
Istanbul is Turkey's largest city and its economic, cultural, and historical center, with over 15 million residents spanning two continents across the Bosphorus strait. The city is among the world's largest by population and serves as a crucial hub straddling one of the world's busiest waterways, connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
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See Turkey#Get in for visa requirements. From 2020, most EU, UK, CIS and South American visitors do not need a visa. Those from many other countries including Australia, Canada and US can get an e-visa online, valid for 90 days.
thumb|upright=2.5|Rapid transit map of Istanbul (urban rail and metrobüs systems) İETT (or just toplu taşıma) is the municipality's public transportation company. Istanbul's public transit system can be difficult to figure out. However, if you put some effort into it, you can avoid taxis and not walk too much.
Unless you use the Istanbulkart, each time you use a tram, metro, bus, or boat on the public transport system, you will need to use a ticket or pass. They can be bought at various vending machines at bus, railway and metro stations or authorized ticket/Istanbulkart sellers (usually newspaper kiosks). Ticket fares across buses, trams and metros differ. Only cash in Turkish lira is accepted at ticket kiosks of public transport, no credit cards or foreign currency. The Istanbul subway system does not offer transfer tickets: each change to a new line requires a new fare.
When travelling to Istanbul by air, it is much cheaper (and more fun) to use the bus (or metro system once it is extended) to get as close to your accommodation as possible before walking and/or taking a taxi to where you are staying. Although the public transport may be slightly confusing, taxis/charter buses from the airport are notoriously overpriced.
If public transport is your choice of getting around, consider using smartphone public transportation applications so that you can easily see stops, stations and terminals nearby or see alternate routes for your planned destination. İETT has an official …
thumb|Istanbul Archaeological Museums thumb|Topkapı Palace from the Galata Tower thumb|Basilica cistern, built by the Romans
thumb|Interior of a hamam Hamam – Sultanahmet has many historical hamams. Some are very extravagant and cater mainly to tourists. Waterpipe – Most of the places where you can smoke a nargile are in Yeniçeriler Caddesi, near the Kapalı Çarşı (Grand Bazaar). Çorlulu Ali Paşa and Koca Sinan Paşa Türbesi are both in secluded internal courts, just around the corner from some tomb yards, while Rumeli Kahvesi is actually inside the cemetery of an old medrese, though it’s not as spooky as you might think. In the south of Sultanahmet, near the sea, is Yeni Marmara (Çayıroğlu Sokak), where you can also sit in the terrace and enjoy the view. In Beyoğlu, at the Ortakahve (Büyükparmakkapı), there’s even the choice of a wide range of flavors. Another area with few big good looking places is the Rıhtım Caddesi, between Galata bridge and Istanbul Modern Museum.
( 此條目介紹的是伊斯坦堡的城市概覽。关于歷史發展上的伊斯坦布爾,请见「拜占庭」和「君士坦丁堡」。) 伊斯坦堡(土耳其語:İstanbul [isˈtanbuɫ] ())是土耳其最大城市,亦是该国的经济、文化和历史中心。它坐落于土耳其西北部的博斯普鲁斯海峡之滨,位于马尔马拉海和黑海之间,横跨欧亚大陆,经济和历史中心位于欧洲一侧,有三分之一人口居住于亚洲一侧。其人口达到1440万,为全欧洲最大的城市群,亦是中东最大和全球第六大城市。全市辖区面积5,343平方公里(2,063平方英里),其覆盖范围和伊斯坦堡省相同,亦是该省的行政中心和世界上唯一横跨兩大洲的城市。 西元前660年左右,该市以“拜占庭”之名建立于萨拉基里奥角,并在此后逐渐发展为历史上最为重要的城市之一。西元330年该市重建为君士坦丁堡(希臘語:Κωνσταντινούπολις,羅馬化:Konstantinoúpolis;拉丁語:Constantinopolis)或新罗马(希臘語:Νέα Ῥώμη,羅馬化:Nea Romē;拉丁語:Nova Roma),并在此后的近十六个世纪内先后成为罗马帝国(330年–1204年及1261年–1453年)、拉丁帝国(1204年–1261年)和鄂圖曼帝国(1453年–1922年)的帝国首都。在罗马和拜占庭帝国时代,它对基督教的发展產生重要的作用,而在1453年鄂圖曼帝国征服该城之后,它成为了伊斯兰教的中心和鄂圖曼帝国哈里发的驻地。 伊斯坦堡是古丝绸之路的途经地,也是欧洲和中东的铁路网络之间、黑海和地中海间海路的必经之地,使得伊斯坦堡的战略地位十分重要,由此也哺育了兼收并蓄的人口和文化,虽然在1923年共和国成立之后这一状况略不如前。在战间期伊斯坦堡未能成为新首都,受到忽视,但此后其影响力逐步恢复。自1950年代以来,该市的人口已翻了十倍,来自安那托利亚各地的人口涌入,城市的界限也为此逐渐扩张。20世纪末艺术节开始得到兴办,而随着基础设施的改善,复杂的交通网络也由此建立起来。 2012年,在当选欧洲文化之都两年之后,近1160万外国游客造访伊斯坦堡 ,使其成为世界第五受欢迎的旅游目的地。该市最重要的景点仍是其历史城区,部分被列为联合国教科文组织世界遗产,而位于贝伊奥卢区的天然港金角湾则是其文化和娱乐的中心。伊斯坦堡还被认为是一个全球城市,亦是全球发展速度最快的都市经济区之一。诸多土耳其公司及媒体将总部设于此,全市国内生产总值超过全国的四分之一。伊斯坦堡希望借助其复苏和快速扩张的契机,在二十年内五次申请举办夏季奥林匹克运动会。
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For a full-on culinary experience, one should look for esnaf lokantası restaurants. They are essentially old-school canteens with a variety of traditional selections from soups to main courses to desserts.
thumb|A street in [[Istanbul/Kadikoy|Kadıköy]]
Meyhanes are taverns which originated in Ottoman times. They come in both 'traditional' and 'modern' accents, some even with some belly dancing. One could find them mostly on the seaside districts of both sides.
Bebek is a small town on the European Bosphorus, 10 km north of downtown, with fancy restaurants and bars. Great place to have a walk on the seaside after a nice dinner. Bağdat Caddesi is a very long avenue full of good restaurants, boutiques and high-end stores on the south Anatolia side of Istanbul. Beyoğlu has lively night life, with cafes and bars with live music. Kadıköy also has a compact nightlife scene, serving mostly locals of this part of the city. It's easy-going, with local pubs and wine houses. Karaköy is the rising star of the city, with its underground parties with views over the Marmara Sea. Nişantaşı is the place for young entrepreneurs and artists, but prices are higher than in Taksim.
Nightclubs are found all over the city, but most popular ones are in Pera and Ortaköy.
thumb|Taksim Square In general, it is possible to find some kind of accommodation in any part of Istanbul. Here is a quick list of the areas where they are concentrated most:
Harbiye is a popular place to stay; it's close to the main centre of the new city on the European side, and contains a variety of international standard apartments, hotels, and moderate hotels for budget travelers. Nişantaşı and Taksim are quite close so you can stay in Harbiye and benefit from all activities in those areas. Taksim is the main centre of the city on the European side. Locals and tourists go to Taksim for shopping and entertainment, and it has moderate hotels for budget travelers. There are also hostels in this area. Sultanahmet the main centre for the old city on the European side. It has a selection of quality, reasonably priced hotels, many with terraces overlooking the Golden Horn, or with views of the Marmara Sea and the Blue Mosque. Most hostel-type accommodation frequented by independent travellers are located in this district, although it is possible to find a few upmarket hotels. Upscale hotels can be found in the western suburbs, especially around the former airport, as well as on or near the banks of the European Bosphorus. Caravan parks exist in Ahırkapı south of Sultanahmet, in Maltepe in the Maltepe and in the outlying villages on both sides of the Bosphorus.
thumb|Don't try to outrun them... In Istanbul, most drivers won't abide any rules. Even if you have priority on a road junction, crosswalk, or even during green light, always be aware of your surroundings. Even if you are in a one way road, check both sides before crossing the road. It is common for Turkish drivers to use shortcuts.
A major earthquake with epicenter in the nearby Sea of Marmara is expected within the next few decades, so read the earthquake safety article before you arrive.
If prices are not on display, always ask beforehand (even for a tea) instead of just ordering something like in Europe. This can be fatal in Istanbul because tourists are constantly overcharged. Unfortunately, often prices are not on display, like in sweet shops or even restaurants. Skip these places or ask for a price knowing what the approximate or fair price is.
Istanbul is home to three of the biggest clubs in Turkey and maybe European football: Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray. It is advisable not to wear your jersey on the days of matches between the sides due to the fearsome rivalry they share. If you are supporting the away team whenever the Turkish national team plays in Istanbul, be very careful as violent attacks on fans and players of the opposing team have been known to occur.
thumb|Tophane Fountain Tap water may not be safe depending on where you drink it. Although the tap water itself is clean, many local water tanks are not maintained properly, and one should try to avoid tap water if possible. Locals widely prefer bottled water and the same applies for the restaurants. Expect to pay for water in restaurants. Although there are fountains nearly everywhere.
Food and drinks are mostly of international standards. Some Turkish foods are known to use a variety of spices which may affect international tourists who may not be accustomed to such ingredients, although most of it is edible for any tongue.
Use common sense when buying certain foods, particularly from street vendors. Delicacies such as "Firin Sutlac" (a kind of rice pudding) can go bad rapidly on a hot day, as can the oysters occasionally for sale on the streets.
thumb|Çamlıca TV Tower For general information on SIM cards, Wi-Fi and Internet see the country article.
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