The eastern half of the city of Istanbul is geographically on the Asian continent. Kadilkoy and Uskudar, once cities in their own right, now form the core of Asian Istanbul. The commercial part of the city, the area is full of high-rise buildings and apartment blocks. Historical Bosphorous bank is full of ancient palaces, dignified mansions and neighbourhoods full of character.

 

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

Istanbul's summers are long, and hot, and the winters are rainy, with snow possible around January. Be prepared for unpredictable weather whatever the season - Istanbul is a city of surprises. The best times to visit are in the spring when the trees and plants begin to grow, and in early summer and autumn.

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Istanbul Asian Nearest Airport:

Istanbul Ataturk International Airport 55 km to Istanbul Asian Sabiha Gokcen International Airport 20 km to Istanbul Asian

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Istanbul Asian Nearest Marina/Port:

Istanbul Atakoy Marina 700 berths 100 yatchs on land 40 km to Istanbul Asian

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Istanbul Asian Hospitals:

State Hospital Marmara University Hospital Dr Siyami Ersek Hospital

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Istanbul Asian Beaches:

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Istanbul Asian International Schools:

Aka School Istanbul International Community School Avrupa Koleji Bosphorus International Preschool Dogus Schools (DOGUS) Enka Schools (ENKOAK) Eyuboglu High School Hisar Educational Foundation School Marmara Education institutions International Gateway Academy Irmak Schools Robert College The British International School

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Istanbul Asian 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 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 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

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