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Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. T It is located on the Bosphorus strait, and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul (Constantinople) served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330-395), the Byzantine Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), the Latin Empire (1204-1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The "Historic Areas of Istanbul" were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

Its west part is in Europe and east part is in Asia. The important waterline dividing Istanbul into two is the Bosphorus… The only alternative to reach the Aegean Sea and the Meditteranean Sea, therefore to open sea is to use Istanbul and the the Bosphorus…

Istanbul is both the nearest Asian city to Europe and the nearest European city to Asia. What adds to Istanbul’s significance is its being a port city and all trade paths’ passing through the city for thousands of years…

Another important feature of Istanbul is that it has a highly sheltered structure. Especially the center which is presently called as the “historical peninsula”, which was made capital city by both Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and its being located on a hill surrounded by three seas made it almost impossible to be conquered. Indeed, Hali?had the quality of being an unparalleled harbour sheltering navy fleets.Although thousands of years have passed, Istanbul still maintains its geographical importance. Today Istanbul is a huge metropolis connecting continents, cultures, religions and being home to eleven million people; and one of the greatest business and cultural center of the region where you can pick up a hotel easily.

BEST’S IN İSTANBUL

- Seeing two of the master pieces of religious art of Istanbul, Suleymaniye and Sultanahmet Mosques,
- Visiting Hagia Sophia and Museum,
- Visiting Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahce Palace and Rumeli Hisarı,
- Having a ship voyage at Bosporus and Islands,
- Watching Istanbul panorama from Galata Tower and Pierre Loti,
- Following art and cultural activities,
- Being curious and seeing entertainment life,
- Visiting Ortakoy bazaar,
- Having a tour via phaeton in Buyukada, the largest of prince islands
- Eating fish in Bosporus, Kumkapı bazaar, yogurt in Kanlıca, and profiterole in Beyoglu,
- Buying carpet, jewelry, leather clothes in Kapalicarsi, and Turkish delight, baklava, pastirma and deserts in Misir Bazaar,
- Shopping in Beyoglu and all mega shopping centers around the city.

Places to see in Istanbul, Turkey

There are four major sections of the city with touristic interest.

1. Old Town: Mostly the region around Sultanahmet
2. Beyoglu, (Pera District)
3. Bosphorus
4. Prince's Islands (suggested during summer)

Asian side is a residential area only. Nothing of historic or special interest exist, except the Asian side of Bosphorus. It is nicer to live there since it is quieter compared to European side.

You may find mode details in our places to visit page.

Istanbul Palaces and Istanbul Museums

Istanbul’s palaces:
Beylerbeyi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Yildiz Palace, Topkapi Palace

Istanbul’s museums:
Archeological Museum, Asiyan Museum, Ataturk Museum, Museum of Calligraphy, Caricature Museum, Carpet and Kilim Museum, City Museum, Divan Literature Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Fire Brigade Museum, Hagia İrini (Church of St. İrene), Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), Kariye Museum, Mozaic Museum, Naval Museum, Oriental Museum, Press Museum, Rahmi Koc Industrial Museum, Sadberk Hanim Museum, Tanzimat Museum, Topkapi Palace Museum, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (İbrahim Pasha Palace), Vedat Nedim Museum, Yerebatan Cistern Museum (Basilica Cistern)

Istanbul Night Life

There are shows which does include folcloric shows, as well as belly dancing, in several clubs whose clientele are foreign tourists. Nightlife Turkish people are used to consist of bars and discos which are mostly similar to the ones found in Western countries. However, they have major differences in terms of clientele and atmosphere and sometimes the music played.
You can get a feel of the Turkish nightlife in Beyoglu, on Istiklal street. There are many bars in the region almost all on side streets, most of them being within only around 100 feet from the main street.

Ortakoy, another bar and nightlife district, is a much smaller place but more densely populated with bars, as well artisans selling their handicrafts on the streets daytime or nighttime.

We recommend you to try Raki as a part of your nitelife. This is the famoust drink of Turks . Be carefull it is %40 alcohol.