Regions of Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is an enchanting mixture of oriental and western cultures, a modern and dynamic city with a unique identity. Its rich past coexists alongside its youthful exuberance. As though no longer the capital of Turkey, Istanbul remains the cultural and business center of the country.

Bosphorus

A trip to Istanbul shouldn't end without a traditional and unforgettable boat trip to the Bosphorus, the strait which separates Europe from Asia, connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Its banks offer a delicious mixture of past and present. Modern hotels find themselves alongside historic Ottoman villas, marble areas alongside rustic stone, and elegant compounds near small fishing villages.

The Golden Horn

This estuary in the shape of a horn divides European Istanbul: in the neighborhoods of Fener and Balat, halfway along the Golden Horn, entire streets are full of wooden houses, churches and synagogues dating from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. A little further along the Golden Horn, in Eyüp, you will find magnificent examples of Ottoman architecture. The Eyüp mosque and the cemetery of Eyüp are among the holiest places in Islam. The region is still a popular burial place and the hills above the mosque are dotted with modern gravestones interspersed with ornate Ottoman ones. The Golden Horn is a wonderful place to make the most of the tranquility of the view.

Galata, Beyoğlu and Taksim

The second oldest metro tunnel in Europe, build by the French in 1875, must also be one of the shortest bids: a journey from Karaköy to Taksim. Near the tunnel is located the neighbourhood of Galata, where the tower of Galata, one of the famous symbols of Istanbul, is located. The top of the tower offers a 360-degree view over the city. Between the tunnel and Taksim square there is one of the city's shopping spots. Entertainment and urban walks: Istiklal caddesi. A pedestrian street is a beautiful example of the contrasts and compositions of Istanbul; fashion boutiques, libraries, cinemas, art galeries, markets, restaurants and even handcarts selling trinkets and simit (a sesame-flavored snack) guarantee that the street is crowded all day long until late into the night.

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