"The god and human, nature and art are together in there, they have created such a perfect place that it is valuable to see." Alphonse de Lamartine.

It has been known as Byzantium and Constantinople, but visitors to Istanbul would know this city anywhere. A dynamic meeting of the east and the west, Turkey's largest city is absolutely unforgettable.

With a population of 12.6 million, Istanbul is the world's fifth largest city, and the only city in the world that spans two continents.

Over the past decade, the city has experienced a renaissance, fast becoming an epicentre of fashion, art and culture, and deserving of the moniker 'the world's hippest city'. Istanbul is full of happening restaurants, bars, galleries and clubs, as well as being so chock-full of historical sites that it would take an enthusiastic visitor weeks to explore them all.

Istanbul has a temperate climate. Summers are hot and humid, averaging twenty eight degrees. During winter, it is wet and cold and can even snow. The city is also windy, with an average wind speed of seventeen kilometres per hour.

Istanbul's energy and modernity is relished by visitors and locals alike. Buying Istanbul property will catapult you headfirst into one of the world's most exciting places.
Istanbul has two airports, Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen, and both have direct flights to many areas of the UK all year round. It's a very accessible city, with excellent links to the rest of Turkey.

Months:	Jan - March	April - June	July - Sep	Oct - Dec
Average Temperature:	5°	20°	26°	10°

Istanbul has long, hot summers and mild, wet winters. Most of the rain falls over December and January. Unlike the Mediterranean regions of Turkey, the seasons aren't as clear-cut in Istanbul and you could find yourself caught in a rain shower during the summer, or find yourself basking in the sun of a February day. The best times to visit the city are in spring, early summer and autumn, when the weather isn't prohibitively hot. Snow can fall in the depths of winter.

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Istanbul Nearest Airport:

Istanbul Ataturk International Airport 15 km to Istanbul European 20 km to Istanbul City Centre 55 km to Istanbul Asian Sabiha Gokcen International Airport 20 km to Istanbul Asian 50 km to Istanbul City Centre 65 km to Istanbul European

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Istanbul Nearest Marina/Port:

Istanbul Atakoy Marina 700 berths 100 yatchs on land 10 km to Istanbul European

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Istanbul Hospitals:

State Hospital Marmara University Hospital Dr Siyami Ersek Hospital Private Hospitals American Hospital Florence Nightingale Hospital

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Istanbul Beaches:

Calis Beach Olu Deniz Beach

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Istanbul Main Attractions:

A brief history of Istanbul It's thought that people inhabited the area now known as Istanbul from 3000 BC, but the city's real history began in 658 BC, with the appearance of Byzas from Megara Ali Pasha: Nargile experience One of Istanbul's most well known and best loved Nargile houses is the Corlulu Ali Pasha Medresesi Aynalikavak Palace This picturesque building on the shore of the Golden Horn is a reminder that this now modern, urban area was for many centuries full of parks, gardens, meadows and streams, where Ottoman sultans and before them the Byzantines came for summer outings Bosphorus Ferry The Bosphorus Strait is one of the world's busiest waterways, and it's fascinating to watch the many boats navigating their way through the waters Byzantine hippodrome Istanbul's most incredible historical remains can be found in Sultanahmet Square, in the heart of Istanbul's Old Town Church of St Saviour This 11th century church is in the district of Chora Dolmabahce Palace This beautiful building was once the winter residence of 19th century Ottoman sultans Egyptian bazaar This market was built in the seventeenth century as an extension to Yeni Camii (New Mosque) Emirgan Park Famous for its gardens of tulips, Emirgan Park is at its finest during the month of April, when these delicate flowers are in bloom Europe's largest aquarium Discover what it's like to walk along the bottom of the ocean at Europe's largest aquarium French Quarter: Fransiz Sokagi Istanbul's French Quarter is concentrated on one street: Fransiz Sokagi Galata Bridge It may sound like a strange place to spend time, but the underside of this bridge that connects the two sides of European Istanbul has a lower deck with restaurants, cafes and bars Galata Tower The Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower in Istanbul's Galata suburb Haghia Sophia Known as Aya Sofya and translated as 'Church of Divine Wisdom,' Haghia Sophia is famous throughout the world as the finest remaining example of Byzantine architecture Istanbul Blue Mosque Sultanahmet Camii, also known as the Blue Mosque, is located in the touristy Sultanahmet district of Istanbul Istanbul by balloon Now this is something you won't find in every city Istanbul Military Museum Istanbul Military Museum is one of the finest museums of its kind in the world Istanbul Modern This gigantic art gallery holds an impressive collection of contemporary art from Turkey and across the globe Istanbul's city walls Built in the fifth century during the rule of Theodosius II, the city walls are the largest surviving Byzantine structure in Istanbul Istanbul's hookah craze Hookah, shisha, or hubbly-bubbly - Turks have been puffing on the narghile for the last four hundred years Istanbul's steamy hammams After a hard day's sightseeing around this majestic city, what better way is there to wind down than having your flesh scraped, kneaded and thumped by a half-naked stranger? Hammams were originally intended to purify the body and soul in accordance with Islamic traditions, which dictate you must cleanse the body before praying Istanbul's wooden houses Almost all Istanbul's Ottoman-era houses were made of wood, and even up to the twentieth century the city was still a sea of wooden construction Kapali Carsisi - the Grand Bazaar Prepare yourself for the most intense shopping experience of your life Koc Museum One of Istanbul's newest museums, the Koc Museum was built by one of Turkey's richest men, Ramie Koc Nightlife in Istanbul At night Istanbul turns into action central, with nightlife to rival the most stylish European centre Paradise Zoo It's a bit of a trek from the city centre - in fact, it's thirty-five kilometres away - but visitors who make the journey never regret it Princes' Islands The Princes' Islands are home to Istanbul's elite, who own summer houses and palaces there Rumeli Hisari The great fortress of Rumeli Hisari was built at the order of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in the 15th Century Sisli Science Museum If you've ever wanted to put out a fire, experience a large earthquake, see a 20 million-year-old tree or find out your weight in space, you've found the right place Sultan's Boats While Venice has gondolas, Istanbul has the Sultan's Boats Taksim Square and Istiklal Caddesi When you wander this area in the evening, you'll get a feel for Istanbul's modern European side Topkapi Palace This palace was originally a summer residence and the seat of government Whirling dervishes Sufi music and its accompanying whirling dancers are one of Turkey's most famous cultural elements Yildiz Park If you want to escape the sheer madness of the city, this is the place to come

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