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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Istanbul: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Istanbul
- Istanbul, a city straddling two continents, is brimming with exotic surprises.
- Istanbul holidays give you front-row seats to grand palaces, bustling bazaars, and a foodie scene celebrated worldwide.
- Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus Strait on the Asian and European sides, one of the world's great cities.
- Artworks complement the dramatic architecture from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires.
- Istanbul holidays invite you to experience significant historical relics that blend seamlessly with modern attractions to suit every traveller.
- Istanbul's entertainment scene If you enjoy opera, folk music, art exhibitions, and museum visits, Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, has plenty to offer.
- Asian Istanbul is well-known for its unique cafe culture, cool neighbourhoods, and street art.
- Glitzy nightclubs coexist with hookah lounges and concert halls on the European side.
- Whether you visit in the festival-filled spring or the golden haze of autumn, Istanbul is always putting on a show.
- Capital: Istanbul
- International Airport: Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Population- 15,415,197
- Currency- Turkish lira
- Time: İstanbul, Turkey (GMT+3)
- Driving side- Right
- Main Electricity- 220V
- Official Language- Turkish
- Religion- Sunni Muslims and Alevism
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Istanbul
- When you visit this magnificent Byzantine basilica, history comes alive.
- Your visit to this opulent Ottoman palace complex on the peninsula of Istanbul's Old City will reveal the secrets of the seraglio.
- Climbing aboard one of Istanbul's famous flotillas of ferries is a must-do experience.
- The chaotic and colourful Grand Bazaar is the most well-known shopping destination on the historic peninsula, but it is far from alone.
- Süleyman, the Magnificent's most notable architectural legacy, dominating the Old City skyline, certainly lives up to its patron's name.
- Breathtaking views of the Bosphorus and Old City from the rooftop terraces of a slew of glitzy bars are just one of the attractions in bohemian Beyolu.
- Kariye Museum tucked away in the shadow of Theodosius II's massive land walls, is a tiny Byzantine building located in the city's less-visited Western Districts.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Istanbul
- The months of March to May and September to November are ideal for visiting Istanbul.
- When the crowds at the city's attractions are manageable, room rates are reasonable, and daytime temperatures are in the 60s and 70s.
- Peak season – from June to August – sees temperatures soar into the low 60s to low 80s, and lodging prices rise to meet the demand from incoming tourists.
- Meanwhile, the cheapest months to visit are December through February.
- Istanbul's rainy, snowy, and chilly weather (temps in the high 30s to high 50s) means you'll need to dress for the weather and bring an umbrella with you.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia
- Hagia Sophia, built between 532 and 7 AD, was the world's largest Orthodox Cathedral until 1520.
- It has been a church for over 900 years and an imperial mosque for over 400.
- Converted into a museum by Ataturk, Turkey's first President, in 1935, it remains an essential symbol for Muslims and Christians.
- A visit here will reveal Viking runic graffiti, a wishing column, five Ottoman Sultan tombs, and Queen Sofia's vault.
- Keep an eye out for Gli, the friendly resident cat who enjoys cuddling with visitors.
Topkapi Palace
- Topkapi Palace is Turkey's largest palace and served as the Ottoman Sultans' primary residence.
- Over 4000 sultans and military dignitaries lived here with their families during the empire.
- Many sacred Islamic relics are displayed within the walls and extensive exhibitions and a museum.
- You can learn all about this country's love of coffee in their current collection, "A drop of Pleasure: 500 Years of Turkish Coffee," which runs until June 15.
Blue Mosque
- The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque because the vibrant blue tiles adorn the interior walls.
- Under the rule of Ahmed, construction on this magnificent structure began in the early 17th century.
- Today, the mosque serves as a place of worship and a popular tourist attraction, necessitating rules and specific visiting hours.
Obelisk of Theodosius and Serpent Column
- At the Hippodrome of Constantinople, two ancient columns stand side by side near the Blue Mosque.
- The Serpentine Column is a bronze statue once part of a Greek sacrificial tripod.
- The ancient Egyptian Obelisk, which stands over 25 meters tall, is the city's oldest monument.
Cemberlitas and Cagaloglu Hammams
- Taking a Turkish bath is a must-do when visiting Turkey.
- Cemberlitas Bath and Cagaloglu Hammam, both located in the Old Town, are renowned as two of the best in the country.
- Discover the healing powers of these ancient hammams by selecting from various bathing options and treatment packages.
Grand Bazaar
- Must experience the Grand Bazaar firsthand.
- It is one of the world's oldest covered markets and one of the largest.
- Over 60 narrow streets steeped in history offer over 5,000 shops, hammams, mosques, cafés and restaurants.
- Inside, you can sample local produce and buy furniture, antiques, old coins, jewellery, ornaments, watches, textiles, and other items.
- This fantastic market draws between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Istanbul Off the Beaten Track
Sultanahmet
- Sultanahmet, one of Istanbul's most popular neighbourhoods, is home to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.
- Although the narrow streets are often overcrowded with people and traffic, Sultanahmet retains a friendly, laid-back vibe.
- Although there are no luxury hotels, many older buildings have been beautifully converted into boutique-style guesthouses.
Sirkeci
- Sirkeci is less touristy and less expensive than Sultanahmet, but there are few luxury options due to the old layout.
- It has a few metro stops, a central ferry terminal with services across the Bosphorus Strait, and a suburban train station.
- The four significant sights mentioned above are all within walking distance (or easily accessible via metro) of most hotels.
Taksim
- Taksim is a large vehicle-free plaza with metro stations, a funicular to the water at Kabataş, and a cable car to the Maçka suburb.
- An extended pedestrian street southwest of the plaza is teeming with inviting and reasonably priced cafés, bars, and shops.
- Boutique hotels and old-style guesthouses line this street and the numerous alleys that branch off.
- Luxury hotels just north of the plaza have extensive gardens and tropical-style pools.
Karaköy & Galata
- The streets are narrow and congested, but they are pleasant from the overpriced districts facing the Bosphorus and the overcrowded old city.
- The shops and cafés exude a young and affluent vibe distinct from the rest of Istanbul; the views from places along the coast are among the best in the city.
Maçka & Nişantaşi
- Maçka and its neighbouring suburb of Nişantaşi are upscale residential areas in the northern peninsula's lower part.
- Most of the good-value mid-range hotels cater to business people, as there are no tourist groups or tourist buses.
- The cafés, bars, and shops are reasonably priced for locals, and the views of the city streets and the Bosphorus Strait are spectacular.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Istanbul Culture and Traditions
- Istanbul is one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities.
- While Muslims make up most of the population, the city is a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds.
- It is populated by a mix of Jews, Greeks, and Armenians.
- It is a city where one can genuinely immerse oneself in Middle Eastern and Western cultures.
- From the fashionable boutiques of Nisantasi to the merchants of the Covered Bazaar, this bustling city is home to a diverse range of people united by its rich history.
- Turkey's geography allows for a beautiful mix of people and places.
- The magnificent scenery along the Bosphorus has drawn people from antiquity to the modern era.
- Istanbul, which encompasses both the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus, is a breathtaking fusion of sights and sounds.
- Thousands of years of history meet a vibrant, modern, and exciting city unlike any other.
- It takes a lifetime to fully experience Istanbul because it must share so many corners, nooks and crannies.
- To visit Istanbul and only see the mosques and the Bazaar is to miss the city's essence.
- Despite being an ancient country and culture, the Turkish Republic, established by Ataturk in 1923, is remarkably young.
- Turkey's aspiration to join the EU reflects Ataturk's drive for a secular, modern country.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Istanbul: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Food
#Food
- Turkish cuisine is diverse and well-known around the world.
- Istanbul is a cultural melting pot, and all of these influences positively impact the food scene.
- So, forget about the international (fast) food chains and enjoy some authentic Turkish cuisine while you're here.
- This handy list of things to eat in Istanbul comes in handy.
- Don't miss out on the richness of Turkish cuisine while you're in Istanbul!
- Turkish cuisine is one of the world's most diverse.
- After French and Chinese cuisines, it is regarded as the third wealthiest cuisine.
- However, this cuisine is underappreciated in the West, as it is frequently limited to the Döner Kebab!
- Turkey is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Orient.
- This unique location, combined with the migration of Turks from Central Asia to Europe over the centuries, has shaped the identity of its gastronomy.
- Because of six centuries of Ottoman regional dominance and reciprocal influence between Turkey and its neighbouring countries (Greece, Bulgaria, The Balkans, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Armenia), we find many familiar dishes in those cuisines, such as dolma, börek, kebab, mant (Turkish ravioli), and so on.
- Turkey's rich fauna and flora diversity has resulted in a wide range of regional cuisines.
- The Western and Turkish Aegean cuisines are based on Ottoman court and Greek cuisine remnants, with a preference for rice over bulgur.
- Compared to other regional Turkish cuisines, fewer spices are used, and seafood is abundant and enjoyed year-round.
Fashion
#Fashion
- "You can have anything in life if you dress for it," famous clothing designer Edith Head once said, and judging by the many Turkish clothing brands with six-figure turnover figures, Turks believe the same about their wardrobes.
- In Turkey, feeling good and looking good go hand in hand, and the younger Turkish generation of shoppers follows and sets garment and fashion trends.
- But it wasn't always this way.
- For many decades, Turkey lagged behind France, America, and England in the fashion and clothing industries.
- Then, around the turn of the century, Turkish clothing manufacturers emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry.
- Istanbul, as with any story about fashion houses, must be mentioned.
- To Turkey, Paris is to France, and New York is to the United States.
- A location where clothing and fashion brands are created or destroyed.
- Istanbul's fashion houses and luxury brands cater to every whim, whether you want haute couture, high-end boutiques, or to emulate a celebrity's style.
- A perfect example is the clothing brand Midnight Express in Bebek, where average prices start at 2,000 Turkish lire.
- They source unique clothing from international and Turkish designers, specialising in casual chic fashion and high-end jewellery.
- Building, which prides itself on working with up-and-coming designers, makes a lot of money using the same concept as Atelier 55 in the Galata district.
- The list of fashion labels goes on and on, with names like glamorous Vakko, Fey, Arzu Kaprol, and Beyman, but brands are favourites for all the family, young and old when travelling outside of Istanbul to the rest of Turkey.
Take photos of the postcard-worthy Hagia Sophia
#Fun
- The Hagia Sophia, an ancient place of worship and a classic example of Byzantine architecture, is an undisputed architectural masterpiece — and with its glittering mosaics of biblical scenes, this museum is unquestionably one of Istanbul's most iconic sites.
- Consider purchasing an Istanbul Museum Pass to visit as many museums as possible in this historic city, including the Hagia Sophia.
- With lower admission fees and shorter lines, these multi-day passes allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in Turkish history and culture.
Visit the Basilica Cistern underground
#Fun
- The Basilica Cistern is an ancient underground chamber that served as Istanbul's early water filtration system.
- This cistern, which can hold 80,000 cubic meters of water and is roughly the size of two football fields, is a one-of-a-kind historical site to visit.
- Take a tour to learn more about the history, particularly the iconic Medusa heads at the base of one of the 336 marble columns that support the most educational experience.
Examine the Süleymaniye Mosque
#Fun
- Even though Istanbul is home to many beautiful and historic mosques, this is one you don't want to miss.
- The Suleymaniye Mosque on the Third Hill is one of the grandest, with an open and airy interior.
- The elegant architecture houses a prayer house and a soup kitchen, seminary, hospital, inn, library, Bazaar, tombs, and restaurants, some of which are still in use today.
- While there is no formal admission fee, donations are welcome to help keep this magnificent space running.
On a boat tour, chug along the Bosphorus
#Fun
- If you're not sure where to begin your sightseeing in Istanbul, consider taking a boat tour.
- View majestic minarets, mosques, basilicas, and opulent palaces from the glistening Bosphorus rive.
- Keep an eye out for the iconic Bosphorus Bridge, which serves as the main link between Europe and Asia.
- With so many boat tour options, you're sure to find something that meets your requirements.
- A couple of hours on the water promises to be an excellent way to spend any warm afternoon, from a nighttime cruise with dinner and a show to a luxury private yacht tour.
Paradise at the Istanbul Aquarium
#Fun
- If you're looking for something entertaining for the whole family, children and adults will enjoy the Istanbul Aquarium.
- As the world's largest thematic aquarium with interactive exhibits at every turn and more animals from the Amazon to the Black Sea than you can count, this is well worth nearly an entire day of exploration!
- Check out the 5D films that are currently showing to immerse yourself in the world's fog, wind, and waters.
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Istanbul: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- ATV, or All-Terrain Vehicle, is a vehicle that can be used in any weather condition.
- ATV Safari is an action-packed trip program that follows a set itinerary in a completely natural setting.
- What's more, you're not required to go on Safari to a specific location.
- With the distinct natural world of ile, rugged terrain, forests, hills, and villages, and ten different tracks to choose from on the beach, you are certainly not limited!
- If you prefer, you can also go on night tours.
- The goal of Off-Road is to get you to places you can't get to with your regular vehicles.
- Off-roading is now divided into two categories: nature and motorsports.
- Off-road races are held amid various obstacles in 4X4 vehicles to combat these obstacles as soon as possible.
- Off-road Safari is a sport that offers exciting cruising opportunities and rock climbs, deep water crossings, steep ramps and descents that are not possible with standard cars.
- Like all other motorsports, Off-Road Safari necessitates the use of safety precautions.
- It is perfectly acceptable to show off your daring side as you ride around on a quad in an attractive manner to get an unforgettable experience of the sea, dark woods, and serene beauty of Istanbul city.
- As a result, you get to spend quality time with your family and friends on a relaxing and stress-free nature expedition.
- It's an ideal safari for those who want to experience the magnificent forests and seaside close to Istanbul's ancient metropolis.
- So brace yourself for mud, dust, thrills, and, of course, fun!
- Now is the time to trade Istanbul's bright lights and lively streets for the filthy roads and wood trails of nearby Izmit and embark on a breathtaking jeep safari.
- This will be a fun-filled one-day guided Istanbul tour that will give you a glimpse of real Turkish life as you drive through rustic farmlands, stop at mountain villages, and move to lesser-known locations.
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Istanbul Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- During May and June, the Istanbul Theatre Festival hosts a variety of Turkish groups and world-renowned theatre companies.
- The festival adds an entirely new dimension to the city.
- The Istanbul Opera Festival incorporates opera into the city's historic venues and urban settings.
- The Istanbul Film Festival is one of the world's most prestigious film festivals.
- The festival, which takes place every April, features a thematically specialised international competition, a showcase for recent Turkish and international cinema, and famous filmmakers, actors, and actresses worldwide.
FAQs to Plan Your Best Istanbul Holiday
Places similar to Istanbul to visit
Places similar to Istanbul to visit
Places similar to Istanbul to visit