Where is the Historical Peninsula? Basilica Cistern The Historical Peninsula lies within the boundaries of today’s Fatih district. The peninsula is bordered on the north by the Golden Horn, and on the south by the Sea of Marmara. Its eastern border is on the Bosphorus. To the west of the Historical Peninsula are İstanbul’s historic city walls. Why is the Historical Peninsula important? Spice Bazaar Perhaps İstanbul’s most significant historical and touristic center, the Historical Peninsula has been continuously inhabited from the 7th century BC to the present day, and houses some of the worl ..read more

Origin: Kadıköy Bull Statue The place to begin a tour of Kadıköy seems obvious: the Bull Statue. A symbol of the district as well as its starting point, the Bull Statue is a popular meeting point for locals and residents, as well as a pre-match gathering and entertainment spot for fans of Fenerbahçe, the district’s football team. The statue is at Altı Yol, the intersection of Söğütlüçeşme, Kuşdili and General Asım Gündüz streets. Although it appears to have been there for centuries, it is a recent arrival, compared to many of the city’s venerable monuments. Created in 1864 by sculptor Houilla ..read more

History of Topkapı Palace Museum The Topkapı Palace Museum is in Fatih, İstanbul, on a hilltop overlooking the Bosphorus. Erected in 1460 and completed in 1478 by Fatih Sultan Mehmet following his conquest of İstanbul, Topkapı Palace served as the administrative center and official residence of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries during the 600-year Ottoman reign. On April 3, 1924, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk requested that Topkapı Palace be converted into a museum, and it became the first museum of the newly established Republic of Türkiye. Once home to nearly four thousand people, Topkapı Pal ..read more

The story of Dolmabahçe Palace Dolmabahçe Palace History of Dolmabahçe Palace On a site that once served as a private garden for sultans, Dolmabahçe Palace is considered one of the most elegant structures dating from the Ottoman Empire’s final period. Featuring Baroque, Rococo and Neo-Classical elements blended with Ottoman stylistic elements, the 285-room palace was, for a time, the largest in Türkiye as a monobloc building. The complex also includes a mosque and gardens. The land on which Dolmabahçe Palace stands was once a bay. Used by the Ottoman fleet for docking their vessels, the area ..read more

Taksim Square Taksim Square Taksim Square and Taksim Republic Monument Our tour of Taksim’s attractions begins at Taksim Square, the heart of the neighborhood. First, some historical background: The word “taksim” means “division” in Arabic and Ottoman Turkish; the square is named for the Ottoman-era stone reservoir in the area, which was Istanbul’s main reservoir, and where water lines from the north of the city were collected, divided and branched off to other areas. Now considered one of İstanbul’s most popular tourist destinations, Taksim Square is centered around the Taksim Republic Monum ..read more

The silent witness of the Bosphorus: The Maiden’s Tower Maiden’s Tower, Üsküdar. The stories behind these historical structures add to their allure and the Maiden’s Tower has an extraordinary tale. Set on a small island off the coast of Salacak, in Üsküdar, the legend of the Maiden’s Tower dates to the fifth century BC. Now considered a symbol of Üsküdar, the Tower was erected in the 12th century by the Eastern Roman Emperor Manuel I Komnenos as part of the city’s defenses; since that time it has served as a customs station, a place of exile, and a lighthouse. In antiquity, the island was a t ..read more

First: The meaning of a Michelin Star Meals at Michelin-starred restaurants Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants that meet certain criteria, which broadly include the following: -Using quality products -Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques -The cuisine reflects the personality of the chef -Value for money -Consistency of food and quality Restaurants are visited and reviewed multiple times by an anonymous team of ‘restaurant inspectors’. The origin of the Michelin Guide The prestigious Michelin Guide was originally launched around 1889, part of an effort by brothers Andre and Edouard ..read more

Belgrade Forest Belgrade Forest, İstanbul. The Belgrade Forest, one of the most popular destinations on İstanbul’s European side, is naturally among the first that comes to mind. Home to thousands of plant and animal species, the Belgrade Forest was the source of the city’s drinking water during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, The Forest offers walking paths and a serene atmosphere, as well as picnic areas and even a café. Especially in autumn, you can see the Forest at its most beautiful. Belgrade Forest is located on the borders of the Sarıyer district and is accessible via public transp ..read more

Skate parks on the Asian side Skateboarding youngsters in Kadıköy. Kalamış Skatepark Kadıköy is even more beautiful in summer and there’s no better time to bring a skateboard, skates or a bike to Kalamış Skatepark, located inside Kalamış Atatürk Park. Established in coordination with a sports brand, a non-governmental organization, and the local municipality to inspire young skateboarders, Kalamış Skatepark is one of the buzziest skate parks on the Anatolian side. A bicycle park is parallel to the skating area, which also includes lockers and a skateboard repair counter. Pendik Skatepark Also ..read more

Let’s get to know Istanbul Bosphorus With around 15,8 million inhabitants in 2021, Istanbul is Turkey’s most populous city. Therefore, Istanbul hosts about thrice as many inhabitants in comparison to Turkey’s capital, Ankara, which has a population of about 5,8 million people. In this respect, the agglomeration of Istanbul accounts for almost a fifth of Turkey’s population. Byzantium was founded in 658 BC. The location of settlement was the Golden Horn, which formed a peninsula with the Sea of Marmara, resulting in a natural harbour. Through active trading at the Black Sea the city swiftly b ..read more