From traditional cuisine to captivating history, Turkey is an interesting spot to visit for any traveler. The city was called Byzantium first, then Constantinople before it was named Istanbul.
First worked on more than seven slopes, it’s since extended over a lot more to become one of the world’s biggest urban communities by any measurement. It has gone through the standard metropolitan shift from cobblestones and wood to cement and glass simultaneously.
You can get by in Istanbul’s more guest-weighty regions without speaking any Turkish, yet a couple of essential words and expressions will go far, particularly in case you’re anticipating wandering further away from home since English isn’t broadly spoken.
Hi (merhaba), thank you (tesekkur ederim, tesekkurler, or sagol), yes (evet), no (hayir) are handy to use. What’s more, when somebody says welcome (hosgeldiniz), make a point to answer hosbulduk via a pleasant approach much appreciated.
Where is Istanbul?
Istanbul is located in the Marmara Region, the northwestern part of the country by the Bosporus, which gives the only entry from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean through the Sea of Marmara.
How Many Districts Does Istanbul Have?
Istanbul has 39 districts as listed below.
- Adalar
- Arnavutkoy
- Atasehir
- Avcilar
- Bagcilar
- Bahcelievler
- Bakirkoy
- Basaksehir
- Bayrampasa
- Besiktas
- Beylikduzu
- Beykoz
- Beyoglu
- Buyukcekmece
- Catalca
- Cekmekoy
- Esenler
- Esenyurt
- Eyup
- Fatih
- Gaziosmanpasa
- Gungoren
- Kadikoy
- Kagithane
- Kartal
- Kucukcekmece
- Maltepe
- Pendik
- Sancaktepe
- Sariyer
- Silivri
- Sultanbeyli
- Sultangazi
- Sile
- Sisli
- Tuzla
- Umraniye
- Uskudar
- Zeytinburnu
What is Istanbul’s Population?
Istanbul’s population is 15,415,197 as of 2021.
What is Istanbul’s Surface Area?
Istanbul’s surface area is 5,343 square kilometers.
What are the Seasonal Characteristics of Istanbul?
In Turkey, the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Marmara coasts share a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and pleasant winters, while Istanbul can have some extremely cold snaps with snow during the winter months.
July and August are the hottest months of the summer, with high humidity and temperatures around 35°C. In winter, temperatures range between 4°C to 13°C in January and February.
In March and April, temperatures range between 6°C and 17°C. In May and June, temperatures range between 16°C and 28°C.
September and October are still warm with temperatures between 15°C and 25°C. In November and December, temperatures are between 6°C and 15°C degrees.
What are the Most Famous Meals of Istanbul?
Food in Istanbul is quite diverse and as a result, the city has so many famous dishes to try. Below there is a list of the most famous meal in Istanbul.
- Simit is a ring of delicate bread covered with sesame seeds.
- Lahmacun is a fresh thin dough topped with minced meat, pepper, sauce, and parsley, cooked on a wood-terminated stove.
- Pide is a traditional flatbread that is topped with different ingredients such as cheese, meat, and eggs.
- Icli kofte is a kind of breaded, rotisserie meatball.
- Kofte is similar to the meatballs mentioned above (sheep meat, onion, and parsley), yet without bread.
- Durum is a wrap filled with sheep meat along with tomatoes, onions, and peppers.
- Turkish delight is a traditional sweet treat of Turkey.
Which Hotels Are In Istanbul?
There are all kinds of hotels available in Istanbul from suits to luxury hotels. Here are some of the best hotels in Istanbul.
- Pera Palace Hotel
- Raffles Istanbul
- Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet
- Tomtom Suites
- Crown Plaza Istanbul
- Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus
Istanbul History
Constantinople is an antiquated city in current Turkey that is presently known as Istanbul. First, in the seventh century B.C., Constantinople formed into a flourishing port on account of its prime geographic area in Europe and Asia and its normal harbor. In (330 A.D)., it turned into the site of Roman Emperor Constantine’s “New Rome,” a Christian city of colossal abundance and eminent engineering.
Constantinople remained as the seat of the Byzantine Empire for the following (1,100) long time, suffering times of extraordinary fortune and terrible attacks, until being overwhelmed by Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire in (1453).
Constantine set about extending the region of old Byzantium, separating it into 14 areas, and developing another external divider. He attracted aristocrats through gifts of land and moved craftsmanship and different trimmings from Rome for the numbers ow in the new capital. Its wide roads were lined by sculptures of extraordinary rulers like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, just as Constantine himself as Apollo.
The head likewise tried to populate the city by offering inhabitants free food proportions. With an arrangement of reservoir conduits currently set up, he guaranteed admittance to water through the enlarging city by the development of the Binbirdirek Cistern.
Ancient Civilizations Lived in Istanbul
Ancient civilizations that lived in Istanbul can be found below.
- The primary occupants of Istanbul are tracing back to the second centuries BC, they were chosen from the Asian side of the city. Its first name comes from Megara ruler Byzas who took his pilgrims here in the seventh century BC to set up a settlement named Byzantium, the Greek name for a city on the Bosphorus. Byzas picked this spot after counseling the prophet of Delphi who advised him to settle opposite the “place where there is the visually impaired”. To be sure, Byzas accepted that prior pilgrims more likely than not been “visually impaired” for disregarding this wonderful area at the passage of the Bosphorus waterway, just admittance to the Black Sea.
- In 193 AD Roman ruler, Septimus Severus vanquished the city and it stayed under the Roman guideline until the fourth century AD when sovereign Constantine the Great made Byzantium the capital of the whole Roman Empire and gave it his name: Constantinople and Eastern Roman Empire were called Byzantine Empire after the fifth century.
What are the Features of Istanbul?
Here are all the important features of Istanbul.
- Hagia Sophia is perhaps the most noticeable landmark on the planet and one of the most visited museums, Hagia Sophia is notable for its great workmanship and history of wonderful design, built-in 537 AD.
- Blue Mosque was built somewhere in the range of 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I.
- Turkish tea is fragrant, hot, propping, and effectively accessible at any place in Istanbul. It is a public beverage, which is prepared from the leaves developed on the rich green inclines of the eastern Black Sea shoreline of Turkey.
- Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are two important markets of the city, selling brilliant gems, gifts, cowhides, spices, various things, and Turkish specialties.
- City where two continents meet. The astounding Bosphorus Strait goes through the core of the city, and it isolates the European piece of the city from the Asia part. The European side of this glorious city is known for its verifiable importance and is home to the business focal point of Istanbul as well as Properties in Istanbul. The Asian side of Istanbul is looser and components private areas, wide avenues, and a couple of inns and vacationer locations.
- Turkish bath, in other words, a hammam, a Turkish Bath is a position of washing any place or landmark related to the Ottoman Empire’s way of life. These hammams highlight huge marble pieces, creative, perplexing, vivid subtleties, and transcending sections.
Historical Places of Istanbul
Istanbul’s chronicled promontory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 which has been a significant observer of world history, is the core of the city. There are numerous memorable spots on the landmass like mosques, palaces, and bazaars. Historical places of Istanbul are listed below.
- Hagia Sophia served as a house of God in 537 and changed over to a mosque after the success of Istanbul by the Ottomans.
- Implicit the 1470s, Topkapi Palace was one of the significant homes of the Ottoman rulers for just about 400 years (1465–1856) of their 624-year rule. The Ottoman Empire was administered by Topkapı Palace for a very long time.
- Suleymaniye Mosque is an Ottoman supreme mosque situated on the third hill of Istanbul. It is the biggest mosque in the city and one of the most renowned sights in Istanbul.
- Sultanahmet Square was a bazaar that some time ago filled in as the donning and social focal point of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydanı where a couple of pieces of the first site’s Byzantine-time Hippodrome remain.
- Basilica Cistern is the world’s renowned underground reservoir that was inherent in place in the sixth century and is the biggest of a few hundred antiquated storages that lie underneath the city. It has a size of 143 by 65 meters, with an ability to hold 80,000 cubic meters of water.
- Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s biggest markets with over 4,000 shops. It is famous for its adornments, ceramics, spices, calfskin products, jewelry, and rug shops.
What Are The Museums In Istanbul?
Istanbul is home to a significant amount of museums. Here are the top museums in Istanbul.
- Archaeological Museums. The admission fee is US$4.50.
- Basilica Cistern. The admission fee is US$1.50.
- Dolmabahce Palace. The admission fee is US$8.76.
- Kariye Museum. The admission fee is US$4.74.
- Galata Tower. The admission fee is US$7.30.
- Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. The admission fee is US$5.25.
How Many Tourists Come to Istanbul annually?
Around 8 million tourists visit Istanbul annually.
What Are The Things You Need to Know Before Coming to Istanbul?
Istanbul is one of the most distinguished cities in Turkey and the whole world, with its cultural richness, unique nature, legendary structures, and the vast Sea of Marmara, created by the contribution of various civilizations over the centuries. With all these features, it welcomes millions of domestic and foreign visitors every year. With its geographical structure, Istanbul is located at the junction of the Asian and European continents. With this feature, Istanbul also has the privilege of being the intersection point of eastern and western cultures. Located at the intersection of Asia and Europe, Istanbul is located in the Marmara Region within the borders of Turkey. This legendary city is located on seven hills with geographical features. The names of the hills where the city is located are listed as Topkapi, Cemberli Tas, Fatih, Beyazit, Edirne Kapi, Yavuz Selim and Koca Mustafa Pasha, respectively. Another feature of Istanbul is that it is located at the junction of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The Bosphorus, which connects these two seas, is another factor that has been influential in its worldwide fame.
Istanbul has four seasons throughout the year; attracts many local and foreign tourists. The city is a scene of excellent views in all seasons. Spring and summer months offer more suitable weather conditions for visitors who want to travel and explore every place better without being affected by the adverse weather conditions brought by the seasons. The summer period in Istanbul offers a visual feast to the visitors, especially as nature and the sea regain their vitality. Those who visit Istanbul in the summer are amazed by every detail of this city, which has beautiful nature and social life.
In addition to domestic flights, there are also direct or connecting flights to Istanbul via the world’s leading airports. You can reach Istanbul in both summer and winter months with your flights to the airports in Istanbul. If you want as an alternative to this option; You can also choose the road or railway.
Technology Needs in Istanbul
In the last fifty years, serious economic, social and technological developments have occurred throughout the world. The effects of these developments on the tourism sector and the interaction of people with different countries have been quite high. In this context, two elements in tourism, which is an important industry; people and technology have gained great importance. Technology has become an effective factor in the development of tourism with its various qualities. Especially in places where the foreign population is dense, technology comes to the fore and usage rates are increasing.
- Technological Advantages Offered in Guidance Service: New developments in technology have made it possible to navigate through various tools without the need for a guide. In some regions, there are promotional opportunities in the form of audio recording or video recording so that foreigners can have information. However, online map applications can be counted among the advantages of technology.
- Technological Advantages Provided in the Field of Transportation: Various online applications serve for the use of domestic and foreign citizens in Turkey. With the development of technology, it is possible to travel to Turkey without experiencing transportation problems through these applications that have entered our lives.
- Use of C-Type Plugs and Sockets: Type C plugs and sockets are mainly used in Europe, Asia, and South America. These plugs and sockets, which have 2 ends, work with values such as 220-240 Volt, 2.5 Ampere, and 50 Hertz. These plugs and sockets, also known as CEE 7/16, do not have a grounding line. It consists of 2 teeth in a standard way. It is not suitable for use with high-voltage devices. It is not a problem to use in devices such as radio, television, or charger.
- High Standards Achieved in Social Life: With the point reached by technology in Turkey, it is possible to spend time with a high standard of living. With the technological developments in business life, there is a decrease in business hours and workload in Turkey.
Getting Around Istanbul
Istanbul is a distinguished city with a deep-rooted history. For this reason, people who will visit Istanbul are recommended to make a nostalgic start first. It would be a good decision to start with the “Haydarpasa Train Station”, which has been the scene of many movies in Turkish cinema. The architecture of this building has a fascinating effect on its visitors. Looking toward the sea in Salacak coastal skies are included in the “Istanbul Guide”. With this activity, you can take the Maiden’s Tower, which has magnificent beauty, in front of you and enjoy the perfect Istanbul view. Instead of looking at the Maiden’s Tower from the distance, you can reach this historical place by boat, or you can sit on the Salacak beach and enjoy the view with a cup of tea.
Sultanahmet Square and the historical values found in this region are at the top of the list of places that should be seen by someone visiting Istanbul. From Hagia Sophia to the Blue Mosque; Many world-renowned historical buildings, from Topkapi Palace to the Basilica Cistern, are located in the region. When you go down from Sultanahmet Square to Sirkeci, Gulhane Park, another value of the region, is on your right. Visiting this park is a detail that should not be neglected by those visiting Istanbul to feel the serenity of birds and greenery in the city. The park will be an unmissable opportunity to rest your soul with its clean air, age-old trees, and chirping sounds.
Crossing the Galata Bridge, proceeding from Sirkeci, offers the opportunity to watch Istanbul with the Golden Horn on one side and the Bosphorus on the other. The Golden Horn is known as one of the symbols of Istanbul. When you reach the end of the bridge, you will reach Karakoy. By entering the historical building, which is right in front of you, you will reach Tunel, the 2nd oldest subway in the world. You will be able to go to Beyoglu by using this funicular line.
Before you enter Istiklal Street after going to Beyoglu, you should visit the legendary beauty, Galata Tower, which is gigantic among buildings. For those who want to relax, many cafes are serving in the shadow of the Galata Tower.
Your next destination should be Istiklal Street. As you continue your tour along the street, it can be especially recommended to examine the buildings around you. The street is home to many known historical structures such as the Galatasaray High School building, Narmanli Han, and Misir Apartment, on both sides.
Another important place to be on the Istanbul sightseeing route is Dolmabahce Palace and the region where it is located. Witnessing the last periods of the Ottoman Empire and the first periods of the Republic, this exquisite architectural structure is located on the coast of the sea. This region is one of the important places to see for those who visit Istanbul.
To make your Istanbul trip more comfortable, it is recommended that you travel by car. If you do not have a car, you can rent a car from the points in the city center or the airport.
Istanbul Weather
Istanbul has a transitional climate between the Black Sea and Mediterranean climates. Istanbul is one of the cities that receive the most precipitation in the Marmara Region. The lowest temperature observed in the city throughout the year is -11 degrees, while the highest temperature measured is +40 degrees. The average humidity in the region was also measured as 75%.
Istanbul spends all months of the year humid with the effect of the Bosphorus. The period when the city has the highest humidity was determined as December-January. In this period, the humidity rate was observed as 80-85%. Due to the high humidity, snowfalls are not seen very often. In the period between December and March, a small amount of snowfall can be observed.
The Spoken Languages in Istanbul
Considering the diversity of languages spoken in Istanbul, it can be said that a wide variety of languages are used. It is known that 31 languages are widely spoken in Istanbul. Chief among these are Turkish, Armenian, Albanian, Greek, Jewish, and Kurdish. Apart from these, other languages are also spoken in Istanbul. These languages are: English, German, Russian, Serbian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Czech, Abazin, Persian, Circassian, Filaman, Georgian, Croatian, Swedish, Coptic, Laz, Polish, Pomak, and Romanian.
How to Get to the City Center from Istanbul Airport?
Istanbul has two international airports, Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Both airports are accessible via taxi, shuttle bus, public bus, and private shuttle.
A shuttle bus called Havaist is connecting the main tourist locations to Istanbul Airport. On the other hand, the Havabus shuttle bus is available between Istanbul city center and Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
How to Provide Transportation in Istanbul?
Getting around Istanbul is easy and convenient thanks to its extensive transportation network. Public bus services are available in almost every corner of the city.
Istanbul Metro has 8 lines covering the European and Asian sides. These lines include subways, trams, and a funicular. Marmaray is the only subway line that is crossing the Bosphorus underwater.
Metrobus is another important public transportation service in Istanbul. It is a bus line that has its road, allowing to avoid getting into traffic jams. It is possible to cross between continents with the Metrobus over the bridge.
Two historical trams operate in Istanbul, one in Taksim and the other in Moda Kadikoy.
Both public and private ferries are available to travel between the continents, also the Prince Islands.
Taxis are a common way of transportation in the city and come in yellow, turquoise, and luxury segments.
Taxi Prices in Istanbul
The base fee is US$0.41 for yellow cabs, US$0.47 for turquoise cabs, and US$0,69 for luxury cabs. Yellow taxis charge US$0.25 per kilometer, turquoise taxis charge US$0.29 per kilometer, and luxury cabs charge US$0.40 per kilometer.
Istanbul Bus Ticket Prices
A single ticket costs US$0.44 for one time ride on the bus. Bus fare drops to US$0.29 when using an Istanbulkart.
What are the House Rental Prices in Istanbul?
A simple 100-meter square house in Istanbul would cost US$146 per month on average. Houses close to the city center cost around US$292 per month. Depending on the neighborhood and the features of the house cost can be lower or higher.
How to Buy a House in Istanbul?
For some local people in Istanbul, it might take up to weeks to purchase a property from the examination and settling stages. Istanbul offers a wide scope of extraordinary new land projects that are entirely appropriate for each financial plan.
Picking the appropriate area relies upon why you need to purchase a property in Istanbul. If you are a fan of metropolitan city life, partake in the city’s vivacious evenings, energetic roads, being in the downtown area, preferably inside strolling distance to every vital office, and on the transportation center. In case you are working, it ought to be near your work to stay away from Istanbul’s reality popular gridlock.
Following the sale contract, the title deed is the final step after deciding on a property to buy with the help of a suitable real estate firm.
What are the Reliable Real Estate Sites to Buy a House in Istanbul?
Reliable real estate agencies in Istanbul include IstanbulHomes, SpotBlue, Re/Max, Turyap, and Realty Group.
Since 2009, Realty Group ® is one of Istanbul Turkey’s most competent real estate businesses, with about a decade of experience.
Realty Group offers plenty of property projects in Istanbul to choose from, as each project is profitable in financial and investment returns.
Realty Group offers the experience, knowledge, and desire to assist customers in purchasing, selling, investing, maintaining, and financing properties in Istanbul, as well as getting Turkish citizenship.
What are the Points to Consider While Buying a House in Istanbul?
Here are the points to consider when buying a house in Istanbul.
- Building qualities. The age and area of the structure assume a significant part in picking the right property.
- Picking a spot being worked on. Properties in a space being worked on are acquired in esteem over a brief period, they are progressively evaluated as time advances and request increments.
- You ought not to continue to imagine that the houses that are under development are consistently less expensive. Here and there, “moment conveyance” houses can be less expensive. Especially, you can get better-recycled openings if the assumptions are fizzled or the market has changed.