Istanbul

The city spreads across 5,461 square kilometers (2,108 square miles) with 39 districts ranging from walled old town quarters to modern residential suburbs. Topkapi Palace occupies a promontory overlooking the Sea of Marmara, while Taksim Square forms the commercial center on the European side. The old town preserves Roman aqueducts, Byzantine columns, and Ottoman fountains between residential streets. The Bosphorus shoreline connects over 30 kilometers of waterfront with fishing villages, parks, and 19th-century palaces. Hills rise on both continents, offering varied topography from sea level to elevations above 180 meters (590 feet).

Megarian colonists established Byzantion in the 7th century BCE on the European shore of the Bosphorus as a trading outpost. Emperor Constantine selected the site in 324 CE, renaming it after himself and expanding the city walls that stood for 1,500 years. The city remained the Byzantine Empire capital until Ottoman conquest by Mehmed II in 1453, becoming the center of the expanding Ottoman realm. Suleiman the Magnificent commissioned architect Sinan to construct multiple mosques and public structures during the 16th century. The Turkish Republic moved the capital to Ankara in 1923, though the city retained its economic and cultural prominence.

Sultanahmet district combines Muslim mosques and Byzantine churches, while Galata hosts modern art galleries and cafés within historic buildings. Street vendors offer simit sesame rings and roasted chestnuts, traditional tea houses serve Turkish tea in tulip-shaped glasses. Fishermen cast lines from Galata Bridge while commuters navigate daily between continents. Cultural identity reflects in Ottoman calligraphy, whirling dervish ceremonies, and a music heritage spanning from classical Turkish compositions to contemporary genres.

An e-pass system covers public transportation through the Istanbulkart card, available at vending machines in transit stations. Atatürk Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport serve international flights with bus connections to city centers. Hotels range from budget hostels in Sultanahmet to upscale options in Beyoğlu and along the Bosphorus waterfront. Mosques require head covering for women and shoe removal; visiting hours vary around prayer times. Currency exchange bureaus operate in tourist areas, though ATMs are widespread. Visitors are advised to arrive early at historical sites to avoid crowds during peak season between April and October.

The metro system includes the Marmaray tunnel, opened in 2013, which transports trains 60 meters (197 feet) below the seabed through a 13.6-kilometer (8.5-mile) route. Archaeological excavations during construction discovered an 8,500-year-old Neolithic settlement site and the Port of Theodosius with over 30 Byzantine shipwrecks. The Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara prohibit motor vehicles, relying on horse-drawn carriages for transportation. Kız Kulesi, a tower on a small island, has served as a lighthouse, quarantine station, and customs checkpoint since Roman times. The urban complex contains more than 3,000 mosques, including the smallest one, Küçük Ayasofya, originally built as a Byzantine church.

Location: Istanbul Province

Inception: May 29, 1453

Elevation above the sea: 100 m

Address: İstanbul, Türkiye 34000–34990 İstanbul

Website: http://istanbul.gov.tr

GPS coordinates: 41.00638,28.97587

Latest update: December 1, 2025 07:59