About

Istanbul, which has been the capital of three great empires, is very strong and a magnificent bridge between past and present the nature gave unique beauties to Istanbul which is decorated with numerous human-assisted museums, mosques, churches, palaces and monuments. The city, where the historical monuments interspersed in the peninsula between the Golden Horn and Marmara Sea-walls, exhibits as a justified pride many more structure as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Rumeli and Anadolu Castles. Istanbul's historic districts, listed as a common heritage of humanity by UNESCO and are included on the World Heritage List. Istanbul is also one of the European Capitals of Culture of 2010.

Places to See

Bosphorus, Golden Horn, Beyoglu, Taksim, Sultanahmet, Ortaköy, Sarıyer, Üsküdar, Kadıköy, Sile, Princes' Islands.

Where, What to Eat?

Istanbul's cuisine is one of the world's leading cuisines. Ingredients, masters, styles, and tastes coming from all over the country to the city which is the capital of the empire, has led to the emergence of the Ottoman Turkish cuisine. Turkish cuisine which is a continuation of the imperial cuisine and is open to new flavors enriches every day. In Istanbul kitchen, lamb, mutton or veal dishes with various vegetables added are the basis dishes. Rice, pastries, wheat, beans, vegetables rich in olive oil, are served with side dishes. The popular meatballs and skewer kebab, doner kebab, or the other varieties of kebab like spicy, with yogurt or with eggplant can be found in private restaurants of kebab. The original taste of pastry tarts, baklava, and the like shredded wheat can be found sometimes in the small shops that work for several generations. Raki and ayran are two of the most famous Turkish national drinks. Both are the color of milk: Alcoholic one, raki is a hard drink and when you add some water it becomes whiter. The other one is ayran, which is made of diluted refreshing yoghurt. Famous Turkish coffee, plain or sweetened, is served in small cups to the guests at every opportunity.

Do Not Leave Without

Seeing the Suleymaniye Mosque, one of the masterpiece of religious architecture and the Blue Mosque,

Visiting the Hagia Sophia and Chora Museum,

Visiting the Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, and the Rumeli Castle,

Making the ferry trip on the Bosphorus and the Princes' Islands,

Watching the view of the Galata Tower and Pierre Loti,

Watching the art and cultural activities,

Wondering and seeing the life of fun,

Visiting the Ortakoy market,

Making a coach tour on Buyukada,

Eating fish in Bosphorus, Kumkapi, Flower Passage, yogurt Kanlıca, profiterole in Beyoğlu,

Buying carpets, jewelry, leather clothing from Grand Bazaar, Turkish delight, baklava, bacon, candy from Spice Bazaar,

Doing shopping in Beyoğlu and other shopping centers.