Istanbul

General information

Istanbul is Turkey's largest city and one of the world's great crossroads, the only major city to straddle two continents — Europe and Asia — across the shimmering Bosphorus strait. Once the Byzantine capital Constantinople and later the seat of the Ottoman sultans, it layers imperial mosques, palaces and bazaars over a modern metropolis of some 16 million people. The call to prayer drifts over ferries and fish markets, grand domes crown the skyline, and East meets West at every turn. Turkish is the language, English is common in tourist areas, and few cities feel as vast, historic and alive as Istanbul.

Transport and how to get there

The main gateway is the huge Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side, with Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) on the Asian side serving many budget and regional flights. Both connect to the centre by metro and airport buses (the ride can be long in traffic). In the city, an expanding metro, trams, funiculars and the iconic Bosphorus ferries make getting around easy, all using the rechargeable Istanbulkart. Ferries between the European and Asian shores are a scenic experience in themselves.

Prices

Istanbul is very affordable for Western visitors, though the Turkish lira has seen high inflation, so lira prices change quickly — it is easiest to gauge costs in euros. Roughly, a mid-range hotel runs about 45-100 EUR per night, with budget rooms and hostels much less. A casual meal is around 6-14 EUR, a Turkish tea barely 1 EUR and a coffee 2-3 EUR. Public transport rides are inexpensive, while major sights such as Topkapi Palace or Hagia Sophia's museum sections charge entry fees of roughly 15-30 EUR. All figures are approximate and shift with the exchange rate.

Main attractions

The historic Sultanahmet district holds the giants: the vast Hagia Sophia, the elegant Blue Mosque with its six minarets, and the sprawling Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman sultans. Nearby, the sunken columns of the Basilica Cistern and the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar reward hours of exploring. Cross the Galata Bridge to climb the Galata Tower, ride a boat up the Bosphorus past waterside palaces like Dolmabahce, and relax in a centuries-old hammam. Istanbul rewards both its blockbuster sights and simply getting lost.