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Center of Turkey: Istanbul

August 4, 2008 – 10:35 am

Vacation in a big city: ISTANBUL
Being culture, economy, art, history center of Turkey, Istanbul is a world city. The city is not the capital city of the country; however it was capital city of many empires, Roman, Latin and Ottoman Empires.

Turkey is described as the bridge between Asia and Europe; Istanbul is the proof of this assumption, as the city is divided into two areas, European and Anatolian sides. It is a big city with dense population; the city hosts people from different cities, from different countries.

Located near Marmara Sea, the climate is hot in summers, rainy and sometimes cold in winters. In this big city, transportation web is very well designed; there are two major airports, Atatürk and Sabiha Gökcen International Airports. Within the city, the railway transportation, sea transport, and motorway transportation are available. Especially, transportation by sea is very popular and enjoyable; there are ship services to the other side of Istanbul.

Attractions in Istanbul
Istanbul is an old city with a rich history, the first settlements date back to 6 BC. The city was inhabited by Greek, Roman, Latin, Ottoman, every civilization left something behind them. There are many historical sides to see, Istanbul has also rich architectural buildings. Topkapı Palace, Maiden’s Tower, churches and mosques which are all architectural masterpieces, Anadoluhisari and Rumelihisari, the Grand Bazaar, Yedikule Castle, Dolmabahce Palace are just some of the attractions of beautiful Istanbul city.

Bosporus is the symbol of this great city, it connects European and Anatolian sides of Istanbul. Built in 1973, it is 1074 meters across the sea. The second bridge of the city is Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge is also as charming as Bosporus relieving the traffic. Especially, Bosporus is an attractive place of Istanbul, at night lights create an incredible view, and there are restaurants near it viewing this spectacular scene, waterside residences are also worth to see.

With a rich cultural and historical background, Istanbul is the city of tolerance; people from different races, countries, cities, religions live all together, you can visit a church near a mosque; it is an ordinary scene for Istanbul. If you go there, you should see Hagia Sophia, Pammakaristos Church, Chora Church, Eyüp Sultan Mosque, Fatih Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Sultanahmet Mosque and the others.

Istiklal Avenue, located in Beyoglu is a center of Istanbul. Imagine historical buildings on the both sides of a long avenue, and bookstores, cafes, boutiques, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, galleries on that street. From the avenue, there is a historic slam system which is the symbol of Istiklal.

Museum and monument visiting should be a part of your holiday schedule in Istanbul, Archeology Museum, Modern Art Museum, Galata Tower, Zoology Museum, Toy Museum, Istanbul Mosaic Museum are some of the major attractive centers.

City Istanbul gives you opportunity to shop; you can buy traditional things of the country and the other things you wish in there. There are great bazaars, Grand Bazaar, Mahmutpasa Bazaar, Egyptian Bazaar; these are historical bazaars of the city, along with these there are modern shopping centers.

Visiting Istanbul is a good opportunity to taste rich Turkish Cuisine. In addition to that, there are restaurants of different world cuisines, you have many options. Istanbul is a city that provides every necessity of you, from culture, history to shopping and going around.

Visit Istanbul city guide