The number of foreign tourists visiting Istanbul every year reaches 16 million. Together with domestic tourists, this number exceeds 30 million. With more than 200 thousand beds, Istanbul opens its doors to millions of people 12 months of the year.
This mega city is an important destination for tourists with its rich historical texture bearing the traces of many civilizations, hosting many monuments as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and world-renowned architectural structures. Hundreds of artifacts and places such as Topkapi, Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye, Sultanahmet and Fatih Mosques, Grand Bazaar, Beyazit, Galata and Maiden's Towers, bridges connecting two continents, Basilica Cistern, Camlica Hill must be seen.
The city is also famous for its food culture, shopping opportunities, entertainment venues and nightlife. Karakoy, Beyoglu, Eminonu, Balat and Kadikoy, which are among the historical districts of Istanbul, are among the places preferred by tourists for shopping and entertainment.
In short, a few days are not enough to visit Istanbul, feel the texture of the city and experience its beauties. Especially not without a full tour of the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, Prince Islands.
The Bosphorus, which arouses admiration with its magnificence!
The Bosphorus, which connects the Asian and European continents, has been an important waterway from both a touristic and an economic point of view. Bringing the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea together, the strait has an average depth of 60 meters and a width of 700 meters to 3.5 kilometers. Today, the average number of ships passing through the Bosphorus in a year is around 50 thousand.
Located in the heart of Istanbul, the Bosphorus offers magnificent views every hour of the day. Among the touristic and historical places on the Bosphorus that can be counted at once; The Maiden's Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque, also known as Ortakoy Mosque, located in Ortakoy, Ciragan Palace, Kucuksu Summer Palace, Anatolian and Rumelian Fortresses facing each other, Beylerbeyi Palace, Galatasaray Island are definitely worth seeing. Kadikoy, Uskudar and Beykoz districts on the Bosphorus are on the Anatolian side, while Fatih, Beyoglu, Besiktas and Sariyer are on the European side.
There are 51 piers connected to the city lines in the Bosphorus. Bosphorus, which also has private piers of various sizes, is perhaps one of the most legendary waters in the world for boat trips. You can have special dinner organizations, celebrations, historical trips, photo shoots, romantic trips as well as swim in the bays, especially in summer. Seagulls will guide you on this cruise!
A natural harbor: Golden Horn
The Golden Horn, which separates Fatih and Beyoglu districts from each other, was under the rule of Venetians and Genoese in history and was located on important trade routes such as the Silk Road. Today, you can see the old mosques, artifacts from the Eastern Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire in the historical peninsula, south of the Golden Horn, and feel the past of Istanbul in the blowing wind. You can drink your coffee and dine at elegant restaurants in districts such as Karakoy, Cihangir, and Galata in the north. Karakoy would be a good option for breakfast. We recommend that you do not miss the art galleries in and around Galata.
Let's not forget to mention this: When you come across the Galata Tower from the Genoese, you will see that it is even more magnificent than in the photos!
One of the 39 districts of Istanbul: Islands
Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kinaliada are undoubtedly the most precious values of Istanbul today. The islands, which have hosted many writers such as Huseyin Rahmi Gurpinar, Resat Nuri Guntekin, Sait Faik Abasiyanik, and are overflowing with tourists with their magnificent nature and texture, are known as the Prince Islands. The reason why they are called by this name is not that these islands are worthy of princes; Being a place of exile of princes, statesmen, emperors throughout history! The Byzantine emperor Romanian Diogenes, who was defeated in the Battle of Manzikert, was exiled to Kinaliada by the new emperor who took his place and died there. The tomb of Romanian Diogenes is located in Kinaliada.
The islands are a major attraction for tourists, whose numbers increase with the spring. It gives people many emotions while walking on its streets. Perfect for romantic get-togethers, nice dinners, family picnics, short vacations to escape the city. Cycling is one of the most enjoyable ways to visit the islands where cars are not available. Don't worry, if you don't have a bike, you can rent it when you come to the Islands. But be careful, you may lose your balance as you drive along the tree-lined paths with the wonderful view of the sea winking at you!