Istanbul has served as the capital of three major empires making it one of the worlds most unique cities. Located on the Bosphorus Strait that divides Europe from Asia, this has been truly where east meets west over the centuries. Located in Europe as well as Asia, Istanbul is the worlds only city in two continents.
Started as the Greek colony Byzantium in ancient times it was established as the capital of the Eastern Roman empire by Constantine the Great in 324 CE. Renamed Constantinople it then served as the capital of the Byzantine empire until the Ottomans ceased it in 1453. It was the capital of the Ottoman empire until after its decline at the end of WW I. When the new Republic of Turkey was established in 1923 they renamed it Istanbul.
All this heritage makes Istanbul one of the worlds most unique cities. It’s rich culture, architecture and beauty set it aside from many other cities. It is a must see city for any serious traveler.
Regions of Istanbul…
Sultanahmet/Faith
Galata
New City
Bosphorus
Golden Horn
Princes’ Island
Asian Side
Western Suburbs
Points of Interests in Istanbul…
* UNESCO World Heritage Site. You may sort the table below by alpha name, type of site, classification of site, area and district of Istanbul
| Name | Type | Class | Area | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Bazaar | Attraction | Shopping | Sultanahmet/Faith | |
| Basilica Cistern | Landmark | Mosque | Sultanahmet/Faith | |
| Hagia Sophia | Landmark-Religious | Mosque/Cathedral | Sultanahmet/Faith | |
| Topkapı Palace | Landmark | Palace | Sultanahmet/Faith | |
| Hagia Irene | Landmark-Religious | Mosque | Sultanahmet/Faith | |
| Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque) | Landmark-Religious | Mosque | Sultanahmet/Faith | |
| Theodosius Cistern | Landmark | Historic | Sultanahmet/Faith | |
| Süleymaniye Mosque | Landmark-Religious | Mosque | Sultanahmet/Faith | |
| Valens Aqueduct | Archeological | Ancient Aqueduct | Sultanahmet/Faith | |
| Eyüp Mosque | Landmark-Religious | Mosque | Golden Horn | |
| Galata Tower | Landmark | Tower | Galata | |
| Taksim Square | Landmark | City Square | Galata | |
| İstiklal Caddesi | Landmark | Pedestrian Street | Galata | |
| Atatürk Museum | Museum | History | New City | |
| Nişantaşı | Neighborhood | Art Nouveau | New City | |
| Military Museum | Museum | Military | New City | |
| Dolmabahce Palace | Landmark | Palace | Bosphorus | |
| Atatürk Arboretum | Attraction | Arboretum | Bosphorus | |
| Istanbul Airport | Transportation | Airport | Western Suburbs | |
| Sea Life Istanbul | Attraction | Aquarium | Western Suburbs | |
| Aviation Museum | Museum | Aviation | Western Suburbs | |
| Sabiha Gökçen Airport | Transportation | Airport | Asian Side | |
| Haydarpaşa Station | Transportation | Train Station | Asian Side | |
| Maiden's Tower | Landmark | Tower | Asian Side | |
| Istanbul Halkali | Transportation | Train Station | Western Suburbs | |
| Princes' Islands | Natural | Islands | Princes' Islands |
Day Trips from Istanbul…
- Anadolu Kavağı
- Black Sea
- Ağva
- Şile
- Bursa
- Çanakkale
- Edirne 🏛
- Gallipoli Peninsula
- Kilyos
- Princes Islands
- Troy 🏛
Transportation in Istanbul…
✈️ Airports
With two major airports, Istanbul is on the western European side and Sabiha Gökçen is on the eastern Asian side. The new Istanbul replaced Attaturk airport in 2019 is located 30 km northwest of the city
IST Istanbul Airport – Located 30 km northwest of the city it is where most of the international flights arrive. Turkish Airlines runs daily non-stop flights from 10 US cities.
SAW Sabiha Gökçen Airport – Located 30 km east of the city center on the Asia side it has the majority of domestic flights within Turkey.
🚇 Public Transit
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🚍 Buses
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🚅 Trains
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🚖 Taxis / cars
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🚲 Bicycles
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⛴ Boats
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🛴 Alternative Transportation
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