- Area: roughly 707 square miles / 1,830 square kilometers
- Population: approximately 11.5 million
- Language: Turkish
- Currency: New Turkish Lira (TRY)
- Time Zone: EET (UTC+2)
- Country dialing code: +90
- Telephone area code: 212
- Average daily Istanbul January temperature: 8°C / 46°F
- Average daily Istanbul July temperature: 29°C / 84°F
Located on both sides of the Bosphorus strait, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul is Turkey’s most populous city and its cultural as well as its financial center. Istanbul was one of three European Capitals of Culture in 2010 and it bridges Europe and Asia both physically and culturally. Istanbul's population is estimated to be 15 million people making it also one of the largest in Europe and the world. The tourism offerings in Istanbul are amongst the best the country has, ranging from conventional architecture to the bustling market activities.
Forming the financial heart of Turkey and home to more than 11 million residents, Istanbul is home to many remarkable remnants from the Turkish Ottoman Empire, such as grand palaces and historical mosques, as well as Turkish bathhouses (Hamams) and museums packed with information. Situated within the north-westerly Turkish region of Marmara, Istanbul is home to a large natural harbour, which has been named the Golden Horn and divides Turkey's Anatolia and Rumelia areas, linking the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. Istanbul is comprised of no less than 27 individual districts.
Istanbul History
Istanbul was most likely inhabited by people as early as 3000 BC. Greek colonists led by King Byzas established the colony of Byzantium finally in the 7th century, the Greek name for a city on the Bosphorus. After consulting an oracle of Delphi, Byzas chose the spot as they told him to settle across from the "land of the blind ones." in fact, these colonists were led by King Byzas and settled there because of the strategic location along the Bosporus Strait and the king named the city Byzantium after himself. This proved a fortunate decision by Byzas, as history has shown Istanbul's location important far beyond what these early Greek settlers might possibly have conceived.
Following its development by the Greeks, in the early 100's BC, it became part of the Roman Empire and in 306 AD, Emperor Constantine the great made Byzantium capital of the Eastern Roman empire. During this time, the Roman emperor carried out a construction project to rebuild the entire city to make it stand out and give the city monuments similar to those found in Rome. The emperor declared the city as the capital of the entire Roman Empire in 330 BC and renamed it Constantinople. The city grew and prospered under Romans. In 395BC, after the death of the emperor Theodosius I enormous disorder took place in the empire as his sons permanently divided the empire and in the 400s Constantinople became the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The city became markedly Greek as part of the Byzantine Empire, in contrast to its former individuality in the Roman Empire. Constantinople became a center of commerce, culture, diplomacy, and grew considerably as it was at the center of two continents. In 532, after the anti-government Nika Revolt, the Constantinople was renovated and many of its most wonderful monuments were constructed- one of which was the Haghia Sophia as Constantinople became the center of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Constantinople significantly prospered during the Byzantine Empire which made it a target for many conquests. Troops from all over the Middle-East attacked the city for hundreds of years. Afterwards, Constantinople became the center of the Catholic Latin Empire. Constantinople was caught in the middle and began to significantly decay as competition persisted between the Catholic Latin Empire and the Greek Orthodox Byzantine Empire. In 1261, the Empire of Nicaea recaptured Constantinople in the midst of all turmoil and it was returned to the Byzantine Empire. Meanwhile, the Ottoman Turks began conquering the cities surrounding Constantinople, successfully cutting it off from many of its neighboring cities. Constantinople was officially conquered by the Ottomans led by Sultan Mehmed II on 1453, after being significantly weakened by constant invasions and being cut off from its neighbors by the Ottoman Turks. Constantinople was named as the capital of the Ottoman Empire and its name was changed to Istanbul.
Sultan Mehmed after taking control sought to rejuvenate Istanbul. He built the Grand Bazaar, architectural monuments, schools, hospitals, public baths, and grand imperial mosques. He patronized fleeing Catholic and Greek Orthodox residents. Also, he brought in Muslim, Christian, and Jewish families to set up a mixed populace. During the reign of Suleiman, the Magnificent from 1520 to 1566, there were many artistic and architectural achievements that made the city as a major cultural, political, and commercial center. Until it was defeated and occupied by the allies in World War I, The Ottoman Empire ruled Istanbul. The Turkish War of Independence took place after its occupation by the allies in World War I and Istanbul became a part of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. During the early years of the Turkish republic, Istanbul was not the capital city and investment went into the new centrally located capital Ankara. Still, Istanbul has continued to expand spectacularly and re-emerged with construction of new public squares, avenues and boulevards. Today its population is over 13 million and increases at an estimated 700,000 immigrants per year.
When to visit Istanbul
Much of Istanbul is mountainous and particularly in the old part many of the streets are steep and narrow. This big city is spread over seven hills and surrounded on three sides by water which makes it amazingly beautiful. The best time to visit Istanbul is from April to October excluding the hot months of July and August. However, the weather patterns are prone to change and August is getting cooler towards the end. Experts have said that after mid-August the weather changes and the heat of summer leave Istanbul. Summer rains are rare and lasts less than an hour. Visiting the city in July can be good for those who would like to go to music concerts and are not wary of hot weather to enjoy pleasant Istanbul nights by the sea.
Climate of IstanbulThe climate of Istanbul falls into temperate climate category, which means that there are no distinct seasons and temperature changes are quite subtle. Generally, summer is both hot and humid, while the winters are significantly cooler and rather wet at times. Summer is hot with average temperature around 27ºC during the day and 18ºC at night. The
concrete-island effect and High relative humidity levels only make things worse. Summer is also the driest season, but it does rarely rain and Showers tend to last for 15-30 minutes. July and August are consistently the hottest months in Istanbul and during the very sunniest of weather, the temperatures climb above 30°C and the humidity levels make the climate feel even hotter.
The time when the trees have shed their leaves and the skies are blue, spring is the perfect time to pay a visit to Istanbul as it is looking at its very best between April and June. The temperatures during spring are generally around 20°C and plenty of sunny weather, as well as this time of year is evidently quieter than the following summer tourist season. January tends to be the coldest month and the winter climate in Istanbul is absolutely chilly around 8°C / 46°F by day and often frosty overnight. Snowy weather can be expected during the winter months which occur almost annually and snowfall is common between the months of December and March. The annual total snow cover of almost three weeks, however average winter snowfall varies considerably from year to year. The snow cover usually remains only for a few days after each snowfall, even under intense snow conditions.
Istanbul Tourist Attractions:
Suleymaniye Bath
Turkish bath (The Hamam) has been an integral part of the society for centuries and a very popular attraction for visiting tourists looking for the ultimate Turkish experience. Usually, the baths have a changing room, a cold room, hot room and some may also include a warming room to help bathers acclimatize more gently. There are at least one historical hamam in each neighborhood of Istanbul and most of them will offer a scrubbing and/or a massage. Sulemaniye Bath has no segregation for men and women (the only Hamam to do so), allowing families to enjoy the facilities together.
Open: daily - 06:00 to midnight
Tel: +90 212 520 3410
Dolmabahce Sarayi
The Dolmabahce Sarayi palace was built by Adbul Mecit in the 19th century by and today remains an impressive, must- see attraction. Mecit lavishly built the palace and he even hired an Armenian architect to impart a more international appeal. The result is a reminiscent mix of Turkish, European and Hindu architectural styles, with a similarly opulent interior.
Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday - 09:00 to 16:00
Tel: +90 212 236 9000
Grand Bazaar
Originally built out of wood after the Ottoman conquest, This is one of the world's largest covered marketplaces and the Bazaar gradually grew over the ages into a extensive labyrinth of commerce. The bazaar includes more than 50 streets and thousands of shops, together with fountains, wells, and mosques. The Grand Bazaar is a must for all visitors.
Open: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 19:00
Admission: Free
Princes' Islands
Just over 20 km to the south-east and lying within the Sea of Marmara, this collection of nine islands is an outstanding day trip destination. With attractions to match their heritage, such as Victorian villages and hilltop chapels, the Princes' Islands offer a long and interesting history and Regular ferry trips connect the Islands, such as Bostanci, Heybeliada, Burgazada, Eminonu and Kinaliada. Buyukada is the biggest of all the islands which means the 'Great Island'. The main reason to pay a visit to the Princes' Islands is simply the peace, tranquility, beach-side attractions, along with a number of historic buildings, which create a pleasing atmosphere.
Open: daily
Admission: free
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)The Church of the Holy Wisdom, known as Hagia Sophia and Aya Sofya in Turkish, is a former Byzantine church and now a museum, Hagia Sophia is universally acknowledged as one of the great buildings of the world. This ancient basilica was built for Roman Emperor Justinian I and later improved by Emperor Constantine, A must-visit for all tourists in Istanbul. The main ground plan of the building is a rectangle, 230 feet (70 m) in width and 246 feet (75 m) in length. The dome is 30 meters / 100 foot across and has a classical basilica plan.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 18:00
Charge: 10YTL ($8.70) to grounds and main floor; another 10YTL for admission to gallery
Tel: +90 212 522 1750
Topkapi PalaceThe palace was built in between 1466 and 1478 by the Sultan mehmet on top of a hill in a small peninsula. The Topkapi Palace is a prolifically decorated palace and reached its peak in the 1500s, as it served both as the government seat and summer residence for members of state, members of the military and Ottoman elite. There were originally around 1000 residents of the Palace at the beginning, but it dramatically rose to 5,000 during normal days and 10,000 during festivals, approximately. During the foundation years, the palace having around 700,000 m2 of area and it currently has only 80,000 m2 of area because of building constructions in its grounds towards the end.
Open: Wednesday to Monday - 09:00 to 17:00
Tel: +90 212 512 0480
Istanbul Calendar of Festivals and Events
January- Kurban Bayram - also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, this festival is celebrated by Muslims around the world.
February - Istanbul Fashion Fair - showcases cutting-edge designs generated by Turkey's fashion elite
March - Water and Film Events - Debates and screenings are held during this four-day event
April - Istanbul International Film Festival
May - Ataturk Commemoration Day - May 19th, a national holiday in remembrance of the legacy of Turkey's revolutionary icon
- International Theatre Festival – Visitors over 20,000 gather for this event and A lifetime achievement is awarded both in Turkish and international arenas.
June - International Istanbul Music Festival - this event stretches from June to July and Performers from around the world participate in this event which features ballet, opera and classical music performances.
July - Istanbul International Jazz Festival - This features jazz musicians from around the world. And is organised by the Istanbul Foundation of Culture and Arts
August - Victory Day - a national holiday celebrating a 1922 battle against the Greeks.
September - Izmir Fair International Folk Dance Festival
October November - Remembering Ataturk's Death
December - Mevlana Festival - a festival is held to honour the 14th century poet and mystic Celaddin Rumi.
Dining and Restaurants in IstanbulIstanbul has fostered a truly eclectic culture of dining and it reflects the culture's passion for good food and dining out. The local meal begins with mezes (similar to Spanish tapas) before moving on to main courses showcasing fresh, local seafood. Alcoholic beverages are still readily available despite the city's tenor of Islam. Visitors to Istanbul were greeted almost completely with local cuisine in the past, however in recent years; many upscale restaurants have been diversifying and developing menus with international flavors with local Turkish standards. Visitors to Istanbul head to the waterfront eateries situated along the Bosphorus Strait For the finest dining experience as they provide upscale dining, much of which features the best of local cuisine backed by outstanding views of the strait and the historic cityscape.
The Beyoglu district is particularly well known in Istanbul for serving seafood. The old quarter of Istanbul is full of local Turkish cuisine, and visitors will discover that eating in these small, family owned restaurants is extremely economical. Outdoor dining is especially popular in Istanbul during the summer months.
Shopping in Istanbul
Although Istanbul is filled with a wealth of amazingly historic attractions and gorgeous buildings, it is the city's shopping scene that most impresses many a visitor. The Grand Bazaar is the shopping epicenter of the city with miles of winding streets and bargaining is necessary to avoid paying over the odds for your souvenirs. The Arasta Bazaar, which is close to the Blue mosque within Sultanahmet has All kinds of fabrics, leather ware, gold and silver jewellery, Turkish carpets, Kilim rugs, boxes of delicious Turkish Delight sweets (Lokum) and all kinds of clothing.
Meanwhile, The Tahtakale market is also famous in Istanbul and is sandwiched between the Eminonu and the Grand Bazaar, where it is home to a very fragrant Spice Bazaar. Within the Beyoglu neighborhood and lined with historical buildings, The Istiklal Caddesi is particularly famous avenue and elegant shopping street in Istanbul. Istanbul also has by far the biggest selection of modern shopping centers and malls in the whole of Turkey with over 50 giant complexes, and more being added every year.
