City of Istanbul
Constantinople, the centre of the Byzantine Empire which lasted over a thousand years, later became Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire for almost 500 years. The city is a mixture of Europe and Asia, a unique urban composition. A stroll around Sultanahmet, inside the city walls, among mosques, museums and the Great Bazaar is a trip through both history and daily life.

Modern Istanbul is on the other side of the Galata Bridge in Beyoglu, around Taksim and the northern suburbs with lots of good restaurants and shopping. Istanbul’s Asiatic quarters have avoided much of the tourism and have retained a more humdrum character. Waterways play a central role in the life of the city and boat traffic on the Bosporus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara is extremely intensive. Along the banks you can find small cafés where you can enjoy a glass of tea and magnificent views over the town.

Turkish Baths in Istanbul
It's said that if you've never tried a Turkish bath then you've never been rally clean. The visitor moves through several hot rooms and finally arrives at the massage table for a real going over. Men and women bathe separately. Exceptions are made at certain times for tourists.

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul
The palace of the sultans with its many courtyards and gates is more reminiscent of a fossilised camp than a palace. There are several special museums in the area. The Treasure Chamber, where the famous dagger and Spoonmaker diamond are the real rarities of the collection, and the harem, where the sultan’s wives and children lived, is not included in the ticket to the palace.

Aya Sofya in Istanbul
Aya Sofya is a remarkable mixture of Christianity and Islam; a church with minarets and a mosque with pictures of the Virgin Mary. The building is one of the wonders of world architecture which was only surpassed after a thousand years by St. Peter’s church in the sixteenth century.

Süleymaniye in Istanbul
Süleymaniye is the largest mosque dating from 1557 and also contains the mausoleum of sultan Süleyman and his wife Roxelane. The master architect Sinan built many of Istanbul’s mosques during the 1500s and is buries next to the mosque.

Chora Monastery / Kariye Camii in Istanbul
The Monastery was founded in the fifth century and contains wonderfully beautiful frescos and mosaics dating from 1000-1300 representing the Virgin Mary and the life of Jesus.

Boat trips in Istanbul
Boats travel along the shores of the Bosporus from Eminönü. They chug quietly under the bridges that connect Europe and Asia. One hour away is Anadolukavagi, a little Asiatic fishing village with lots of pleasant restaurants. You can travel to the largest of the Prince Islands with a Seabus, departing from Kabatas below the Dolmabahçe Palace. If you want to visit more of these islands you can take the ordinary boat from Eminönü.

Great Bazaar in Istanbul
The Great bazaar attracts many people – far too many if you come at rush hour. It’s a good idea to arrive early in the morning and enjoy a cup of tea in one of the cafés whilst the bazaar comes to life. There are thousands of stalls, selling virtually everything; carpets, gold, cloth, spices. The bazaar is a world of its own and it’s easy – but fun – to get lost in the teeming alleyways.

Taksim
Taksim Square is the heart of modern Istanbul, laid out in the late 1800s near a taksim (branching-point) in the city's water distribution system. You can still see the taksim at the beginning of Istiklal Caddesi.

Sultan Ahmet
The Sultanahmet area of Istanbul is a lively, albeit, touristy part of the city. This is the true "old section" of the city, with a history stretching back well over two millennia, a history buff's dream! :) Some of the most well known attractions in all of Istanbul are located in and around this area, including Ayasofya, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace. There are also many restaurants and cafes here, and it is a great place to have a seat on one of the many benches along the sprawling central square and do some people watching. Any visitor to Istanbul must make a trip to Sultanahmet at least once!!!

Airports in Istanbul
The international airport Atatürk Hava Limani is near the Sea of Marmara, around 25 km from the city centre. Buses run to Taksim Square every 30 minutes, journey time 45 min, Istanbul’s other airport, Sabiha Gökçen, is on the Asiatic side and is used mostly by internal flights and some smaller airlines.

There is one public and one private bus network, IETT and Halk Otobus respectively. The underground, Tünel, runs from Karaköy till Istiklâl Cad. in Beyoglu and takes a few minutes. There is also a museum tram up towards Taksim Square. Another tram route, Tramway, goes from Kabatas via Galata bridge and the Spice Bazaar to the south-western suburbs. The Metro goes from Taksim north to Levent and from Aksaray to Otogar in Esenler, where buses depart for other parts of Turkey and Europe and to the airport.

Ferries between Europe and Asia leave from Eminönü, Karaköy and Besiktas to Üsküdar, Kadiköy and Harem. Akbil is a type of payment card that can be loaded with various sums and used on buses, boats and trams. Can be bought at major junctions.

Taxi in Istanbul
Taxis are yellow in the inner city and lilac in the suburbs. There are numerous taxi companies. Different hotels work with different companies and can book your transport to the airport. It’s simplest to hail a taxi on the street or go to a taxi rank and ask for a business card. If you’re satisfied with the company, keep on using it.