Istanbul Travel Guide

Istanbul is a city at the junction of two continents, Europe and Asia, which gives it a unique blend of the East and the West. Istanbul is a city rich in history, ambience, architecture and culture, a city with an exotic, imperial air where the ghosts of yesteryear inhabit every corner, yet the 21st century stands proudly. When the Byzantine Empire and the shattered city of Constantinople finally fell to Mehmet the Conqueror and his Ottoman army in 1453, shockwaves reverberated throughout Western Europe and the whole Christian world. A few hundred metres to the south is the Blue Mosque, whose slender minarets define the city's skyline. Walking around Istanbul it's hard to imagine another city that can rival it as an open air museum. Coastal city of Istanbul is truly a most exuberant city situated in the Mediterranean region. This year Istanbul has been chosen as the European capital of culture 2010, a title that Istanbul truly deserves.

It has numerous stunning historic monuments, museums, mosques and castles; those were built in the time of byzantine and ottoman empires. Moreover, the modern shopping centers of Istanbul are known as the best of the worlds. Sile is a beautiful sea side resort of Istanbul with white sand beaches. The 360 Istanbul is a popular restaurant among tourists with fine Turkish cuisine and modern international cuisine. It also offers a 360 view of the city from its beautiful windows, therefore it is a must visit place. Tourists from all over the world find the locals very welcoming that make Istanbul an increasingly popular worldwide destination.

Istanbul is known for its trade the world over and is the largest city in Turkey, by size. Istanbul's heritage can be viewed through its impressive monuments, such as the Blue Mosque, which is beautiful and enchanting. Istanbul is renowned for its belly dancing. If you are planning a trip to this city, the first thing to do is to book your flight to Istanbul. Flights to Istanbul from Across the World, Flights to Istanbul from across the world offer many choices with cheap fares. There are two major airports in Istanbul.  The Princes' Islands are a chain of nine small islands that lie off the coast of Istanbul. During the 19th century, with the introduction of a ferry service, the islands became a popular summer resort for Istanbul's wealthy. Most ferries call in turn at the four largest of the nine islands,  Kinali Ada, Burgaz Ada, Heybeli Ada and finally Buyuk Ada.  Kinali Ada (meaning "Henna Island") is the nearest island to the European side of Istanbul (about an hour by ferry from Kabatas). This was the island most used as a place of exile in Byzantine times. Burgaz Ada,  Heybeli Ada, Buyuk Ada (Big Island) is the largest of the nine islands. Reasonable hotels with great views are Petrol Hotel and Hali Hotel. Cruising the Bosphorus is truly one of Istanbul's highlights.

Seafood restaurants are also famous in Istanbul and they are situated at shores of Bosphorus sea in South of the city. Fresh coffee, great desserts and good prices. Istanbul is a unique part of the world where East meets West and where European culture is fused with Asian culture. Istanbul is located along the Bosporus strait off the Sea of Marmara. However the Grand Bazaar offers a more luxurious shopping experience and is evidence of the city's rich trading history. The Suleymaniye mosque lies past the university. No other city on earth sits astride two continents. Above all it was a city made for trade, built for business.


Yet this is no ghost town, no dyed in the wool city trading on old memories. Following the demise of the Ottoman Empire, its renaming as Istanbul and its demotion from capital city, the old city is once again on the rise. Istanbul's most important attribute, the sea, cuts the city into 3 sections, the most important of these being the peninsula housing Topkapi Palace and the Sultanhammet (Blue) Mosque. The sea divides the European and Asian section, reachable by ferries, where nearly half the city is located.