İstanbul, Turkey: Travel information, city guide and tourism services.

Istanbul is located in Marmara region at the Southwest of Turkey. 

Constantinople, Byzantium, New Rome, Konstantiniyye and Stamboul are only a few popular examples amongst the names of İstanbul.

History of Istanbul

Recent excavations at Marmaray tunnel project underneath Yenikapı in  İstanbul unearthed remains of Neolitchic era dating back to 7th millnium BC. This discovery changed previous underestimations of city's first Lygos and Semistra settlements on Sarayburnu by Tracian tribes.

Geography

Istanbul is located in northwestern part of Turkey in Marmara Region. The Bosphorus connects the Black Sea up on the north of the city  with the Marmara Sea down in the south. Meanwhile the same Bosphorus divides city of Istanbul into two sides as Asian and European. Actually European continent and Asian continent. (İstanbul is a city settled on two continents).

Coordinates : 41° 0′ 44.06″ N, 28° 58′ 33.67″ E  (41.01224, 28.976018)

Transportation

Public Bus, Ferry Lines, Railways and Train, Metro & Subway, Tramvay Lines, Funicular Sytems, Taxi in Istanbul

Istanbul has two international Airports

The Major one is Atatürk International Airport in Yeşilköy quarter of  Bakirkoy District on the European side of the city (20 km to city center)

The other one is Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in Kurtköy quarter of  Pendik District on the Asian side of the city (32 km to Kadıköy on the Asian side and 45 km to Sultanahmet, European Old city center)

Sea Transport  is very important since the city is surrounded by sea. There are many İstanbulites living on the Asian side and travelling to European side almost everyday to work. Public ferries and fast ferries run by IDO (Istanbul Deniz Otobüsleri) İstanbul Sea Buses are very practical and popular for sea transportation in the city.

Accommodation  İstanbul is a metropolitan with a rapidly increasing popularity on the market of foreign interest of visiting and staying either for a weekend holiday or a long term for a temporary residence or even a permament stay. No matter how long to stay, visitors have quite many options for accommodation from very budget Pensions & Hostels to Luxury Hotels, 5 Star Hotels or botique hotels, vacation rentals, resorts, Holiday Apartments and rental flats.

Shopping is a quite popular activity in İstanbul. There are many modern shopping malls and off course traditional old Bazaars.

Baklava, jewelry, tapestry, carpets,kilims, tiles, leather, Turkish Delight (Lokum), glassware are some of examples of popular souvenir goods you could buy in İstanbul. 

Nightlife is very busy in İstanbul as it feels like the city never sleeps. Beyoğlu District is the most popular and desired spot. Taksim Square, İstiklal Street, Nevizade and Asmalı Mescit are quite busy destinations in Beyoğlu.

Travel and Tour in İstanbul is an interesting, never ending activity.

Daily Sightseeing Tours, Bosphorus Cruise, Photography and walking tours

Turkish Night and Belly Dance Show, Sema show performance of whirling dervishes are only a few, especially for first timers, amongst many other options.