Istanbul seems sometimes closer and sometimes more distant as you explore its many facets. It could not be otherwise for a metropolis that has put one foot on Europe and the other on Asia, on both sides of the Bosphorus strait that connects the Marmara Sea to the Black Sea. A unique situation which historically placed the city in the center of multiple stakes and quarrels, in turn capital of the Eastern Roman Empire under the name of Byzantium, then capital of the Ottoman Empire under the name of Constantinople and finally economic and cultural capital of the Republic of Turkey. An extraordinary history that can be found at almost every street corner, when reading the Istanbul tourist guide, thanks to monuments of unparalleled beauty symbolized by the Blue Mosque, the Basilica of Saint Sophia or the Topkapi Palace. But Istanbul is not only a museum city, it is also a cosmopolitan and diverse city where each district impregnates you with a unique atmosphere, between zouks, hammam, old town, trendy cafes and shopping temple as on the long Istiklal avenue.

When to go Istanbul ?

The best time to go to Istanbul is in April/May/June or September/October, when there are fewer tourists and the temperatures are mild. Beware, it is very common to see snow falling on the city from the beginning of December until the end of February, sometimes even in early March. If it persists, Istanbul can be completely blocked and traffic becomes impossible. The busiest months are July, August, May and September, followed closely by October. Christmas and New Year's Eve are also very popular.

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How to go Istanbul

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How to go alone

The price of a plane ticket is very variable and depends on the airline used but, above all, on the reservation delay. In high season, last minute fares can be very high on some airlines. To get good prices, think about buying your tickets well in advance! Note that low cost flights now serve Istanbul.

How to go on a tour

Several tour operators propose offers of stays. Some include the visit of Istanbul in a complete tour of Turkey, others put forward the capital under the prism of thematic stays (long weekend or discovery of the city in winter for example). Prices may vary depending on the booking period.

How to get around

Buses and collective cabs (which stop on request) are the least expensive means of transportation. The entire metropolis is covered by metro, streetcar and funicular. The two banks of the Bosphorus are linked by frequent ferry connections. The acquisition of the Istanbulkart allows to reduce the costs of the journeys.

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Discover Istanbul

Quiet and dynamic, modern and ancient, religious and secular, Istanbul offers an incomparable and multiple face that other cities could envy. This megalopolis of more than 16 million inhabitants is the only one in the world to be crossed by an arm of the sea, the Bosphorus. To visit Istanbul is also to travel back in time, and, thanks to the numerous vestiges, to wander in Constantinople or Byzantium. The richness of its history and the influence of several cultures make it an exceptional place where invaluable treasures abound. Apprehending this fascinating city means experiencing a new culture and seeing the world in a different way. This is achieved through culinary, artistic and architectural discoveries, not forgetting the art of keyif (lazing) in the hammams. Surprising and generous, conservative and avant-garde, neither European nor Asian, it is simply unique.

Pictures and images Istanbul

L'oeil porte-bonheur. Sébastien Cailleux
Vue de Beyoğlu et Taksim depuis la tour de Galata. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Vendeurs de tapis. Atamu RAHI - Iconotec
Mosquée Rüstem Paşa. Stéphan SZEREMETA

The 12 keywords Istanbul

1. #Atatürk

Main Turkish statesman of the 20th century. Mustafa Kemal known as Atatürk (the father of the Turks) founded the Turkish Republic in 1923. He will modernize the country and establish the principles of secularism. His influence on the social life of the country is still very great, and it is difficult to ignore it so much his portraits, statues and photographs are present.

2. #Backgammon

26_Backgammon © Erik_s - iStockphoto.com.jpg

One of the oldest board games in the world, probably originating in Mesopotamia. In Turkey, every opportunity is good for playing. In some alleys filled with small tables for this purpose, Turks, while drinking their tea, click the dice on the wooden board. Mixing strategy and luck, this game is quickly addictive!

3. #Bazaar

Istanbul is full of bazaars, each district has its own speciality (bazaar of fabrics, bicycles, light bulbs...). The best known are the Egyptian market (spice market) and the big bazaar with its 5,000 shops. Between ceramics, jewellery, carpets and copper objects, it is the ideal place to go shopping if you know how to bargain well.

4. #Bosphorus

About 40 kilometers long, the Bosphorus serves as a passage between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, marking the boundary between Europe and Asia. Its traffic is one of the densest in the world: 50,000 boats a year and more than a million Stambulans pass from one bank to the other every day. Three bridges and a tunnel cross it.

5. #Turkish Coffee

27_Café Turc © Zufar Kamilov - iStockphoto.com.jpg

In the proper way, Turkish coffee should be slowly heated in sand over a fire to achieve a balanced aroma. The amount of sugar should be specified when ordering: sade (no sugar), orta (medium sweet) and şekerli (very sweet). After tasting, a falcı will be able to read the future in the pomace remaining at the bottom of the cup.

6. #Kebap

The term kebap, which means grilled meat, can refer to lamb, mutton, beef or chicken. There are many different kinds of kebap, which can be served as a dish with braised tomatoes and peppers, as a sandwich or rolled in a wrap. In France, the doner is best known for being cooked vertically.

7. #Mosques

28_© Zufar Kamilov - iStockphoto.com.jpg

Istanbul is known as the "city of seven hills and a thousand mosques". Today, there are 3,300 of them, some of which are pure jewels of Ottoman architecture. It is imperative to visit the Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque, avoiding the prayer hours (5 times a day), especially on Fridays between 12 and 2 pm.

8. #Nazar boncuk

29_Nazar Boncuk © gece33 - iStockphoto.com.jpg

Made from glass paste, this ancestral talisman is found throughout the Middle East, particularly in Turkey. Hanging on the doors of houses, in offices..., it symbolizes the envious gaze of others that could cause various misfortunes to a person. This talisman would have the ability to absorb these bad energies.

9. #Rakı

Turkish national alcohol, aniseed-flavored, at 45 degrees, generally made from grapes, it resembles pastis or ouzo. It is drunk chilled as an accompaniment to long meals of mezzes and fish. A few rules to follow: the rakı is served first, the water and then the ice cubes. To be enjoyed in moderation, the rakı is strong!

10. #Teras

Many restaurants, hotels, cafés, bars and nightclubs have a terrace. This asset is used to promote the establishment. Many of them have a beautiful view of the Bosphorus, but sometimes it is more a fashion effect and no panorama is on the horizon. Note that the fresh air is still pleasant.

11. #Tea

Çay(tchay) in Turkish. An essential drink of Turkish culture, offered as a sign of hospitality, it is drunk everywhere and at any time, served in small glass cups. More bitter and stronger than the tea served in Europe, don't hesitate to ask for it açık(atcheuk) so that it is lighter. Turks usually have tea after a meal.

12. #Tulip

If you are told tulips, you may think of the Netherlands, but tulips come from the Middle East! It is a symbol of Turkey, and especially of Istanbul (Turkish lale). It took on its full importance in the 16th century, in the Ottoman gardens. It is found as a motif on ceramics. At the end of April, the tulip festival celebrates spring.

You are from here, if...

You are a Stamboulian if, after drinking your Turkish coffee, you turn it over on the small plate that comes with it, so that you can read your future in the grounds.

You are a Stamboulian if you play backgammon(tavla) while drinking tea in a small neighborhood café.

You are a Stamboulian if you have a hearty breakfast(kahvaltı) with friends or family on the weekend.

You are a Stamboulian if, when you go to a restaurant, before you leave you pretend to go to the bathroom, but in reality you are going to pay the bill.

You are a Stambulian if, after a drunken evening, you go to a soup restaurant (open all night) and order the tripe soup(işkembe çorbası).

You are a Stambulian if, at the end of the day, you meet your friends by the Bosphorus and while chatting, you nibble on salted sunflower seeds.

Card Istanbul

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