The history of Istanbul, once the capital of three great empires — the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires — spans over 8,500 years.
Starting from the 4th century AD, Constantine the Great and subsequent emperors, followed by Ottoman Sultans from the 15th century onwards, made continuous efforts to beautify the city.
With the modernization and westernization initiatives that began with the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923, Istanbul’s historical role as a bridge and unifier between Eastern and Western cultures has been reinforced.
- Istanbul Airport serves as a major hub for international flights from around the world.
- Istanbul hosts properties from most major hotel chains, including many deluxe options.
- The city showcases a diverse culture and lifestyle.
- Turkish cuisine is renowned as one of the best and is also suitable for vegetarians.
- Istanbul offers a vibrant nightlife scene with numerous restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs.
- The Bosphorus uniquely divides the city between two continents: Europe & Asia.
