Biographies 

Open the left menu istanbul. How Istanbul was Constantinople Sultanahmet Istanbul another name

No one can remain indifferent to Istanbul! Thanks to the 7 hills on which it is built, the magnificent Bosphorus Strait dividing it into Asian and European parts, and the Golden Horn Bay, the city was and remains unique and the only one!

The city captivates with its history from the very beginning of its foundation: the colonists from the Greek city of Megara decide to found a new city and go to the Oracle of Delphi for advice on the location of the future settlement. The oracle replied that the city should be built "opposite the blind." The Megarians, led by their leader Byzant, arrived at the Bosporus, and he, seeing Chalcedon (the current region of Kadikoy), said to his companions: “The founders of this city are those blind ones, because they did not understand the advantages of the Golden Horn, preferring to it the place where Chalcedon was built” . Thus, the place indicated by the oracle was Cape Serai, where the Megarians built Istanbul.

The city was not named by the Ottomans, as it is taken to be considered. The city's name is mentioned as a human name in a 9th century work called Fütuh'üş-Şam. The son of the Greek Meliki Timaosh, whose name was Istanbul, has been working on the construction of the city for all four years of his reign. However, its construction is completed by Constantine, who came to the place of Istanbul, and calls the city after himself. In a 10th century book, the city is referred to as İstinbolin. There are countless other stories and legends connected with the name of the city and unrelated. Istanbul at various times was called Byzantium, Constantinople, Konstantinie, Asitane (Persian Asitane - the capital of capitals), Daryulhilafe (Darülhilafe) and Dersaadet (Dersaadet - the gates of bliss, happiness).

The history of Istanbul is rooted in antiquity and originates three hundred thousand years ago. The first traces of human culture were discovered during excavations in the Yarymburgaz cave on the shore of Lake Küçükçekmece. It is believed that Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlements were located in the vicinity of the lake. Early Paleolithic tools were found in the Dudullu region, and tools of the Middle and Upper Paleolithic were found in the Agachly region. During the construction of the Marmaray railway tunnel in 2008, traces dating back to the Stone Age (6500 BC) were found, during excavations in the Fikirtepe region on the Asian side - buildings from the Bronze Age (5500 - 3500 BC), and in the area of ​​Kadikoy - traces of the Phoenicians. The city of Byzantium was founded by Byzantium in 667 BC. After the conquest of the city by the Romans, Septimius Severus, who became Caesar of the Roman Empire, begins to restore Byzantium, giving it the name Augusta Antonina (lat. Augusta Antonina) in honor of his son. Emperor Constantine I declared the city the capital of the Roman Empire. At this time, the city began to be called New Rome, but the name did not take root, and then after the death of Emperor Constantine in 337, the name of the city changed again to Constantinople.

The period of the Byzantine Empire lasted from 324 to 1453. The Eastern Roman Empire became the Byzantine Empire, with Constantinople as its capital. This period was the beginning of an era of prosperity, the city grew and developed. Along with the hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), ports and aqueducts were built for 100,000 people. Constantine, who founded the world's largest cathedral, Hagia Sophia in 360, changed the religion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, resulting in the first crack in relations with the West. The Byzantine Empire dates back to the death of Emperor Theodosius I. After the death of the western part of the Roman Empire in 476, most of the Romans living there migrated to the eastern part under the name of the Byzantine Empire. Thus, Istanbul was again proclaimed the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The plague epidemic in 543 claimed almost half of the city's population. Emperor Justinian I had to rebuild the capital. Subjected to numerous invasions, in 1204 Istanbul was captured and plundered by the crusaders during the IV Crusade. The period of the Latin Empire ended in 1261. The then reduced territory of the Byzantine Empire was besieged by the Ottoman Empire in 1391.

On May 29, 1453, Turkish troops led by Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror stormed Constantinople. This date is also the end of the Middle Ages. During the Omani Empire, Istanbul developed rapidly. Many palaces, markets, schools and hammams were built. In just 50 years, Istanbul became one of the largest cities in the world, where Jews, Christians and Muslims lived in harmony. Thanks to the Golden Horn Bridge, the Karakoy Tunnel, railways and sea transport, the construction of municipalities and hospitals, and many other innovations, the city has acquired the status of a modern and important center. In 1918, Istanbul was occupied by the Entente troops.

On October 29, 1923, together with the establishment of the Republic, the metropolitan functions of Istanbul, which had been the capital for about 2500 years, were transferred to Ankara. However, the city retained the right to be called the most populous, as well as the commercial, industrial, commercial, cultural and tourist center not only of the country, but of the world. Today, Istanbul holds its own with the youngest population among the leading European cities and a healthy economic growth rate. It is one of the metropolitan areas that comes to mind when people think of skilled labor, culture and recreational tourism. Today Istanbul consists of 39 districts. Of these, 25 are located on the European side, and 14 on the Asian side. The population of this one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world is 14.160.467 people.

Today Istanbul is a large city of Turkey, its cultural, historical and industrial center. During the period of its existence, Istanbul was able to visit the capital of great empires and accumulate a rich, interesting history.

origin of name

Until 1930, the city was called Constantinople (the city of Constantine), until 330 - Byzantium. In some medieval chronicles there were such names as Tsargrad or Tsarigrad. New or Second Rome is another historical name.

There are several versions explaining the appearance of the modern name. According to one of them, it comes from the word "Istinpolin", which was used by the Arabs in the 13th century. The second version says that the beginning of the modern name was laid by the word "Islambul", which translates as "city of Islam".

From Byzantium to Istanbul

The foundation was laid in 658 BC. e., when the colonists from Greece founded the city and named it after the leader Byzant. The city of Byzantium, populated by fishermen and merchants, developed rapidly. In 330, Constantine the Great, emperor of the Roman Empire, moved the capital here and named it New Rome. But the name didn't stick. The capital of the Roman, and after the Byzantine Empire was called Constantinople.

The "golden age" came for Constantinople during the reign of Justinian. After a major uprising in 532 that caused much destruction, the emperor brought in the best architects from around the world to rebuild the capital. Massive construction of new temples and palaces belongs to this period, among which the Hagia Sophia is one of the largest Christian churches.

In the period from 666 to 950, the city on the banks of the Bosporus was subjected to numerous attacks and sieges by the Rus and Arabs. During these years, valuable icons and other religious works of art were destroyed. The second heyday of the "pearl of the Bosphorus" is associated with the coming to the rule of the Macedonian dynasty. The 10th century is a time of active development of Greek-speaking culture: science, literature and painting. The last heyday of Constantinople fell on the reign of the Komnenos dynasty (XI-XII centuries).

In 1453, when the Turkish army of Mehmed II captured the capital, the Christian Byzantine Empire came to an end. The city became the capital of the new Ottoman Empire and received the unofficial name of Istanbul. The official renaming took place only in 1930.

Upon arrival in Istanbul, it is literally breathtaking. Most visitors rush to the old city and the area of ​​​​Sultanahmet Square, where merchants with carts are crowded in the alleys, loaders carry luggage twice as large as themselves, and ubiquitous boys shine shoes on passers-by. Only men sit in bars and coffee houses, and many women go around with their heads covered. However, this is just one aspect of modern Istanbul, and a couple of kilometers to the north you will find the old European quarter of Beyoglu with trendy bars and dance clubs, then there are street cafes and restaurants of Ortaköy and a number of luxurious suburbs on the Bosphorus.

Istanbul is the only city in the world that happened to be the capital of a Christian and then a Muslim state and retain the characteristic features of both. Formerly an important Byzantine trading center, it rose to power in the 4th century AD when Emperor Constantine the Great chose it as the new capital of the Roman Empire. Later, already being Constantinople, the city breaks ties with Rome, adopts the Greek Christian faith and language, and becomes the capital of an independent empire.

In 1203 it was sacked by the crusaders. As Byzantium declined, the Ottoman Empire rose and in 1453 the city fell under the blows of Mehmed the Conqueror. In the next century, these victories strengthened the military successes of Selim the Terrible and the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. But by the 19th century, the days of the glorious Ottoman era were numbered. The defeat of the country in the First World War was followed by the War of Independence and the formation of a new capital by Atatürk in Ankara, although Istanbul retained its importance as an industrial and commercial center. In recent years, the population of the city has reached 15 million people, and it is developing rapidly.

The city is divided in half by the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Black and Marmara Seas and separates from Asia. In turn, the Golden Horn Bay, located at right angles to it, divides the European side in two. In the old center of Sultanahmet on the cape of the peninsula south of the Golden Horn are the main city attractions: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. Further west, near the city walls, is the Kariye Mosque, where beautiful Byzantine mosaics and frescoes can be seen. In the north, behind the Golden Horn, a magnificent panorama of the city opens from the Galata Tower.

A Brief History of Istanbul

Archaeological evidence indicates the existence of Mycenaean settlements of the 13th century BC on the site of Istanbul, but since little is known about them, there is an opinion that the city was founded in the 7th century BC by Byzantium Megarian, from which its first name, Byzantium, came from. In the words of one ancient historian, it was "an insignificant Greek colony." The place was chosen in accordance with the prophecy of the Delphic oracle, which said that the colony should be founded "opposite the city of the blind." They decided that this refers to the city of Chalcedony, now Kadikoy, since it was built, ignoring the obvious strategic advantages of the Saray-Burnu peninsula.

For the next thousand years, Byzantium was an important center of commerce and trade, but it was not until the beginning of the 4th century AD that a decision was made that raised it to the heights of prosperity, strength and power. For more than 350 years it remained only a Roman province in Asia, but in 305, after the departure of Diocletian, Constantine and Licinius entered the struggle for control of the empire. In the final battle on the hills of Chrysopolis (Usküdar), Constantine defeated his rival and decided to make Byzantium the new capital of the Roman Empire.

It was the right choice. The seven hills on which Constantine planned to build a new capital (a deliberate imitation of Rome, and the city itself was originally going to be called New), towered over the Bosphorus and descended to the Golden Horn Bay. From two sides the city was protected by the sea, and its interior was easy to fortify artificially. It was also well located near the troubled borders with Europe and Persia.

In 395, the Roman Empire was divided between the two sons of Theodosius I, and Constantinople became the capital of the eastern part of the empire. He quickly formed his characteristic, different from the Roman style, adopted the Greek language and Christianity. In 532, a long and successful reign was interrupted under Emperor Justinian by the revolt of Nike, after which the city (and especially the Hagia Sophia) was rebuilt and became much larger than before.

However, half a century later, the decline of the Byzantine Empire began. From the north and east, she was threatened by the Persians, Avars and Slavs. Emperor Heraclius managed to stop them, but in the following centuries the decline did not stop, although it happened very slowly. In the 7th and 8th centuries, waves of Arab conquests swept through the empire, in the 9th and 10th centuries - Bulgarian ones, and only the walls of the city saved Constantinople from capture. However, they did not stop the Crusaders, who in 1204 crossed the sea and laid siege to the capital. At this time, Byzantium, which had greatly decreased in size, was ruled by Michael Palaiologos, who managed to restore order and many of the destroyed buildings of the city.

Parallel to this decline was the strengthening of the Ottoman Empire, whose capital had been moved several times since 1362 to Edirne, and whose territory was gradually shrinking around Constantinople long before the city was taken. In 1452, Mehmed II captured a part of the coast that was vital for the fading city and built the fortress of Rumeli Hisary there. This meant that at any moment he could prevent the import of food into the city and subjugate it, putting it on the brink of starvation.

The siege of the city lasted 7 weeks, and after its capture and looting, Mehmed II (the Conqueror) - Fatih Sultan Mehmed - began to restore it, starting with the construction of a new palace, the Conqueror's Fatih Jami Mosque and numerous smaller structures. However, Muslims were quite tolerant of other religions, and Mehmed persistently invited Greeks and Armenians to live in the city. This policy was continued by his follower Bayezid II, who sheltered Jewish refugees from, thereby breathing new life into the economy.

In the next hundred years after the conquest, the victory was secured by the great military achievements of Selim the Terrible and Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566), the Legislator. This greatest ruler of the Ottoman Empire set himself the task of conquering all of Western Europe, but was already detained at the walls. However, what he obtained in his campaigns was quite enough to finance the work of the most prominent architect of the empire, Mimar Sinan.

After the death of Suleiman, another hundred years passed, and then the empire began to show the first signs of decline. Territorial losses on distant frontiers were combined with corruption, which made its nest in the very heart of the state, the Topkapi Palace itself. The throne was occupied by more and more new, often mediocre sultans, who preferred to spend time in the harem, and not on the battlefield. They often made decisions under the influence of women, who became increasingly involved in palace intrigues. As the Ottoman Empire lost territories in the west, the sultans became interested in the models of the structure of the states of the east. The first parliament of 1876 was dissolved a year later by Sultan Abdulhamid II, but the trend of reforms nevertheless led to its formation in 1909.

After the end of the First World War, Istanbul was occupied by the Allies, mostly the British, who lingered to delay the end of the once great empire as long as possible. After the war of independence, this problem was quickly solved by Atatürk, who proclaimed the Republic. The capital has been moved to . However, Istanbul remained the most important center of commerce and trade, which still plays a very important role in the country.

The population of Greater Istanbul today is approaching 15 million inhabitants (that's almost a quarter of the population of the entire country), and since the population growth is about 300 thousand people every year, there is no sign that it will decrease. Filled to capacity, low-quality buildings were the main cause of mass loss of life during the earthquake that occurred in August 1999, when most of the buildings west of the main airport and in the east of the city were destroyed. After that, 40% of the inhabitants were relocated to tents and barracks. In the western part of Istanbul, evidence of this tragedy still remains, but most of the people left homeless have already moved from barracks to cheap high-rise buildings that are rapidly growing on the periphery of the city.

Not surprisingly, Istanbul has the smallest amount of green space per person among most cities in Europe, and public transport is always crowded and difficult to move through traffic jams. There are grandiose plans to change the situation, including the construction of twenty-six new roads, eleven interchanges, sixteen kilometers of light rail and five more bridges across the Bosphorus. At present, part of the municipal funds has already been directed to solving transport problems and the construction of the third bridge across the Bosphorus, which will connect Arnavutköy and Baiderbeyi, is ready to begin.

The Istanbul City Council has considered programs to clean up the streets in the most unclean areas and beautify the periphery of the city, but legal ways have not yet been developed to combat the barracks and tent settlements growing around it. The main problem there remains poverty, which contrasts sharply with the wealth of the rapidly growing suburbs along the Bosphorus, which are inhabited by representatives of the educated classes.

  • Istanbul city plan

Istanbul is divided into two parts by the Bosphorus, the border between Europe and Asia, which is a narrow 30-kilometer strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of ​​Marmara. On the European side, the Golden Horn Bay separates from its southern part, which begins seven kilometers from the mouth of the Bosphorus with two small channels. Light industry enterprises are located along the Golden Horn today. The main residential areas are on the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara and on the hills above the Bosphorus. Istanbul has two centers that are separated by the Golden Horn, but both are on the European side of the city. - This is the historical heart of Istanbul, and located south of Taksim - a modern business center. They are easy to distinguish from each other from the water: the hallmark of one is the Topkapi Palace, the second is the modern Marmara Hotel.

Visitors spend most of their time in Sultanahmet, the center of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. All of its main attractions are within walking distance from each other and not far from the main street with the Divan Yolu tram line. Among them are the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Cami (Blue Mosque), the Museum of Turkish and Muslim Art and the covered bazaar of Kapala Charshi. Not far from Sultanahmet is Eminonu, one of the largest transport hubs in the city, where tram lines connect to the largest ferry terminal and the main railway station.

Mysyr Charshysy (spice market) and the Galata bridge are also located there. To the west of the covered bazaar is a student bazaar with Istanbul University and Suleymaniye Cami. Further west, down the main street of Ordu Caddesi (an extension of Divan Yolu), is Aksaray's commercial and transportation hub. Further lie the Muslim areas and with numerous mosques. From the Sea of ​​Marmara to the Golden Horn, about six kilometers from the Topkapi Palace, part of the city wall of Theodosius II runs. It is easy to get here by bus or tram to walk near the fortifications of Yedikule and see the amazing frescoes and mosaics of the Cariye Museum. Further located with the most beautiful mosques in the Muslim world.

From Sultanahmet and Eminonu you cross the Bosphorus along the Galata bridge and get into the port, and then to the steep Galata hills, where, in fact, Constantinople began. Not far from the northern part of the bridge is the entrance to the French-built railway tunnel, which will take you to Beyoglu, a graceful 19th-century European quarter, in eighty seconds. From the last station of the Tunnel, the old tram will take you along the main boulevard of Beyoglu, Istiklal Caddesi, to Taksim Square, where the best hotels in the city, modern bars, nightclubs and restaurants are located.

To the north of Taksim, on one of the metro lines, are the new business centers of Istanbul - Harbiye, Etiler and Nisantasi with offices of many embassies and airlines. In the lower part of Taksim on the banks of the Bosphorus lie the hinterland of the city and Ortakoy with picturesque views of the strait and a number of historical sites and parks. Within the city, the transition from Europe to Asia is almost imperceptible. Uskudar and Kadikoy are worth a visit for their architectural monuments, as well as good shops and restaurants.

Arrival and information about Istanbul

The main points of arrival in Istanbul are Ataturk Airport, Esenler bus station - both are quite far from the city - and Sirkeci railway station, located much closer to the center. All of these terminals are located away from tourist accommodation areas, so you will have to get to them by taxi or public transport. In choosing a place to stay, you will be helped by tourist offices, the main of which is located in Sultanahmet.

  • Arrival by plane

Istanbul Ataturk Airport (Ataturk Hava Lymany) is located near the Sea of ​​Marmara, 12 kilometers west of the city center of Yesilköy. It consists of two terminals - for international and domestic flights, which are located one kilometer apart.

I). Buses of the Havac company leave from Ataturk Hava Lymany to Istanbul every half an hour, 5.00-23.00. Its terminus is at the main airport exit and at the THY (Turkish Airlines) office in the north. Travel time is from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic intensity. The only intermediate stop is in Aksaray at the Gar nightclub, two hundred meters from the Yenikapı railway station, from where you can take the train to Kankurtana and Sultanahmet.

II). The metro will take you from the airport to the city center. The first train is at 6.00, the last one is at 00.40, with intervals of 10 minutes. Look for signs that say "Hafif Metro/Rapid Transit". Buy two tokens at the kiosk.

The stop of these minibuses is located behind the ticket offices around the main hall. From Kadikoy or Uskudar you can take a ferry to Eminonu, and from Uskudar you can also take a ferry to Besiktas and Taksim. The ubiquitous taxis are an additional option, but crossing the bridge is expensive, since you have to pay a separate fee for entering the bridge, and taxis take it at the maximum rate.

  • Arrival by ferry

Ferries of the Turkish Maritime Lines, which can transport cars, run across the Bosphorus from Harem to Eminonu. Sea ferries from Yalova and Bandirma (on the route from Istanbul to) and from Avsha Island in the Sea of ​​Marmara arrive at the Yenikapı Marine Terminal near Kennedy Caddesi in Kumkapı, south of Aksaray. It is easy to transfer to the train here, which departs from the Yenikapi railway station directly opposite the terminal of the same name. From here, there are only two stops to Sultanahmet and three to Sirkeci Station. In addition, absolutely all buses go from Yenikapı to Taksim through Aksaray.

Cruise ship passengers go through customs and immigration at the Karakoy International Maritime Passenger Terminal (International Maritime Passenger Terminal in Karakoy), which is located from Eminonu across the Galata Bridge. To get to Sultanahmet, cross the Bosphorus on the bridge by bus or walk to the tram stop in Eminonu. Taksim can be reached by the Tunnel to Beyoglu, and then by tram to Taksim Square, but the easiest way is to take a taxi.

  • Information about Istanbul

The most useful tourist office in the city is the office at Divan Yolu Caddeci in Sultanahmet, which is located near the Hippodrome and is open every day 9.00-17.00. Other tourist offices are located at the points of arrival of foreign tourists - at Ataturk Airport (open every day, open around the clock), at the Sirkeci railway station (open every day from 9.00 to 17.00), at the International Sea Passenger Terminal in Karaköy (open Monday-Saturday, 9.00 -17.00) and at the Hilton Hotel on Cumhuriyet Caddesi (open Monday-Saturday 9.00-17.00).

In all offices you will find a large number of city maps and flyers, and their employees are fluent in many European languages. The Tourist Office is located at Suleyman Cad, 7, Besiktas and is open from Monday to Friday, 9.00-17.00. They won't deal with sudden problems, but if you call them in advance, they will help you organize long trips and can recommend reliable travel companies.

Istanbul Public Transport

There are quite a lot of types of urban transport in Istanbul - from horses to high-speed trams. Public transport is usually crowded and full of pickpockets. If you feel that someone is reaching into your pocket or making sexual harassment attempts, draw the attention of other passengers to yourself (try shouting imdat, “help!”), And you will definitely be helped. The bus transport system here is very complicated, but if you understand it, you can easily move around the city for very little money. Trains and trams are convenient, and taxis and minibuses are reasonably priced and have knowledgeable - but not always careful - drivers. Still, the best way to explore the historically sea-facing city is on a ferry with year-round Bosphorus tours.

Traffic jams are an integral part of modern city life. They are absent only in the historical part of Istanbul, the relatively transport-free Sultanahmet, which is usually explored on foot. On the other hand, get ready for the fact that you have to spend quite a lot of time on the road. For example, it is considered normal to get from Sultanahmet in one hour. There are plans to build another bridge across the Bosphorus, which will be located between the two existing ones, and an additional tunnel under the Golden Horn from Sirkeci to Harem. In the meantime, in order to move around Istanbul by public transport, patience and patience is required.

  • Buses in Istanbul

Buses are the cheapest, but also the slowest and usually the most congested form of urban public transport in Istanbul. They come in a variety of colors, but red and blue municipal buses are the most common. The private buses that run on the main routes are white-green and orange-green and usually look much shabbier than the municipal ones. Grandiose maps of their routes and a list of services provided are posted at all major bus stops. Most buses run from 6.30 am to 11.30 pm, but the last car leaves the final stop much earlier. Travel on all municipal buses is paid for with akbil or pre-purchased tickets, which are lowered into a metal box at the front door next to the driver's cab.

Tickets are sold at kiosks near bus stops, trams and metro stations. They usually cost 1.50 Turkish Lira. In addition to kiosks, tickets can be purchased at a small premium from retailers. It is worth buying tickets in advance, because in remote areas of the city you can walk several kilometers and not meet a single stall selling them. Trips on private buses can be paid for with akbil or cash, which is given to the conductor. Public and private buses cost the same.

The main bus terminals in the European part of Istanbul are located in Eminonu, Taksim Square, Besiktas and Aksaray, in the Asian part - in Uskudar and Kadikoy. Keep in mind that only a few bus routes pass through Sultanahmet, so it's easier to walk there or take a three-stop tram ride from the bus station at, which is located directly opposite the ferry terminal. Buses run from Eminonu to Taksim, Aksaray, Topkapi and Bebek. There they make a transfer and go further to the suburbs, for example, to the village of Rumeli Kawai. Buses from the final stop, which is located at Taksim Square, go through Mecidiyeköy to the northern suburbs, along the Bosphorus coast through Besiktas, Ortaköy and Aranvutköy, as well as through the Golden Horn to Topkapi and Aksaray.

  • Trains in Istanbul

The municipal rail transport network is operated by Turkiye Cumhuriyeti Devlet Demiryollari (TCDD) and has one line on each side of the Bosphorus. The lines are not connected, but there are already plans to connect them with a tunnel under the Sea of ​​Marmara.

Trains are frequent and cheap, but during the morning and evening rush hours, as expected, they are crowded. The municipal railway operates from 7.00 to 9.30. One line runs from Haydarpasa in Göztepe and Bostanci and along the Gulf of Izmir to Gebze, the second - from Sirkeci along the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara to Khankala past Kimkapi, famous for its fish restaurants, the famous Yenkapi sea ferry terminal, Yedikule Fortress and located near Yesilköy Airport. Akbil is accepted on local routes.

In Sirkeci, you can buy a token in a stall, which is then lowered into the turnstile, but at the Haydarpasa station, simple tickets are still used for boarding, which are also sold in kiosks. In addition to commuter trains, there is an underground funicular line with two stops, one at Taksim Square, the other at Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoglu, which is called the Tunnel here. Trains run through the Tunnel every fifteen minutes, 8.00-21.00. The fare is paid with akbil or a token, which are sold at the kiosks at the entrance.

  • Trams in Istanbul

The main tram lines run along Zeytinburn and Merter, through the Topkapi gate to Aksaray, where they connect with the metro line, then to Laleli, past the university, along Beyazit, Jemberlitash, Sultanahmet and on to Eminonu and across the Galata bridge. Trams run frequently and operate from 7.30 to 21.00. An approaching tram announces its approach with a bell, and passengers wait for it on a concrete platform, lined up along the tracks at a certain distance from each other. Tokens, which must be lowered into the turnstiles at the entrance door to the tram, are sold in booths located next to the platforms. The fare can also be paid with akbil.

  • Metro in Istanbul

As soon as the construction of the tunnel under the Golden Horn is completed, the metro, which is called here hizli tramvay (high-speed tram), will finally unite the entire European part of Istanbul. Currently, there are only two of its lines - one on each side of the bay. The southern metro line runs west from Aksaray through the otogar at Esenler, where it bifurcates. One half of it goes to Esenler itself, the other to its final station in Yeni Bosna, which is only two kilometers from the airport. The metro line on the northern side of the bay runs from the newly opened Taksim station at Taksim Square to Levent via Omsmanbey, Sisli and Gairettepe. Metro trains run every fifteen minutes from 6.00 to 23.15. When landing, you can also use akbil.

  • Shuttle taxis and minibuses

Minibus taxis dolmus go along certain routes and depart only after the passenger compartment is completely filled (dolmus means “full” in Turkish). ”, “Doji”, “Plymouth” and “Chevrolet” of the 50s of release. Maybe this has deprived the city of the romance of past years, but the new transport is more convenient and breaks less often. Minibuses operate on longer routes and depart according to a schedule known only to their drivers.

The final destinations and municipally fixed fares are shown on the windshield of the dolmus and minibuses. The fee is set for the entire route, regardless of where you get off. Ask passengers how much they pay to get to a certain stop, or just look at how much money they give the driver. When handing over the money - usually 1-2 lira - say out loud the name of the place where you need to get off. The final stops of fixed-route taxis and minibuses are marked with signs with the letter "D", but they can be slowed down anywhere. During peak hours they run more frequently and finish later than regular buses, sometimes even at 2 am. You can stop dolmus with the words "bir musait bir yerde" or simply "inecek var".

There are many taxis in Istanbul. They are easy to distinguish by their yellow color and by the fact that they begin to slow down near a passer-by, as soon as he stops for a while. All cars have meters, however, you should double check to make sure the driver doesn't twist it when getting in or charge you ten times more than they show. The night fare is valid from 00.00 to 06.00 and raises the fare by 50%. The old counters have two small displays marked “gunduz” (day) and “gece” (night), on the new counters the amounts are displayed alternately.

If there are any problems with the driver, for example, if he insists on some fixed fare, write down his registration number and call the tourist police. Traveling across the bridge over the Bosphorus in any direction costs 3-5 Turkish liras today. The passenger pays for this. Despite the high cost of gasoline, taxi fares in Turkey are moderately priced. For example, the road from Sultanahmet or Taksim through the Bosphorus will cost you about 10 liras.

  • Ferries, sea trams and sea taxis

Most of the ferries are operated by Turkish Maritime Lines. The seasonal schedule of their movement can be studied at the terminals and tourist offices, but the most popular routes, for example from Eminonu to Kadikoy or Uskudar, are served from 6.00 to 00.00 by three to five flights per hour. Gradually, the ferry service is supplemented by modern (and much faster) sea trams (deniz otobusleri), but they run much less often, since their schedule is tied to the hours of maximum influx of passengers. The fare on them, depending on the distance, costs 4-5 liras to the Princes' Islands, 6 liras to Yalova. Both on ferries and on sea trams, both jeton, which must be lowered into the turnstiles at the entrance, and akbil are accepted for payment. The most popular routes are also served by small private ferries, tickets for which are sold directly on board or at kiosks on the waterfront.

The main city TDI terminal in Eminonu is located between the Sirkeci railway station and the Galata Bridge. It is a series of clearly marked piers. See tourist maps, terminal numbers should be marked there. From berth No. 1, a ferry leaves for Yuskdar, from berth No. 2 - for Kadikoy. Three to five ferries per hour leave for both points from 6.00 to 00.00. Vogas Haiti (along the Bosphorus) depart from berth number 3, and berth number 4 serves high-speed ferry flights to Kadikoy and Bostanci, which run every half hour, but only during peak hours. On the western side of the Galata Bridge is berth No. 6, from where ferries go up the Golden Horn to Eyup via Kasimpasa, Fener and Balat (7.00-20.00, about once an hour). Berth No. 5 is located right next to the Sirkeci railway station. From there, from 8.00 to 21.00, strictly once an hour, car ferries leave for Harem.

Less common are TDI ferries from Karakoy (on the other side of the Galata Bridge) to Kabatas, Besiktas, Ortakoy and Bebek. Even at rush hour, a maximum of two flights depart from there. From Besiktas to Kadikoy and Uskudar, ferries leave approximately once an hour and run from 8.00 to 21.00. There are many other routes, including from Bakirkoy to Bostanci via Kadikoy and Yenikapı (every hour, 7.30-22.00) and from Kabatas to the Sea of ​​Marmara (6-12 trips per day). Sea trams also run longer distances, such as from Istanbul to Bandirma and Yalova on the opposite coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara.

The most memorable trip on the Bosphorus can be a sea taxi cruise. On it you can make a trip from Eminonu to the exclusive suburb of Istanbul Bebek, which is located on the European side 8 kilometers north of the city. It is recommended to book tickets in advance, especially if you want to use their services on a weekend evening.

  • Bosphorus Tours

Pier 3 has a popular daily TDI service from Eminonu called Bosphorus Tours (Bogaz Hatti). The final destination of this cruise is Rumeli Kavaii and Anadolu Kavaii, the most remote villages up the Bosphorus on its European and Asian shores. In summer (June to October) ferries depart at 10.35, 12.00 and 13.35 and return from Anadolu Kavaii at 15.00, 16.15 and 17.00 (19.00 on weekends).

During the rest of the year, ferries leave once a day at 10.35 and return back at 15.00. The round trip costs 8 lira and takes an hour and a half one way. Stops are made in Besiktas, Kanlij, Emirgan, Yeniköy, Sariyer, Rumeli Kawai and Anadolu Kavaii. You can get off at any of these places, but you will need to buy a new ticket to get on the ferry again.

Sights of Istanbul

The ancient capital of the empire stretches from the Sultanahmet district with Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque to the northwest to the Suleymaniye mosque complex, the Grand Bazaar and further to the remains of the city walls. In the north near the Galata Bridge in the old Levantine district of Galata (now Karakoy) is one of the most prominent objects of the city - the Galata Tower. Nearby is the entrance to Tyunel, an underground funicular that runs from Karakoy to the beginning of Istiklal Avenue. This is the main street of the Beyoglu district, where many restaurants are located and where the nightlife of the city takes place. Behind it begins Taksim Square - the focus of modern Istanbul (all of the above sights can be visited during).

  • Saint Sophie Cathedral

The former Byzantine Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia Mosque) is visible from afar thanks to its massive dome; it is the city's most famous landmark. Erected in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, it was turned into a mosque in 1453 (minarets were added at the same time); became a museum in 1934. An indelible impression is made by the interior with streams of light pouring from the high windows of the dome. The galleries and the dome rest on green marble columns.

From the time when the cathedral was a mosque, the mihrab (a niche in the direction of Mecca), the minbar (pulpit) and huge wooden boards with the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad and the first four caliphs have been preserved. The monograms of Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora are carved on the balconies, pediments and capitals. Upstairs in the western gallery, a large circle of green Thessalian marble marks the site of the throne of the empress. There are also remains of mosaics. At the top you can see the two most beautiful images of Christ and the Virgin.

  • Topkapi Palace

To the north of Hagia Sophia is the Topkapi Palace - the second main attraction of the city. The palace, built in 1459-1465, was the center of the Ottoman Empire for almost 4 centuries. The ticket office is located in the first courtyard, and the beautifully restored building of the Divan (Council of the Sultan) is located in the second. From many points of the city, the Divan tower is clearly visible. Weapons and ammunition are on display in the inner treasury, and across the courtyard are the palace kitchens with a magnificent row of chimneys. There is a harem on the corner, where you should definitely go with an organized tour.

Once upon a time, only eunuchs and the Sultan's guards had the right to enter here during service hours. Many rooms are still closed and awaiting restoration, but the tour takes place in most of the complex of 400 rooms, including the Imperial Hall, where the Sultan received visitors, and the bedroom of Murad III with 16th-century Iznik tiles, a marble fountain and a bronze fireplace. In the main building (the third courtyard) is located the Throne Room, where the meetings of the Sultan were held with the members of the Divan and orders were given.

Nearby, in the Conqueror's Pavilion, there is a treasury where you can see such famous exhibits as a dagger with three huge emeralds and the fifth largest diamond in the world. The pavilion of the Holy Intercession contains relics brought by Selim the Terrible from Egypt conquered in 1517. The fourth courtyard is a park area with various buildings, including the Circumcision Pavilion and the luxuriously decorated Medcidie Köşkü, which offers a beautiful view of all the palace buildings.

To the north of the palace is the former Gulhane Palace Park, which now houses three museums. The Archaeological Museum houses an excellent collection of sarcophagi, sculptures and other artifacts from ancient times. The neighboring and oldest secular building in Istanbul, Chinili-Köshk, houses the Museum of Ceramics with a collection of exquisite Iznik products and Seljuk tiles. Nearby is the Museum of the Ancient East with a small but spectacular collection of Anatolian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian relics.

  • Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is easily recognizable by its 6 minarets. Inside, four "elephant" columns hide part of the structure and visually reduce the dome supported by them. The mosque is named after the color of the 20,000 tiles covering it, magnificent examples of Iznik ceramics of the late 16th century with floral and abstract ornaments. At the outer wall is the tomb of Sultan Ahmed, where he is buried with his wife and three sons. Behind the mosque is the Vakiflar Carpet Museum, where old carpets and kilims from all over are exhibited.

To the west of the Blue Mosque is the territory of the Hippodrome, built under Septimius Severus in 200 AD. At its southern end stands the Egyptian obelisk, originally 60 meters high, but only its upper third survived when transported from Egypt in the 6th century. At the base of the obelisk, scenes depicting the erection of a monument in Constantinople during the reign of Theodosius I are carved. Nearby is the Serpent Column, brought by Emperor Constantine from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.

On the west side of the Hippodrome, in the former palace (1524) of the great vizier Suleiman the Magnificent Ibrahim Pasha, there is the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art (Tuesday-Sunday 9.00-17.00, 2.50 euros) with the world's best collection of Muslim rarities. The magnificent reception hall of Ibrahim Pasha contains a collection of Turkish carpets, and in the halls of the first floor near the central courtyard there is an exhibition dedicated to the folk art of the Anatolian tribes.

To the north, at the corner of Yerebatan Caddesi, Yerebatan Saray, or the Basilica of the Cistern, is the only surviving underground reservoir. It, apparently, was built under Constantine the Great, expanded by Justinian and served as a source of water for the Grand Palace of the Byzantine emperors. The footbridges allow you to pass through a whole forest of columns and look at the monumental heads of Medusa, supporting two of them. On the other side of the Blue Mosque is the Mosaic Museum, which displays the magnificent mosaics that once adorned the floors of the vast Grand Palace complex, which occupied the space from the hippodrome to the walls by the sea.

  • Grand Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque and Spice Bazaar

To the west of Sultanahmet Square, walk along Divan Yolu to the Column of Constantine (Chamberlitash), erected in 330 in honor of the transfer of the capital of the Roman Empire to the city. To the right of the main street is the Bayazid district, the center of which is the Grand Bazaar, or Charsha Canals, with about 4 thousand shops and shops. This zone has long gone beyond the former covered bazaar, expanding in the direction of the Golden Horn. Around Kurkcular Kapi and Perdahcilar Caddesi, they sell carpets for every taste and budget, as well as leather goods, and the jewelry trade is concentrated on Kuyumcular Caddesi.

Moving west from the bazaar, you will come to the Bayezid Mosque, the oldest surviving in the city (1506), with a beautiful courtyard lined with colored marble. Next to the bazaar, among pleasant shady courtyards behind the university, rises the best of all Ottoman mosques - Suleymaniye. In the local cemetery you will see the tombs of Suleiman the Magnificent and his powerful wife Roksolana.

Particularly impressive is the tomb of Suleiman with doors inlaid with ebony and ivory, silver and jade. The rest of this complex is made up of the famous Suleymaniye library and the simple tomb of the chief court architect Mimar Sinan, whose carefully carved turban testifies to the high position of the owner.

The area down to the river behind the Grand Bazaar is known as Eminonu. Here on the embankment stands the last of Istanbul's imperial mosques, the New Mosque (Yeni). Nearby is the Spice Bazaar, or Mysyr Karshysy (Egyptian Bazaar), where all kinds of odorous drugs are sold - from saffron to aphrodisiacs. A little to the west is the charming small mosque of Rustem Pasha, lined with wonderful Iznik tiles. The most remarkable object of the embankment is the Galata Bridge, a modern two-tiered structure spanning the Golden Horn Bay.

  • Church of the Savior in Chora and city walls

To the west of the Bayezid district, Istanbul becomes calmer and presents a number of villages, crossed by major highways. Here is the former Church of the Savior in Hora, and now the Kariye Mosque, built at the beginning of the 12th century and retaining excellent frescoes and mosaics of the 14th century. You can get there by metro to Topkapı (meaning the western district, not the palace in the city center) or on foot, following the north along the city walls to the Edirnekap gate and then follow the signs.

The western city walls, over 6 kilometers long, are especially interesting as relics of the Byzantine era. For 800 years, they defended the peninsula from attacks. They were first erected by Emperor Theodosius II, when it was urgently necessary to protect the city from the invasion of the Huns under the leadership of Attilt in 447.

Then a decree was issued obliging all citizens to participate in the construction, regardless of their social status, and in just 2 months, with the participation of 16 thousand people, the work was completed. To this day, most of the outer walls and 96 towers have survived, and although some sections have been rebuilt, intact sections can be viewed. However, do not forget about safety, especially in the evening.

  • Golden Horn Bay (Karakoy and Beyoglu)

On the Galata Bridge from the old center you can get to Karakoy (former Galata). Here, in 1261, a Genoese colony was formed, in which there were also Jewish, Greek and Armenian communities. In the first centuries of Ottoman rule, the place began to be called the "European" quarter. In the following era, Europeans gradually settled from Galata to the neighboring Beyoglu region, and after the exodus of a large Greek population from there in the 1960s, the region lost its international spirit and was filled with brothels and dubious cinemas. But then the block was cleared, and now it is full of trendy cafes, bars, restaurants and clubs, although it has retained the red-light district.

The main local attraction is the Galata Tower built in 1348, with observation galleries, a cafe and a very expensive restaurant, which offers the best panorama of the city. Up Istiklal Boulevard, an inconspicuous opening leads to the former Mevlevi monastery with a ritual hall founded in the 13th century by a sect of whirling dervishes. Here you can see musical instruments and dervish robes, while the building itself was restored in the spirit of the late 18th century. Dervish performances take place here on Sundays throughout the year. From here, it’s a good idea to take the old tram along Istiklal to Taksim Square, admiring the luxurious architectural buildings in the fin-de-siecle style along the way.

In contact with

Istanbul from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Istanbul.

Mysterious and majestic, noisy and fabulously beautiful, Istanbul is a bridge between Europe and Asia, between the traditional East and the modern West. Throughout its rich history, he managed to change several names and visit the capital of four empires: Roman and Byzantine, Ottoman and Latin.

The former capital of Turkey, its main cultural, commercial and industrial center is divided into two halves even geographically. It is located on two sides of the strait Bosphorus and therefore on two continents at once. The European part of Istanbul is conditionally divided by the Golden Horn Bay: the Old City with its famous attractions largely retained its medieval appearance, and business and trade life is concentrated in the New. The Asian part is less popular with tourists, but it is here that you can study the traditions and life of local residents in great detail.

Istanbul has many faces: solemn squares coexist here with cozy courtyards that are imperceptible at first glance, intricate narrow streets - with bright avenues, ancient mosques - with modern mansions. The crowded, boiling metropolis remains a city for contemplation, for a leisurely immersion in an amazing world where times and cultures have mixed.

Search for flights to Istanbul

Districts of Istanbul

The urban agglomeration of Greater Istanbul includes, each of which is divided into several quarters.

Fatih is the main district of the central part of the city, one of the most orthodox and conservative in Istanbul. The most popular quarter for tourists - Sultanahmet inscribed on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List, with Sophia Cathedral , blue mosque, Hippodrome and dozens of other unique historical monuments. The Eminonu quarter is one of the oldest in the city, famous for its museums, mosques and colorful oriental bazaars, including the legendary spice market.

Beyoglu is the New City, the main cultural, commercial and entertainment center of modern Istanbul. Here are the quarters of Karakoy, Galatasaray and Taksim - places of accumulation of the best shops, art galleries, antique shops and coffee shops. This is a multinational area that has become home not only for the Turks, but also for representatives of the Jewish and Christian communities. Beyoglu is visited daily by over a million people, most of whom are tourists. The center of the district is Taksim Square, the terminal station of many buses and one of the subway lines. The main sights of the square are the Independence Monument and the Center of Culture. Ataturk. Galatasaray is an ancient quarter founded in the Byzantine era. Many ancient Genoese buildings have been preserved here, the most famous of which is Galata tower, symbol of the area. A little to the south is Karakoy, which connects Beyoglu with the historical center on the other side of the Golden Horn.

The pride of the Karakoy quarter is fish restaurants with the freshest seafood.

Another famous district of Istanbul is the prestigious Besiktas, located on the European coast of the Bosphorus. Here are the pier Ortakoy, Sinan Pasha Mosque, palaces Yildiz And Dolmabahce, Barbarossa square. There are many hotels in Besiktas, most of which are quite expensive.

Kadikoy is one of the main districts in the Asian part of Istanbul, an ideal place for entertainment and shopping. Luxurious malls, clubs and restaurants have turned it into a mecca for wealthy Turkish youth.

Of course, in Istanbul there are not only main tourist streets, but also working outskirts, one of which is the Zeytinburnu district, located on the European coast of the Sea of ​​​​Marmara. Its main population is migrants from the east of the country who come here to work.

Communication and Wi-Fi

Mobile communications in Turkey are carried out by the "big three" operators: Turkcell, Avea and Vodafone. The cheapest services are from Avea, the most expensive from Turkcell. Local SIM cards can be bought at company offices located at every turn, as well as at newsstands and hotel lobbies. SIM cards are sold on a prepaid basis, the average cost of a basic package is 12-65 TRY.

Turkish tariffs, as a rule, are a single set of services with a predetermined amount of Internet traffic, the number of SMCs and minutes for calls. There are also special "tourist SIM cards" with free incoming and inexpensive outgoing. The cheapest way to call from payphones is to purchase a Telekart Satelik phone card.

You should study the conditions of tariffs in advance, because consultants in stores most often offer the most expensive options to ignorant tourists.

Free Wi-Fi is available in many cafes, restaurants, shopping centers and hotels located in the city center. Stability and connection speed depend on the location of the institution and the number of visitors. Recently, free Wi-Fi is available in the largest squares and in the public centers of Istanbul.

Istanbul Guest Card

Istanbul beaches

Guests of Istanbul have a unique opportunity to relax on the shores of two seas: Black and Marble. The most famous beaches on the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara are located in the Asian part of the city, in the Kadikoy area, in Jaddebostan. Their main advantages are free admission, developed infrastructure (there are showers, toilets, changing rooms, umbrellas, sunbeds) and comfortable water temperature - the sea is shallow here and warms up very quickly. The beach in Fenerbahce Bay is more cozy and secluded: it can accommodate only 50 visitors. Here, too, there is everything you need to relax: changing cabins, toilets, a cafe and a small restaurant.

Jaddebostan is the area of ​​the most famous Istanbul beaches on the coast of the Marmara Sea.

The most popular beach in the European part of the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara is "Floria" with a sandy shore and a convenient entrance to the sea. The beach is paid, but visitors are provided with a whole range of exciting entertainment: from sports equipment rental to incendiary dances in bars and discos.

The most famous holiday destinations on the Black Sea coast are the Kilyos area with many private beaches, as well as the resort area of ​​​​Sile. The Agva beach located here is an ideal place for lovers of active leisure. Here you can ride a yacht, go in for water sports and even go fishing. The second beach of the zone, of the same name "Sile", is more suitable for connoisseurs of a calm, peaceful holiday.

However, you can feel yourself in a real seaside resort only on Princes' Islands with their amazing scenery. The sea here is clear, clean and warm, and any transport is prohibited on the coast, except for bicycles and horse-drawn teams. The largest and most popular of the islands is Buyukada, where luxury hotels, restaurants and villas of wealthy Istanbulites are located.

Istanbul Hotels

Guests of Istanbul have no problems with accommodation in the city: hotels different levels are located here literally at every step. Oddly enough, room prices do not depend much on the location of the hotel, therefore, when choosing a district, you should focus not on the budget, but on your own goals. Those who travel to Istanbul on business can settle in ordinary residential areas. Travelers who are in the mood for sightseeing most often choose areas Sultanahmet and Beyoglu. The first contains numerous architectural monuments, the second - colorful shops with oriental goods and restaurants of national cuisine. Most of the hotels in the vicinity of the Blue Mosque are located in restored old buildings. Many inexpensive hostels and cafes are in Taksim and the Akbiyik Caddesi street area. Lovers of nightlife are best to stay in the Istiklal area, connoisseurs of true luxury - in the west, along the coast of the Bosphorus.

Room prices range from 66 TRY in budget hotels to 1660 TRY in luxury luxury hotels. In most local hotels, you can bargain with the owners, with the exception of chain and premium hotels. When checking into inexpensive hotels, you should pay attention to the quality hotel mark, which means that the amenities here are in the room, and not on the floor.

shopping

Istanbul is considered the unofficial capital of the European shopping. The famous city "shopping center" is the Laleli district, which consists entirely of shops with a variety of goods, mainly textiles and leather. The prices there are more than reasonable.

The covered market "Grand Bazaar" is a kind of "city within a city", spread over 50 streets and including 4,400 shops, 40 trading yards, workshops and coffee houses. Grand Bazaar is the best place to buy souvenirs, antiques and gold.

The Egyptian Bazaar specializes in spices, coffee, sweets and flowers, while the Sahaflar Carshysy Book Bazaar is a small market for used and antique books, where you can find everything from Marxist classics to Turkish translations of the Koran.

Going for big purchases at Kapali Carci is not worth it, the prices are extremely high. However, the building itself and the atmosphere of the market will take you back to the time of the Ottomans for a while.

The most popular souvenirs from Istanbul are Turkish delight, Turkish tea, carpets, antiques, jewelry and leather goods. Turkish Delight - the most famous delicacy in Turkey - it is better to buy by weight, and not in pre-packed boxes: it is more expensive, but more reliable. This way you can try the product beforehand and avoid being scammed.

Standard Turkish Turkish Delight - with lemon and rose water flavor, but pistachio sweets are also very good.

The best Turkish Delight - in shops on Istiklal Caddesi street and on spice market.

Carpets can also be a good purchase in Istanbul. Prices in local shops are designed for tourists, so feel free to bargain with sellers. It is best to buy carpets and kilims in the shops of Sultanahmet. It is worth looking into jewelry shops for jewelry with chalcedony. But you should be careful when buying antiques: local laws prohibit the export of items that are more than 100 years old from Turkey. To find out the age of a product, you can take it to the museum for examination. In many stores, museum certificates are immediately provided to customers, confirming that products from the assortment can be freely exported from the country.

In addition to traditional markets and bazaars, Istanbul has many modern shopping centers, where the world's leading brands are widely represented, and their products are much cheaper than in other metropolitan areas.

Lovers of first-class shopping should visit one of the oldest shopping centers in Istanbul "Atrium". Noteworthy is the nautical-themed Tepe Nautilus in Kadikoy, the first themed shopping mall in Turkey. The Deposite Outlet Center pleases customers with favorable discounts, and the 6-storey Profilo - with a variety of entertainment: cinema halls, theaters, sports and entertainment centers.

What to try

In Istanbul, you will find a whole menu of unique dishes that are simply unforgivable not to taste. You need to start the meal with snacks: rice in grape leaves, stuffed tomatoes and all kinds of salads with olive oil. Traditional first courses are thick soup "chobra" with a base of local kvass and cold "jajik" of fresh cucumbers with yogurt. Vegetarians will certainly like the stewed vegetables "guvech", as well as Turkish pilaf, which is cooked here not only from rice, but also from bulgur - coarse wheat.

Istanbul seafood deserves special attention: they are always fresh here, because the city is surrounded by seas. Restaurants serve shrimp, squid, lobster, swordfish, mussels and sea bass, street cafes serve delicious balyk-ekmek fish sandwiches. The most common meat dish is, of course, kebab, but don't forget to try meat balls "kefte" from minced lamb with egg and onion.

Surrounded by the seas, Istanbul always has the freshest seafood.

For dessert, treat yourself to puff pastry stuffed with pistachios, traditional Turkish delight and “dondurma” - local ice cream with orchid root extract.

It is best to drink all this splendor with the famous Turkish coffee or tea. As for alcohol, we recommend trying aniseed raki, which is considered the main national alcoholic drink.

Cafes and Restaurants in Istanbul

Guides in Istanbul

Entertainment and attractions in Istanbul

Every tourist first time in Istanbul, immediately gets to the famous square, where there are two legendary monuments of history and religion. We are talking, of course, about the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia).

Saint Sophia Cathedral, which for a thousand years remained the main shrine of the entire Christian world, after the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, was turned into a mosque. Since then, the remains of minarets, mosaics and panels with Arabic script have been preserved in the temple. In 1934, Ataturk called for the preservation of the unique temple as a museum, so now anyone can visit this place for a small fee. Hagia Sophia is one of the main monuments of Byzantine architecture, a recognized symbol of the heyday of Byzantium.

Blue Mosque(aka Sultan Ahmet Mosque) is located opposite the Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome, is considered the most important city operating mosque. External examination will not be enough: the main magic happens inside. The huge hall of the Blue Mosque with walls the color of the sky is completely filled with sunlight, which penetrates here through 260 specially arranged windows.

Also worth a visit Topkapi Palace, consisting of several buildings with four courtyards connected by gates. For a long time it remained the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and the main residence of the rulers. The church of St. Irene (the only Byzantine church that has survived from ancient times), as well as the bedrooms and the harem of the sultans, are of interest here.

Makes an impression and Dolmabahce Palace, erected in a baroque style atypical for Turkey.

Sultan Abdulmecid, who ordered the construction of Dolmabahce, dreamed of competing in luxury with European rulers, and he succeeded perfectly.

One of the symbols of the city - Galata tower 14th century, which is visible from any part of Istanbul. It is built on a hill and has a height of 61 m, offering incredible views of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. The second most popular tower in the city -,

There are many places in Istanbul for a memorable family holiday. One of the best activities for children is walking along miniature park. There are more than 120 famous Turkish sights, made in 1:25 scale. All Turkey at a glance! And so that the child does not get tired of a long walk, you can ride with him through the park on the Miniaturk Express train.

To observe the life of outlandish marine life, go to any of the two aquariums in Istanbul. The first, TurquaZoo, is located on the territory of the Forum shopping center, the second is in the Bakirkoy district. In both aquariums, visitors can get acquainted with a rich collection of marine flora and fauna and even feed the fish themselves.

After visiting the TurquaZoo aquarium, do not rush to leave the Forum building. The dinosaur theme park Jurassic Land is also located here. Every child who comes here will be able to feel like a real archaeologist: wander through mysterious caves, dig a dinosaur egg in the sand, walk among the moving figures of ancient animals.

A must-see is the Istanbul Toy Museum with a unique private collection of 4,000 exhibits. Boys will be delighted with old soldiers, Indians and cars, girls - with dolls and charming toy houses with miniature furniture and utensils.

Opened in 2008, the Istanbul Dolphinarium invites everyone to a fascinating show with the participation of dolphins, walruses, seals and beluga whales. Here you can swim in the pool along with amazing mammals. And in the amusement park Vialand

October

November

December

The climate of Istanbul is subtropical, but cold winds almost always blow from the north. Winters are cool and humid, most often snowy, summers are warm, but without sweltering heat. The best time to visit the city is autumn and spring: at this time it is neither cold nor hot here, but it rains at night. You can buy an umbrella right on the street: in the rainy season they are sold everywhere. When walking around the city in summer, it is better to take a light jacket or sweater with you: it gets cool in the evenings. Due to the large area of ​​​​the territory and the influence of the seas, separate microclimates stand out in Istanbul: when it rains torrentially in the north, ideal sunny weather can stand in the south.