As Destination Management Company, we would like to write about our destinations where we serve and informed our clients before they arrive to Istanbul.

---

Istanbul!

The ancient city that has hosted countless civilizations for centuries, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed said "Either this city will take me, or I will take it".

 

The city, which has been the capital of 3 Great Empires throughout history, is listed as the Eastern Roman Empire for 69 years, the Byzantine Empire for 1000 years and finally the Ottoman Empire for 469 years.

 

The total area of ​​Istanbul is 5343 square kilometers, and the city center is the Sultan Ahmed and Eminonu districts, also known as the Old City.

 

According to 2024 data, the total population of Istanbul is 15 million 600 thousand. Especially with the opening of the tourism season, this figure can increase to 17-18 million.

 

Istanbul consists of a total of 39 districts. The largest district of Istanbul in terms of area is Çatalca, located in the north of the city.

 

The largest district of Istanbul in terms of population density is Esenyurt, with a population of 1.3 million.

 

The most historical districts of Istanbul are, respectively, Sultan Ahmed, Taksim, Beyoğlu, Karaköy, Üskudar and Emin Ali Paşa.

 

The most historical districts of Istanbul are, in order, Sultan Ahmed, Taksim, Beyoglu, Karakoy, Uskudar and Emin Ali Pasa.

 

The historical buildings located on Taksim Istiklal Street and built in the late 19th century were designed by the famous architects of the period, French Alexander Vallaury and Italian Raimondo D`Aronco.

 

The most important works of the architects are Pera Palace (Alexander Vallury) and Major Palace (Raimondo D`Aronco).

 

Especially with the 1st World War, French and Italian architects in Istanbul played an important role in the architecture of Taksim and Istiklal Street.

 

The demographic structure of Istanbul is briefly as follows: Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, Kurds and Albanians.

 

Where are the quietest and safest neighborhoods in Istanbul?

The areas where the majority of Istanbulers  with a well-educated and middle-upper income level live are the quiet areas with low crime rates these are;

Beşiktaş

· Etiler

· Levent

· Akaretler

 Şişli

· Nişantaşi

Sarıyer

· Tarabya

· Kirecburnu

· Emirgan

· İstinye

Bakırköy

· Atakoy

Asian Side;

Kadikoy

· Moda

· Cadde Bostan

· Göztepe

Üskudar

· Beylerbeyi

· Kuzguncuk

· Cengelköy

 

Which neighborhoods in Istanbul have the lowest education and income levels and the highest crime rates?

Can you swim in Istanbul?

Yes, Kilyos, which is located on the Black Sea coast of Istanbul and is especially preferred by Istanbullers, stands out as the most popular beach in Istanbul.

 

Along with Kilyos, Sile, which is located on the Asian side of Istanbul and also on the Black Sea coast, Büyükçekmece Beach, which is located on the Marmara Sea coast, Cadde Bostan Beach on the Asian side, Florya Beach on the European side and Bostancı Beach, which is also on the Asian side, come to the fore.

 

What are the most historical structures in Istanbul?

Especially the Sultan Ahmed and Eminonu regions, which are called the center of Istanbul and are also called the Old City today, are adorned with structures that have witnessed a historical moment in every square centimeter.

 

The most important of these are; Hagia Saphia, built in 537 by the Byzantine Emperor Justinianus, first as a cathedral, then as a mosque and today used as both a mosque and a museum.

 

Topkapi Palace,

The palace used as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, the place where the sultans lived and contains the Harem, the Holy Relics and many historical artifacts.

 

The palace, which was the administrative center and residence of the sultans for 400 years, hosted many Ottoman sultans from the 15th century to the 19th century.

 

Some of the sultans who lived and ruled in the palace are as follows;

 

Fatih Sultan Mehmed (1451-1481) 30 years.

II. Beyazid (1481-1512) 31 years.

Yazvuz Sultan Selim (1512-1520) 8 years.

Kanuni Sultan Suleyman (1520-1566) 46 years.

II. Selim (1566-1574) 8 years.

III. Murad (1574-1595) 21 years.

IV. Murad (1623-1640) 17 years.

I.Ahmed  (1603-1617) 14 years.

I. Abdulhamid  (1744-1789) 45 years.

III. Selim (1789-1807) 18 years.

The last Sultan to live in Topkapi Palace was III. Ahmed.

 

 

Another historical structure in the same region is the Basilica Cistern, which has been the subject of many Hollywood movies.

 

The Basilica Cistern was built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor I. Justinian between 527-565 AD.

 

The purpose of the construction of the cistern was to meet and store the city's water needs.

 

Another historical structure is the Galata Tower.

Built by the Genoese in the 14th century, it is one of the symbols of the city with its view of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.

The Galata Tower was used for various purposes during the period it was built, some of which are; defense and observation, fire watchtower, dungeon and prison and observatory (observatory).

Another historical structure of the city is Dolmabahce Palace.

 

Dolmabahce Palace was built by the Ottoman Emperor of the period, Sultan Abdulmecid, between 1843-1856.

 

Dolmabahce Palace was built to bear western style architectural features as an example of the westernization efforts of the Ottoman Empire, the architects of the palace are Garabet Balyan, Nigogayol Balyan and James William Smith.

 

Dolmabahce Palace reflects the mixture of Baroque Rococo and Neoclassical styles, unlike classical Ottoman architecture.

 

After the construction of Dolmabahce Palace was completed, Sultan Abdulmecid moved the administrative office of the Empire from Topkapi Palace to here.

 

Dolmabahce Palace is also of great importance as the place where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, spent his last days and passed away.

 

Dolmabahce Palace has a total of 265 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths and 68 toilets, and was built on a total area of ​​45,000 square meters.

 

Another historical structure located in the Sultan Ahmed region is the Grand Bazaar, which is known as one of the oldest shopping centers in the world.

 

The Grand Bazaar was built in 1461, again by the order of Fatih Sultan Mehmed, after the conquest of Istanbul.

After its construction was completed, some additions were made and it took its current form. The purpose of the Grand Bazaar was to revitalize the city's trade and organize the city's economic activities.

 

Initially, the Grand Bazaar started operating as a center where precious metals, jewelry and textile products were traded, but over time it developed and became the most important commercial center of the Ottoman Empire.

 

Today, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and most covered bazaars in the world with approximately 4000 shops.

 

Where is the oldest Grand Bazaar in the world?

The oldest Grand Bazaar in the world is Bazaar of Isfahan in Iran.

 

What are the opening hours and days of the Istanbul Grand Bazaar?

 

Another historical structure of Istanbul is the Suleymaniye Mosque, which is also located in the Sultan Ahmed district.

 

Suleymaniye Mosque was built between 1550-1557 by the Sultan of the period, Suleyman I (Suleiman the Magnificent).

The construction of the mosque was carried out by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.

 

Which is the largest mosque in Istanbul?

The largest mosque in Istanbul is the Camlica Mosque located on Camlica Hill.

 

Another historically important structure far from the city center of Istanbul is Rumeli Hisari.

 

Rumeli Hisari was built in 1452 by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror).

It is known that the Sultan himself worked on the construction of the castle.

The castle was built as a preparation for the conquest of Istanbul. This structure, which aimed to gain control over the Bosphorus in order to conquer Istanbul by the Ottoman Empire, was built to control the strategic passage between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea.

 

Is Rumeli Hisari open to touristic tours?

Yes, Rumeli Hisari is open to touristic tours, you can visit the inside of the castle and get detailed information about the castle from Deema Travel DMC guides.

 

Which days and hours is Rumeli Hisari open to tours?

 

Rumeli Hisari visiting days; It can be visited every day of the week, but it is closed on official holidays.

 

Rumeli Hisari Visiting Hours; It is open to visitors between 09:00 in the morning and 17:00 in the evening.

 

How much is the Rumeli Hisari 2024 visit and entrance fee?

Note : You can get more detailed information about Sultan Ahmed Square from Deema Travel DMC`s authorized and certified guides during your Old City tour.