Istanbul, Stamboul, Byzantium or Constantinople (yes, these are all names for the same city) is the largest city in Turkey whose population is constantly rising. Its history dates back to the 7th century BC, but it’s assumed it was settled even before that. It’s a city with extremely rich history, since it’s located in an important transitory area, but it’s also interesting that the Bosporus which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara also divides the city into the European and Asian parts.
A point of interest if the Topkapı Palace that was for a long time the centre of the Ottoman Empire and the home of the sultans and their wives. The palace also served as a golden home to the wives, concubines, as well as the royal jewels, treasures and the kitchen that fed 5,000 mouths each day. Istanbul is fascinating underground, too; a popular attraction for tourists is the Yerebatan cistern, an interesting creation by the Byzantine engineers that once supplied the area from Bulgaria to Istanbul with drinking water. People say that the Archaeological Museum with one of the richest collection of antiquities is a hidden gem of Istanbul. Here you’ll find the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great, which marks the most important parts of his life, the first peace treaty and a model of the Trojan horse. When you’re done with attractions you can also visit the Istanbul Market which is more than 500 years old and one of the largest covered markets in the world. In the area that covers 60 streets you’ll find 5,000 shops, 60 restaurants, 18 fountains, 12 mosques and even a school. You can try out your haggling skills while buying carpets, leather, ceramics or jewellery. After all that you can head to the Turkish hamam, a sort of bath or spa, where you can treat yourself to a scrub or a massage.
Have we convinced you with all these attractions? You can find even more information about Istanbul here.
Hostelling International offers quite a few hostels. If you prefer a more central location, just five minutes from all the major attractions, I recommend staying at the Sultan Hostel where you’ll be able to enjoy free breakfast and a terrace as well as restaurants, coffee shops and bars located in the same street. In the most popular neighbourhood in Istanbul you’ll find the Chambers of the Boheme which is located in a 19-century building, just a stone’s throw from Taksim Square where guests can find many restaurants and pubs.
Istanbul might not be one of destinations on your bucket list, but after visiting the city, you’ll leave mesmerised in culturally enriched.
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