Istanbul (Istanbul) is the largest city, an important seaport, industrial, commercial and cultural center of Turkey. It is located in a hilly area on both banks of the Bosphorus Strait near the Marble and Black Seas, being the only city in the world lying on two continents - Asia and Europe.
The Golden Horn Bay conditionally divides the European half of the city into two parts. Eminonyu (Old Town) is located on the peninsula to the south of the bay and has largely preserved the medieval appearance. Beyoğlu (New Town) north of the entrance to the Golden Horn consists of the commercial port area of Karakoy (formerly Galata) and the business and cultural center of Beyoglu (the former Pera).
The Asian part of the city of Uskudar is a villa on the Marmara Sea coast in the Fashion district and large military barracks. Parts of Istanbul are connected with each other by ferries and bridges. The city has preserved many interesting monuments of architecture, created in the times of Rome and Byzantium and during the Ottoman rule.
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Telephone codes
- 8-10-90-212-telephone number for the European part
- 8-10-90-216-Asian phone number
How to get to Istanbul
Flight Moscow - Istanbul - Moscow is carried out daily, both regular and charter flights. Most of them arrive at Atatürk airport (Yesilkoy district), located 24 km from the city. In addition, Istanbul serves another international airport - the name of Sabiha Gokcen, but Russian tourists arrive there much less.
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Ataturk International Airport
It consists of two terminals - for international (A) and for domestic flights (B). On the territory of the airport there is a hotel, in addition, within a radius of a couple of kilometers are the hotels Radisson SAS, Marriott Renaissance, Holiday Inn Airport North, Four Points and Sheraton. You can have a snack here at Starbucks and Gloria Jean's coffee shops (two in the arrivals area and two in the departure area), at the Burger King Cafe. The pharmacy, the storage rooms, the rent-a-car offices and the post office are in the arrival zone.
You can reach the city center in the following ways:
- Easy underground metro, which follows to Aksaray through the main areas of the European part of the city, including the bus station Esenler. Working hours: 6: 00-00: 15. The journey time is 30-35 minutes, the fare is 0, 75 EUR.
- Buses "Havas" (Havas) depart every half hour to Bakyrkoy, Yenikapi, Aksaray, Taksim and Squire; every hour - to Kozyatagy (from the Asian side); every two hours - in Etiler-Akmerkez. There is also a terminal for high-speed boats in Bakyrkoy, which connects the terminal with Bostanji and Kadikoy. Buses to them go according to the schedule of arrival and departure of boats.
- City buses run to Taksim, Etiler and Kozyatagy. Working hours: 04: 00-01: 00. The journey takes 40 minutes.
- Taxi. Landing 2, 5 YTL, for each km 1, 2 YTL.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
Some charters arrive at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, which is located behind the Asian part of the city (35 km), so there is a long and inconvenient way to get to the city center from there.
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The climate of Istanbul
Clear +10 ° C in the afternoon +7 ° C at night ° С water |
Clear +8 ° С in the afternoon +6 ° C at night ° С water |
Mainly cloudy +11 ° C in the afternoon +7 ° C at night ° С water |
| Istanbul weather forecast for 10 days | ||
| Average monthly temperature, ° C | ||||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | sen | Oct | but I | Dec | |
| in the afternoon | +7 | +8 | +10 | +15 | +20 | +25 | +27 | +27 | +24 | +19 | +13 | +10 |
| at night | +2 | +2 | +4 | +8 | +12 | +16 | +18 | +19 | +16 | +12 | +8 | +5 |
The climate in Istanbul is mild, but changeable. The sky is often clouded. Summers are hot, winters are cool and little snow or rainy. The average temperature in January is +3 .. + 9 ° С, in August +20 .. + 29 ° С.
Spring in Istanbul is short and slightly cool (by Mediterranean standards), but then the air warms up to +30 ° C.
Transport of Istanbul
The most common, but also the most inconvenient type of public transport is the buses .Usually they are overcrowded, and at rush hour riding with open doors and bunches of people on the running boards is a common thing .To understand where and how the bus goes (it is reported on the boards on the sides), you need to know the city well enough (explanations given by drivers and invariably sociable passengers are more likely to confuse) .There are two types of bus: municipal - red or (rarely) green, and private - blue or (rarely) orange, newer and more comfortable .They are the same, but they have to pay differently .Municipal buses require tickets that are sold at end points in kiosks bearing the inscription "Otobus bilet" or "Bilet giseci" .If there is no kiosk nearby, tickets can be bought from street vendors, more expensive by 30% .In private buses there are no tickets - everyone pays the conductor .To stop the bus, you need to wave the driver .
Dolmushi
The shuttle (dolmus) is more convenient than a bus, and cheaper than a regular taxi. "Dolmushi" can be of two types: yellow ones work on short routes, and beige ones can be reached in those parts of the old city where the tram does not go. Payment - depending on the distance (prices are fixed, you can check with the driver). There are shuttles from 6:00 to 23:00.
Metro
In Istanbul, there are three lines of the subway, not connected with each other. Line Tunel (Tunel) with only two stations connects the embankment of the Golden Horn and the Tunnel Square. The second line, the modern metro (Metro), connects Taksim Square and new business districts in the north of the city. The third branch, the "light metro" (Hafif Metro), connects the Aksaray square and the western suburbs. Opening hours: "Tünel" - 7: 00-21: 00, on Sunday - 7: 30-21: 00; Hafif Metro and Metro - every day from 6:30 to 24:00.
Taxi
Taxi - the most convenient, and at night in general the only mode of transport, cheap in comparison with many countries. Taxis can be ordered by phone from the hotel or restaurant, or simply stop outside.
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Rent a Car
Car rental firms, local and international, are everywhere. At the "reception" of the hotel you can find the addresses of the nearest. Rent a car "economy class" will cost 40-45 USD per day.
Be carefull
Tourists in Istanbul should not ignore their things, especially in crowded places. Men should behave delicately towards local women, do not try to flirt with them, and also take pictures without permission. Girls should not dress too frankly. On the inner streets of Istanbul, especially in the vicinity of the old city, you should not walk.
Beaches
Swim in the city is more than not recommended - despite the fact that there are beaches. Those wishing to swim are best to go to the Princes' Islands or to the region of Kumburgaz-Silivri (Marmara Sea). The beaches there are sandy.
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Hotels in Istanbul
Many tourists who go to see Istanbul are wary of the accommodation options in the Laleli district, the main shopping area of the city, where all the "shoppers" stay. However, to the historical center (Sultanahmet district) from there - only about 15 minutes walk or three stops on the local tram. But hotels in Laleli are much cheaper than in Sultanahmet.
At the same time, in the European and Asian parts of Istanbul, there are high-level hotels of the Hilton, Radisson, Marriott or Holiday Inn network. The best hotels in the city include Sultanahmet Sarayi, The Sofa HIP, Les Ottomans or Bosphorus Palace. Also famous for the legendary hotel Pera Palace, in which Agatha Christie once wrote "Murder in the Orient Express."
Book popular Istanbul hotels at the best prices
| Hyatt Regency Istanbul Atakoy from 7 444 rubles Istanbul Ataköy 2-5-6. Kısım, Rauf Orbay Caddesi Sahil Yolu No: 2/1 Bakırköy | Lasagrada Hotel from 5 583 rubles Istanbul Mesrutiyet Mahallesi Halaskargazi Caddesi No: 96 Osmanbey Sisli | Wyndham Grand Istanbul Levent from 7 513 rubles Istanbul Esentepe Mahallesi Buyukdere Caddesi No 177-183 |
| The Parma Hotel Taksim from 4 480 rubles Istanbul Kocatepe Mahallesi Abdulhak Hamit Caddesi no: 22 Taksim - Beyoğlu | Grand Star Hotel Bosphorus from 3 171 rubles Istanbul Siraselviler Cad. No: 45 Taksim | Alkoclar Keban Hotel from 5 996 rubles Istanbul Sıraselviler Cad.No:17 Taksim |
| Fatih Hotel Corner from 2 482 rubles Istanbul Hacı Mansur Sokak No 71 Osmanbey | Hotel Buyuk Keban from 2 895 rubles Istanbul Gencturk Cad. No.39 Fatih | Hotel Polatdemir from 3 240 rub. Istanbul Aksaray Cad. No: 7 Laleli |
| Amara aparts from 3 102 rubles Istanbul sehit muhtar mahallesi nefti sokak no: 5 tarlabasi beyoglu | Sen Palas from 1 723 rubles Istanbul Asmalı Mescit Mah. Asmali Mescit Sok. No: 30 Beyoglu Taksim | Pisa Hotel from 3 102 rubles Istanbul Balabanağa Mah. Fetihbey Caddesi Kurultay Sokak No: 3 Laleli |
Shopping: Istanbul Stores
Istanbul is considered the unofficial capital of shopping. Its famous "shopping center" is Laleli district, entirely consisting of shops offering a variety of goods, mainly textiles and leather. The prices there are more than moderate.
The Covered Market (Grand Bazaar) is a kind of "city in the city", spread over 50 streets and includes 4,400 shops, 40 trading yards, workshops and coffee shops. "Grand Bazaar" is the best place to buy souvenirs, antiques and gold.
Egyptian Bazaar "specializes" in spices, coffee, sweets, flowers. The mode of its work: Monday-Friday 8: 00-19: 00, Saturday 8: 00-14: 00.
The book market ("Sahaflar Charshysy") is a small market of second-hand and antique books, where you can find any publications: from the classics of Marxism to the Turkish translations of the Koran. Open from 8:00 to 19:00 every day, except Sundays.
To go for big purchases on Kapali Carci it is not necessary, the prices are extremely overestimated. However, the building itself and the atmosphere of the market will be able for some time to transfer you to the times of the Ottomans.
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Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Istanbul
Every tourist, who has arrived to Istanbul for the first time, immediately gets to the famous square where there are two legendary monuments of history and religion. Speech, of course, is about the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia (Aya-Sofia).
St. Sophia Cathedral after the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in 1453 was converted into a mosque. Since then, the remains of minarets, mosaics and panels with Arabic script have been preserved in the temple. In 1934, Atatürk called for preserving the unique temple as a museum, so now this place can be visited each for a small fee. Address: Sultanahmet station; tel .: +90 (212) 513 36 60; operating mode: 09: 30-16: 30, mon, output; entrance 20 YTL.
The Blue Mosque (it is also the Sultan Ahmet mosque) is located opposite Aya-Sophia and the Hippodrome, is considered the most important city mosque in operation. Address: Sultanahmet Camii; tel .: +90 (212) 458 07 76; mode of operation: Tue-Sun 08: 30-12: 30, 13: 45-15: 45, 17: 30-18: 30.
It is also worth visiting the Topkapi Palace, consisting of several buildings with four courtyards connected by a gate. Here the church of St. Irene and the ancient ones of the sultans and the harem of the saints are interesting. Address: Topkapi Sarayi, stop T1 "Sultanahmet"; operating mode: 09: 00-19: 00 Tues - day off; input 20 YTL; harem - 15 YTL.
Impressive are the Dolmabahce Palace, and the Galata Tower, and the Basilica Cistern with the terrifying head of the Gorgon Medusa. In addition, you can walk along the ancient city walls, which stretch for 22 kilometers through the districts of the city.
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10 things that must definitely be done in Istanbul
Count the steps in the tower of Galata
From the observation platform of the Galata Tower, the historical center of Istanbul is visible both in the palm of your hand. It is located on a hill on the shore of the Golden Horn.
Eat fish
The best fish in the Anadolu area. It is a small fishing village, all dishes are from freshly caught fish.
Relax on the Princes Islands
Princes' Islands - a favorite place for beach holidays for townspeople and tourists. The situation on the islands is very quiet and calm, allowing you to completely throw back the bustle of the metropolis. You can get there by ferry from the districts of Bostanci, Kadikia and Kartal on the Asian side, and from Kabatash and Sirkeci on the European side. The four main islands (where the ferry approaches) are Buiukad, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kinalali.
Ride the Bosphorus
"If you have not seen the Bosporus, then you were not in Istanbul" - this will be confirmed by almost everyone. I recommend for the trip to choose weekdays from 15 to 18 hours (fewer groups of tourists). It is necessary to look at the connection of the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
Find the edge of Europe
Istanbul is a city on two continents. Walk along the Bosphorus from Bebek in Kurucheshma, go to the coffee shops, drink wine, take a look at the strait. It's really the most extreme point of Europe.
Look in the eyes of Medusa Gorgons and make a wish
Located near the Blue Mosque, Erebatan-Saray is one of the mandatory places for tourists. A huge underground water storage, several hundred marble columns, next to one of which it is necessary to make a wish (comes true, verified). The support for the two pillars is the head of Medusa.
Find Paris
Cezayir Sokak - Find the differences from Paris streets! Open cafes, gas lamps, geranium flowers - it's not difficult to mix up with old French streets.
To confuse Asia and Europe
Strangely enough, but the best European shopping is in the Asian part of the city.
Refute the most famous myth
Holland is not the birthplace of tulips, they were brought into it from the Ottoman Empire. You will see an abundance of tulips in the old city, if you want to buy bulbs, please DO NOT go to the flower market (Cicek Pazari) - everything is sold there except flowers.
Sailing
Taking a few lessons, you can ride the Bosphorus on a yacht, alone or with the participation of the team.
Photos of Istanbul (123)