Historical sites spread across the city
Ottoman palaces, Byzantine castle fortresses and Roman-era obelisks are just a small part of the historical sites you will find in Istanbul. Some examples of this grandeur include the Hagia Sofia Museum, an architectural masterpiece that once served as a Byzantine church and then an Ottoman mosque, and the 17th-century Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque for its illustrious interior tile decorations, grey cascading domes and six minarets.
While there are countless galleries, museums and religious sites to explore, you are just as likely to find yourself entranced by one of the many old and dignified alleyways in the city left untouched by modernity.
The city of amazing landmarks
Despite the city’s age, thankfully many remains of Istanbul’s opulent past remained intact. The cultural heritage of the metropolis is impressive.
Who has not heard of landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace, Grand Bazaar, and the Spice Bazaar. And then there are the lesser known, but not less beautiful, spots such as Süleymaniye Mosque, Basilica Cistern, the Galata Tower, as well as numerous churches from the Byzantine era.
Istanbul, where Asia meets Europe
Istanbul is a fascinating city offering a combination of two continents, Asia and Europe. You can cross the waters that separate Asia and Europe and enjoy the beauty of the Bosphorus cruise tour.
Ramadan in the city
The holy month of fasting during Ramadan (or Ramazan in Turkish) is one of the most enchanting times to visit the city. Although it is somewhat quiet during the day, the city comes alive after sunset. Each night, local municipalities arrange iftar dinners where thousands of worshippers come together to break their daily fast at sundown, and public spaces near the mosques become picnic grounds for feasting post-prayer time. Experience the best of hospitality during this month, with that sense of community and togetherness extending to anyone who takes a seat at the table.
The natural beauty of city
Istanbul’s natural beauty also has breathtaking views. You can see the Bosphorus’ amazing view from a boat or you can enjoy nature on the Prince Islands. Take an Istanbul city tour allows you to fully explore this fascinating city with different beauties at every step.
Vibrant nightlife in Istanbul
Istanbul has a very lively nightlife. There are many places to add entertainment to your night and most of them are located next to the Bosphorus. Pub Crawl Istanbul with its abundance of choices satisfies everybody’s taste of entertainment.
The street cats
The 2016 documentary Kedi (Turkish for “cat”) shows how important these animals are to Istanbul’s identity. Thousands of cats roam the streets of Istanbul and are collectively cared for by neighbourhood residents, making them one of the city’s success stories.
Cats are thought to have arrived on ships docked in Istanbul (Constantinople) during the Ottoman Empire. These ships had cats to deal with rats and other small pests, and they ended up thriving in the city. Some people think this is due to the influence of Islam and its affinity for cats, which was derived from an apocryphal story in which the Prophet Muhammed cut away a part of his tunic so as not to disturb a cat that was sleeping on it.