Istanbul

Markets in Istanbul: Istanbul has been known since ancient times as Constantinople, Byzantium, Astana and Islambol.

It is the largest tourist city in Turkey and the second largest in the world, with about 13 million inhabitants.

It was the capital of many states and empires, as it was the capital of the Roman Empire, followed by Byzantium.

Places of tourism in historical Istanbul were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1985.

Istanbul was chosen as the joint capital of European culture in 2010

Tourist places and parks in Istanbul

Bosphorus Bridge

Bosphorus Bridge

The Bosphorus Bridge spans across the Bosphorus Strait between Ortakoy district, on the European side, and Beylerbeyi, on Istanbul’s Asian side, offering the chance for visitors to cross between the two continents that make up this unique and extensive city. The famous bridge is approximately 1.5 kilometres wide and 165 meters high with an underneath clearance of 64 meters which allows for larger ships to pass below. Construction of the Bosphorus Bridge began in 1970, under the command of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes who first proposed the idea in 1957. Three years later the building works were completed and the bridge was declared open on October 29th 1973, exactly 50 years after Turkey became an independent Republic.

Prince Islands

Prince Islands

The Princes’ Islands are a cluster of 9 islands southeast of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. Mainly car-free, the islands are known for their horse-drawn carriages (phaetons). At the highest point of Büyükada, the largest island, the 6th-century Hagia Yorgi Church has panoramic views. Nearby are the pine forests of Dil Burnu National Park. The Museum of the Princes’ Islands has exhibits on the islands’ history.

Istanbul - Turkey | The most important tourist places and parks

Çemberlitaş Hamamı

Çemberlitaş Hamamı

The Çemberlitaş Hamamı was commissioned by Nurbanu Sultan, the head of Istanbul’s imperial harem after the death of her second husband Selim II. After his death, her first son ascended to the throne and she held the title “Mother of the Sultan”. She was responsible for guarding the royal family and had the highest power to exercise administrative control over the imperial harem. In order to manage them she was given a stipend that increased with the number of the women in the harem. She used it to develop several charitable endowments which included the Çemberlitaş Hamamı.

Miniatürk

Miniatürk is a miniature park situated at the north-eastern shore of Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. It was opened May 2, 2003. Miniatürk covers a total area of 60,000 square metres (650,000 sq ft). It is one of the world’s largest miniature parks with its 15,000 m2 (160,000 sq ft) model area. The park contains 135 models in 1:25 scale.[3] It contains structures from in and around Turkey, as well as interpretations of historic structures.