Istanbul Travel Guide

Browse 398 travel reviews, 418 travel blogs and 19,984 travel photos from real travelers to Istanbul.
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Istanbul Overview

Istanbul is probably one of the hottest destinations in the 21st century when it comes to the European-Asian side of the world. Along with being the most populated city in Turkey, Istanbul has been one of the major center points of the world for literally thousands of years. Once known as Constantinople and Byzantium, and home to one of the last Roman outposts for a thousand years before it was conquered by the Ottoman ruler Sultan Mehmed II and subsequently becoming part of a Muslim nation, Istanbul is one of those mystical destinations that boasts near-mythical history and legends which surrread moreound the architecture and imbue the visitor with a sense of wonder, as well as an almost ethereal out-of-this-world vibe that cannot be matched anywhere else in the world.

Today, Istanbul is a tourist city. Due to its history as a center of several different empires, the number of historic and religious monuments and buildings is staggering the very least. From the Hagia Sophia, the Sultanahmet Mosque, the Galata Whirling Dervish Hall, or the famous Turkish baths, everything here feels as though it's been stripped out of the past and transported to the 21st century.

The nargile, or Turkish water pipe, is a centerpiece of Istanbul’s social setting. Commonly known as a hookah, there are various places throughout the city where you can literally sit down and simply smoke. Tobaccos range from fruit flavored to vanilla and chocolate and more, and should absolutely be enjoyed. In addition, Turkish coffee and Turkish delight are two of the most important things to taste while you are in Istanbul, because you will not find better anywhere else in the world. On top of that, Turkish cuisine is legendary, and there are the literally hundreds of restaurants to choose from. Between the mosques,the churches,the synagogues, the castles, the restaurants, the gardens, the nargile cafes, and the otherworldly feel of the place, Istanbul will leave you wondering if it was all just a dream, and waiting for the next time you can experience her charms.

People Traveling to Istanbul

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  1. W Istanbul 3 reviews
  2. May Hotel Istanbul 2 reviews
  1. Blue Mosque 9 reviews
  2. The Grand Bazaar 11 reviews
  3. İstiklal Ave 2 reviews
  4. Topkapı Sarayı 1 review
  5. Chora Museum 2 reviews
  6. Cats in Istanbul 1 review
  1. HasKral 2 reviews
  2. Firuz aga 1 review
  3. Ara Café 1 review
  4. Beyti 2 reviews
  5. 360East 1 review
  1. Pasabahce Stores 1 review
  2. Turkish Airlines 2 reviews
  1. nuteras 1 review
  2. Taksim Square 1 review
  3. Babylon 2 reviews
  4. Club Reina 1 review
  5. Crystal Club 1 review
  6. İstiklal Avenue 1 review
  7. Sanat 1 review
  8. eglence 1 review
  1. Bahaus Guesthouse 2 reviews
  2. Erasmus Hostel 1 review
  3. Bahaus Hostel 3 reviews
  4. Second Home Hostel 2 reviews
Feb 11, 2011 – Feb 18, 2011
Rudyard Kipling once wrote:  Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the Twain shall meet, Till Earth and Sky …
2,260 words 335 262 764
This blog was featured on Sunday June 10th, 2012
Dec 22, 2007 – Nov 30, 2010
Istanbul is an old city, you can see the remains of many ancient civilizations and their culture in harmony with Turkish cultur…
3,639 words 305 137 689
This blog was featured on Wednesday December 9th, 2009
Dec 25, 2008 – Jan 09, 2009
Flight to Istanbul was relatively uneventful. First time I've flown Air France, so I think a brief review is in order:- Pros: G…
3,594 words 178 155 385
This blog was featured on Saturday January 31st, 2009