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What makes Istanbul a unique city?
- Istanbul, the cultural and historical center of Turkey, is an ancient city where East meets West.
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What historical significance does Istanbul have?
- The former capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul’s transcontinental mystique attracts visitors from all over the world.
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What attractions and experiences can visitors enjoy in Istanbul?
- Travelers come to marvel at the art and architecture, relax in the Turkish baths, visit the city’s bazaars and modern shopping centers, enjoy the vibrant nightlife, and eat the delicious local cuisine.
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Why is Istanbul important as a seaport?
- Home to Turkey’s largest seaport, Istanbul is a popular port of call for cruise ships carrying almost half a million passengers annually.
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Why should Istanbul be on every traveler’s list?
- Its rich and fascinating history makes Istanbul a "must-see" tourist destination.
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1. Bosphorus
Cruise between continents and admire romantic views of Istanbul’s iconic strait.
Cruising the Bosphorus Strait is great way to see some of the most popular sites in Istanbul, like the Dolmabahçe Palace, Çiragan Palace, and the Rumeli Fortress on the European side, and the Beylerbeyi Palace and waterfront mansions on the Asian side. The cruises also pass under the Bosphorus Bridge, a steel suspension bridge that connects the two continents. Sightseeing cruises of varying lengths depart from morning to night. Many include hop-on hop-off options and some of the evening cruises offer dinner shows as well. Passengers who want to cruise the length of the strait should board at the harbor in Eminönü.
Alemdar Mh., Divan Yolu Cd. No. 34, 34122 Faith/Istanbul, Turkey, Phone: +90-55-47-97-26-46
2. Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
Relax in Ottoman luxury and savor a couples retreat on the water.
Once an imperial palace, now a five-star hotel, the Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul was built during the 19th century and was most recently renovated by the Kempinski hotel group in 2006 using the original color scheme. The hotel has hosted foreign dignitaries and world-famous musicians, actors, designers, and artists in its palatial suites. The luxury rooms and suites offer views of the Bosphorus Strait or Yildiz Park, a forest that was once the hunting grounds of the sultans during the Ottoman Empire. Visitors to the hotel and its award-winning restaurants have the option of arriving by car, yacht, or helicopter.
Ciragan Caddesi 32, 34349, Istanbul, Turkey, Phone: +90-21-23-26-46-46
3. Dolmabahce Palace
Walk through grand halls and explore sights of lavish imperial design.
Located in the Besiktas district, the Dolmabahce Palace has been used as a residence by six sultans and the first president of the Republic of Turkey and was an administrative center during the late Ottoman Empire. Hand-woven silk carpets cover the floors and the high ceilings are decorated with gold. One of the world’s largest crystal chandeliers hangs in the Ceremonial Hall, where important state and religious ceremonies were once held. More than 200 paintings from international artists hang on the walls of the palace. Guided tours begin every 10-15 minutes on days when the museum is open.
TBMM Genel Sekreterligi (Milli Saraylar), Dolmabahce Sarayi – Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey, Phone: +90-21-22-36-90-00
4. Egyptian Bazaar
Smell exotic spices and shop for affordable treasures in a historic setting.
Also known as the Spice Bazaar, the Misir Çarsisi, or Egyptian Bazaar, is one of the largest bazaars in Istanbul. This popular marketplace has more than 80 shops that offer natural products used in food and medicine as well as souvenirs, jewelry, and textiles. Its two sections are connected by a central square where the shopkeepers can answer the call to prayer. The restaurants in and around the bazaar are popular hangouts for celebrities. The shops are open during regular business hours from Monday to Saturday with the exception of religious holidays, and exclusive shopping experiences can be arranged through the bazaar’s online reservation system.
Misir Carsisi No.92, Eminonu, Faith/Istanbul, Turkey, Phone: +90-21-25-13-65-97
5. Flower Passage
Dine in lively cafés and enjoy an unusual blend of charm and history.
Though this passageway is no longer dominated by flower shops as it was in the early 20th century, it is still called Çiçek Pasaji, or the Flower Passage . The Istiklal Avenue site was originally home to a theater and opera house, but the original building was damaged by fire in 1870 and later replaced by the current building, Cité de Péra, which houses the L-shaped passageway. The building was restored in 1988 after part of the building collapsed. The covered arcade, with its European-style architecture, is now a foodie hotspot with rows of restaurants, wine bars, and cafés.
Hüseyinaga Mh., Istiklal Caddesi Saitpasa Geçidi 176/6, Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey
6. Golden Horn
Look at shimmering waters and discover springtime beauty along the historic inlet.
This horn-shaped inlet played an important role in the defense of the city and served as a trading harbor for many years before this activity was redirected to a different port on the Sea of Marmara. According to legend, the Golden Horn was given its name for the golden light that shines on the river at sunset. The parks along its shores are the perfect place to see the sun set and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Boat cruises, bus excursions, and walking tours are available to tourists who want to learn about its significance in the development of Istanbul.
Istanbul Ticaret Odasi Ek Hizmet Binasi Resadiye Cad. No:7 Eminönü, Istanbul Turkey, Phone: +90-21-25-22-55-55
7. Grand Bazaar
Browse endless stalls and bargain for goods on an exciting shopping trip.
The Grand Bazaar is one of Istanbul’s most-visited attractions. Sixty-one streets house over 4,000 shops from which goods of all kinds are sold to locals and tourists alike. Not only is it one of the most popular attractions in the world, it is also one of the oldest and largest covered markets, dating back to the 15th century, when trade was an important part of the city’s economic success. Visitors can take the tram to the Beyazit-Kapaliçarsi stop and enter through the gates.
Beyazit Mh., 34126 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey, Phone: +90-21-25-19-12-48
8. Haghia Eirene
Admire ancient walls and enjoy quiet sights in this early Christian church.
Haghia Eirene was built in the 6th century and is one of the few places of worship in Istanbul that was never turned into a mosque. Though it is no longer used as a Greek Orthodox church, its design and construction create the perfect acoustics for classical music concerts, and the Istanbul International Music Festival holds events at Haghia Eirene every summer. The building is open to the public daily (except Tuesdays) for a small entrance fee. Located on the grounds of the Topkapi Palace, visitors can reach the location by train or tram and follow the path to the museum.
Cankurtaran Mh., Topkapi Sarayi 1. Avlu, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey, Phone: +90-21-25-12-04-80
9. Harem of Topkapi Palace
See ornate chambers and uncover unusual stories of royal life behind the scenes.
For a fascinating look into life inside a harem, visitors can take a guided tour of the one at Topkapi Palace. Built as part of the palace complex, the harem housed the sultan and his family as well as the sultan’s concubines, the servants, and the eunuchs who guarded this space. Tourists will have the opportunity to see some of the 300 rooms where the residents of the harem lived and worked. Some parts of the harem are currently being renovated. A chart on the palace’s website gives guests information about which sections they will be able to visit during their tour.
Harem of Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mh., Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey, Phone: +90-21-25-12-04-80
10. Hippodrome of Constantinople
Explore ancient ruins and imagine thrilling races during a quick historic visit.
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was an arena built in the 4th century where up to 100,000 spectators could watch horse and chariot races. The arena also became a place for citizens of all classes to come together and talk about the issues of the day. When Constantinople was destroyed in the Crusades, the hippodrome fell into ruin and was never rebuilt. Today, the site is a public square, the Sultanahmet Meydani, and only a few pieces of the original hippodrome structure remain, but the road around the park follows the course of the old racetrack. A tourist information office can be found on the north end of the park.
Binbirdirek Mh., Sultan Ahmet Parki No:2, Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
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