There are cities in the world that you can love before ever seeing them. For me, Istanbul has been such a place. An ancient metropolis lying at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and straddling both continents, it saw the rise and fall of two great empires – the Eastern Roman and the Ottoman.
Constantinople was one of the greatest cities in the world, the power seat of two major empires for over a thousand years. But where is Constantinople today? Well, it is hidden in plain sight in the heart of Istanbul, within the crumbling Constantinople Walls. Looking for Constantinople in Istanbul is a fascinating journey of discovering the Roman … Read more
Looking to experience centuries-old cafe culture? Then drop by one of these best cafes in Istanbul and soak up the ambience. Whether you are exploring Sultanahmet, strolling along Istiklal Caddesi, or getting lost in the twisting streets of Balat, we’ve got you covered. Coffee may have been discovered by a goat herder in ancient Egypt, but cafe culture … Read more
Istanbul’s umbrella streets are some of the most atmospheric hidden gems in Istanbul. While the city is famous for its Ottoman and Byzantine sites, the umbrella streets are delightful features of modern Istanbul. But they can be notoriously difficult to find. You’ll more likely to stumble on an umbrella street than to find it on … Read more
As a city shaped by two powerful empires: Roman (Byzantine) and Ottoman, it’s not surprising that, in Istanbul, hidden gems are as plentiful as the city’s iconic monuments, the likes of Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace & Harem. You can easily spend hours wandering the backstreets of Istanbul, where ancient structures are matter-of-factly … Read more
The opulent Topkapi Palace of Istanbul is a sprawling complex of buildings that used to be home to thousands of residents and was considered a city within a city. The power seat of the Ottoman Empire from 1465 to 1830, one of the longest-standing empires in recorded history, it preserves the finest architecture and artifacts … Read more
If the Earth was a single state, Istanbul would be its capital. – Napoléon Bonaparte. An ancient metropolis lying at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and straddling both continents, Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) had been the capital of the Roman and Byzantine Empires and then became the imperial capital of the Ottomans for 600 years. It … Read more