Istanbul, Turkey

The quivering mirror of the silvery waters of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus reflects all the splendor of this “Miracle City” and contributes to its magical charm.

ISTANBUL is the capital of three Empires, a place that has given shelter to the thousand-year-old culture of the peoples of Anatolia and the monuments of three world religions. For many centuries, Istanbul, and earlier the city was called Constantinople, was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire – Byzantium. This time left many architectural monuments that have survived to this day. A rich heritage of world culture, world-class hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and unique beauty – all this awaits visitors to the city.

Istanbul, the only city spread over two continents, is a bridge between Europe and Asia. The city, the heart of which is the Bosporus, connecting the waters of the Black and Marmara Seas, as well as the Golden Horn Bay. The capital of three former empires: Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman – today’s Istanbul impresses with its diversity and carefully preserves the heritage of the past, rushing into the future with hope.

Historical and cultural heritage, magnificent modern hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, cabarets, ancient bazaars and shops, international festivals are factors contributing to the recognition of Istanbul as one of the centers of world tourism. East”. The view of the Asian part of Istanbul from the hill on which the Topkapi Palace is located, the unique sunset over the Golden Horn Bay are just a few scenery from the daily life of the city that will not leave anyone indifferent.

The most reasonable thing for a tourist would be to identify for himself two or three main points to visit, to take a walk around the Old City, or in small areas. As alternatives, Chemberlitash and the areas along the Bosphorus, or Taksim and Beyoglu in the old part of the city, are ideal. Everyone visiting Istanbul for the first time should take a ferry ride on the Bosphorus and set aside a day for a trip to the Princes’ Islands. Istanbul is one of the fastest growing business tourism centers.

BUSINESS TOURISM

International airports, top-class hotels, cultural and historical heritage and the modern Lutfi Kırdar Exhibition Center with 21 conference halls and a capacity of more than 2,000 people, coupled with the latest technological equipment, are important components in the development of Istanbul in the field of international business tourism.

The favorable location of the exhibition center, within walking distance from the largest hotels and restaurants, in one of the central districts of the city – Harbiye, is also an important factor in the development of business tourism in the city. In order to truly appreciate the beauty of Istanbul, you need to see the city from seas. You can take a ferry between Eminonu and Kadikoy, or take a pleasure boat for a tour of the Bosphorus. Sit on the deck and, sipping tea from small glasses, enjoy the beauty of wooden mansions, villas and palaces that stretch along both banks of the Bosphorus.

ATTRACTION

The main attractions of Istanbul are concentrated in the historical district of Sultanahmet, in the old part of the city. Of greatest interest are such fundamental structures as Topkapi Palace, the ancient residence of the Ottoman sultans with a unique collection of treasures. Not far from Topkapi stands the Hagia Sophia. For many centuries it served as a Christian temple, and after the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks, minarets were completed and the temple turned into a mosque. In the same area is the Blue Mosque, the only mosque in the world with six minarets. Huge proportions and soaring minarets delight and attract tourists from all over the world. This is one of the few mosques in the world that is open to tourists. Between the “Blue Mosque” and the Hagia Sophia stretches the area of ​​the ancient Hippodrome. Unfortunately, only two stone obelisks have survived to this day, which were part of the architectural ensemble of the Hippodrome, and one can only guess about its former greatness. One and a half kilometers from the Sultanahmet district is the largest and one of the most ancient bazaars in the world – the Covered Bazaar (Kapali Charshi). Undoubtedly, the palace of the last sultans “Dolmabahce”, which is located on the banks of the Bosphorus and is famous for its splendor and interior decoration, is also of interest.

One of the main reasons for the transformation of Istanbul into a world metropolis was the geographical position of the city, the only city in the world that is located on two continents.
The Golden Horn Bay divides the European zone of the city into 2 parts: Eminonu (Old Town), located on a peninsula (south of the bay) and retaining a largely medieval appearance (cramped streets, numerous mosques), and Beyoglu (New Town, north of entrance to the Golden Horn), which includes Karakoy (former Galata) – a commercial port area, and the Beyoglu region itself (former Pera) – a business and cultural center. On the Asian mainland – the third part of the city – Uskudar with villas on the coast of the Marmara Sea (in the Moda region) and large military barracks. Communication between parts of Istanbul is carried out with the help of ferries and bridges [the longest of them (1560 m) across the Bosphorus, built in 1970-73].
Istanbul, dividing Asia with Europe and uniting the Black Sea with the Sea of ​​Marmara, is located on two banks of the Bosphorus.

Istanbul is divided into 14 administrative districts, of which the most visited districts of Istanbul are:

Travel to Istanbul, Turkey