One City, Two Continents
Situated on no less than two continents, Istanbul has been settled for over 2,500 years, more than half of which it was a centre of world power, producing 120 emperors and sultan. Today the streets of Turkey’s cultural epicentre still bear signs of the turbulent history and recent developments of the city. In one street one could find a bazaar, a mosque, a grand town house, a club, and a modern office building.
The city counts 14m citizens and is cut in half by the Bosporus, a straight connecting the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea, one side belonging to Europe and one to Asia.
From Moseques to Museums: Excellent starting points to learn historical facts
The most famous building in town is Hagia Sophia, built during the 6th century as a church and later remodeled as a mosque, these days housing a museum. Just opposite, on the tip of a small peninsula you can visit Topkapı Sarayı, the Sultan’s palace. Once it was home to up to 5,000 people, a city within the city. The huge complex is comprised of four courts and large parts are now used as exhibition halls. Displays include porcelain, jewelry, weapons, and clothing from the Ottoman Empire as well as one of the oldest copies of the Quran.
Should this have triggered your interest you can visit a huge number of other museums, the best of which are the archeological museum, the Istanbul Modern, and the museum for Turkish and Muslim art. All of which can be easily reached in your car hire.
The Old Town is full of buildings and squares dating from ancient times, though most of them are now ruined. The Ottoman Empire era is represented much better and palaces, town houses, mosques, trade houses and bazaars are maintained regularly.The heart of the Old Town is Kapali Carsi, the largest bazaar in the city. Intricate golden jewelry, rugs, leather, and clothing are on offer, and visitors can keep their blood sugar up by munching marzipan, almond sweets, and dried fruits. Each destination made more accessible by the use of a cheap car rental.
Spectacular weather partnered with refreshing beaches
The weather in Istanbul tends to be mild during the winter, though snow does occasionally occur and you should also be equipped with an umbrella. During the summer temperatures rise dramatically, peaking above 30°C in July. Fortunately the sea offers some refreshment. The most and best beaches are located outside the city. If you have a car hire you can go to Sile, just 50 km (35 mi) north-east of the city on the Black Sea shore. Kilyos is a little closer, a charming little fishing village with white beaches and green hills on the western banks of the Bosporus.
Relax in Prince Island and enjoy the cuisine
By far the most popular day trip destination is Prince Island in the Marmara Sea which can be easily reached in your car hire. Locals and tourists use the frequent ferries to visit the archipelago comprised of nine islands. Only four of them are inhabited. Dense pine forests cover the surface of the isles, and in secluded bays you will find the kind of beach printed on postcards. Cars are banned from the islands, and horse drawn carriages are the closest to taxi cabs you will find. A day of swimming and relaxing is finished off perfectly by dinner in one of countless fish restaurants, some of them with a picture-perfect view of Turkish mainland.
One city, two continents, countless impressions – experience Istanbul with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia.
