İstanbul 

The god and human, nature and art are together in there, they have created such a perfect place that it is valuable to see." Lamartine’s famous poetic line reveals his love for Istanbul, describing the embracing of two continents, with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe.

Istanbul, once known as the capital of capital cities, has many unique features. It is the only city in the world to straddle two continents, and the only one to have been a capital during two consecutive empires - Christian and Islamic. Once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul still remains the commercial, historical and cultural pulse of Turkey, and its beauty lies in its ability to embrace its contradictions. Ancient and modern, religious and secular, Asian and European, mystical and earthly all co-exist here.

Its variety is one of Istanbul’s greatest attractions: The ancient mosques, palaces, museums and bazaars reflect its diverse history. The thriving shopping area of Taksim buzzes with life and entertainment. And the serene beauty of the Bosphorus, Princes Islands and parks bring a touch of peace to the otherwise chaotic metropolis.

DISTRICTS: Adalar, Bakırköy, Beşiktaş, Beykoz, Beyoğlu, Eminönü, Eyüb, Fatih, Gazi Osman Pasha, Kadıköy, Kâğıthane, Kartal,Küçükçekmece, Pendik, Sarıyer, Şişli, Ümraniye, Üsküdar, Zeytinburnu, Büyükçekmece, Çatalca, Silivri, Şile, Avcılar, Bağcılar, Bahçelievler, BayramPasha, Esenler, Güngören, Maltepe, Sultanbeyli, Tuzla,

SITES OF INTEREST: Silivri, Kumburgaz, Bosphorus, Kumköy (Kilyos), Şile, Prince Islands, Belgrad Forest, Abrahan Pasha Grove, Emirgân Grove, Yıldız Park, Çamlıca Hill and Gülhane Park, Tuzla mineral springs, İstanbul city walls, Bozdoğan (Valens), aquaduct, Binbirdirek and Yerebatan Cicterns, Ayasofya, Aya İrini, former church Bodrum, Fenari İsa, Fethiye, İmrahor, Kalenderhane, Kariye, Yeni İmaret and Zeyrek mosques, Bukoleon and Tekfur Palaces, Çemberlitaş, Dikilitaş, Yılanlı Sütun, Kıztaşı, Maiden Tower, Galata Tower, Fatih, Bayezid, Sultan Selim, Haseki Hürrem Sultan, Süleymaniye, Sokullu Mehmed Pasha, Kılıç Ali Pasha, Yeni Cami, Şemsi Pasha, Sultan Ahmed, Köprülü Mehmed Pasha, Çorlulu Ali Pasha, Amcazade Hüseyin Pasha, Laleli and Damat İbrahim Pasha mosque complexes, Rüstem Pasha and Gazanfer Ağa old theological schools (medrese) Anadolu and Rumeli Fortresses, Mağlova Arch, Ahmed III and German Fountains, Topkapı, Dolmabahçe, Beylerbeyi, Çırağan and Yıldız Palaces, Şale, Malta and Çadır Pavillions, Aynalıkavak, Küçüksu (Göksu), Tophane and Ihlamur mansions, Eyüb Sultan, Firuz Ağa, Sinan Pasha, Nuriosmaniye, Beylerbeyi, Selimiye, Musretiye, Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy, Pertevniyan Valide Sultan and Cerrah Pasha mosques, Covered Bazaar, Egyptian Bazaar, Simkeşhane, Büyük Valide, Balkapanı, Vezir, Cebeci and Çuhaci Inns, Silivri, Büyükçekmece, Küçükçekmece, Çobançeşme, Haramidere and Bostancı bridges, Dolmabahçe Clock Tower, Köprülü, Süleymaniye, Nuruosmaniye and Municipality Libraries, İstanbul Archeology, İstanbul Topkapı Palace, İstanbul Turkish and Islamıc Works, Ottoman Classical (Divan) Literature, İstanbul Art and Sculpture, Arasta Mozaic, Ayasofya, Yerebatan Palace, Turkish Caligraphic Arts, Military, Navy Tanzimat, Aşihan (Edebiyat-ı Cedide) and Şişli Atatürk Museums.

For more information click here (REPUBLIC OF TURKEY MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM)