Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the most fascinating

cities in the world. Istanbul mixture sumptuous palaces, domes minarets and a mesmerizing atmosphere at a festival of colors and smells only possible where the West mingles with the East. It was for centuries the capital of several empires like the Roman Byzantine and Ottoman to. Even if calling Istanbul was called Constantinople and Byzantium. After the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 lost the status of capital to Ankara, but Istanbul is the great economic and cultural center of the country. The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea and separates Europe from the Asian the Bosphorus Bridge connects them quickly but the most beautiful way of moving from one continent to another is through the many ferries which link. During the course sees the Leander Tower and when you reach the European side the palaces pontificate what stands out most is the Dolmabahce Palace.

The maritime connection in Istanbul is not just on the Bosphorus, the European part is also divided in two by the Golden Horn, an estuary. About the Golden Horn the Galata Bridge is one of the most emblematic places of Istanbul that has nearby Galata Tower the best place to see the city, the views are breathtaking.

Istanbul has breathtaking monuments and difficult to be forgotten as the Basilica Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), a majestic Byzantine work is in front of the Blue Mosque and Sultanahmet Mosque and also nearby, the Topkapi Palace. They are all World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest markets in the world, there are thousands of stores where everything sells. Do not miss also the Suleymaniye Mosque, an Ottoman work that is breathtaking.

Be sure to visit the Taksim Square and the surrounding streets that show that there is more modern in Istanbul. A cruise on the Bosphorus is one of the biggest must-do city. If you have time, visit the Egyptian Spice Market, less known than the Grand Bazaar but perhaps with more charm. Take a visit to Cemberlitas to experience the famous Turkish baths. Hotels in Istanbul

What to visit in Istanbul: Blue Mosque; Hagia Sophia Basilica; Grand Bazaar; Topkapi Palace; Galata Tower; Galata Bridge; Suleymaniye Mosque; Leander’s Tower; Dolmabahce Palace; Çemberlitas Baths; Archaeological Museum; Church of Saviour in Chora; Taksim Square; Bosphorus Bridge; Beyarit Square; Eminonu; Beyazit Tower; Beyoglu; Egyptian Bazaar; Sirkeci Station; Haydarpasa Station;

Transports in Istanbul

Ataturk Airport (IST): It is one of the most busiest airports of the world.

Sabina Gokçen Airport (SAW): There are many domestic and international flights to the second airport of Istanbul.

By bus: There are buses to several destinations in Turkey and Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Romania.

By train: The European trains arrive at the Sirkeci Station, the Asian trains to Haydarpasa Station.

Maps of Istanbul