Istanbul is beautiful in every season!

One of the world's most important cities and Turkey's largest city, Istanbul is a significant tourism hub in every aspect. With its history, culture, entertainment, architecture, economy, nature, and the Bosphorus, it's globally renowned as a tourist destination.

Having a deeply rooted history, Istanbul served as the capital for three great empires. Although not the official capital of our country today, it holds a capital status economically and industrially. It's the most developed city in all industrial sectors and economic activities in our country.

Located in the Marmara Region, Istanbul is not only the center of our country but also one of the world's most important cities. It ranks first in terms of population among European cities and second globally, after Shanghai. Geopolitically and geographically, it's the only city situated on two continents. Thus, it's a global city in every aspect.

In terms of its history, how many cities around the world can boast such a deep and long history as Istanbul? The settlement history of Istanbul dates back to 8500 years ago, as revealed by recent excavations. Its capital history spans about 1600 years, serving as the capital for illustrious civilizations such as the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires.

Even today, you can see numerous relics, structures, and religious buildings belonging to ancient civilizations and the Ottoman era in many parts of Istanbul. Especially in neighborhoods like Sultanahmet, Galata, or Beyoğlu, you can easily observe the traces of history in the streets, historical structures, and buildings.

With all these cultural, historical, and natural beauties, Istanbul welcomes numerous domestic and foreign tourists throughout the year. Because Istanbul is beautiful in every season. Moreover, people don’t just travel to Istanbul for tourism purposes. Many tourists come to the city for health, business, or other reasons.

When it comes to accommodation in Istanbul, you have plenty of options. You can easily find hotels in almost every neighborhood of Istanbul. Depending on your travel purpose, you can stay in a large city hotel, a charming Istanbul boutique hotel, or even a hostel. Moreover, you can find accommodations of every quality and type in all neighborhoods of Istanbul.

Istanbul hotels are open for service all year round, generally offering bed and breakfast. However, you can find many delicacies from Turkish and world cuisines in their restaurants open all day long. The hotel rooms are decorated in quite different styles. You can even find hotels with a jazz theme, adorned with posters of famous jazz artists in their corridors.

If you've come to Istanbul for a touristic and cultural visit, a few days won't be enough for you. At least, you need to allocate a week for your visit. Because there are so many places to see. Museums, churches, mosques, markets, shopping malls, parks, forests, squares, and of course, the Bosphorus. Watching the sunset on a bench by the Bosphorus, getting lost in the magnificent Istanbul silhouette across, is truly a joy that must be experienced.

When you come to Istanbul, you must visit Sultanahmet. Every part, from its square to its mosque, is uniquely beautiful and enchanting. Don't miss visiting the Hagia Sophia Museum. Topkapi Palace and Gülhane Park are also historical treasures you can see in the vicinity. When you see the palace that hosted Ottoman sultans for hundreds of years, along with the museum, you will be mesmerized. In Topkapi Palace, you can also see the harem halls, the belongings used by the sultans, their clothes, and manuscript masterpieces.

The Basilica Cistern is one of the most important architectural structures remaining from the Byzantine period to the present day. Another important place is the Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Tomb. Especially, you can visit the mosque, which will satisfy the spirituality of local tourists.

If you want to take a break from visiting museums and historical buildings, Beyoğlu is waiting for you. Istiklal Avenue and Cihangir streets are waiting for you. Asmalımescit, Tünel will show you both the architectural characteristics of Old Istanbul and provide you with enjoyable moments with their lively nightlife.

I haven't forgotten the shopping enthusiasts. My recommendation for them is the famous Istanbul Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. In fact, these areas are so lively and vibrant that even those who don't like shopping may find them interesting. In the Grand Bazaar, you can find many products you're looking for and various cultural details at very reasonable prices. The Spice Bazaar offers you hundreds of different types of spices.

You can't leave Istanbul without taking a Bosphorus cruise. You can't return from Istanbul without seeing both shores, waving to the Maiden's Tower. During your tour, you can also see the waterside mansions and villas built in the 1900s, dazzling with their architectural features. Don't forget to take a tea and simit break in a cafe by the Bosphorus, feeding the seagulls and listening to the sound of the sea.

In the evening, enjoy a rakı-fish feast at a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus. It will be one of the most special moments you can experience or witness. With the reflection of the moonlight and the colorful lights of the city dominating the view, the Bosphorus and Istanbul greet you. Especially if you witness this view with your partner, it will be a moment you won't forget for a lifetime. The freshest seasonal fish, various delicious appetizers, and the finest wine and rakı are enjoyed at restaurants by the Bosphorus.

If your holiday in Istanbul is a bit longer, my recommendation is to visit places a bit further from the city center, such as Şile and Ağva, which will refresh you with their nature. You can even hop on a ferry and visit Büyükada after a short journey. These places represent different faces of Istanbul.

The beauties and places to visit in Istanbul are endless. Istanbul cannot be understood with just a short vacation. You should come at least two or three times to taste it, see its historical sites, and enjoy it. Therefore, I could only tell you a part of it, plant the seeds of these beauties in your mind. Now it's up to you to come and see Istanbul's charm as soon as possible.

Access to Istanbul is quite easy whether you are in our country or in other countries. You can easily reach Istanbul by road, sea, railway, or air. A small suitcase, your camera, and your camera are enough to explore Istanbul. Besides, you will return from here with a huge suitcase. Have a great trip...

For Istanbul hotels, click here: Link to Istanbul Hotels