Istanbul is not just the largest city in Turkey. It is a crossroads of world cultures, religions and eras, where minarets neighbor with synagogues and Orthodox cathedrals, and bazaars buzz at the foot of ancient fortresses. The city that was Byzantium, Constantinople and the capital of the Ottoman Empire, continues to be the center of life, art, fashion and business of modern Turkey.

People don't just come here to vacation - they come here to experience time.

📍 Geography and structure of the city

• Population: more than 16 million

• Position: is located on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, which connects Europe and Asia, and between the Sea ofMarmara and the Black Sea.

• Districts:

  • Old Town (Fatih) - the heart of historical heritage

  • Beyoğlu and Galata - the European cultural core

  • Usküdar and Kadıköy are the lively neighborhoods of the Asian side.

  • Beşiktaş, Nişantaşı, Şişli - modern neighborhoods with fashion and business.

🏛 History: from Byzantium to metropolis

Istanbul has been the capital of three great empires:

• 330 г. - Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, was founded.

• 537 г. - construction of Aya Sofia, the greatest temple of Christianity

• 1453 г. - conquest by the Ottoman Turks, becoming the center of the Muslim world

• 1923 г. - After the founding of the Republic of Turkey, the capital was moved to Ankara, but Istanbul remained the country's main city

🕌 Main attractions

🕌 Hagia Sophia.

• Magnificent 6th century cathedral, former church, mosque, museum, mosque again.

• A symbol of the fusion of Christian and Muslim cultures.

🏰 Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet)

• 6 minarets, exquisite interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.

🏛 Topkapi Palace

• Residence of sultans for 400 years: treasury, harem, swords, relics of the prophet.

🏰 Dolmabahçe Palace

• A luxurious symbol of the new age - baroque, gold and crystal on the banks of the Bosphorus.

⛪ Khora Church (Kariye)

• Byzantine frescoes and mosaics are some of the best in the world.

🕳 Cistern Basilica

• An underground palace of columns and water where Medusa's head stands.

🌁 Walks and atmospheric places to visit

🛳 Bosphorus Strait

• Bosphorus cruises are a unique opportunity to see palaces, villas, fortresses and bridges between Europe and Asia.

🌉 Galata Bridge

• Fishermen, teahouses, street musicians and restaurants under the bridge.

🕍 Galata Tower

• Panoramic view of the Golden Horn and the old city.

🏞 Gulhane Park

• An oasis in the center of the city near Topkapi Palace.

🧱 Balıklı, Fener and Balat districts

• Old Greek, Armenian, Jewish neighborhoods, faded facades, brightly colored houses and coffee shops.

🛍 Oriental bazaars

🧿 Indoor Market (Grand Bazaar)

• One of the oldest in the world (since XV century), more than 4000 stalls: carpets, gold, antiques, spices, tea, leather.

🌶 Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar)

• Flavors of the Orient: saffron, lukum, nuts, dried fruits.

🍽 Istanbul cuisine

Istanbul is a paradise for gourmets.
It has incorporated Ottoman, Balkan, Anatolian and Middle Eastern cuisines.

What to try:

• Balık ekmek - fish in flatbread at the Galata Bridge

• Menemen - eggs with vegetables for breakfast

• Kebabs and doner, from street food to restaurant fare.

• Meze - dozens of raki appetizers.

• Simit bagels with sesame seeds.

• Mussels in shells (midye dolma)

• Turkish tea and coffee

• Baklava, lukum, kazandibi, kunefe

Best Places:

• Pandeli - restaurant in the Egyptian Bazaar

• Ciya Sofrası (Kadıköy) - authentic Turkish cuisine

• Neolokal, Tugra Restaurant, Mikla - gourmet gastronomy.

☕ Coffee culture and nightlife

• Beyoğlu and Kadıköy - bar and music scene

• Karaköy - hipster coffee shops and galleries

• Nisantaşı - style, shopping and parties

• Besiktas - youthful energy and soccer

• Live jazz, evening cruises, rooftop clubs - from relaxation to drive.

🏨 Where to stay

• Sultanahmet - close to history

• Beyoğlu / Galata - old European spirit

• Karaköy - style and modernity

• Kadıköy / Moda - authentic Asian shoreline

• Bosphorus Hotels - with a panorama of the bridge and the strait

Hotel options:

• Four Seasons Sultanahmet - luxury in a restored prison

• Hotel Amira, Romance Istanbul, White House Hotel - boutiques with oriental charm

• 10 Karakoy, Soho House Istanbul, The Stay Bosphorus

🚋 Transportation

• Subway, streetcar, ferries, funiculars, buses, Marmaray (under the Bosphorus).

• Istanbulkart - universal card for all transportation

• Ferries between Europe and Asia are part of everyday life

• The center is conveniently walkable

• Cabs and Uber are available, but traffic jams are possible

🎯 What else to see

• Princes Islands - quiet Mediterranean in 1 hour by ferry

• Rumelihisar and Anadoluhisar - fortresses by the Bosphorus.

• Süleymaniye Mosque - masterpiece of architect Sinan

• Istanbul Modern Museum of Modern Art

• Stadiums: Türk Telekom Arena, Vodafone Park - for soccer fans.

✅ Why go to Istanbul

✔ A city with 2600 years of history
✔ Unique geographical location - between two continents
✔ Intertwined cultures, religions, architecture
✔ Endless walks and discoveries
✔ Delicious cuisine
✔ Suitable for a couple of days, a week, or a lifetime

📌 Conclusion

Istanbul is a city of contrasts, where a mosque can neighbor a nightclub and Byzantine mosaics can neighbor modern street art.
It is a place that cannot be "explored" in one day - you have to absorb it , listen to it, feel it.

They say that once you breathe the air of Istanbul, you will always come back to it.