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Istanbul is truly
a world city, a city which everyone should visit at least once
in their lifetime. It is an enchanting blend of Eastern and
Western culture, a vibrant, modern city, with a unique
identity. Its rich past coexists alongside its youthful
exuberance. Although no longer the capital of Turkey, Istanbul
still remains the country's cultural and business centre.
It is a city of contrasts, bustling with the cacophony of 21st
century life, and is yet achingly beautiful. It is set in a
stunning location, surrounded by water, which is the narrow
strait of the Bosphorus and the serene sea of Marmara
separating Europe from Asia. İstanbul has a foot in each,
celebrating the best of both heritages. As Byzantium,
Constantinople and finally, İstanbul, it has been the capital
of three Empires, each leaving their mark in the form of
stunning palaces, castles, mosques, churches and monuments.
The legacy of its chequered past can be seen on every turn of
the modern city.
The layout of İstanbul can seem confusing at first. The
Bosphorus divides the city into the European and Asian sides,
linked by two magnificient bridges, spanning the continents,
the first of which was opened in 1973 to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the Republic. Most visitors to the city,
staying for a few days, will have little reason to visit the
Asian side, except for as part of a Bosphorus tour, on a boat
which zigzags from side to side, to take in the best of each.
The European side, however, is also divided in two by the
Golden Horn or Haliç, which roughly divides the historic part
of old İstanbul, encompassing the areas of, Sultanahmet and
Laleli, from the modern city. It is crossed by a number of
bridges, the most famous of which is the pontoon, the Galata
Bridge. Most visitors on short city breaks stay in the old
town as the vast majority of the sites which they will be
visiting are in this area. İstanbul's most famous sites - The
Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia), Topkapı Sarayı (Palace)
and the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) - are all within a 30
minute walk of each other.
It is easy to get around on foot
or by making use of the tram, which provides a regular service
on the pedestrianised main street. In terms of accommodation,
there are now a number of characterful boutique hotels in the
area of Sultanahmet, many of which are restored Ottoman wooden
mansions. These are ideal for those who really want to savour
the authentic atmosphere of the Old Town. Those on a budget,
may want to consider the more modern, and competitively priced
hotels of the Laleli district, although this area is much
busier.
Although it is convenient, the disadvantage of staying in the
Old Town, is that, since it is not a residential area, you
don't really benefit from the ambience of the modern city of
İstanbul, with its excellent restaurants, lively bars, and
cosmopolitan feel. Some of İstanbul's finest, most luxurious
hotels are located on the Bosphorus with stunning views over
the straits, or in the modern business districts. There are
also some historic establishments in the area known as Pera,
which blossomed at the turn of the last century. The heart of
modern İstanbul, is Taksim Square and the streets around. The
advantage of staying here is that in the evenings you have a
wealth of restaurants and relaxed bars within an easy walk of
your hotel.
Wherever you choose to stay, it doesn't take much to make the
most of the city, and even three days will give you the
opportunity to see the highlights. It is such a large city,
however, that even if you visit time and time again, you can
still discover something new each time. It is easy to get
around. There are a couple of handy trams - one in the old
town, and the other in the main shopping street in Pera,
İstiklal Caddesi. Taxis are plentiful and relatively cheap and
there are also dolmush and bus services for those who really
want to explore. Most tour operators can arrange tours to see
the main sights.
The Bosphorus
Some of İstanbul's finest vistas are to be seen from the
Bosphorus. If you have time it is well worth spending at least
half a day viewing the sights and savouring the atmosphere.
You can take a guided tour on a small boat, or Turkish
Maritime Lines (TDİ) runs a good value public ferry service
which leaves two or three times a day and does the full round
trip as far as Anadolu Kavağı, the nearest village to the
Black Sea on the Asian side, and back to Eminönü.
It is a charming place, known for
its fish restaurants, and the walk up to the ruined fortress
overlooking the village, is well worth it for the stunning
views. As you leave from Eminönü you can benefit from some
beautiful views back towards the old town with its evocative
skyline of turreted roofs and minarets. As you head towards
the Black Sea you will pass the Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi
Palace and the 15th century fortresses built by Mehmet II,
Rumeli Hisarı and Anadolu Hisarı. Also look out for the
stunning wooden Ottoman mansions, many of which have been
renovated and form some of the city's most desirable
residences. Even if you don't have time for a Bosphorus trip
just take one of the distinctive city ferries for a quick trip
from Eminönü to the Asian shores and back - to Üsküdar for
example, just to admire the views of the old town.
The Princes Islands
Those who are staying for a little longer in İstanbul,
should really set aside a day to visit these charming islands
in the sea of Marmara, just off the coast of İstanbul. The
picturesque scenery of wooded hills, charming beaches and
authentic Ottoman mansions, combined with the tranquil
atmosphere, make for a pleasant contrast to the city itself.
Easily reached by ferry or hydrofoil, the ambience of the
islands seems worlds away. Büyük Ada, or "Big Island" is the
most popular with visitors. No cars are allowed but you can
take a trip in a horse and carriage to visit the Monastery of
St. George.
Note
: quoted from goturkey.com
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