Istanbul
Istanbul, the economical capital city of Turkey, is the only city in the world that is located on two continents. Istanbul is also the only city in the world to have been a capital for two consecutive great empires for almost 1,500 years- the Christian Byzantine Empire and the Islamic Ottoman Empire. Once the glorious capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul still remains the commercial, historical and cultural capital of Turkey (although not the capital anymore). Ancient and modern, religious and secular, Asia and Europe, all exist in Istanbul. Be sure to get the most out of your "Istanbul vacation" with this guide.Historically known as Constantinople after the Roman Emperor Constantine, Istanbul today is very much a modern European city. Istanbuls' over abundance of important historical buildings and new art galleries and museums provides guests with more than enough to see during the day. After a tiring day with cultural activities and visits, you will find a surprisingly hot nightlife that can easily be compared to London or New York. The Istiklal Street at the heart of Istanbul in Beyoglu is the main hub of weekend activity. There is also an ongoing live music scene at various small venues and pubs all over the city. The nightclubs on the shore of famous Bosphorus have a unique concept of entertainment and discotheque culture.
Visitors from the developed countries are mostly surprised with the fact that Istanbul is a modern city, contrary to the mislead view of most visitors that Turkey is a Middle Eastern country. You may see traditional scarf wearing women on the roads but you will also see women that prefer a more western style.
Main attractions
The historical Istanbul is located on the so called "historical peninsula" covering the districts of Eminonu, Sultanahmet and Beyazit. This peninsula has the Bosphorus on one side and the Golden Horn (an inlet of Bosphorus) on the other side. The Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque and the Cistern Basilica (Yerebatan Sarnici) are all located here within 1 kilometer distance. Topkapi Palace is one of the major palaces of the Ottoman Empire that was actively used between the 15th and the 19th centuries. Sultanahmet and Suleymaniye Mosques are among the greatest mosques of the world that were built by the famous Turkish architect Mimar Sinan in the early 17th century.
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya in Turkish) is the the mother church of all Eastern Christians of the Byzantine Empire for both the Orthodox and the Greek Catholics. The Hagia Sophia Church was actually the site of a pagan temple in the first millennium. Also be sure to visit the Grand Bazaar (also known as Covered Bazaar - Kapali Carsi in Turkish). Grand Bazaar was built on 1461 just 8 years after the conquer of Istanbul by the Ottomans. Grand Bazaar is the oldest and biggest shopping center in the world with 64 streets and around 3,600 shops.
On the Golden Horn shore of the historical peninsula, passing over the historical Galata Bridge, you will arrive to the Karakoy district (be sure to check the cafes and pubs under the Galata Bridge, they are relatively cheap and have a magnificent view). Taking an underground tram from Karakoy up (this is accepted as the oldest metro system in the world) you will arrive to the heart of Istanbul, Taksim. Here you can see the Galata Tower built by the Venetians. You can have a pleasant walk (about 2 kilometers) through the Istiklal Street until the Taksim Square. This region is the most live and cosmopolitan area of Istanbul. You will see crowds of people walking on the Istiklal Street even at 5 in the morning (probably drunk:)
Walking down from the Taksim Square down to Besiktas (passing from the Inonu Stadium) you will arrive to the Dolmabahce Palace. This palace is a relatively new Ottoman Palace that was built on 1856 with an influence of both Islamic and European architecture. The palace has 285 rooms and 43 halls. Dolmabahce Palace is the place where the founder of the modern Turkish Republic, Ataturk, passed away in 1938.
Continuing our trip from Dolmabahce along the Bosphorus, after Besiktas you will arrive to the Ciragan Palace, another glorious palace built by the Ottomans. Today the Ciragan Palace is an ultra luxury hotel managed by the Kempinski group. Very close to the Ciragan Palace, you will arrive to Ortakoy, a cosy district along the Bosphorus. There are tourist boats that make a 2 hours trip along the Bosphorus. This is a great opportunity to see the million dollar mansions (yali in Turkish), stunning palaces and views of Bosphorus. The cost of these trips are about 5 EURs.
These are the most well known touristic destinations that should be visited in Istanbul. Aside these you will find tens of historical mosques, fountains and churches in Istanbul. Bear in mind that Turkey is the home to the birth of Christianity, hosted the oldest Greek civilizations and was home to the Turks for almost 1000 years. Thus be prepared for a cultural diversity and intensity especially in Istanbul.
Besides the historical places to see, Istanbul is an international art center. Istanbul International Arts and Culture Festival is held each year in June with famous artists coming from all over the world. These performances are held at the Istanbul Ataturk Cultural Center. You can join the traditional summer concerts of famous Turkish singers in the Rumelihisari fortress in open air on Bosphorus.
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya in Turkish) is the the mother church of all Eastern Christians of the Byzantine Empire for both the Orthodox and the Greek Catholics. The Hagia Sophia Church was actually the site of a pagan temple in the first millennium. Also be sure to visit the Grand Bazaar (also known as Covered Bazaar - Kapali Carsi in Turkish). Grand Bazaar was built on 1461 just 8 years after the conquer of Istanbul by the Ottomans. Grand Bazaar is the oldest and biggest shopping center in the world with 64 streets and around 3,600 shops.
On the Golden Horn shore of the historical peninsula, passing over the historical Galata Bridge, you will arrive to the Karakoy district (be sure to check the cafes and pubs under the Galata Bridge, they are relatively cheap and have a magnificent view). Taking an underground tram from Karakoy up (this is accepted as the oldest metro system in the world) you will arrive to the heart of Istanbul, Taksim. Here you can see the Galata Tower built by the Venetians. You can have a pleasant walk (about 2 kilometers) through the Istiklal Street until the Taksim Square. This region is the most live and cosmopolitan area of Istanbul. You will see crowds of people walking on the Istiklal Street even at 5 in the morning (probably drunk:)
Walking down from the Taksim Square down to Besiktas (passing from the Inonu Stadium) you will arrive to the Dolmabahce Palace. This palace is a relatively new Ottoman Palace that was built on 1856 with an influence of both Islamic and European architecture. The palace has 285 rooms and 43 halls. Dolmabahce Palace is the place where the founder of the modern Turkish Republic, Ataturk, passed away in 1938.
Continuing our trip from Dolmabahce along the Bosphorus, after Besiktas you will arrive to the Ciragan Palace, another glorious palace built by the Ottomans. Today the Ciragan Palace is an ultra luxury hotel managed by the Kempinski group. Very close to the Ciragan Palace, you will arrive to Ortakoy, a cosy district along the Bosphorus. There are tourist boats that make a 2 hours trip along the Bosphorus. This is a great opportunity to see the million dollar mansions (yali in Turkish), stunning palaces and views of Bosphorus. The cost of these trips are about 5 EURs.
These are the most well known touristic destinations that should be visited in Istanbul. Aside these you will find tens of historical mosques, fountains and churches in Istanbul. Bear in mind that Turkey is the home to the birth of Christianity, hosted the oldest Greek civilizations and was home to the Turks for almost 1000 years. Thus be prepared for a cultural diversity and intensity especially in Istanbul.
Besides the historical places to see, Istanbul is an international art center. Istanbul International Arts and Culture Festival is held each year in June with famous artists coming from all over the world. These performances are held at the Istanbul Ataturk Cultural Center. You can join the traditional summer concerts of famous Turkish singers in the Rumelihisari fortress in open air on Bosphorus.
Weather in Istanbul
Average annual temperature of the Istanbul is 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), with fluctuations between -5 and 37 degrees Celcius throughout the year. Through May to September visitors mostly enjoy spectacular view of the sky which is mostly sunny although some occasions of short summer rains may occur. From November to April, weather is usually cold with about 1-2 weeks being snowy.