Explore İstanbul
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What to know before visiting İstanbul
Istanbul formerly known as Constantinople is the largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, cultural and historic hub. The city straddles the Bosporus strait, lying in both Europe and Asia, and has a population of over 15 million residents, comprising 19% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is the most populous European city, and the world's 15th-largest city. The city was founded as Byzantium in the 7th century BCE by Greek settlers from Megara. In 330 CE, the Roman emperor Constantine the Great made it his imperial capital, renaming it first as New Rome (Greek: Νέα Ῥώμη, Nea Rhomē; Latin: Nova Roma) and then as Constantinople (Constantinopolis) after himself. The city grew in size and influence, eventually becoming a beacon of the Silk Road and one of the most important cities in history. The city served as an imperial capital for almost 1600 years: during the Roman/Byzantine (330–1204), Latin (1204–1261), late Byzantine (1261–1453), and Ottoman (1453–1922) empires. The city played a key role in the advancement of Christianity during Roman/Byzantine times, hosting four of the first seven ecumenical councils before its transformation to an Islamic stronghold following the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 CE—especially after becoming the seat of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1517. In 1923, after the Turkish War of Independence, Ankara replaced the city as the capital of the newly formed Republic of Turkey. Over 13.4 million foreign visitors came to Istanbul in 2018, eight years after it was named a European Capital of Culture, making it the world's eighth most visited city. Istanbul is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and hosts the headquarters of numerous Turkish companies, accounting for more than thirty percent of the country's economy. -Wikipedia
General Info
Time Zone
GMT +03:00
Currency
Turkish Lira
1USD = 34.33 TRY
Best time to visit
June
July
Local Weather
JAN
2.9°
2.9°
FEB
2.8°
9.1°
MAR
3.9°
11.2°
APR
7.7°
16.5°
MAY
12.0°
21.4°
JUN
16.0°
26.0°
JUL
18.5°
28.4°
AUG
18.7°
28.6°
SEP
15.5°
25.0°
OCT
12.0°
20.0°
NOV
8.5°
15.3°
DEC
5.3
11.1°
Popular Activities
Explore the popular activities
Basilica Cistern
Hagia Sophia
Sultanahmet Square
Topkapi Palace Museum
Galata Tower
The Blue Mosque
Grand Bazaar
Dolmabahçe Palace
Gülhane Park
Suleymaniye Mosque
Emirgan Korusu
Galata Bridge
Grand Mecidiye Mosque (Ortaköy Mosque)
Hagia Irene
Visit Istanbul
Beylerbeyi Palace
Rahmi M. Koç Museum
Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
Madame Tussauds Istanbul
SEA LIFE
Istanbul Aquarium
Miniaturk
Çiçek Pasajı
Rustem Pasha Mosque
Egyptian Bazaar
Little Hagia Sophia
Cistern of Theodosius
Sent Antuan Kilisesi
Kariye Mosque
Galata Mevlevihanesi Müzesi
Naval Museum
The Walls of Constantinople
Istanbul Sapphire observation deck
The Aqueduct of Valens
Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum
Great Palace Mosaics Museum
Rainbow stairs
Eyüp Sultan Mosque
Maiden's Tower
Pierre Loti Hill
Süleymaniye Hamamı
15th of July Martyrs Bridge
Photography place
Mother and baby statue
Borusan Contemporary
Arter
Sultan Ahmet Meydanı
İstanbul
Памятник паровозу .
Museum Of Illusions Istanbul - Anatolia
Taksim Square
Recommended Hospitals in İstanbul
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Recommended Doctors in İstanbul
Find the doctors that we recommend in İstanbul
Prof. AHMET ALANAY, M.D.
Spine HealthProf. A.TANER USTA, M.D.
Gynecology and ObstetricsProf. AYKUT SOYDER, M.D.
Breast Health, Endocrine SurgeryProf. ALP DİNÇER, M.D.
RadiologyGet inspiration for your next medical trip
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