Travel to Istanbul

Travel to Istanbul

Turkey's most populated city and one-time capital, Istanbul is now a provincial capital and is a popular visitor destination presenting an eclectic mix of Asian and European cultures. The city has a long and fascinating history with a variety of influences having been exerted on it over the years. Today, it retains a typical old-world charm with its traditional bazaars and classic Ottoman architecture. While still subject to development in some respects, Istanbul offers a solid tourist infrastructure.

Transportation to Istanbul

Istanbul operates a major international airport that serves over 12 million passengers per year and has a capacity to serve 17 million, ensuring that international visitors have an efficient gateway in and out of the city.

Visitors on a budget can travel across Europe by bus and once in Turkey, they can make use of domestic coach services to reach Istanbul. Trains are also available connecting the city with the capital and other major Turkish and European destinations. Those with private or rental vehicles will find the city is fairly accessible by road from other cities in the country. It's also possible to reach Istanbul by ferry from Yalova and Bandirma.

What to see

Being a Muslim country, Turkey has its fair share of mosques and Istanbul is no exception, offering a variety of interesting religious structures hailing from the Ottoman era. Other attractions on offer also follow an architectural theme with buildings such as the Topkapi Palace and the Haghia Sophia among the most popular.

Daytrips

There are a number of interesting destinations that visitors might consider heading to on a daytrip. The Princes Islands are perhaps the most popular excursion destination comprising nine small islands in the Sea of Marmara, four of which can be visited by taking commuter ferries. The islands are populated and feature some interesting natural and manmade areas.

Alternatively, Termal, located 38km southeast of the city, is another interesting destination with thermal hot springs and commercial spas. Termal can be reached by road however travelling here by boat is considerably quicker.

Activities and leisure

Istanbul has a selection of parks and nature spots where visitors can head to escape from the urban jungle and appreciate a little greenery. Belgrade Forest, Beykoz Woods, ekmece Lake and Emirgan Woods are among the places where you can take a pleasant stroll and enjoy some peace and tranquillity.

Visitors preferring to stay closer to town will find reputable hotels offering swimming pools, giving guests the chance to take a pleasant dip when the weather gets too hot in the summer season.

Safety issues

Although Istanbul was the target of Islamic terrorist attacks in 2003, it is still considered a safe holiday destination and visitors need not concern themselves overly with safety issues. If you are unsure, visit your home countrys foreign commissions website for the latest on the threat of terrorism in Turkey. With regards to crime, most visitors will be safe provided they observe general common sense behaviour.