seas made it nearly impossible to conquer. In fact, the Golden Horn (Halic) was renowned for being an unparalleled harbor, offering shelter to naval fleets. Despite the passage of thousands of years, the city still holds significant geographical importance. Today, it is a sprawling metropolis that bridges continents, cultures, and religions, and is home to over 12 million people. It remains one of the region’s top business and cultural hubs, where you’ll find accommodations with ease.
There are two Istanbul Airports in the city.
Flights to Istanbul
Istanbul Turkey information
– Seeing two of the master pieces of religious art of Istanbul, Suleymaniye and Sultanahmet Mosques,
– Visiting Hagia Sophia and museum,
– Visiting Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace and Rumeli Hisari,
– Having a ship cruise at Bosporus and Islands,
– Watching the great Istanbul panorama from Galata Tower or Pierre Loti,
– Following the art and various cultural activities,
– Having great night life,
– Visiting bazaar of Ortakoy,
– Having a great tour in Buyukada via phaeton , which is the largest of prince islands.
– Eating fish in Bosporus, yogurt in Kanlica just beside the sea.
– Buying jewelry, leather clothes or carpet in Kapalicarsi, and great tastes from Spice Bazaar, Turkish delight, baklava, pastirma .
– Walking by the Istiklal Street, shopping in Beyoglu.
There are four major sections of istanbul with touristic interest.
1. Old Town: largely the region around Sultanahmet and Hagia Sophia
2. Beyoglu, (Pera District)
3. Bosphorus
4. Prince’s Islands (suggested throughout summer)
Asian part may be residental largely. Nothing of historic or interest group exist at so much, except the Asian part of Bosphorus. It’s quieter if you compare to the European part.
Istanbul Museums and Palaces
Istanbul’s palaces:
Beylerbeyi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Yildiz Palace, Topkapi Palace
Istanbul’s museums:
Archeological, Asiyan , Ataturk , Museum of Calligraphy, Caricature , Carpet and Kilim , City , Divan Literature , Fine Arts , Fire Brigade , Hagia Irini (Church of St. Irene), Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), Kariye , Mozaic , Naval , Oriental , Press , Rahmi Koc Industrial , Sadberk Hanim , Tanzimat , Topkapi Palace , Turkish and Islamic Arts (Ibrahim Pasha Palace), Vedat Nedim , Yerebatan Cistern (Basilica Cistern)
Istanbul Night Life
There are shows that will include folcloric shows, moreover as belly dancing, in many clubs whose business are foreign tourists. Nightlife Turkish people are wont to use to bars and discos that are principally the same as those found in Western countries. However, they have major variations in terms of people and atmosphere and generally the music content. You can get a feel of the Istanbul Turkish night life around Beyoglu, on Istiklal street. You will find many bars in the region almost all on back streets, most of the bars being within only around 50-100 mt away from the main street.
Ortakoy is another bar and night life area, is a much more smaller comapred to Taksim. It is more densely populated. You can check out the artisans selling their handicrafts on the streets during daytime or nightime. We recommend you to try Raki as a part of your nitelife. This is the famoust drink of Turks . Be carefull it has %40 alcohol.
