Known as Constantinople during the times of the Byzantine rule, Istanbul in Turkey hosts several amazing historical and religious sights. This historical Turkish metropolis standing at the border of Europe and Asia is also home to fascinating bazaars and enjoyable Turkish baths, offering a wide variety of cultural attractions and city entertainment.
From Hagia Sophia to the Grand Bazaar: Attractions of Istanbul
Standing on a strategic location on the border of Europe and Asia between the Black and the Mediterranean Seas, Istanbul is a scenic city with amazing historical and religious sights. The most famous landmark of the city is the former basilica and mosque of Hagia Sophia, which today acts as a museum. This famous building dates back to 6th century and is particularly famous for its massive dome. Other popular historical sites in Istanbul, Hippodrome of Constantine and Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) accompany Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) in forming the Historical Center of Istanbul, which has been nominated a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Complementing the historical attraction of Istanbul, the city hosts also some astonishing palaces such as Topkapi, and interesting museums.
Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul
City activities. Apart from its world famous historical and religious sights, Istanbul attracts many also with its bazaars, the most famous of which is the Grand Bazaar. This huge bazaar that was built in 1464 is said to be the oldest bazaar in the world. One thing it sure is is an interesting place for shopping in Istanbul. If you want to enjoy a scenic experience, you can also visit Galata Tower, a lookout place offering you 360 degree view over the city of Istanbul. Short cruises in Istanbul are also a popular way of seeing the city, and in case you want to enjoy Turkish bathing tradition, traditional and modern spas in Istanbul are available.
Istanbul city lights at night
At the border of Europe and Asia: Practical information for your trip to Istanbul
Istanbul enjoys a Mediterranean-type climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Summer temperatures in Istanbul are around 30°C (June-August). During the winter, temperatures in Istanbul drop to near zero, but snowfall in the city is unexceptional. Istanbul is at its best between April and October, but if you come in July or August, be prepared for hot conditions.
Busy market street in Istanbul
How to get there. Istanbul has a busy international airport that offers flights to Istanbul from all over the world. If you want to follow the old-time traditions of the Orient Express and travel to Istanbul by train, journeys are available from Hungary, Romania, Greece and Bulgaria. There is a varied system of trams, buses, taxis and subway available for moving around in the city. Car rental in Istanbul is also easy to find, although traffic inside the city is often characterized as maniac, making driving in Istanbul difficult with common traffic jams, harsh over-speeding and general neglecting of traffic rules.
Sailing in Bosphorus strait, Istanbul
Tourist services in the former Constantinople are good with a wide variety of hotels in Istanbul available, suiting many tastes and budgets. The many restaurants in Istanbul offer varied possibilities for culinary experiences with famous Turkish cuisine or with international menus. Also pleasing many tourists, nightlife in Istanbul is quite lively. English is understood by many educated people in the city. As it has witnessed some terrorist bombings recently, Istanbul is not free from safety problems, and especially pick-pocketing, cheating taxi drivers and sexual crimes are common in the city. However, if you follow safety instructions and common sense, your visit to Istanbul will probably be trouble-free.
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