Undoubtedly one of the greatest cities in the world, Istanbul's long, rich history straddling several empires is evident everywhere. There is so much to see and do here that a week, let alone a weekend is rarely enough time to sample all of the cultural and recreational delights on offer here. Once the former Turkish capital under the name of Constantinople, Istanbul today is Turkey’s financial and cultural centre as well as its most populated city with between 12 and 19 million inhabitants making it the largest city in both Europe and Asia. Getting There
Istanbul straddles two continents, Europe and Asia, yet it is a relatively easy destination to reach from all points of the globe. There are plenty of scheduled and charter flights to Istanbul Atatürk Airport located 20 km outside the city centre. Most charter flights and low cost airlines arrive at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport on the Anatolian side of the city. You can get from both airports to the city via taxi, the Havas bus, the tram or the Metro. Train access is also good with rail links from Sirkeci station to many European cities and from Haydarpasa station to cities in Asia. Other ways of reaching the city consist of coach services from neighbouring countries, or by ferry. If you drive here expect crazy traffic conditions. Within the city the best forms of transport are by tram, metro, bus, or boat.A Dip Back in Time
Civilisation existed on the territory now known as Istanbul since the Copper Age. Many ancient civilisations grew up here and it played a major role in the late Roman Empire, when Emperor Constantine the Great, expanded the Greek colony known then as Byzantium and renamed the city Constantinopolis and made it the capital of the Empire in 330 AD. It remained the last bastion of the Roman Empire for a thousand years until the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II conquered it in 1453. It experienced endless military campaigns as well as a key cultural, political, and commercial hub. The Ottoman Empire ruled from here until their defeat in the First World War. The allied forces occupied it and the Turkish War of Independence followed. When Turkey was declared a Republic in 1923 Kemal Atatürk declared Ankara the capital. Despite losing capital status, the city has continued to grow in terms of population, industry and tourism.The City Districts
The city is divided physically into three sections by the Bosphorus Strait running north to south dividing the continents of Europe and Asia and the estuary of the Golden Horn, which divides the western area of the city with the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea on the northern side. The city’s most sensational cultural sites are located in the old city on the Sultanahmet Peninsula to the west of the Bosphorus between the Golden Horn and the Sea. The epicentre of modern Istanbul lies across the Horn and is made up of Galata, Beyoğlu and Taksim. Üsküdar another of the city’s important districts lies on the Anatolian side of the city. The city is divided into eight administration districts, Sultanahmet, the old city, which embodies the Constantinople of old, Galata, the hub of today’s buzzing nightlife, New City is the business quarter and the home to lots of the city’s malls. The European bank of the Bosphorus is home to many attractive green areas, luxurious palaces, quayside mansions and cultural quarters. Golden Horn is made up of suburbs with an Ottoman feel. Princes’ Island is a collection of nine islands, none of which permit the use of vehicles. They are dotted with magnificent wooden mansions, pine woods and spectacular views. Asian Side consists of the eastern area of the city, which stands in Asia. There are more delightful houses and neighbourhoods with more scenic views here. Western Suburbs is a residential area on the Eastern side.Recreation and Entertainment
It’s no wonder top fashion and style magazines are calling Istanbul, the world’s hottest city – and they are not referring to the temperature. It is more than just mosques and traditional tourism that make this city buzz, it is bustling with trendy wine bars, restaurants and boutique hotels normally found in more; officially hip cities. Shopaholics will fall in love with the city with its huge range of shopping malls and old fashioned bazaars. Its nightlife is also diverse with literally every type of club on offer. If you want to experience Istanbul’s vibrant club scene head for Ortakoy on the European side of the Bosphorus district. Istiklal Street is where the students hang out and Aksaray offers more of a night scene with a Turkish flavour, which includes the Red Light area. Kadikoy district on the Asian side also offers plenty of bars and small, comfortable restaurants. Beware not to visit bars, which don’t display their price lists.
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