About
Istanbul is Turkey's largest city and a former capital of the Ottoman Empire. It sits on both sides of the Bosphorus strait, so part of the city lies in Europe and part in Asia, and a short crossing on the water takes you from one continent to the other.
What to see
The city is best known for its historic sites, and the Hagia Sophia is the one most visitors plan around. Its long history as a place of worship and its position in the old part of the city make it a natural starting point for exploring the historic core.
What a visit offers
- Historic sites spread across the old city, many a walk apart.
- The Bosphorus, where the strait itself is part of the experience, with ferries linking the European and Asian shores.
- Two continents in one day, which few cities in the world can offer.
Because Istanbul is a large, busy city, it rewards a few days rather than a single afternoon. Plan your route around the historic districts, leave time for the waterfront, and allow for the traffic that comes with a city of this size.
If you are deciding whether to go, Istanbul suits travellers interested in history, architecture and the meeting point of two continents. Its former role as an imperial capital is visible in its monuments, and its position on the strait gives it a character quite unlike Turkey's other cities.
