Istanbul Tourist Board

The only city in the world that is in both Asia and Europe, Istanbul likewise straddles the ancient and modern-day worlds.

The best method to experience Istanbul is to allow for unscheduled wandering in between visits to historical sites and museums. Rise early enough to partake of the popular Turkish breakfast. And ride the ferries, often. They're not just a method to obtain from here to there; on a ferryboat you can rest feet weary from sightseeing, drink tea, or consume a grilled-cheese sandwich and take in the very best views of anywhere in the city.

The ghosts of marauding Crusaders and marching janissaries haunt the city's historic alleys-- however this is no museum: the Bosporus is still a buzzing artery for maritime trade, and the sounds of structure construction play a consistent counterpoint to the shouts of street hawkers and the call of the muezzin. There are a number of reasons visitors return repeatedly: the setting is extraordinary, best on the Sea of Marmara and astride the istanbul tourist information busy Bosporus Strait. And Istanbul's horizon is a spectacular mélange of domes, minarets, middle ages towers, and office buildings looming over low-rise domestic structures.

Today the cultural and financial center of Turkey, Istanbul has been the capital of three empires-- Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman. Our Istanbul travel guide combines the best of Istanbul old and brand-new.