Holidays in Istanbul

A city with an astonishing history, fabulously beautiful and mysterious, noisy and colorful, it has changed its name several times and has become a bridge between West and East. This is the only metropolis in the world that has managed to serve as a capital four times – of Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, and the Roman and Latin Empires. Each empire left its mark on Istanbul’s cultural, spiritual, and historical heritage. Every year it is visited by millions of tourists who admire its ancient Christian and Muslim temples, are amazed by the color of the local Eastern bazaars, and marvel at how harmoniously modernity and antiquity have blended together in one place.

Where it is located

Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus Strait into two parts – western and eastern, that is, it is part of both Asia and Europe. The strait connects the waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. If we look at Istanbul’s location within Turkey, it stretches across the northwest of the country. This is Turkey’s largest port, with a population of over 14 million people. In terms of tourist appeal, it is among the five most visited cities in the world. Getting to Istanbul is extremely easy – flights from Ukraine operate regularly at any time of the year. The distance from Atatürk Airport to the city center is 24 km.

When it’s best to go

You should plan the timing of your visit to Istanbul based on the purpose of your trip. For a sightseeing holiday, spring and autumn are ideal, when the number of tourists decreases and the air temperature is more comfortable for long walks around the city. In summer it is very hot. In winter the weather deteriorates, but even this does not prevent our compatriots from visiting the former capital of Turkey for active shopping. In essence, Istanbul never suffers from a shortage of foreign tourists, but winter hotel prices are more attractive than summer ones. The main tourist contingent in summer is families with children and those who want to visit the local beaches, although this is not the best idea given the pollution of the Bosphorus.

What to do

The range of entertainment activities is arranged by visitors in accordance with the purpose of their trip. If a vacationer wants to visit as many shopping centers and bazaars as possible, then after checking into the hotel they immediately head out for shopping. Visits to churches, cathedrals, and mosques come second (if there is time left). History enthusiasts are drawn to cultural treasures, so they focus on numerous excursions, walks in parks, and so on. But there are places in Istanbul that you simply must see.

• The Sultanahmet district
  A UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the part of the city where Muslim mosques stand side by side with Christian cathedrals, and where monuments of ancient architecture are found everywhere in the streets. The main attractions of Sultanahmet are the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and others.

Istanbul has many museums:

• of modern art;
• of innocence;
• of Islamic art;
• of the whirling dervishes, and others.

The exhibits in the museums are each interesting in their own way. If possible, you should try to see every collection.

• Visit the Princes’ Islands
  This place is popular among lovers of beach holidays. These clean and well-kept small islands in the Sea of Marmara are administratively part of Istanbul. They can only be reached by sea, by ferry, covering a distance of 17 km.
• The Laleli district
  Of interest to travelers heading to Turkey for bulk purchases. Here you will find numerous shopping centers, small shops, and souvenir stalls. Shopaholics are offered a wide variety of goods at reasonable prices.
• The Egyptian Market and the Grand Bazaar
  Cafés, workshops, more than 4,000 shops, and 40 trading courtyards – all this makes up the Grand Bazaar, the best place to buy gold jewelry, antiques, and souvenirs.
  To buy spices, famous Eastern sweets, and coffee, you need to visit the Egyptian Market.

Where to eat

There will be no problems choosing food or a place for a romantic dinner or family lunch in Istanbul, regardless of the tourist’s budget. Budget travelers will not go hungry: at their disposal are numerous snack bars, street food, small cafés, and bars. More discerning travelers are offered service in upscale restaurants with luxurious meat and fish menus.

The most popular dishes in Istanbul are iskender, soups – vegetable, fish, spicy (beyran), and kebabs. From street food you should try the fish sandwiches sold in small cafés on the waterfront, roasted chestnuts, and lahmacun (minced meat generously seasoned with spices, served on thin dough).

• Karina Fish House
  One of the best seafood restaurants in the city, serving seafood and excellently prepared sea bass. Soups and salads, fried fish and shrimp, calamari are especially popular. Lovers of meat dishes can order turkey, meat with vegetables, and more. Be sure to order real Eastern baklava. Among the drinks, you should try the wine or beer. The staff are polite, and the atmosphere is conducive to a comfortable meal. Luxurious interior and pleasant prices.
• Balıkçı Sabahattin
  Excellent service, reasonable prices, and delicious dishes have made this seafood restaurant one of the most popular in Istanbul. The menu offers shellfish, halibut, grilled calamari, sea bass, grilled seabass, octopus, and other seafood. The restaurant’s chef prepares Turkish pilaf exceptionally well. For dessert, order ice cream – vanilla or fruit – and try the pudding.

What to combine it with

Istanbul is a global hub, so many tourists on their way to their final destination use their layover time to explore the city’s sights. If a tourist is interested in fully exploring the attractions of this metropolis, the trip should be planned for at least a week.